Is Benchmade?

dc50

dc50

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I don't want to start a condemning/flaming thread here, I just don't know??Are Bencmade knives, superior to My beloved Kershaws and Spyderco's?
I always feel out of step, When some one in the general discussions ask the usuall. " Hi. could you recommend a solid pocket folder " etc.etc. and usually the flury of answers is a Benchmade Griptilian or similar.
Am I missing out by not having a Griptilian? I have a JYD II,NRG II and a RAM
on order. I just don't want to blow another $70 to $80 bucks when my Kershaw's and Spyderco's treat me real..... good:D
Oh the reason I posted here, is because it's one of the places that's home.

Peace Out,

Dave
 
I think its just a matter of opinion. I like the blade shapes, ergonomics, and looks of Kershaw better. I would pick kershaw over benchmade any day but some people would pick benchmade over kershaw. Benchmade seems to produce a lot more high end knives but for good users I would say that benchmade, spyderco, and kershaw are all very comparable companies.
 
Bus Driver said:
I don't want to start a condemning/flaming thread here, I just don't know??Are Bencmade knives, superior to My beloved Kershaws and Spyderco's?
Dave
Click to expand...

No; those companies are the "Big Three" for a reason, which is because they ALL have great quality, designs, and prices.
I find more variation in design with Spyderco, but kershaw does AO the best, and Benchmade has the AXIS lock; it all depends on what you're looking for.
And they all have knives in the lower price range, so make sure you're comparing the knives at the same price point when making cross-company comparisons.
I recommend all 3 companies.:)
 
The Benchmade mini-grip is the most used knife in our house...always in the kitchen drawer, good size and lockup, very smooth movement, easy to sharpen. The Spyderco Military is my best working knife...has been for years. I'm relatively new to buying and using Kershaw knives, but all things considered, IMO, at a similar pricepoint, you get more knife for the dollar with the Speedsafe/Stud-lock rig.
Stabman summed it up nicely (above).
 
I am a Kershaw nut. I love them. That being said, try them all out. If you like the looks of the Grip and it fits your needs and hand, by all means try it.

I find that one company typically does knives they way YOU want them and has the CS experience YOU want. For me that is Kershaw. For you, who knows maybe you like one, maybe you like 'em all.

The important thing is that you don't go off half cocked. Actually try the knives, compare knives at similar prices and with similar intended purposes. I saw a quote on someone's sig line a while back that said, "you want to know what makes customs, Chris Reeves, Busse....(et. al.) such great knives? Buy one and find out for your self." The same can be said about all knife companies.

In conclusion, just about everyone here that has made a commitment to a collection of knives has gone through the same thing. I think that it says alot for Kershaw that we all went through that process and ended up right here. Good luck on your search and don't let hype influence your purchase choices. I have and I regreted it every time.:thumbup:
 
When I first started buying 'tactical' style knives (read non-slippies), my
main purchases were Benchmade and Spyderco. Along with the Walker designs from Boker.
I really like the BM's and Spyderco's that I have and wouldn't trade them for anything.
That being said, I wouldn't trade any of my Kershaw's for any other brand.

I have (one of my most precious BM's) an 875S Sentinel. Blue Ti liners, ATS34 spear point.
Took me 3 days to line the blade up and have it flick open with barely a movement.
I carried this knife for years, right along with a Military and an AFCK.

I don't put BM, Spyderco or Kershaw in the same knife 'category'.
Each one offers something different to the customer.

I've been purchasing Kershaw's for a little over a year now, and have
been impressed with every purchase.
And I know they're working hard on a lot of new toys for us to play with. :thumbup:

There are so many forms of 'superior'. Better materials, design, ergonomics, even packaging etc...
It's all a question for the end-user to decide based on what they've learned
from the manf, peers and so on.

So, is BM better than Spyderco or Kershaw? No. Not by any means.
Do they have some great products? Heck yeah.
Do Spyderco and Kershaw have great products? Heck yeah.

A lot of our choices come down to personal preference.

Overall I find there are many choices for me from Kershaw.
They have a plethora of designers working directly with them to come
out with some of the most beautiful and useful knives I've ever seen.
Lee Williams, Ken Onion, RJ Martin, Grant & Gavin Hawk and so on.
Unsurpassed customer service. I haven't found any better CS from any manufacturer (of anything).

Hope some of this made sense.

time for lunch!

mike
 
Bus Driver said:
I don't want to start a condemning/flaming thread here, I just don't know??Are Bencmade knives, superior to My beloved Kershaws and Spyderco's?
I always feel out of step, When some one in the general discussions ask the usuall. " Hi. could you recommend a solid pocket folder " etc.etc. and usually the flury of answers is a Benchmade Griptilian or similar.
Am I missing out by not having a Griptilian? I have a JYD II,NRG II and a RAM
on order. I just don't want to blow another $70 to $80 bucks when my Kershaw's and Spyderco's treat me real..... good:D
Oh the reason I posted here, is because it's one of the places that's home.

Peace Out,

Dave
Click to expand...

Yes, you are missing out. Everyone needs at least one axis lock folder, just like everyone needs at least one Kershaw AO.
 
I have knives from Kershaw, Benchmade, Spyderco, Boker and LoneWolf and they all offer unique products. Benchmade has the Axis lock, Spyderco different steels and a couple of new locks, Boker with the Boker Plus line and LoneWolf with the Paul lock. I like them all but Kershaw is doing some some really nice knives that are made in the USA and are a very nice price. The price are low for a very well made knife. I don't how they do it. Also, this 13c26 steel is very good steel. The flippers and AO on kershaws are the best I have ever used.Take your pick as you can't go wrong with any of them.
RKH
 
Perhaps it may be better to look at it model by model if you're interested in trying out something new. As you mentioned, the Griptilian is a popular choice, so that might be a good place to start. Benchmade has a lot of nice models (more so in years past than now, IMO, but that's a separate discussion) so chances are good you can find something that fits your needs. I wouldn't worry about feeling "out of step" because what matters most is what you are comfortable with. If that means you end up with one knife from company A and a dozen from company B, so be it.
 
Choice is a good thing. I prefer Benchmades simply because I do. BUT I've owned knives from all three companies and think very highly of the Millies in particular. Great design!

One interesting thing about owning a Millie is now the larger BM models like the 710 and 740 just don't seem to feel as large as they did before.

Again, it's personal preference, so it's Benchmade for me.
 
Have to agree with what most of here has been said, but
what I really like about this thread is that there was no
bashing of other brands. :thumbup: (That gets seen way to much) :thumbdn:

Don't let your peers dictate what you buy. Go somewhere you can handle
a few of each in the type of knife your looking for and get what feels good
to you.
 
Fellas this was byfar, one of the best reviews of 3 knife brands,I have ever seen.:thumbup: I come away feeling a lot more informed with a wider view, and less of a prejudgment. Rather Kershaw,Spyderco and Benchmade are three well made products,some prefer one over the other based on ergonomics,the quickness,
and or of course the feel in the hand,and perhaps the blades grind and shape.

Sort of like two of my coworkers.
One fella drives a Camry, the other an Accord, I love Subaru's..its the AWD and the boxer growl:D All three are well built cars, but have different personality's.
They all pretty much do the same thing, but Jim wouldn't trade his Camry for
any thing else.

I must quote Svrider3

"Have to agree with what most of here has been said, but
what I really like about this thread is that there was no
bashing of other brands. (That gets seen way to much)"

I think you boyzz should be applauded for not making this into a bashing.
Good Stuff! and thank you very much.

Peace,

Dave
 
I have NEVER bought a kershaw UNTIL the ZT line. It was either customs, benchmade, or spydies or microtechs. I have to say that the ZT line is another class above benchmade and spydies for what you get per dollar spent. I pray for an auto to be added to the ZT line. That would rock!
 
Wrangler said:
I have NEVER bought a kershaw UNTIL the ZT line. It was either customs, benchmade, or spydies or microtechs. I have to say that the ZT line is another class above benchmade and spydies for what you get per dollar spent. I pray for an auto to be added to the ZT line. That would rock!
Click to expand...

Just hang in there. The Hawks and Kershaw have one in the works.

mike
 
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