Is Spyderco still "better value" than Benchmade?

I see alot of comments referring to sending a knife back for repairs or warranty?

In my mind you shouldn't need a warranty ..
A knife should be dependable .

I sent one knife back in my days .. still didn't need a warranty.
 
I agree with most of what the OP is saying except that I can get the Spydercos at a much lower price point but generally not the Benchmades. I use a few Spydercos at work because they are cheaper and I don't mind beating them up and the H1 does better in and around saltwater which is where my job is.
 
Thanks a lot for all the responses!

vjb.knife said:
I agree with most of what the OP is saying except that I can get the Spydercos at a much lower price point but generally not the Benchmades. I use a few Spydercos at work because they are cheaper and I don't mind beating them up and the H1 does better in and around saltwater which is where my job is.
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That is true, I think Spyderco has a much greater variety of different price ranges, whereas Benchmade's primary market is the higher end products.
 
MolokaiRider said:
Oh, and welcome to Bladeforums. Lots of passionate Forumites here with a wealth of knowledge.

If you have time take a look through the many sub-forums and stickies to get a feel for the site and how it works.

Good luck!
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Thank you! I have actually been lurking on here for a while but I just never created an account. There is some really good content on here!
 
BladeScout said:
Interesting first post.
Your post is formed like a question but seems like your mind is already made up.
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I agree my mind was already made up, and that is why I have made this post. I wasn't able to find any content relating to my question and most posts comparing the two brands were from many years back, stating the better value of Spyderco's. So, ultimately, I wanted to understand if there is something I'm missing and Spyderco's are still renowned as a much better value, or if my research has been correct in that the value is now similar.
 
I’d say Spyderco is a better value considering they still have several products, not including the entire Byrd line, priced well below the cheapest Benchmade. After owning numerous knives from both companies, I’d take a similarly priced Spyderco over a Benchmade any day of the week because the QC has been much more consistent.
 
To be fair, I would like to clarify the customer service component of my earlier post. I did have to send my BM Adamas back once (Omega Spring) and the service was excellent ... only fair to mention that. However, in my knife drawer, that Adamas sits next to a Cold Steel AD-10 which bests it in every way. Though I like the Adamas - I absolutely adore the AD-10. Neither get anywhere near the pocket time that my Spyderco knives get (mainly due to weight and girth. That doesn't even take into account the H-1 models I use in and around salt water.
 
Both are excellent. I prefer SPYDERCO

I’ve never had customer service issues with either (both very good) but for those that have had issues with Spyderco’s service - Sal Glesser is a member here at BF and I’m confident he will handle any issue you have.
 
Benchmade’s prices match their warranty, not their quality. It might be cool they replace blades at your leisure for a minimal fee, but they’re making that money back somewhere.

But I will say that when Benchmade gets a knife RIGHT, and all the QC checks are in place, it’s an excellent cutting instrument.

I just prefer Spyderco because of the simplicity and functionality.
 
There are Spyderco FAN BOYS and Benchmade haters and Spyderco haters and Benchmade FAN BOYS. Both good products. Pick what you like and your price range.

You know if you see it posted on the internet is must be true.
 
both have seen plenty of pocket time with me...spyderco has seen more for sure but the benchmade grip is still an all time fave. I think for me it comes down to the steel choices. both are quality and that comes with a price
 
colin.p said:
Both are well made knives, at similar price points. I look at Benchmade and Spyderco like Ford vs Chevy. I prefer Ford...
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Great statement. I think both are great manufacturers. The deciding factor for me is customer service. In my experience Spyderco leaves a lot to be desired... ordered some clips from them, they never even showed up. Benchmade had clips at my door in two days. Also Benchmade's custom shop is very cool. Spyderco doesn't have one.

Again I like both companies and their products, it seems one is a hell of a lot better at customer service than the other. Oh, and I also prefer Ford. :cool:
 
Wasatch11253 said:
Great statement. I think both are great manufacturers. The deciding factor for me is customer service. In my experience Spyderco leaves a lot to be desired... ordered some clips from them, they never even showed up. Benchmade had clips at my door in two days. Also Benchmade's custom shop is very cool. Spyderco doesn't have one.

Again I like both companies and their products, it seems one is a hell of a lot better at customer service than the other. Oh, and I also prefer Ford. :cool:
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I had the exact same thing happen to me. Unfortunately like others said BM has spotty QC but great CS. Spyderco ok QC and awful CS.
 
I have 11 Benchmades and 12 Spydercos. I don't feel any of them were overpriced for the quality or materials, except maybe my Shaman, but I've been using it so much I feel it's worth the price I paid. I really, really love the Shaman! My Manix XL is amazing, my Native Chief is awesome (and an awesome value IMO!), my PM2s are amazing...I've never got a dull Spyderco, however a few of mine are off center. Doesn't affect function, but some people get a little up in arms about centering...

My Benchmades are all excellent. The one I have sent back was an Ebay find, a Crooked River that had no box, oversharpened blade, and a cracked handle. I took a chance, and it was authentic. Sent it to Benchmade and they fixed it up perfectly no questions asked. They gained a customer for life then. All of mine are awesome quality wise, and seem to cut as well as any of my spydies. Haven't had a bit of trouble out of the Axis lock either, no broken springs. Maybe a little lock stick out of the box, but they have all broken in and become super smooth. Sure, some blades havent been sharpened as well as my Spydies, but Benchmade doesn't use a robot to sharpen their blades either, and they have been better than most of the ZT's ive bought. Add in a great warranty, and blade replacements, the custom shop (I have 3 customs...lol) and there is a lot to like about Benchmade.

so yea...I like both a lot. I carry both a lot. I have others I carry too (ZT/Kershaw and Cold Steel), but my favorites are obviously Benchmade and Spyderco. I feel the price has equalled the value for both companies, for me at least.
 
Value is too subjective a thing to have majorities agreeing on. For me I have plenty of both but have almost completely stopped buying Benchmade not because I dislike quality or price but because with my now retired income I tend to only buy knives I don't already have in designs I know for a fact will be useful to me. No real experimenting for me anymore. That typically will mean a Spyderco in a new steel in a known design. They run different steels with super dialed in heat treats in hardness that suit the steel. I don't see Benchmade going Rex 45 at rc 65, K390 at the same. Those sprints can be frustrating to get sometimes because they sell out so fast but I find them rewarding.
 
appliepie123 said:
I agree my mind was already made up, and that is why I have made this post. I wasn't able to find any content relating to my question and most posts comparing the two brands were from many years back, stating the better value of Spyderco's. So, ultimately, I wanted to understand if there is something I'm missing and Spyderco's are still renowned as a much better value, or if my research has been correct in that the value is now similar.
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I think price values would be subjective now since you can find Shaman priced Benchmades and vice versa.

Spyderco's current values are their Sprint/Exclusive steels and Benchmade's current values are their Customer Service.

The two most concerning things that I haven't seen mentioned are:
1) staying away from Amazon/Ebay third party sellers
2) if you stay on BF, you will end up with too many of both Spydercos + Benchmades
 
I'll take Spyderco over the steel options that they offer. I own a Benchmade 555-1 and its one of my most carried knives with AWT scales, I'm not a cowboys fan.

Buy and carry what you like.
 
Neither anymore! I have not bought from Spyderco or Benchmade in years. I love and will keep the ones i have.

Spydercos prices went way to high way to quick (still cant figure what their warranty covers anymore), and Benchmade still cant get a blade with a good edge or f&f. No recent experience, like I said left both companies. I also dont see any models this year that would change this (maybe that spyderco bow river, maybe.....).

The competition has expanded significantly over the time I've been in this hobby, so many options now we never had before. Other companies spoke to me, and my needs and likes evolved. The "better value" became other brands.
 
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