Master USA vs Benchmade

V

vinprom

Joined
Apr 9, 2022
Messages
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What is your opinion on Master USA? They are about thirty times avrage cheaper than Benchmade models, and, based on Amazon, have similar popularity and ratings to the Benchmade models. Unfortunately, the reviewers did not share their experience with using Master USA, they just describe the features and how they feel the knife.
 
vinprom said:
What is your opinion on Master USA? They are about thirty times avrage cheaper than Benchmade models, and, based on Amazon, have similar popularity and ratings to the Benchmade models. Unfortunately, the reviewers did not share their experience with using Master USA, they just describe the features and how they feel the knife.
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I don't think you're going to get a lot of favorable comments towards their knives here. In that price range I'd much rather suggest looking into Civivi, Kizer, Sencut, Twosun.
 
I owned, carried, and used a Master USA fixed-blade for a few years (pic below). I used it for a wide variety of tasks on construction jobs, cutting and prying. It served me well. I no longer have it as it was stolen from my garage.

But a fixed-blade is a relatively simple thing. It was just a piece of steel with handle scales screwd onto it. Although I'm sure the steel was low on the scale, it had a decent heat treat and took and maintained a decent edge for my needs.

A folder however is more complex, with more opportunity for failure. I wouldn't trust a Master folding knife.

On the other hand, I own several Benchmade folders.


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Master knives, good to have a few on deck. A master knife is perfect for that co worker that always asks “ can I see your knife “. They make great disposable place holders to save your good knife from idiots. Bonus points if you get one of the neon oil slick dragon scale models.
 
luethge said:
Master knives, good to have a few on deck. A master knife is perfect for that co worker that always asks “ can I see your knife “. They make great disposable place holders to save your good knife from idiots
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There's a bin of Mtechs at my local surplus for I assume, the very purpose.
Some had serious lock up strength, that is until you try to cut yoyo string, then I guess it's downhill from there
 
There’s no comparison to us knife knuts. I’d imagine the masters are good as loaners like luethge luethge said, but little else.

If you go comparing any example from both companies head to head you’ll see the difference immediately. That gap will become huge after the two are used for a while.
 
AntDog said:
There’s no comparison to us knife knuts. I’d imagine the masters are good as loaners like luethge luethge said, but little else.

If you go comparing any example from both companies head to head you’ll see the difference immediately. That gap will become huge after the two are used for a while.
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Especially if it's made with some unsharpeneable 440 experiment
 
ShaiHulud said:
Especially if it's made with some unsharpeneable 440 experiment
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Or it falls apart.

One time when I was moving I was carrying a BM 710 and a knife that was called “Eagle brand” that must’ve cost all of 5 bucks.

The 710 sliced up tape, cardboard, old carpet, scraped paint, etc. all day long. I literally cut the top off of one box with that eagle knife - the lock broke and the blade was pointing 45° backwards.

My brother said “I think it’s developed some blade play” and I thought it was the funniest shit ever. We laughed our asses off then continued trading the 710 back and forth to cut stuff.
 
AntDog said:
Or it falls apart.

One time when I was moving I was carrying a BM 710 and a knife that was called “Eagle brand” that must’ve cost all of 5 bucks.

The 710 sliced up tape, cardboard, old carpet, scraped paint, etc. all day long. I literally cut the top off of one box with that eagle knife - the lock broke and the blade was pointing 45° backwards.

My brother said “I think it’s developed some blade play” and I thought it was the funniest shit ever. We laughed our asses off then continued trading the 710 back and forth to cut stuff.
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I'm currently using a 30 year old + Colibri slipjoint at work with the main is blade "suffering" from blade play. It says stainless solingen, i dont even know what it is, but its just the most useful thing ever. Should really tell us a thing or two
 
vinprom said:
What is your opinion on Master USA? They are about thirty times avrage cheaper than Benchmade models, and, based on Amazon, have similar popularity and ratings to the Benchmade models. Unfortunately, the reviewers did not share their experience with using Master USA, they just describe the features and how they feel the knife.
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Old Vermont aphorism commonly found posted in general stores:
ALL GOODS WORTH PRICE CHARGED.
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My experience with off brand tools including knives, inexpensive items are worth far less than their cheap price.

Good quality tools and knives, are worth more than the high price charged.

unless you are prone to losing stuff, in the long run you will save money by buying quality tools.

When you buy quality you only cry once…..unless you lose it.
 
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