So…what’s a benchmade anyway?

[Sibyrnes]

My latest Benchmade - Barrage Custom. G-10 and S90V:

Love the smooth one-handed operation as well as the "non flashy" looks of a benchmade.

 

[AntDog]

This one won’t get many likes on Zuckerborks Instabook, but it’s a damn fine knife

That’s the exact model I have. The S30V is done right. Mine holds an edge like grim death.

 

[Raku]

So, I’m fairly new to my new knife obsession and have acquired a few new Bucks and some custom knives. Seen references to the spyderco and benchmade knives so I started browsing through the many selections online….have a benchmade bug out 535 blue on order lol

You should have taken Bugout with CF-Elite, much more tougher in my opinion and not so expensive as aluminium version or full carbon ones ;-)

 

[Bob Denman]

My latest Benchmade - Barrage Custom. G-10 and S90V:

Love the smooth one-handed operation as well as the "non flashy" looks of a benchmade.

Beautiful! I had the Mother Ship build me a Mini-Barrage with S90V and carbon fiber.

 

[L.A. Saiga]

Benchmade 9400 Osborne might be the best auto I own

 

[OrangeBlueOrangeBlue]

I prefer Spyderco by a lot, you can have the same "action" as an axis lock with a comp lock or a caged ball-bearing lock, in my opinion. They're more fun with more steels, customizable as well. I do not like those springs, something about it. Ierno, maybe I'd feel differently if I had a Benchmade, take me with a grain of salt. I just got an axis lock yesterday and was like "Oh, so it feels like using the back of a comp-lock". As for aesthetics, they just look completely pedestrian to me... I do not know why. The 940 and Adamas seem kind of cool. That is about it. I feel as though Spyderco has more variety, more steel... Nothing bad to say about Benchmade, just a lot more good to say about Spyderco.

When I think I want to grab a Bugout, I will grab a RAT2, or a small comp-locked Spyderco. That's my Bugout.

I'm in the same boat, and I've got other issues with BM. Spyderco is a decent company and they make some cool stuff. Their RockJumper was my carry knife today and I later used a Z-Cut in the kitchen.

Hogue is another great alternative to BM. The RSK and Mini RSK offer a similar form factor with arguably better value. The Deka seems to be the main competitor to the Bugout but I haven't tried it yet. I plan to pick one up when the MagnaCut model drops.

Maybe it's the small sample size, but I've had the opposite experience with Spyderco and Benchmade. I've only got two Benchmade knives (940 and Bugout) and 8 US-made Spydercos (all Sprint Runs except for a Maxamet Para3 I received as a gift); all but one Spyderco (the Maxamet Para3) has had sloppy grinds and my REX45 Lil Native had such large burrs in the pivot hole that it didn't assemble properly, while the two Benchmades have had zero issues. Maybe the Sprint Run steels are part of the issue?

 

[awjones]

I really want a fullsize Presidio II in that bronze color with a fullsize blade in 20cv without teeth. I don't know if they make that particular knife, though. Like these a lot.

That sounds fantastic, I would buy that instantly. I too really like the bronze, I have a 575 in that as well. I always really liked the “rustic camo” limited edition Presidios from a few years ago.

 

[awjones]

That’s the exact model I have. The S30V is done right. Mine holds an edge like grim death.

Agreed, s30v done well is more than enough for my needs.

 

[Hashishiin]

Maybe it's the small sample size, but I've had the opposite experience with Spyderco and Benchmade. I've only got two Benchmade knives (940 and Bugout) and 8 US-made Spydercos (all Sprint Runs except for a Maxamet Para3 I received as a gift); all but one Spyderco (the Maxamet Para3) has had sloppy grinds and my REX45 Lil Native had such large burrs in the pivot hole that it didn't assemble properly, while the two Benchmades have had zero issues. Maybe the Sprint Run steels are part of the issue?

Honestly, maybe. I do think the Sprints by nature are something "new and exciting", that they do not have everything dialed in 100%. I have heard this about many steels that someone complains about through a Sprint, and once Spyderco has it "dialed in", it gets a lot better. Their S45VN before they switched the steels to that, was supposedly off. So was the Maxamet in early runs, too. Takes a little time to get it right I would imagine.

I have one sprint run out of like, fifteen Spydies, so this might be why I don't have that experience. The construction issues are nuts to me though, the only PM2 I have bladeplay on is the one that I took apart and probably put back together less than stellar, but it does work. Point being that it is my fault.

 

[sixplymaple]

If the “Holy Trinity” of knives are Chris Reeve, Mick Strider, & Rick Hinderer…

Then IMO, the ”Three Kings” are Benchmade, Spyderco, & Zero Tolerance!

You can’t really go wrong with any of these six brands. Maybe the occasional model or run of steel might have issues, but it’s rare. Plus they all have great warranties. I really think that every collector needs at least one blade (fixed or folder) from each of those brands.

 

[Security1]

That sounds fantastic, I would buy that instantly. I too really like the bronze, I have a 575 in that as well. I always really liked the “rustic camo” limited edition Presidios from a few years ago.

Stop giving me ideas! Lol kidding

 

[Sibyrnes]

Benchmade has excellent service. Here is a copy of my recent thread posted in the Benchmade Manufacturers forum:

"I just wanted to give a shout out to Benchmade for some excellent service. After break in, my new Emissary had what I thought was excessive blade play, so I sent it back for adjustment. Benchmade received my knife on Mar 31 and today, April 8, I have received my knife back with the blade play resolved and they even threw in one of those nice little storage sacks(that I have never used). I have complained in the past about their lack of response in my attempts to reach them by phone, but as long as communication is done on line through their website they are doing a great job."

 

[Chronovore]

Maybe it's the small sample size, but I've had the opposite experience with Spyderco and Benchmade. I've only got two Benchmade knives (940 and Bugout) and 8 US-made Spydercos (all Sprint Runs except for a Maxamet Para3 I received as a gift); all but one Spyderco (the Maxamet Para3) has had sloppy grinds and my REX45 Lil Native had such large burrs in the pivot hole that it didn't assemble properly, while the two Benchmades have had zero issues. Maybe the Sprint Run steels are part of the issue?

It's worth noting that even good companies can occasionally mess things up. I've had, taken apart, inspected, used, and carried all sorts of knives by this point in my life. This is yet another reason for taking apart new knives as part of "new knife orientation". I've noticed that some companies seem to have better QC than others, some ship cleaner than others, etc.

I had a Spyderco with a funky grind. They are usually okay and this one was fixable. (I've been happier since lowering my expectations for factory edges on all production knives.) I've had a couple of examples of fit and finish issues with the Chinese-made Spydercos. WE knives generally leave the factory with very clean internals and tend to have excellent fit and finish but out of over thirty examples, I've run into a few weak detents and a couple have biffed the thread-lock on the female side of the pivot. Stuff like this happens. If I get something I can't fix myself, I contact the company. I've also got a feel for how some companies handle customer service now too.

There are a bunch of threads here and elsewhere about Benchmade QC. (There is also another issue but it falls outside the scope of this forum and I can't go into it here.) I'll continue to recommend Hogue as an alternative. Searching the web, you'll find some complaints about Hogue but most are older. They apparently had some growing pains 15-20 years ago. My experiences with Hogue go back to around 2010 for gun stuff. I only got interested in their knives more recently. However, their product quality and customer service have overall been excellent.

 

[Centermass]

Everybody knows I love my Benchmades. I’ve carried a 5000 Presidio auto to work everyday for years, and I have several other models in my off-duty rotation. Of them, the Presidio 2 probably sees the most use and carry time.

 

[Zephyr One/Zero]

Benchmade Adamas are my favorite autos.