So I used to be a Benchmade guy...

Z

Zach Gulsby

Joined
May 17, 2012
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137
...until I picked up a PM2. The compression lock is more solid than I expected and easily compares to any Axis folder I've owned. Just wish I would've held out for one of the sprint runs...s30v is plebe steel nowadays.
 
I do not have any Benchmades, I went with a Spyderco first, and just do not see many Benchmades I would ever buy. I might get one in M390 just for M390, but I have a green PM2 with CTS-204P (Carpenter's version of M390), so maybe not, there are just too many Spydercos and Kershaws I want that Benchmades just never register.
 
Yeah, I feel like BMs designs have gone down the drain in the past ten years and nearly every other manu in a competing price range is doing exactly the opposite...except for maybe that M4 520.
 
nccole said:
I do not have any Benchmades, I went with a Spyderco first, and just do not see many Benchmades I would ever buy. I might get one in M390 just for M390, but I have a green PM2 with CTS-204P (Carpenter's version of M390), so maybe not, there are just too many Spydercos and Kershaws I want that Benchmades just never register.
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You got yours already? That was quick.
 
I can warm up to at least 75% of BM's entire line. Past and present.
BM will always be at the top...with Spyderco.
 
I think Benchmade not having a BladeForums sub forum hurts them. Thats why i never really see any new knife designs coming from them so i never end up buying any. I know they like to be the masters of their own domain but they are so scared of bad press they dont have a place to put good press.that said i think this should be in general cause Sal doesnt like negative talk about other companies in Spyderco s sub forum.
 
I had always wanted a Benchmade Lum Dejavoo and was thrilled to pick one up dirt cheap. Although I like the Lum design, It has given me an even deeper appreciation of Spyderco. You can't open it without your thumb bumping into the micarta "guard", the blade has poor retention and the design makes accidentally releasing the lock bar a real possibility. If Spyderco had produced this knife I don't believe the knife would have these problems.
 
When I first got into knives I loved benchmade. I thought their designs were excellent and I just had to have a 940 and 943. Actually the first knife to get me into higher end knives was a mini-skirmish. Spyderco were ugly as sin to me and I thought their 'blade:handle' ratios sucked (lol). Then I bought a delica to see what it was all about. Then I bought a sage 1. Now 10 spydies later, they're all I carry. I still love those 3 benchmades I named, but they (benchmade) dont have much that interests me anymore. Complete switch.
 
I'm fairly new to spyderco's but I am quickly falling in love. The ergos, blade shape, steel and appearance are all top notch. I will say this for benchmade though all the BM knives I have open super smooth and lock up rock solid. Whereas my PM2 has slight side-to-side blade play and my military is pretty gritty as it opens. I'm not disagreeing with the general sentiment of this thread that BM needs to come up with some fresh ideas but it's not as if they've completely dropped the ball. I'd really like to see them fall out of love with the 154cm steel and focus on handle design, maybe figure out how to beef the axis lock up a bit (not that I've ever had issues but that tiny spring doesn't inspire much confidence).
 
Kesson said:
I'm fairly new to spyderco's but I am quickly falling in love. The ergos, blade shape, steel and appearance are all top notch. I will say this for benchmade though all the BM knives I have open super smooth and lock up rock solid. Whereas my PM2 has slight side-to-side blade play and my military is pretty gritty as it opens. I'm not disagreeing with the general sentiment of this thread that BM needs to come up with some fresh ideas but it's not as if they've completely dropped the ball. I'd really like to see them fall out of love with the 154cm steel and focus on handle design, maybe figure out how to beef the axis lock up a bit (not that I've ever had issues but that tiny spring doesn't inspire much confidence).
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I agree with a lot of what you are saying here. The handle designs that they have are pretty stale. They could broaden their steel selection a bit more, for fun's sake. I do really like the Axis lock, though.
 
MountainBilly said:
I had always wanted a Benchmade Lum Dejavoo and was thrilled to pick one up dirt cheap.
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If you like Lum, check out the SHOT Show Onslaught.

Onslaught1.jpg
 
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while spydercos are quite ergonomic, I never really see them and think "thats a beautiful knife"

The para2 is a workhorse of a knife, great design, great comfort, but its not really too aesthetically pleasing in my opinion. The endura is a nice blade, but it didn't replace the griptilian for a fun blade to have. Its comfortable, its smooth, but it just doesn't have that wow factor.

Spyderco has yet to show me something like a benchmade 943, the simple elegance, the blue titanium backspacer, etc, its just quality.
If i needed a work knife, para2 all the way. But for an EDC, something like the alias, 470, or 943, I'll take a BM please.
 
The only thing I'm disliking about the compression lock is how far off normal grip you have to move your hand to shut the blade. With the axis lock, the studs are in perfect position to swing the blade closed without much movement of your grip.
 
I still like my BM's, but Spyderco has caught my eye. The Manix 2 won me over to Spydies and I also just got my first PM2 a few days ago. Second PM2 is arriving today. Blade addicted? Just a little :0)

Both companies make good stuff. Rest comes down to style preference and budget.
 
I used to be a Benchmade guy through and through. In the past two years I've bought two, a BM 51 and 53. Don't ask how many Spyderco's I bought during that time :eek:. Nuff said...
 
I have a benchmade, I honestly couldn't even tell you what it is it's how little I look at it much less use. I have 15 spydies.
 
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