Spyderco = Benchmade

blade4sell

blade4sell

Joined
Dec 11, 2012
Messages
2,010
First and foremost, I would like the apologize to Spyderco about starting a thread 2 weeks ago saying I'm a Benchmade guy over Spyderco. Two weeks later, today, I admit I cannot put this Spyderco blade down. I got the Manix 2 XL....the ball lock was stiff at first. Now I got the hang of it, boy it's a joy to open and close. I notice you gotta hold (pinch)the handle in a way that's away from the blade when it closed. I really love the detail, especially the jimpings on the handle...the details is there and for the price it's unbeatable... Love it....so I'm BM = Spy....love them both!
 
Just dont start with the spyderco and benchmade over zt/kershaw! :D
 
I remember that post, I'm glad you've come to appreciate the details in the Manix 2. It's a great knife!
 
MEJ said:
Just dont start with the spyderco and benchmade over zt/kershaw! :D
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I think the three companies occupy roughly the same market segment, but they each cater to slightly different tastes. I stay away from Spyderco because the blades are very thin, and I can be ham-handed sometimes. But I've handled a couple, and I agree that fit and finish and ergonomics are darn good for the price.

I like the Benchmade Mini-Grip, along with lots of other people, because it's very hand-friendly. But I'll also agree that the plastic handles make it feel less substantial.

Kershaw does a lot of things right, but it could also be said that a lot of their designs lean toward the "tactical" look, and not everybody is a fan of that.

Each company makes certain choices about the construction and design of their knives to keep them within a chosen price range. Those choices, in turn, influence the purchasing choices of buyers.

Now Zero Tolerance is another matter. Although ZT is a division of Kershaw, the look and feel of their knives are different, and so are the prices. The choices of design and materials make it clear that these are knives meant for doing things you would hesitate to do with other knives. But by the same token, they may not be your best choice to take to dinner with the in-laws.

I don't think it's fair to say one company is "better" than the other two. Like most things, it's a personal choice.
 
You dare ask for forgiveness?......After you slandered spydercos name..

lol I had to do that (sorry) but I am glad your warming up to spyderco, there good knives!
 
Hmmm, I never thought I'd really like a Spyderco design other than the Sharpmaker, but now I sort of love my Southard. I really like some Benchmades, like my 707, 940, and 710. I love my new William Henry. I had a Sebenza for a little while, and while I didn't love it I really liked it. I love some Kershaws, like the unbelievable deal for the price have to throw own in every tool box/tacklebox/camp bag Tremor, or the I could EDC it Skyline. I love some CRKT models too, they have the insane deal Drifter and some cool Ken Onion designs, flipping my Ripples and Eros keeps me happy too. If I'm going to be out hacking, I love my Becker and . . . oh, my. I think I see a pattern.

It would appear that I become something of a knife slut. I love so many, but never enough to keep me from loving another one. ;)
 
I have folders from at least seven manufacturers, and custom fixed blades from about nine folks. I buy what I like, from a hundred-dollar PM2 to a $400 PM2 with s90v to a XM-18 Spanto @ $725, with Benchmade, Emerson, Striders, CRK's in between.
I had a Manix2 in M4; sold it. Too big. But I now have a Gayle Bradley and a TUFF. Go figure.
Live a little; this is NOT the Dress Rehearsal.
 
I need to go to BladeHQ about 30 mins from where I live and handle some Benchmades, I've only handled one once for five seconds but it was a dark combo blade and didn't really do anything for me. I'd like to feel whether I like the assisted opening as I tend to like things simple and more reliable. I do have two Spyderco PM2, I had a Military but turned it right around, just didn't care for it, dunno why.
 
Shorttime - I don't find the blades to be too thin or delicate at all and even their thinnest blades can handle some tough use. The blades make excellent slicers but can stand up to just about anything. I also really enjoy the steels, fit and finish, and prices as far as Spyderco goes. Are they better than Benchmade or Kershaw? No. Kershaw/ZT makes some great knives as does Benchmade, I just find myself preferring Spyderco's designs, ergos, and materials.

Estate - I'm really glad you warmed up to it. Sometimes it takes a while to warm up to a knife but after you do it becomes a favorite and you have a whole new appreciation for the knife and company. I'm sure this won't be your last Spyderco.
 
Blades like the Caly's and Delica work really well for everyday tasks. Plenty of Spyderco's blades are ground thin which I really like for edc but it varies, I own a few Spydercos with more robust blades. Matter of fact, my two newest are thick at the spine, a Techno and the Southard. both taper down real nice at the edge however. Also taking into account the fine steels they offer in their knives, I don't see where Spyderco's thinly ground blades would under perform in any way and I wouldn't have any reservations putting it to task. You should watch BladeHQ's PM2 field test and see how it holds up to use.

sqchram: You live 30 mins. from BladeHQ? Lucky, I wish I lived close to any of these dealers like BladeHQ.
 
That being say, when first got my BM mini 527 ultra presido...(I try to buy variety of sizes, from mini to 8-9"...)

I felt weird cause its manual, now after I got used to the Spyderco Manix2, I start flicking the BM, it's faster than like a auto...so now I know why so members here like manual over assisted....with my Osborne barrage, I snap it open, that's it. Close with two hands...with my MXL and mini 527, I just flick open & close...and the sound the blade makes....priceless. Love it
 
BladeChick777 said:
Shorttime - I don't find the blades to be too thin or delicate at all and even their thinnest blades can handle some tough use. The blades make excellent slicers but can stand up to just about anything. I also really enjoy the steels, fit and finish, and prices as far as Spyderco goes. Are they better than Benchmade or Kershaw? No. Kershaw/ZT makes some great knives as does Benchmade, I just find myself preferring Spyderco's designs, ergos, and materials.

Estate - I'm really glad you warmed up to it. Sometimes it takes a while to warm up to a knife but after you do it becomes a favorite and you have a whole new appreciation for the knife and company. I'm sure this won't be your last Spyderco.
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I agree about the blade thickness. Some models of Spyderco knives do have thin blades but you should buy the knife that suits your application.

If you like a heavier blade then go with a paramilitary 2 (3.5MM) or SuperLeaf (4mm). Looking at Benchmade knives there's not really that much difference in blade thickness. Benchmade might have a few more thicker bladed knives but Spyderco has several that are in the 3-4mm range which is plenty thick and strong for folders, if you need more than that then you should go with a fixed blade.
 
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