Spyderco Native vs. Benchmade Vex

M

mdarby

Joined
Apr 10, 2005
Messages
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I have a couple Spyderco Native I knives which I bought based on strong recommendations from this forum. I really like the knives, but was thinking about picking up a Benchmade Vex and wondered (a) whether the knives were comparable (being already aware that the Benchmade is made in China) and (b) would this be a reasonable trade offer on the forums?

Thanks!
 
I've owned both and sold them. The only one I plan on buying again is the Native. The Vex is a good knife but its rather heavy and I didn't care for the way it carried.
 
A red class knife isn't going to compare to a Golden made Spyderco. They both have about the same retail price so I guess the trade isn't that unreasonable, but I wouldn't expect the Vex to have the same quality as the Native.
 
Jpalmer1988 said:
I've owned both and sold them. The only one I plan on buying again is the Native. The Vex is a good knife but its rather heavy and I didn't care for the way it carried.
Click to expand...

The Vex is a cheaper knife and it looks and feels it. I didn't care for the thick liners and scales which made it considerably heavier and bulkier than the Tenacious.

If you would have said the Tenacious vs. Vex, the Vex would still have lost, but it would have been closer.

With the Native, it isn't even close.
 
+ 1 for the Native, I've owned three and they're a great value. No comparison in my book.
 
Price-wise, the Vex (BM 10750BP MSRP $60) is less than a store price Native - and for a reason. Blade metal... 8Cr14 vs S30V? No contest. I think the Vex lowers the standard for the Red Box series. The Native is a deal.

Stainz
 
I appreciate the advice especially from folks that have owned both.

I hadn't appreciated how much heavier the Vex is. That's a big strike in terms of convenience.
 
I really like the Vex. It´s a great workhorse. The lock is strong and the knife is like a tank. The blade holds the edge quite well and I can get it scary sharp again with my Sharpmaster. The fit & finish is great! Love the Vex!
 
I had a Vex... Gave it away. It looks nice in photographs, but in your hand it's a different story. The whole knife is built too thick, and I don't mean too robust... the blade is thin while the handle is overly fat. No precise corners, anywhere. I wondered how long the liner lock would engage positively before wearing out.
Stick with the Native. It's a much better tool.
 
I own both and the points made above are, to me, accurate. The Vex carries OK for me as I carry MUCH bigger folders than that and it did perform well but I wonder about the lock-up, it is ...well ... feeble looking. Yet again it has worked well for my uses and is in my rotation. My native rules these two.
 
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