Spyderco nut needs Benchmade, SOG, and Kershaw recommendations

M

Mud Shrimp Moe

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Nov 6, 2011
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Having carried SAKs and a few gifted mid-priced knives for many years, the past few months I've gone on quite a kick and purchased a dozen Spyderco folders and three non-Spyderco fixed blades. While I love Spydercos, I don't intend to become an obsessive collector and would like to pick one FINE example from Benchmade, Kershaw and SOG to compliment my Spydercos.

My uses would be EDC (i.e. not tactical, bear killing, "hard" use intended for fixed blades, fishing). I prefer blade lengths in the 2.5-3.75" range in folders. I would also prefer assisted open, just to stand in contrast to my Spydercos. I'm not crazy picky on handle material, but prefer G10 to Zytel, am less than crazy about stainless, and agnostic on aluminum. Colors other than black can be fun too. I'm ok with Stainless handles on a really small knife, however.

My price range is pretty flexible ... say up to $150. But it would have to really knock me out to make me reach above $100. With SOG and Kershaw, most examples are under $50.

Here are some models I am considering. Please advise.

SOG: Flash 1 or Flash 2
Benchmade: 710D2 McHenry & William​s , Mini Griptilian (with Spyder hole), 940
Kershaw: Speed Bump (great looking, but not assisted, and a little big), Blur, Leek
 
BM is famous for their AXIS lock and the 710 is a BM flagship model. If you want to combine AO & AXIS, I'd suggest the Barrage in either size. It'll also let you try BM's standard blade steel, 154CM.

I've never had a Speed Bump, but my Blur was primo and it is a long-running Kershaw standard. It will give you a taste of Kershaw's AO and it comes in several blade steels, all for less than $100. The Leek series is also very popular among Kershaw fans.
 
Kershaw has a s30v leek with g10, seems likehat would fit your criteria. Not sure if they're still made though.
 
dalefuller said:
BM is famous for their AXIS lock and the 710 is a BM flagship model. If you want to combine AO & AXIS, I'd suggest the Barrage in either size. It'll also let you try BM's standard blade steel, 154CM.

I've never had a Speed Bump, but my Blur was primo and it is a long-running Kershaw standard. It will give you a taste of Kershaw's AO and it comes in several blade steels, all for less than $100. The Leek series is also very popular among Kershaw fans.
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+1. I love my Barrage 580.154CM is the perfect EDC steel for my purposes, IMO.
 
The Kershaw Knockout will be coming out soon. It was going to have an aluminum handle, but that was changed to G-10 I believe. It has an assist mechanism, sub-framelock, and a nice blade shape. It has WIN written all over it.

From Benchmade, I would recommend the mini-griptilian. I owned one and loved it. The only reason I sold it was to move up to the 943 model, which I still own and use all the time. Great folders.
 
Here's my suggestions-
Kershaw: Blur in S30V, any Leek (you could try to find a rare d'continued model), E.T.- really unique and cool folder
Benchmade: 710, 741 Onslaught, Rift
SOG: Honestly, don't care for their products too much but I did like my mini Vulcan when I had it. haven't had one in over a year and I'm not looking to get another. If you're used to Spyderco's I think you'll be a bit disappointed. You won't know until you try one though.
 
The Kershaw Speed bump in G10 is a good deal, and it is assisted. The thumb stud lock works well but takes a bit to get use to it and people can seem to figure out how to close it. But its fun watching them try. Handy blade shape and is #2 in my EDC rotation. Clip sucks, and only one carry position, (amazon for $36 and well worth it)

I am a big fan of the Blur, my favorite kershaw, got 8 of them. Its a great knife, opens very strong, can be switched to tip up, handle has good grip to it. Can get it red, green, black, and S30V blade on it. My main edc is a black serrated blur

Leek is ok, but is small, and blade is a bit delicate. I carry only for light hikes or on a jog. Can be switched to tip up but it sticks out of the pocket too high.

Cant comment on Benchmade or Sog, never needed them, I have Kershaws.
 
BM: 710, 950 Rift, 940, 581 (M390 + assisted)
Kershaw: Leek (s30v or CPM-D2), ZT 200
SOG: Don't know their line well enough
 
both 710 and 940 have been praised as some of the best edc knives out there....i own both personally...940 is as awesome as my para2 and sage 1...light and slim. 710 is more of a tactical knife to me since the blade is 4". 940 would be a better pick for u.
 
Kershaw, I've never been quite in love with. I've got the RAM, Blackout, and ZT0350. They're all nice, but honestly not my cup of tea for some inscrutable reason. I guess I just don't like the way they look. But if I were going to go Kershaw from Spyderco, I don't know that I would settle for less than their Zero Tolerance line. Those just feel more comparable to Spydies to me than their other ones, even the S30V Blur.

Benchmade, there are a lot of good options. The ones you listed are probably good choices. It takes more money IMO to reach Spyderco's feel and fit and finish, however. My favorite Benchmade is the Ritter Griptilian, although custom handles are a must. I haven't had the best luck with Benchmade's 154CM; just doesn't seem to take and keep an edge as well as Spyderco's 154CM.
 
From SOG I would personally recommend the full-size Vulcan and Trident, and their Pendulum folder looks interesting as well. ZT has the 0200 (4" blade G10 handles) for about $120.
 
I think the Kershaw Bump from amazon is an amazing deal for the price. And as mentioned above, it is assisted opening and it opens fast! I also think that the Leek and Blur in S30V would do you good and meet all of your criteria.
Both the ZT200 and ZT400 are in your price range (can be had for $100) if you wanted, but they might be too "tactical" for what you are looking for.
 
Get the kershaw SPEC BUMP it's a big step up from the speed bump. Both are assisted. For BM I would pick up the knifeworks M390 710

I would save the money on the SOG and buy another BM, Kershaw or even Boker Epicenter
 
crimsonfalcon07 said:
Kershaw, I've never been quite in love with. I've got the RAM, Blackout, and ZT0350.
Click to expand...

Well YA! I love Kershaws, but the Blackout it tacky and has a cheap look and feel. The RAM is ok at best, but it is awkward, not the best looking and too small. The ZT0350 is a nice knife, Im surprised you didnt like that one.
 
I'm getting a vision. It's...it's from the future(and past many spent dollars). You will forget about BM SoG and possibly even Kershaw. You will return to Spyderco and not look back.
 
BM 940. Finally got one a few weeks back and couldn't dig it more :thumbup:
 
If I were a Spyderco fan looking at Benchmade, I'd have to try the 745. It's a Lum design, and the blade is S30V, and it's quite possibly the sharpest Benchmade I own. It's not an axis, or nitrous, but it is one hell of a knife. I would also take a look at the Stryker series, again not an axis, it's a Nitrous assist, a good knife non the less.

DBAR,
 
Spyderco is a good way to go... But if you really want a BM knife, I recommend the mini Barrage assisted opening, FRN handles. The mini Barrage is a wonder knife, built like a tank, and ready for almost any EDC task. As far a Kershaw goes... I really wouldn't bother. The only SOG knife I can recomend whole heartedly is the Flash 2. But I say stick with Spyderco and the Manix in particular. :)
 
BM 710 is a good knife. I would also think about 943 - it has already been mentioned above. 740 or 745 are also exceptional in my opinion, but do not have axis and are already a bit difficult to find being discontinued. BM Onslaught is just huge! I would recommend to rather take a look at 746 - mini version. It feels more compact and solid.
In Kershaw my favorite knives are Spec Bump and Boa. Both recently discontinued. So I am at loss what to recommend.
In SOG I would consider Visionary I or II. Architect and Facet are quite nice, but a bit pricey.
Spyderco is nice. But it is difficult for me to understand those people who choose to limit themselves so much. It is like you could eat all kind of fruit, but decided that you like banana so much that you will never need to even try anything else...
 
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