Spyderco V Benchmade

penls · May 17, 2007

Spyderco for me. BMs are plain butt-ugly IMO.I'm sure BM makes quality knives, but I am always turned off by their boring or ugly designs.

Macchina · May 17, 2007

3mptin3ss said:
bm knives are so bland. all look pretty much the same.

I usually don't get in on these "vs." debates, BUT ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?
I'll agree that Benchmade and Spyderco both have their pros and cons, and both are about equal in my book, but to call Benchmade Bland! Benchmade uses many different handle materials, blade materials, unique shapes, locks, opening devices... While most of Spyderco's line are black handeld standard bladed lockbacks with a round opening hole. I think that Spyderco markets towards hard users (hence the same materials that work ever time) and Benchmade markets towards the EDC that is carried more than used (but not afraid to be used). I disagree, and say that neither brand's lineup is bland, they both make awsome knives that work!

smcfalls13 · May 17, 2007

Guys, please try to stay respectful of Benchmade. This is the Spyderco forum, and there will be some obvious bias, but Sal kinda frowns upon bad mouthing other brands.

I believe the phrase he uses is "all good, just different."

Just my $.02

warden41272 · May 17, 2007

giant1 said:
Hi all

Just wondering if anyone owns benchmade and spyderco knives. How do they compare in terms of build quality, design, longevity etc.

Interested to get feedback from owners of both.

Cheers

The most notable difference I've found, after having owned dozens of both brands, is that while both are well made, the Spyderco heat treating is infinitely superior to BM. My Spydies just seem to cut better, longer, and take a better edge than my Benchmades, even ones using the same steel. Benchmades are usually prettier, but don't function as well, which is all that's really important to me. That being said, I think my Ocelot and Caly 3 are two of the prettiest, best feeling knives I own. The next Spyderco I gotsta pick up is the Military with the BG42 steel...of all the knives I've owned, I've never owned a BG42 blade, and really want one. I currently make all my knives and razors out of CPM154CM, but would definitely try some BG42 to try if it were more easily obtained. Still waiting to see the AO Spydie....

giant1 · May 17, 2007

Thanks to all the reponses. Just for the record I was not meaning to start a spyderco v benchmade argument or be disrespectful to either brand as I actually like both.

I just wanted constructive and honest appraisal of both brands since they both seem to pitch themselves at the same general market (all be it in different ways).

The comments have been great and certainly good feedback. Since my original post I have ordered a Delica 4 and Manix (BIG ONE

).

Can't wait to get them.

I also have my eye on a benchmade 910TI Stryker Limited Edition. Have to see if they are available in my neck of the woods.

Once again thanks to all.

allenC · May 17, 2007

Both companies make excellent knives, and you can be proud to own and use either one.
In fact, I think these two makers are really the leaders of the one-hand-pocket-clip-knife industry (with Kershaw knives closing in fast).

Having said that...

My Spyderco just seem to cut slightly better.

I really can't say why.

krazichinaman · May 17, 2007

michaelmcgo said:
I usually don't get in on these "vs." debates, BUT ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?
I'll agree that Benchmade and Spyderco both have their pros and cons, and both are about equal in my book, but to call Benchmade Bland! Benchmade uses many different handle materials, blade materials, unique shapes, locks, opening devices... While most of Spyderco's line are black handeld standard bladed lockbacks with a round opening hole. I think that Spyderco markets towards hard users (hence the same materials that work ever time) and Benchmade markets towards the EDC that is carried more than used (but not afraid to be used). I disagree, and say that neither brand's lineup is bland, they both make awsome knives that work!

I totally agree. Like I said earlier both have their ups and down.

marthinus · May 18, 2007

giant1 said:
Since my original post I have ordered a Delica 4 and Manix ....

You made a good choice! I got my first Spyderco (a D4) as a present a few months back and think it is a wonderful knife! It is very ergo. and it is a great little knife to introduce yourself to Spyderco : "Reliable high performance"

I would like to have a Bench, but in South Africa they are very scarce and expensive, so maybe one day

omaha-beenglockin · May 18, 2007

I own about 10 each of Spyders and BM's---I find myself lusting for a Manix as well as a Ruckus. But those will have to wait till my 2 Custom shop Buck 110's arrive.

Actually there are only a few companies I will buy knife from anymore:
Spyderco
Benchmade
Buck
Bark River
Victorinox
Leatherman

I would like to have one of those hollow handle Chris Reeve fixed blades---but the high price will probably keep me from ever getting one.

bammann45 · May 18, 2007

Deacon -- Great personal website -- really enjoyed looking at your collection, reading model history etc...

As for this debate, I kinda want a BM 710-- from what I've read, they are really nice. My last spyderco purchase was a Manix -- its the nicest purchase of the money of anything I've ever bought -- knife, firearm etc.

Habeas Corpus · May 18, 2007

Spyderco all the way.

For a start, I much prefer lockbacks, and Spayderco have a much better selection of lockbacks. Sure, the axis lock is nice, but I've seen a couple of knives with broken omega springs ...

.

I also prefer the Spyderco hole over any thumbstuds, and I'm not really sure I'd want to buy a knife with a Spyderco hole from any other manufacturer. (Custom makers are different, if they obtained Spyderco's permission to use the hole in advance. I think I will eventually get a knife from Kevin Wilkins with a hole ..

)

And most Benchmades I've seen have fairly obtuse edges, resulting in a somewhat lower cutting performance.

Hans

ewenit · May 18, 2007

Both are really high quality knives. I prefer spyderco's because of the thumb hole (which is easier to grip than BM's version of the thumb hole), as well as how Spyderco tends to put a blade/handle finger choil in their knives to really let you choke up on them for intricate cutting.

Both are good knives by good companies. Just depends on what you're looking for.

bladefan · May 18, 2007

I have both... In my opinion spyderco knives have a better blade geometry and BM better handle materials... I also have a military cf bg-42 and I think it is definitely one of spydercos best knives, besides the caly jr... I have a benchmade 690 that I have been using for about 2 years and its been great also, after reprofiling the edge...I like bm handle materials but I prefer spydie blades...

are you totally confused now?

kgriggs8 · May 18, 2007

Both brands are high quality but Spyderco has better blade designs and comes out with much more interesting knives. For the guy that only buys one knife and uses it until it wears out, this isn't an issue but most of us on the forums like to try new stuff and buy many knives. I buy abput 10 Spydercos for every one BM.

I only have one BM that I use at the moment. It is a 921s Switchback. IMHO, it is the best knife Bm has yet made. I EDC it at work. At home and on the weekends, I carry one of the many Spydercos that I love. I have a bunch but most often I fall back to several of the old favs like a SE Rescue, Cent 4, or Military. These three knives can do 90% of what I need a knife to do.

The Mastiff · May 19, 2007

I stopped daily carrying Benchmades after I had a pocket carry tip up Panther ( Old model, G2 steel) open in my pocket unknown. When reaching down into my pocket to pay for gas in a line at a gas station I was cut pretty well. The tip stuck into the bone of my right hand pinky finger like a needle. It was difficult hiding all that blood on my hand, as it was spurting a bit. I got the money out and paid with my left hand and hauled ass without anyone noticing my pocket on my Levi's turning red and soaking through. Still. it showed me the value of knowing about the mechanism of the knife you carry. The lock needed tightening is all, but I never knew it and didn't know it could open in my pocket.

I have had other benchmades since then, and still have a few. I've learned a lot since then. I still have my first Spyderco from about 91 or 92. A FRN clip Endura still EDC'able. I trust and am more comfortable with spyderco's and seem to always carry one despite having all kinds of more expensive knives.

I own about 65 Spyderco's currently of various kinds. IMO, the Spydercos come with a better edge geometry, and are sharper. I don't agree that Benchmade has better materials, or better fit and finish as some have stated. They don't really have anything I really like since they stopped carrying M2 HS knives. I still have about 4 of those left including a first run M&W (what is now the 710) in M2 LNIB, plus a couple M2 users. Joe

flipe8 · May 19, 2007

One of the main reasons I don't currently have any BMs is because I find the sizes aren't right for me. They don't make many small to mid-size knives that really interest me and their regular larger models are larger than my liking. I like the size of the Mini Grip but I'm not a big fan a FRN and Spyderco has plenty of mid-sized knives in many different handles. I had a Mini Stryker and really liked it, but it's been disconitued.

Steven Andrews · May 19, 2007

spikedog · May 19, 2007

I have 10 or so Spydercos of all sizes. My favorite are my Manixes. However, the BM707 caught my eye and a local store had a 707D2GRN. The D2 was the deciding feature.

The 707 model is built lighter than the Manix(and many others) and probably equal to my Paramilitary for size and uses.

My first choice is Spyderco and a close second is BM (depending on the model).

IMO both companies make quality products.

peacefuljeffrey · May 19, 2007

giant1 said:
Hi all

Just wondering if anyone owns benchmade and spyderco knives. How do they compare in terms of build quality, design, longevity etc.

Interested to get feedback from owners of both.

Cheers

I hope I don't get jumped on, but I would rate them approximately equivalent, in my experience.

I have a few Benchmades, and about two or three times that many Spydercos. I have Mini Griptilians, a 100SH2O dive knife, a Nimravus Cub, an AFCK, a TK1, a Dark Star. I have Delicas, a Gunting, a CoPilot, a Navigator, a Swick, a Military, a ParaMilitary . . . Honestly, they seem all to be about just as good as each other. I like certain features better than others, but the quality from Benchmade to Spyderco and back seems on the level.

-PJ

peacefuljeffrey · May 19, 2007

Andre V said:
I own about 7/8 BM's and about 200 Spydercos. Maybe that says something itself. I just find myself carrying Spyders instead of BM 99% of the time. Personal preference i suppose.

I think that's all it is, really.

Yes, Spyderco has been innovating the heck out of the knife world, and I love them for that (thank you, Sal, for everything). But I think that your and deacon's preference is just that -- preference. It doesn't PROVE anything about inferiority on Benchmade's part.

Hey, I'm a Spyderco guy, and was for years before I ever got a Benchmade. But as I work in journalism, I recognize bias when I see it and I yearn for objectivity. The preference that you and deacon have for Spyderco does not appear, from my view, to arise from a deficiency in Benchmade's knives. It's a lot like how some people are die-hard Ford fans and own loads of them, and disparage Chevy. How does that account for the fact that plenty of other people get good use out of their Chevys and swear by them? (Bad example, as I think both companies make utter crap. I'll take a Subaru.)

Either route you go you will be buying a good product though.

Well, based on this, I'd say you were much more objective than deacon was.

-PJ

Spyderco V Benchmade

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