Spyderco vs Benchmade

[rje58]

Well, for a POS that's true. But for those of us who have owned and used several of both brands and haven't ever had a warranty or QC issue, it's irrelevant.

Yes, warranty and CS are important. But that's like saying "Oh yeah I brought my new car in the 5th time for a recall/repair, but I got a loaner, coffee and donuts each time, it's awesome, I love that new car."

 

[19-3ben]

Probably something relating to import/export fees and outsourcing costs combined with still needing to make a profit. When a company goes outside of China and Taiwan to have something made overseas, I imagine the overall price goes up - even if the materials and production facilities are already geared towards mass production.

One would think, but if that were the case, I'd think you'd see a general bump in prices across the board for the Japanese made Spydercos. However, the D-Fly, Delica and Endura are all great values with either FRN or stainless handles. As are the Salt series knives, and the Police. Heck, an Endura with Ti scales and Damascus blade is only $200, which isn't cheap but considering the materials is certainly more than reasonable.

However, as soon as you get into G10 scales you get things like the
Roc Cleaver- VG10 - $175
Firefly- VG10- $175
Q ball bearing, VG10, $178
D'allara- S30V- $211
Temperance 3, S30V $211


Even a head to head comparison of the same models with the same steels but different handle materials:
FRN D-fly VG10-$60
G10 D-fly VG10- $107

FRN stretch (ZDP-189) $136
G10 Stretch (ZDP-189) $234

In the head to head I can see where some of the additional cost comes from a more expensive material and labor involved with G10. I really do get that, so I'm even willing to toss those as examples (although $100 extra for G10 scales on the stretch does seem a bit extreme on its face). However looking at the first example, when you've got VG10 and G10 scales going for $175, and S30v with G10 going for over $200, I just can't imagine not looking at something within their own product line or at another company's lineup that offers better bang for the buck.

When the FRN examples are so reasonable, and the G10 examples are not competitive with other knives in the same price class even comparing to their own product line, it seems like it's the G10 that actually makes the difference... why? I don't know.

 

[b00n]

Well, for a POS that's true. But for those of us who have owned and used several of both brands and haven't ever had a warranty or QC issue, it's irrelevant.

That's fair of course. I just hear more Benchmade "Horror Stories" than Spydercos. Which has me hesitant about giving them a try. I might roll the dice on a Vector though since I quite like the design and rather have my own experience with BM than go by 2nd hand word.

 

[Dallas T]

Yes, warranty and CS are important. But that's like saying "Oh yeah I brought my new car in the 5th time for a recall/repair, but I got a loaner, coffee and donuts each time, it's awesome, I love that new car."

Yes, warranty and CS are important. But that's like saying "Oh yeah I brought my new car in the 5th time for a recall/repair, but I got a loaner, coffee and donuts each time, it's awesome, I love that new car."

Agreed but other than requesting and getting many free deep clips ive never had any qc issues from bm its all from abuse that i did. I broke a triage blade on a wreck on duty and snapped the blade, they replaced it free and refused payment since it was even my admitted fault not the equipment. That’s awesome n my opinion

 

[GermanyChris]

Quite honestly, like spydercos designs better overall, Buttttt...., Benchmade has much better warranty and cs in my experience. Only about 1/4 of Benchmade designs excite me, that said I own 5 Benchmades and 0 Spydercos atm. Why?, mainly because if I break a $200+ spyderco blade I'm unable to get the blade replaced for a minimal fee, like Benchmade does. Being able to get a blade replacement for $35 on a $200+ knife makes that knife so much more desirable, can use it aggressively without worry and if something happens your covered. I found out rescently Benchmade no longer will ship to you replacement clips and screws, and was very disappointed to hear that cause I really don't like sending knives off to a factory and it's ALWAYS great to have an extra clip and screws around so can just swap them out if they break. Anyways, if you haven't tried a knife from either company, I would try some knives from both companies and come to your own conclusions. They're both good.

That's why I have a price ceiling on Spyderco's.

 

[cashville]

I probably own about the same amount of Spyderco and Benchmade knives. The main thing that I like about Benchmade is that I'm never worried about potentially damaging a knife. I am usually a little more careful when using a Spyderco. Not a huge deal, but it is nice not having to worry as much. In general, I think Spyderco is superior is almost all aspects of the end product.

I think that Benchmades are generally more attractive to less informed or the non-knife enthusiast part of the market. I think only a very small fraction of the market would even notice most of Benchmade's quality control issues without reading about it or watching a video on the internet. I think they might have lower QC because the majority of their clientele don't notice so the additional cost to improve QC by a small amount may be expected to yield very little in sales.

I think I like Spyderco knives better in general, but Benchmade's warranty is a huge selling point for me. It's better to never need to use a warranty, but it's nice to have just in case. I have also had a blade replacement done for free that I fully expected to pay for. The 940 blades get pretty thick behind the edge relatively quick because of the narrow blade width. Benchmade replaced the blade for free because of the slightest amount of blade play (almost undetectable.) Customers do pay up front for Benchmade's warranty, but I think that the cost is probably worth it if you ever use it. I think their prices in general are pretty reasonable. Spydercos just shot up a bit in prices, so they are sort of diminishing in terms of value I guess.

I've never "broken" a Spyderco or Benchmade, but it's nice having the insurance policy just in case. I like the ease of mind. However, if Spyderco does decide to start shipping blade replacements and stuff like that, Spyderco will be the clear favorite for me probably.

 

[KingMC]

They are competitors that put out similar levels of quality at similar price points and have plenty of positive qualities each.

I think the AXIS lock is the best lock on the market but I also think the Spydie-hole is the best blade opener out there as well.

I have yet to experience any QC issues with either brand, ultimately I wouldn't hesitate to buy from either brand if they made a knife that I wanted; between the two of them it really comes down to design features rather than brand as I consider them equal.

 

[Therom]

Only for the purpose of having a conversation, IMHO Benchmade have a lot of interesting advantages over spyderco: the axis lock , fancier designs and a some interesting steel options

But IMHO (again), what spyderco has over Benchmade is a soul and a purpose
I see much more functionalities in Syperco’s than in Benchmade’s knives

I like my 940-1 and I had good times with my Griptilians.. and the nakamura is still eying to me
But really none can beat my PM2, my Delica , my salt or my native in terms of usefulness
Spyderco has more no-nonsense than Benchmade for me

 

[Halfneck]

You may not be able to bang out a threesome with Mary Ann & Ginger, but at least you can own both Benchmade & Spyderco.

 

[Stays Sharp]

Only for the purpose of having a conversation, IMHO Benchmade have a lot of interesting advantages over spyderco: the axis lock , fancier designs and a some interesting steel options

Hmm, have you seen what Spyderco offers as far as steel? I mean, they have S110v as a standard option. Maxamet, exotics, I dont think its close. BM does offer the usual crowd pleaser steels as does Spyderco though.

Aa far as designs, last couple of years, Spyderco has come out with some high end, collabs, midtech fringe stuff you might want to check out.

 

[Wowbagger]

. . . Any reason to choose a Benchmade over a Spyderco?

Mostly a couple of key CLASSIC TO DA MAX models such as the Carbon Fiber 940 and the Ritter Griptillian. The 710 in M390 really could be up there for me if there wasn't so much to forgive . . . NOT IN THE DESIGN . . . but in the execution. When cutting with it I just really like it, deploying is excellent; folding and carrying take some work.
Not my very favorites but I'm SURE I couldn't live a full and happy life without them. For the most part though I lean more toward the Spyder side.

 

[MolokaiRider]

I would buy both. I tend to think that Spyderco offers a bit more cutting value and fit/finish per dollar a tad bit over Benchmade. But being that we love our tools and hobby, you would be remiss to not enjoy offerings from both of these fine companies.

 

[Cvrobinson]

Apples and oranges
Completely different
But both fruits

Benchmade / Spyderco
Completely different
Both great knives

Two great fruits
Two great knife brands to disassemble them with

If you want juice I recommend the Adamas 275

 

[P2P]

You may not be able to bang out a threesome with Mary Ann & Ginger, but at least you can own both Benchmade & Spyderco.

We make do the best way we know how.

 

[BD_01]

Which brand do I favor?
This:


Versus this:



ETA the mini Crooked River is tempting me, however.

 

[Wolverine666]

Apples and oranges
Completely different
But both fruits

Benchmade / Spyderco
Completely different
Both great knives

Two great fruits
Two great knife brands to disassemble them with

If you want juice I recommend the Adamas 275

Completely different? How's that?

 

[mr2blue]

I have both. I like more traditional blade patterns and Spyderco,s leaf shaped blades do not fit my taste. I love both GB Versions and the Advocate. I prefer ZT and Fantoni

 

[mr2blue]

patterns or blade shapes (correction for above since i can’t find edit button anymore

Found edit button

 

[Mo2]

If you buy a benchmade do it at the store so you can pick one that's perfect. Else you can order from online from a vendor that will inspect it. They have atrociously bad qc.
All my Benchmades have had issues. It's not worth it for the massive map pricing they have. Omega springs can brake.
The do have good heat treatment but they often do lopsided edges and burnt edges which ruins it for the price you pay for them. Axis lock is nice but once you own one axis lock they are all the same unless your a collector.. I'd recommend the 940 series and or a bugout. Those would be my favorites..
They are not bad knives at all. But I'm not buying another one until they fix the qc issues which are clearly still a full blown issue.

Two most recent examples.. But by far not the worst. Doctor frunkey and this one..
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgFDbRFhtNb/
Also nick Shabazz just got a bunch direct from benchmade also with centering off.
Side to side and up and down blade play also common.

I prefer spyderco due to better blade geometry for cutting. And they have far better quality and qc plus alot more options for blade steel. Prices have gone up but you get more for what you pay for in comparison to benchmade.

 

[DrRollinstein]

There are about an equal amount of benchmades i like as spydercos. I like both the compression and axis locks. And thumb studs are pretty equal to the spyder hole to me. And i've had zero quality control issues with the 6 or so benchmades i've had, so i dont care much about that. Its all up to preference, though i'd recommend buying both.

Now as for models, go for the Sage 5 and Mini Crooked river first.

Which brand do I favor?
This:
View attachment 864125

Versus this:

View attachment 864124

ETA the mini Crooked River is tempting me, however.

Buy that Mini. Its a beautiful knife, and one of my favorites.