Spyderco vs Benchmade

OP - this is like asking whether you should have pizza or pasta for lunch.

IMO, both have pros and cons over the other. For below $150 range, I would definitely look at Spyderco first. Between $150-200, both ofeer a lot of choices. Spyderco seems to offer much more sprint runs and dealer exclusives with great prices, and thats where my money has been spent on the brand.
 
Bought a mini grip and a delica years ago to compare these two popular models. The delica is a better slicer but takes up too much room in the pocket. The grip blade is more robust and a more useful shape for me. The axis lock sealed the deal making it a true one-handed knife. Handle is more ergonomic as well.

So I've carried the grip for about six years every day while the delica waits as a very capable backup.

Just my small sample.
 
Easily Spyderco is better.

I've been a Benchmade fan first and foremost, and I've spent about 3 times as much money on Benchmade versus Spyderco ever since being on the forum. Only one BM 940 is left for novelty purposes. I haven't bought a Spyderco in two years and I still have 7.

Spyderco is cheaper, and Golden models are on the level of midtechs. My TaiChung Spydercos are amazing. My Domino is fitted and flips as well as my Thorburns. My Gayle Bradley locks up as well as my Rocksteads.

I will never understand justifying Benchmade QC by saying their warranty and CS makes up for their bad QC. If a dentist or mechanic messes up your teeth or car, the damage is done and time is already lost. Let's stop treating Benchmade with these kid gloves every time, so they can start making awesome knives for us again consistently.

Edit: For the lefty's and Axis fans. You can use a dremel tool and lubricant to polish the PB washers on your Manix. It makes the BB lock as playable and drop-shutty as the Axis lock. When I traded my Griptillian for a Manic XL, I got it to be just as smooth.
 
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I think that spyderco generally offers a better value. Most of the new benchmades I have handled and ownded have all had good QC, as good as all my spydercos. To me benchmade I think offers some designs that are just so good they are worth paying extra for. I think that a couple spydercos are really over priced and I think that a couple benchmades are more fair priced. It just kind of depends what you like IMO. Both offer vastly different designs. Kind of like the 940.. Its just such a golden design that (even though I dont own one) I think that it may justify the cost.
I think a couple knives like the griptilian are a LITTLE overpriced, I would like to see the full size be closer to $90 but it is still a great knife, even though you can get a manix for about $25 more and get better materials, I will boldy say that I think that benchmades 154cm is better than spydercos s30v. To me it holds a very sharp edge longer and takes an edge far easier. The griptilian also cuts FAR better. The manix FEELS like a much tougher knife but I have not beaten on my griptilian as much so it is hard to say. I like both locks equally, the axis lock is smoother but the ballbearing lock is silly strong feeling, in a good way.
 
So far I only have two of each: Benchmade 551, Spyderco Pacific Salt, Spyderco Endura 4 ffg, Benchmade 551-1 (by far the priciest pocket knife I own). I consider all high quality knives reflecting their prices. The only one that I had a q.c. issue with was the Pacific Salt. After a few days carrying and light use I noticed the pivot screw was almost loose enough to fall completely out of the knife. Screwed it back in tight and the issue has not recurred. The Spydercos are Japanese made and the Benchmades are US made if that means anything to you.
 
White Rhino said:
So far I only have two of each: Benchmade 551, Spyderco Pacific Salt, Spyderco Endura 4 ffg, Benchmade 551-1 (by far the priciest pocket knife I own). I consider all high quality knives reflecting their prices. The only one that I had a q.c. issue with was the Pacific Salt. After a few days carrying and light use I noticed the pivot screw was almost loose enough to fall completely out of the knife. Screwed it back in tight and the issue has not recurred. The Spydercos are Japanese made and the Benchmades are US made if that means anything to you.
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Spyderco offers USA made models, as well.
 
I prefer Spyderco designs and prices (well, old prices I guess). Benchmade doesn't click with me.
 
well. brand quality aside;
you know that any choice would eventually boil down to design and price.
no offense to the original question,
but it really is best to look beyond brand names
and get what which truly excites you and your pocket? :-)
 
A lot's already been said, so I'll try not to reiterate or rehash anything too much.

I whole-heartedly agree that Spyderco's primary focus when it comes to pocket knife design tends to lean towards functionality in-hand. I work in a lumber yard and tend to carry larger folders (~4") for work use; because of my work attire (thicker and heavier work pants with lots of pockets), I don't mind the extra size and weight that Spyderco's tend to have on them in this environment (it often makes them feel better in my hand imho, ymmv). In fact, while I have several knives that I bring to work, including a BM 710, some of my favourites to bring and use are my Spyderco S110V Millie and my CPM154/S90V Manix because they are just such superb cutting tools and extremely comfortable for me to use!

However, while my work knives are pretty evenly split between, Benchmade, Zero Tolerance, and Spydercos, my outside of work EDCs are predominantly Benchmade's with only a single Spyderco, the lone one being a Para 3 that if I'm being honest with myself, doesn't see a whole lot of pocket time these days. While the Spydercos may (arguably) out-perform the Benchmades that I own in any cutting tasks I may come across due to thinner blade grinds, "better" steels (more wear resistance), etc.; the designs of Benchmade tend to best the Spydercos in pocket-ability while not giving up too much in the way of functionality/cutting ability (my personal opinion obviously, as well as a generalization; I realize Spyderco makes pocketable knives like the Delica and the Baby Jess Horn, but overall, I find their knives to be on the thicker and wider side of things - a sacrifice they have to make for their great ergonomics).

I can carry the same amount of blade in my 940 as my Manix, or the same amount of blade in my Para 3 in my 707 or 485, but in a more size-efficient package which makes it much easier for me to carry in the clothes I wear on my own time (lighter, fewer pockets, less heavy-duty fabric/construction). And for my EDC cutting tasks, any difference in performance is outweighed by the weight and size savings, as well as the fact that I'm unlikely to be doing any extended cutting with my EDC.

TL;DR To summarize and draw some personal conclusions:
1) Generally speaking, I find Spydercos edge out my Benchmades in the cutting department - they are great cutting tools, but often are pocket hogs when compared with their same-size counterparts from other makers; ymmv.
2) I find that Benchmade tends to strike a better all-around balance between cutting ability and being pocketable with a deference to the later if anything - which sometimes costs them in the cutting/slicing department due to limitations of a given knife's design
 
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I have owned both but, right now, I own Benchmades. Not because they make a better knife but, because they offer the Axis Lock. I like that. The interesting thing is that I don't care for most of their designs. The same holds true for Spyderco.
 
I like Benchmade and Spyderco, but I definitely gravitate toward the latter. Spyderco knives usually have ergonomics, blade shapes, blade steels, lock designs, and dimensions that appeal to me more.
 
I prefer full flat grind blades in any model knife if it’s available so that steers me toward Spyderco over Benchmade normally. But sometimes Benchmade just comes out with a new design that I just can’t pass up. In my experience f & f and quality of materials is about the same. (Both make great knives) When it comes to customer curtesy Benchmade is on top. I have NEVER had to pay for a new replacement pocket clip for any Benchmade that I’ve owned. I once received a Benchmade fixed blade and the sheath had a defective snap on the retention strap. One call to Benchmade and a new sheath was on the way. They didn’t even ask me to return the defective one. One the flip side every time that I have called Spyderco for a new pocket clip I have had to provide my debit card number to make payment. I’m not complaining about being charged (it was my fault I broke the pocket clips) just letting everyone know there is a difference in customer curtesy between the two. In the end you won’t go wrong with either one!
 
Stays Sharp said:
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.
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Yes you are right, Spyderco offers a lot of variation in steels for there most common models.
I like the s110V on the PM2 by the way :)

My perception may be due to the lack of M390 in their standard production :)
But you make a good point
 
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