Spyderco vs Benchmade

Benchmade hands down. Owned both, still own the Benchmades. Never had QC issues with any of the several Benchmade I've owned plus BM offers the same high end steels and you're paying for a full blade and not wasting money on a huge chunk of missing steel :). If you own one spyderco you own them all. Not to mention if you're actually planning on using your knife in a work setting, the axis lock is head and shoulders better.
 
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91bravo said:
The longer Spyderco is around, the better they get. They've been knocking it out of the park with their CQI stuff. Benchmade is a bit stagnant IMO. I'm sure both will serve you well in what you need a knife for, but my vote goes to Spyderco for their umpteen million different models, colors and steels.
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I agree. Spyderco seems more willing to experiment in new designs, steels and locks, whereas Benchmade seems to follow a more safe route here, with some flashes here and there. I own only one Benchmade and only lately i got into Spydercos, but i, too, would prefer a Spyderco.
 
mylest said:
If you own one spyderco you own them all.
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This is an old picture.
I have even more Spyderco knives now.

There are a few Benchmades in this pic, but the majority are Spyderco models.
Gee, they sure all look the same...:rolleyes:

ZMOIgt3.jpg
 
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Man those are four nice knives on the far right you've got there! I'm not meaning to knock spydies but to me all their current offerings look about the same. And I can't get over not being able to use them one handed
 
ScooterG said:
Benchmade sucks sometimes. Spyderco suck sometimes. Both are great most of the time. Go duke it out behind the 7-Eleven :D
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7-11...now there's a place with poor quality control.
Eat their "food" if you are sick of having a well-adjusted digestive system.
I'd rather fight behind it than eat their "food"...it would be less painful. :D
 
mylest said:
ZMOIgt3.jpg
Man those are four nice knives on the far right you've got there! I'm not meaning to knock spydies but to me all their current offerings look about the same. And I can't get over not being able to use them one handed
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You can't open a Spydie with one hand? :confused: That's saying something because they were designed to open with one hand. Some models you can open AND close with one hand.
 
I have and like both. Spyderco has maybe better quality control by a hair, although recently Benchmade has stepped it up. They dipped for a couple years but the last few I bought were pretty much perfect.

Something to consider though is that I feel that Benchmade has better support. You get factory support from them that you don’t get from Spyderco. I have one Benchmade that’s been rebladed twice. Were that knife a Spyderco it would had to have been replaced.

So when I need a user I grab a Benchmade. If I’m going to do some lighter things I will use a Spyderco. But knowing I have other knives that are stouter (specifically the tips) that I have messed up, I’m not willing to risk breaking a $200 knife. Especially not when it won’t be possible to get it rebladed.
 
mylest said:
ZMOIgt3.jpg
Man those are four nice knives on the far right you've got there! I'm not meaning to knock spydies but to me all their current offerings look about the same. And I can't get over not being able to use them one handed
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I assume you mean close one handed, and that you're a lefty. That's most knives really, and spyderco does in fact make some lefty versions, in addition to their backlocks (or the Manix which is caged ball bearing and therefore ambidextrous
 
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I really don’t like one more than the other. I have owned many knives from both manufacturers and am a fan of both. Spyderco offers knives in all price ranges but some of their designs are either ugly or just impractical for every day use. I am a fan of Benchmades axis lock and their customer service dept.
 
Regarding being unable to close Spydercos one handed.... Spyderco backlocks are easily closed one-handed. They're designed so that the kick or choil hits your index finger when you operate the backlock. I think backlocks are what people are always referring to when they say Spydercos can't be closed one-handed....except Spyderco backlocks can be closed one-handed and are designed to do so...

Regarding aesthetics, if someone thinks all Spydercos look the same due to the blade hole, hump, and leaf shape on their classic models, one could argue the same is true of Benchmade with their more conventional aesthetics, thumbstuds, drop point saber ground blades, and axis locks. The truth is that both companies offer more variety than just what was mentioned above.

Both companies make fine knives. I think it just comes down to what models you prefer. I personally favor Spyderco, but there's nothing wrong with a good Benchmade. I own knives from both companies and enjoy them all, or I obviously wouldn't own them.
 
mylest said:
ZMOIgt3.jpg
Man those are four nice knives on the far right you've got there! I'm not meaning to knock spydies but to me all their current offerings look about the same. And I can't get over not being able to use them one handed
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I've never had any problems at all opening, using, and closing any Spydercos one-handed.

I prefer Spyderco's back lock (and some of their other locks) over Benchmade's axis lock. No small springs to possibly wear out and break.

I like some Benchmades, but haven't purchased one since since around 2004 or so.

Jim
 
I sure couldn't open or close the native 5 one handed and I'm a righty. The action is WAY stiffer than any Benchmade I've ever owned and to close it requires a huge adjustment of my hand so it just wasn't practical or user friendly. I bought it because IMO it's the ONLY good looking knife to come from spyderco. I've been drooling over the fluted TI version too but after fumbling around with a g10 version I came to the conclusion I'd rather have a 765 for than kind of money.
(BTW, anyone interested in a bladehq native 5 in M4 haha)
 
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James Y said:
No small springs to possibly wear out and break
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They have 2 springs and works perfectly well with just one plus it's free for them to be replaced. I'd bet all my fingers on one hand that both locks will never fail at once. And they'll last YEARS before they even need to be replaced unless you just sit at home flicking your knife open and closed all day
 
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I have several Benchmades, (2 Grips, a mini grip, 2 950 Rift's, a Contego), & they're all great knives. I have to say that I prefer my Spydercos, (2 PM 2s, 2 Manix 2s, Native 5), though.
 
I am stuck on Spyderco after years . had Benchmades. loved the Ares and there was a time I loved the axis lock . then I realized I need choils on my folders and benchmade doesn't do that and started hearing about axis lock spring failures and just didn't trust it anymore. always wanted an Adamis and a cpl others and have owned 710s and griptilians and others at one point or another. overall good fit and finish. But there is just something about Spyderco and I love all the new designs they come up . they are never afraid to take a risk and try something even if it flops.

still own and carry a Benchmade SOCP one of the most overprice fixed blades out there but it serves a specific purpose and is well made for what it is. and 440c aint that bad . :)
 
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