Spyderco VS Benchmade

I look at it like this...

If Benchmade did not have the Axis-lock, how would they then compare to Spyderco?
And when I consider that question, I have to say that Spyderco is the better of the two.

But Benchmade does have the Axis-lock, and it really is the best lock in the industry IMO.
So until Spyderco comes up with a real alternative to the Axis-lock, I'll continue to carry my Benchmade 710.
The Ball-lock does show some promise, but the Compression-lock just aint it!
 
allenC said:
If Benchmade did not have the Axis-lock, how would they then compare to Spyderco?
And when I consider that question, I have to say that Spyderco is the better of the two.
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What evidence do you have for this statement? You didn't day what kind of lock with which you would replace the Axis lock. A lockback like most Spyderco? Now which knife is the best?

Let's deal with "reality". Both are good production knives and will server the user well. But why just those 2 companies. There are plenty of other great knives out there that aren't made but either. If you are looking for a folder:
Al Mar
Lone Wolf
Emerson
Kershaw
SOG
Micotech
Cold Steel
....the list goes on.

Why limit your search to only Spyderdo or Benchmade? I only carry a Spydie or BM about 10% of the time. Actually hardly at all, anymore, since I converted over to a small Bob Dozier with a horizontal cross-draw sheath.

Regards
 
bladeprince said:
Why limit your search to only Spyderdo or Benchmade? I only carry a Spydie or BM about 10% of the time. Actually hardly at all, anymore, since I converted over to a small Bob Dozier with a horizontal cross-draw sheath.

Regards
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BM and Spyderco are my favorite companies that have knives that are within my current budget. Sure there are other great companies, but I like the models of these 2 companies more consistently than any other company with models in the same price ranges (aside from multitools).
 
What evidence do you have for this statement?
Click to expand...
You want evidence that this in fact my opinion?:confused:

You didn't day what kind of lock with which you would replace the Axis lock. A lockback like most Spyderco? Now which knife is the best?
Click to expand...
Lockback or liner-lock...it does not matter because, IMO, Spyderco has the best lockbacks in the industry, and possible the best liner-locks as well.
 
I like the knives of both companies, but for myself I would give the edge to Benchmade. I really like my BM 805. Also the 556 mini-grip and 710.

That said, I love VG-10 steel. If I needed a knife where I was simply going to be doing cutting all day on fairly rough materials, I wouldn't hesitate to pick an Endura or Delica. And the fact that the new Delica/Endura 4's have adjustable pivot screws is, IMO, a large improvement over the previous rivet pins (though I've yet to get a 4). My favorite lockbacks are Spydercos, and they're light enough to carry in addition to any other knife(s) you might have on you.

I think both companies are leading-edge manufacturers who are always looking to push the envelope. Each has its stronger points. And I do love the fact that Sal does interact with the users of his knives. I think the fact that we have these choices to make is a sign of how fortunate knife lovers really are.
Jim
 
i think BM has maybe a tad better F&F, in my opinion BM is about tops in that regard, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with BM, but spyderco is almost as good in that regard and also has better designs imho, as far as edc knives i think spyderco is tops, the last BM i edc'd was an AFCK (the liner version) so its been a while since something from them really "grabbed" me, and yes i have a skirmish, rukus, axis AFCK, 710, but i prefer the manix, chinook or the Ti ATR to any of those.

i go through a lot of knives and for me to edc something for a while says something, i also have a lot of custom folders, the knife i've edc'd the most for the last 2 yrs is a Ti ATR which imho says something since its beaten out a lot of custom and productions for that role,
 
Suzukigsx1300r08 said:
i think spyderco knives are down right ugly with that huge hole it looks like somebody made a mistake on the blade. Without that hole i would love the look of the knives. I have been wanting to purchase a d'allara but theyre always out wherever i go! I am not a big fan of "plastic" (i know its not plastic but to me it mays well be) zytel or g-10 handles and like the metal handles better, wish they made it in that!
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Yes, Spyderco may have an "unconventional" look, and many people do find it a little off-putting, heck, the word "ugly" has often been used to describe the looks of a Spydie, however, the sole purpose of a knife is to cut things, *NOT* to look good, Spyderco designs for cutting performance first, looks are an afterthought, if they're even considered at all, Spyderco knives are the epitome of form-following-function

do Benchmades look better, well, yes they do, but as i'm a "form-follows-function" kinda' guy and i couldn't care less about appearances, Spydies appeal more to me

put a Spydie in your hand, ignore it's unconventional appearance and actually *cut* with it, you'll understand, Spydies are the distillation of pure cutting performance, who cares what it looks like, as long as it cuts well

perfect example, the Dodo, an extremely unconventional looking knife that happens to have one of the most comfy handles on the market, it was designed for the hand, not the eyes

I've had Benchmades in the past, and have been very impressed with their fit-and-finish (the Axis lock is pretty sweet), but when it came down to it, my Delica/Salt 1 outperformed my Minigrip (thumbstud model), so i sold the Minigrip, the Minigrip was more fun to flick open and closed, but it didn't cut as well as my Delica and Salt knives, just my experience, YMMV

as Sal has often been quoted as saying...
"All good, just different"

now, if Spyderco could licence the Axis lock and combine it with the D4 Wave, we'd have an unbeatable combo....
 
I actually really like "spyderco ugly." The weirder the better...my favs--Dodo, Yojimbo and Para. The more normal spydercos I don't find particularly attractive, but not ugly either.
 
as a lefty the axis lock is the only way to go in a folder. I was buying a knife every month or so until I got my bm 94# It is wonderful.

Spyderco makes a good product, I grew up with a delica, but I do think the thumb stub is faster than the hole.
 
Suzukigsx1300r08 said:
i think spyderco knives are down right ugly with that huge hole it looks like somebody made a mistake on the blade. Without that hole i would love the look of the knives. I have been wanting to purchase a d'allara but theyre always out wherever i go! I am not a big fan of "plastic" (i know its not plastic but to me it mays well be) zytel or g-10 handles and like the metal handles better, wish they made it in that!
Click to expand...

The new Benchmade offerings must be causing you significant distress then.
 
Ok, I'm gonna step in and say that Spyderco has the better range. Why? because the only benchmade with a blade less than 2.75" is the benchmite - Spyderco has a whole range of knives for the "office user" which benchmade can't compete with - also their attention to usability rather than looks gets me every time - I have 4 spydies now out of a total of about 10 knives, and I'll never buy another knife without a hole in the blade and 50/50 choils
 
There's also the point that the grip series by BM is made in America and the Delica endura series is made over sea's.

So, on paper BM is better for the American economy...
 
TheKnifeCollector said:
I prefer Spyderco over Benchmade, for the many reasons that are listed! I also have the utmost respect for Sal. Sal REALLY listens to the folks that buy and use his knives. THAT goes a long way with me!
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I don't recall seeing Les De Asis from Benchmade on this board. Sal Glesser from Spyderco is on this board all the time answering questions, and even more importantly asking questions, even though Spyderco has its own board. I think that is really important. That's why I put most of my knife budget on Spyderco.
 
Both Spyderco and Benchmade make a ton of knives overseas...Benchmade and Spyderco do a lot of Chinese knives and a few Taiwanese ones. I have used a lot of Japanese Spydercos and they were fine knives.
 
Both the same quality, both back their product, both use high grade steels (Benchmade a little more so, but VG10 used by Spyderco is a great steel nonetheless). They have their low end, and their high end. Check out the Endura and the Griptilian. Then move up to the Military and 710. Both companies make great knives that you will be pleased with.

They are considered the top two manufacturers before you get into the Chris Reeve, Strider, William Henry etc arena.
 
It is true that Benchmade's micro-folder offerings are scant, but Spyderco's fixed blade offerings are paltry as well.

That said, I own offerings from both companies. My favorite overall is the BM 806D2, which has a Spydie-like hole and the Axis lock, without looking ugly.:D
 
Although no expert, I just bought a brand new Benchmade 710 for $CAN 120 ($US 101). At that price (about 1/2 retail price here) it seemed to be a better deal than anything else I looked at and worth the extra money over the Spyderco stuff I saw. I think down the road it might have more resale value than the Spydercos, but I don't plan ever to sell it. It can open real quick with a flick of the wrist while holding down the lock button.
 
Have both and enjoy both in almost equal proportions. I prefer Benchmades for the fit and finish, however Spydies come with a well known outta the box sharpness. My recent Benchmades have arrived as sharp as a Spyderco however. I don't mind tuning my own edge or paying abit more for the precise machine work, polished liners, etc.. Bang for your cutting edge dollar though I would give the edge to Spyderco, good solid models with good steel choices.

For small users there is far more to be had in the Benchmade line if you consider models with a "roughly" 3" blade than the Benchmite. A 2.75" or a 3.1" blade is, well, a 3" blade for me. The small grips, 440 and the 960 come to mind immediately.

As for the where it is made posts, discounting the Byrd line as well as the Red Class which address the same niche market, I think you will find far more made in America Benchmades than Spydercos.

As others have said, you can't go wrong with either.
 
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