Spyderco vs. Benchmade

K

KLM

Joined
Jul 9, 2007
Messages
3
Hello all,

Let me start out by saying I have been and am an avid spyderco fan. I recently had my limited edition spur stolen from me so I am now in the market for a new knife. I love the looks of the volpe but am partial to a little smaller knife (under 4" closed). I am also looking at a benchmade mini-griptillian but I am concerned about the thickness of the handle as I want it to be comfortable in my pocket (I have never owned a benchmade). I could sure use some of the experiences you guys have had with these knives to help make my decision. I would also enjoy other suggestions on other knives as well. I have had a delica (which I am trying to compare to the volpe as far as size goes) and did enjoy it but it is just a little big for my liking. Thanks for all of your comments. Below is some information about my lifestyle to judge my knife usage.

I am an avid outdoorsman living in western montana. I spend a lot of time backpacking, camping, hunting, biking and river running. Whatever knife I go with will take a lot of abuse and will be my everyday carry so I want to be comfortable with it.

Thanks in advance!
 
Spyderco VS Benchmade. . .not again

Definitely make use of the search function on these forums, there are quite a few threads very similar to this already.

Anyway, welcome to the forums.

I have a full-sized Griptilian, and I find it very unobtrusive in my pocket as an EDC. The Grips are tough knives and for your outdoor uses, they can take the punishment. The Axis lock is very smooth and reliable. If possible, handle a mini-Grip to judge for yourself how you like the size.

It surprises me that you found the Delica too large :eek:
Then again, I'm a fan of medium sized and larger folders.
 
My mistake on posting. I actually am not looking for a comparison between benchmade and spyderco, I think they are pretty hard to compare both are great companies with great products, just different. I am actually looking for a comparison between the volpe and a mini-grip. Also, what are peoples feelings on tanto vs. regular blades in the mini-grip? Thanks
 
Don't bother with a tanto unless you're going to be doing a lot of stabbing with your knife. Otherwise, they're just a pain in the a** to sharpen, IMHO.
 
I guess I should have explained my thread a little further! The delica is actually right on the limit of size that I like to carry. I am not a big fan of real big folders, just my own personal preferance. Thanks for the info on the grip.
 
I just don't like spydercos style. Not my thing. I also don't care for tanto blades. Then again I like huge folders... practically folding swords. BM710 is perfect for me. So I guess I'm really no help for you.


edit: wow that makes no sense. long day.
 
KLM,

Like you, I prefer smaller folders -- 3" blade is my max, even though 3.5" is the limit here in Colorado. I also like smaller knifes by Spyderco like the Salsa and Meerkat, and I owned and EDCed a mini-Grip for many years.

I don't own a Volpe, so I can't speak to it's long-term durability, etc, but I have handled one in person during a recent visit to the Spyderco Outlet Store in Golden. The fit and finish were outstanding, as with most Spyderco products, but I personally didn't think the knife would be a good fit for me for two reasons:

1. I have a big hand and the framelock was almost flush with the front scale (i.e., on all the Kershaws with framelocks that I've ever seen, the front scale has a notch or gap that allows your thumb to access the framelock on the bottom scale -- the Volpe does not, so I found the framelock tough to disengage).

2. The blade 'in person' has much less belly than I thought it had from Web images -- I prefer a spearpoint or drop point blade for outdoor use.

Still, the Volpe is a solid Spyderco knife -- I just suggest you handle one to make sure the ergos will work for you.
 
I guess that if I had to choose just one of my knives for an EDC it would likely be my 556 BM Mini-Grip. While the handle material is not my first choice it does work great as it does afford an excellent grip, thus the name I guess. The blade holds an edge quite well and serves me every day. I would most definitely replace it if I were ever to lose it, a lot of my other knives I would not.

John
 
Well now come on fellows KLM didn't have any way of knowing that there had already been a thread of "Benchmade versus Spyderco". And really I think it is such a vast subject of discussion and it is very interesting comparison between the 2 companies. Both companies have a great deal of passion in what they do. Both companies are goal oriented and quality minded.

Now I do tend to favor Spyderco from 2 aspects. Personally I just love all the unique and unorthadox knife designs that Spyderco courageously brought to market. Spyderco makes styles and variations of blades that no one else makes. Take the Captain model for instance; at first glance I had no idea of what that knife would be good for. But after owning and using one I was literally amazed at how versatile and efficient of a cutting tool it is. And I can make many examples of Spyders in that same light. Not to mentioned their unequalled customer service which in my opinion is unmatched by any American company of any type I've ever dealt with.

Now I also like a lot of Benchmade stuff as well. The few BM models I like I really like them a lot. The Boguszewski Spike is truly one of my very favorites of all time. It's not really an issue of one versus another as much as it is a comparison of two quality minded companies and the totally different paths they took to get there. I have a great deal of respect for both of them.
 
The question is not Spydie vs BM, it's Volpe vs Mini Grip

If the Delica is too big..I vote for the dragonfly or even Caly III, no go on the Mini Grip
 
Have you looked at the Spyderco Native? Thinner grips, similar blade styles, and in S30V. I use mine constantly for EDC use.
 
I think you will like a Mini Griptilian. The handles is just a tad smaller than the Delica but the blade is about the same size. It has more cutting area however since it doesn't have a 3/8" long kick at the back of the blade.

If the Delica was way too big for you then I would recommend a Spyderco Dragonfly also.

I do think that you will be fine with the Mini Grip however. It will stand up to a lot of beating.
 
I carried a delica for a long time and then went to several different models for a while. I had looked at the 707 sequel by benchmade but thought it was too small. I eventually tried one and am sold on it. It holds a great edge and is easy to sharpen on a spyderco Sharpmaker. I have got to say the steel is great and the axis lock is wonderfull. I really wish there was a size between the 710 and the 707. That would be perfect.
RKH
 
Let me start by saying I love both Spydercos and Benchmades.
Don't listen to all of them, they don't understand your question (they think you are a troll). Try the Benchmade Mini Griptilian with the Sheepsfoot blade, it is a great little knife with an oval hole opener. A few things you will notice with a benchmade: slightly better Fit and Finish (grind lines are more consistent, injection molded parts are better fitted), VERY smooth opening, and you are going to have to get used to that axis lock, but it is a very good lock (I love lockbacks as well, so Spyderco is still high on my list). Try Benchmade, you are going to like them.
 
BM is ok but i havent really liked a lot of there stuff lately, do like the rukus though, i like the spyderco designs better the last few yrs and imho the F&F on spyderco and BM is about equal
 
I don't have a Volpe, but I do have several mini-Grips and a BM 707. I think you'd be happy with the size and performance of any of them, but IMAO, the mini-Grips are more suitable for everyday use, esp. outdoor type use, because of their more ergonomic FRN scales. The 707 is flat aluminium and that makes it a bit difficult for me to grip securely.

All of them will sharpen to a laser edge and cut all day for you. I EDC a Ritter mini-Grip and it's probably the most comfortable EDC I've ever carried and used. Just like an old Timex... "takes a lickin' and..." well, you get the picture.

OTOH, if you want to try a Spyderco that's a tad different than the Delica but not much smaller, try a Caly 3 in G-10/VG-10. It's not a heavy-duty knife, but it's an outstanding cutter and not quite as fragile as it might seem at first.
 
dalefuller said:
OTOH, if you want to try a Spyderco that's a tad different than the Delica but not much smaller, try a Caly 3 in G-10/VG-10. It's not a heavy-duty knife, but it's an outstanding cutter and not quite as fragile as it might seem at first.
Click to expand...

I never got the impression that it was even close to fragile. :confused: I've alway felt that it was STRONGER then the Delica 4th gen. :confused:
 
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