Spyderco Vs. Kershaw

I like them both equally.They're both astounding companies with THE BEST Customer service I've ever experienced.Also they both listen to their customers when coming up with new designs.I couldn't choose between either...sorry:o

Here's my lineup for production folder companies(leaving out slip-joints).

1.Spyderco/Kershaw
2.Benchmade
3.AlMar/Mcusta/Moki
4.Buck

I've never owned (or even handled) a Chris Reeve knife.If I had,I think my line up may differ.;)
 
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Do yourself a favor and, while taking all the opinions that you have gotten in mind, go to your closest knife shop and spend the day looking and handling various knives from the Big 3 manufactures *Kershaw, Sypderco, Benchmade* and see what interests YOU.

You will always have the "this brand is better than this brand!" discussion/argument *argument depending on the people in the convo*. Perfect example of the above...I love Kershaw. I find them to have the best designs and materials to what I want/need. Does not mean however that I totally will dis BM or Spyderco. Granted i hate spydercos over all, but i would buy a few of there knives. Same way with BM.

Have your fav OP, after you have handled them and used them first, not after getting a bunch of opinions. *i only say this as i am assuming that you are new to the hobby. if i am wrong, please correct me*.

either way, go with what works for you if that is the purpose of this thread. if that isnt the purpose then i vote Kershaw over them all, but i can still use a BM or Spydie if need be.
 
Knives that do not "revolve" around AO.
Zings (2 variations)
R.A.M. (4 variations w/ Hawk Lock)
Ener-G
Ener-G II
OD-1 (1 so far)
JYD (2 variations)
JYD II 4 variations w/ steels including 13C26, D2 and SG2
Groove 4 variations
Skyline 1 variation
Tim Galyean, RJ Martin, Lee Williams and Grant & Gavin Hawk designed the above models.
And Tommie, a MOD in the sub-forum designed the Skyline

Studlock Knives
Speed Bump (2 variations)
Spec Bump S30V plus special Ti versions
Offset (2 variations with more on the way) MIM 440C
Mini Mojito

Knife Steels used:
420HC
13C26
14C28N
CPM-D2
154CM
MIM 440C
S30V
S60V (440V)
S110V
VG-10
ZDP-189
Hmmm....plus more

Handle Materials include:
G10
SS
FRN
Ti
Aluminum
Polymide

I believe Kershaw has a lot of variety to choose from. ;)

**edited to add**
ZT is made in the same factory as Kershaw. Same company.

mike
 
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I doubt that I could pick a favorite between Kershaw and Spyderco, if you put a gun to my head.

Both companies have so many knives that are distinctly different from each other, that you are missing out if you don't try both product lines.
 
JTR357 said:
I like them both equally.They're both astounding companies with THE BEST Customer service I've ever experienced.Also they both listen to their customers when coming up with new designs.I couldn't choose between either...sorry:o

Here's my lineup for production folder companies(leaving out slip-joints).

1.Spyderco/Kershaw
2.Benchmade
3.AlMar/Mcusta/Moki
4.Buck

I've never owned (or even handled) a Chris Reeve knife.If I had,I think my line up may differ.;)
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Very well put JTR:thumbup:

BOTH companies make a good, high quality knife. And BOTH companies listen with great interest and an open mind to what their biggest fans have to say. And BOTH of them devote a great deal of time and effort to customer service. Why is it that every three days or so, somebody has to try and start some kind of "war of the manufacturers" here on the forums and get everybody riled up for no good reason??:confused:

Anybody with half a brain should know that the issue here isn't who is "better". It's all about personal preference and passion, and the knife that pushes your buttons is the knife for you. Period.

Let's put this age old debate to bed please, and get back to what's important to each and every one of us.........collecting the knives we love, no matter what they may be.

Thank you, and good night;)
 
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I have between others a Kershaw Leek and a Spyderco Delia. There are different models of each which makes price comparison difficult, but I think that on the whole they can be comparable.
I do not really care about assisted opening, in fact it's something a little ridiculous in my book.
I like both knives, but I would choose the Delia. It simply feels more practical and sturdy to me.
 
Spyderco, Benchmade, Kershaw...

I love the steel, ergo and uniqueness/difference between Spyderco knives.
Benchmade seems pretty good but their designs sometimes come across as generic to me.

I've never held a better knife then the regular Spyderco Military in S30V...I just love that thing in every way. The thing sits in my hands like like a glove.
 
i have multiple knives from all three...man i couldn't pick a fave if my life depended on it.

although kershaw gets the most pocket time w me for whatever reason.
 
offsetlover said:
Do yourself a favor and, while taking all the opinions that you have gotten in mind, go to your closest knife shop and spend the day looking and handling various knives from the Big 3 manufactures *Kershaw, Sypderco, Benchmade* and see what interests YOU.

You will always have the "this brand is better than this brand!" discussion/argument *argument depending on the people in the convo*. Perfect example of the above...I love Kershaw. I find them to have the best designs and materials to what I want/need. Does not mean however that I totally will dis BM or Spyderco. Granted i hate spydercos over all, but i would buy a few of there knives. Same way with BM.

Have your fav OP, after you have handled them and used them first, not after getting a bunch of opinions. *i only say this as i am assuming that you are new to the hobby. if i am wrong, please correct me*.

either way, go with what works for you if that is the purpose of this thread. if that isnt the purpose then i vote Kershaw over them all, but i can still use a BM or Spydie if need be.
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This is great advice! thank you i will when i get the time!
 
I don't know why everyone is so nuts over A/O. It's going to get more knives banned because it was a way for companies to pretty much make an automatic but get around the law. I have no interest in carrying one.

Plus, some of the Kershaw knives are very stable but some are very touchy. I have dropped a scallion on a carpeted floor before and it sprang open. On the other hand I've dropped (on purpose) a leek and a spec bump and the leek never fired open. The Spec Bump did once out of about 5 drops. And no I don't plan on dropping my knives all the time but sometimes it happens. I also don't want to have to deal with a lock to keep the knife closed so it doesn't A/O on it's own in my pocket.

Now the knives that Kershaw has made in the last couple years that are NOT A/O but yet have flippers instead, I love. That's the way they should keep moving. :thumbup:
 
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I don't really compare them. Kershaw puts out some good knives, but I've always felt Spydercos were on a different level.

Strongly prefer Sal's sense of ergonomics to Mr. Onions, prefer the opening hole to anything else and I like the variety of designs Spyderco offers.

I like the direction both companies have been heading lately with their blade steels.
 
Benchmade, Kershaw, Spyderco. Benchmade is 1st because of the overall picture, I love the axis, mostly straight forward designs, and the warranty is amazing. 2nd Kershaw, only because there is way too many recurves, and I really do not like recurves, and asst. opener do nothing for me either. But the warranty is also amazing. Spyderco I love they're lockbacks and ball locks, but the inability to warranty the knives if they are no longer produced is a killer for me. Understandable for a smaller company, but since I use my knives, it can be an issue. Spyderco is for me more of a boutique company, great to collect for the designs, but if you break it, you retire it. Kershaw and Benchmade you will get a new knife if you didn't pull a "Stamp or Noss" on them.
 
samhain73 said:
Benchmade, Kershaw, Spyderco. Benchmade is 1st because of the overall picture, I love the axis, mostly straight forward designs, and the warranty is amazing. 2nd Kershaw, only because there is way too many recurves, and I really do not like recurves, and asst. opener do nothing for me either. But the warranty is also amazing. Spyderco I love they're lockbacks and ball locks, but the inability to warranty the knives if they are no longer produced is a killer for me. Understandable for a smaller company, but since I use my knives, it can be an issue. Spyderco is for me more of a boutique company, great to collect for the designs, but if you break it, you retire it. Kershaw and Benchmade you will get a new knife if you didn't pull a "Stamp or Noss" on them.
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I noticed that too when i was on there website! thats a little cheap of them!
 
I like my Spydies but I also have BM's, Kershaws plus a bunch of others. I like my Spydies for their utility and design. BM for the Axis, of course, plus they have some folders like the Grip that are great utility blades. I don't mind the Kershaws and I do own a few, but because I cut lefty, not being able to switch out the clips, has probably stopped me from getting more of them. I recently bought a Leek, despite not being able to swap the clip, because I've always liked the the design of it. All make excellent knives, IMO. Also, there's also a lot neat stuff out there:D
 
THG said:
Originally Posted by shecky View Post
Spyderco has unique designs... except for the ones that are redundant.
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Which are those? I can think of a few.
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I find the most Spydies are variations on the basic Delica/Endura blade/handle shapes. Not a bad formula to work with, but leaving users like me little reason to desire most of the others. Some of this I attribute to Spyderco's marriage to the Spyderhole, which necessitates certain dimensions in every blade profile. Some of Spyderco's most unique designs tend to be short timers, too, like the Dodo and Yojimbo. Most frustrating to me personally has been Spyderco's vaporware. Spyderco also seems to be a smaller company than Kershaw, which limits the range and production runs.


THG said:
Originally Posted by shecky View Post
Kershaw revolves around AO... except for the ones that don't. And so on.
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Which are those?
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2brothers listed a few. In addition to some unique models like the E.T. and Ripcord, the lockbacks and traditional-ish designs don't do AO and sometimes not even one hand opening.



I don't know why everyone is so nuts over A/O. It's going to get more knives banned because it was a way for companies to pretty much make an automatic but get around the law. I have no interest in carrying one.
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How often has this happened?
 
SPARTANS, PREPARE FOR GLORY! :D

Spyderco, Benchmade, Kershaw...

It's a simple order for me. I'm a Spyderco fanatic and very much agree with their product marketing, business views, and love the excellent execution of almost all of their designs. They are currently expanding and innovating.

As for Benchmade coming in second, I like my RSK Mk1 much better than any Kershaw in my collection. That being said, Kershaw makes a heck of a knife in the Shallot, Needs Work, and Tyrade.

I don't really think you can go wrong with any of them.
 
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