Spydercoites or Benchmadians?

Different but equal.

When you pare down your folding-knife collection to a handful, you force yourself to face reality. For me, reality is a Military CF BG-42 (my long reigning EDC), Rukus (big, fast and awesome), Manix (has the psychological impact when it locks up of a 12 ga. shotgun chambering a round), Sebbie (which proves form should follow function), and (to come) a 710 in M4 (near-perfect classic with hot new steel). I sold a lot of good knives to get to this group.
 
Benchmades are nice knives but I hate how they do their G10 and I find that I can buy a Spyderco for a little less than a Benchmade and get a little more knife. I can buy a Native with S30V for about $40 at wal mart or a Griptillian for around $60-$80 and so on and so on. But these are just my experiences, I do own a small Benchmade fixed blade knife but I own around six Spyderco's and love them all.
 
I'm really not an indecisive guy, but I can't bring myself to saying I like one company any more than the other. The quality of their knives is brilliant, and each has their pros and cons. For example I think axis lock is truely the best system, while on the other hand spyderco's blades come way sharper from the factory from what I've seen.
 
I like both! I've been on a benchmade buying streak recently however. I can't get over how good of a design the axis lock is. It makes backlocks seem cumbersome at times.
 
I've had equal of each... but because I support USA made, I would choose Benchmade for their outstandingly diverse "blue box" line..though my favorite designs are (Golden) Spydercos... I think brand loyalty is rediculous, but I would accept it from a collector's standpoint. These two companies represent the pinnacle of affordable USA made high quality. I respect them both and enjoy them as such. Benchmade has the 94X & Grips, which are incomparable to Spydies, as Spydetco has the Military, UKPK & Native, also in a league of their own... All I can say is Thank [enter the supreme being of your a choice] for them BOTH!!!
 
In the next few weeks I am receiving a Kershaw Rainbow Groove (one for me, one for her for my anniversary- and my brother just found his that was lost for 6 months), a Benchmade Skirmish, Spyderco Large Manix, Spyderco Native along with an Emerson Mini-Commander, I guess that they are all good. Actually I feel my Spyderco's are more dedicated slicers while my Benchmade are more brute knives, but that is more what models I have. I try to buy Benchmade on the secondary market, however as I have had some issue with the actions of the owner in the past.
 
lava_lamp said:
Right now, I have about thirty knives, including 8 Kershaws, 4 Spydies, and 1 Benchmade. I have owned many other Kershaws and Spydies, but only the one Benchmade. I guess the numbers make me part of the Kershaw Mafia....
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I have no idea what you are talking about, and I'm sure there is no proof that such an organization exists ;)

I only have a Spyderco "S" and it has blade play. This has discouraged me from buying any more.

I have yet to buy a Benchmade, I really want to try one, but they cost quite a bit more than the knives I usually buy. One of these days I'll spring for a 940, but then I might as well spend a bit more and get a Tyrade, ugh, one day it might happen :D
 
J_Curd said:
I bought a bunch of Benchmades, then Spydercos...then I found Kershaw.
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Ha, I'm quite the opposite. Had a bunch of Kershaws..... then I found Benchmade and Spyderco. Now, I'm a "Benchercoite" I have about equal number of both BMs and Spydercos, and will continue to buy mostly those in the future. I'm over Kershaws. Great knives tho.
 
Two of the best knife companies in the World.

I love Benchmade for their Axis Locks and Spyderco for the Salt range - folding and fixed.
 
I have and use both. Though I own probably 2X Sypdercos I tend to carry a couple of Benchmades more. They are either an 806 Axis AFCK or a round-hole Griptillian.

I think that's why I own more Spydercos---because I like the round hole opener. Unfortunately I also like the axis lock or frame lock, which makes me lean toward Benchmade. You can see how this might make someone crazy since Spyderco tends to make mostly lock backs and liner locks.

Spyderco has also done anther think that drives me crazy---making knives with liners on only one side or making them unlined completely. The G10 Rookie only has a liner on one side: why would you do that? Think how much extra strength (or at least the perception of it) you could have added by lining both sides. I don't ever recall seeing a BM done the same way.

The D'Allara drop point comes very close to being the perfect knife if only it weren't so fat. It has an axis-like lock (ball lock), full liners and a round hole opener. If only it were made with slimmer G10 instead of fat FRN it would be the functional equivalent of spending $140 on the G-10 Griptilikin scales plus $70 on a Grip itself.

So to wrap it up neither company has built the perfect knife but both have contributed elements toward a perfect design. If I could build the perfect knife it would be part Spyderco (ergos, round hole, full serrations available) and part Benchmade (robustness, lock design, USA manufacture). If either company ever builds the equivalent of the Benchmade 750 Pinnacle with a round hole opener and tip-up clip option I'l buy a dozen of them just in case I ever lose the other 11!
 
David Lowry said:
I started out with Benchmade but I am probably gonna be a Spyderco customer for life. I just love the Spyderhole opener and I like their designs better. Along with the fact that the company president talks to you and listens when you talk.
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I can agree whole heartedly. I still think thats nice as hell for an owner to actually get on a forum and shoot the shit with people, find out what they like and dislike and have it reflected in the product line. Thats what keeps me a Spyderco Customer. I like the Benchmades a whole hell of a lot too though. But my Spydercos just "speak to me" better. :)
 
Im a benchmadian guy. but on the other hand my first spydie (after xmas) Will be a s90v millie. I cant wait either.
-Barry-
 
I'm more of a spydie guy than benchmade, but I do like both. I own way more Spydies than BM's, though. I also buy others. Just bought a BM 930 Kulgera yesterday in fact:) Week before, a Spydie Black Quince Kopa and an SOG Spec Elite 1.
 
I love both of their products. Along with Chris Reeve and Victorinox, they are my favorite manufacturers.
Jim
 
I like both companies with an edge towards Spyderco for its continued experimentation for new and better production, materials and designs. I do really like Benchmades, but they rarely come out with new designs.
 
Spydercos are like me - ugly and with bumps in weird places - but effective
 
I've never held a knife that fit my hand better then my Spyderco Military. I love using that knife alot more then a 710.
 
J_Curd said:
I bought a bunch of Benchmades, then Spydercos...then I found Kershaw.

Now for me, its 90% Kershaw, 7% misc, 2% Benchmade, 1% Spyderco.

I do want to try one of the Spydie compression locks, and I still love Benchmades 154CM, but Kershaw has great steel options, really unique features, tons of options, and the price couldnt get much better. I see them head and shoulders ahead of their competition in final value.
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For the most part it seems to be agreed that these are on the tops of everyones list. I do have the opinion that Kershaw does make some knives that don't have as good of quality as the other two, but there customer service makes up for it. That and the Zero tolerance knives are excellent knives.

But I have to ring in for Spyderco. I don't like knives with a thumbstud. The Spyderco hole just does it for me.
 
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