The Ultimate Thread. Spyderco Vs. Benchmade

kinda sad .. with the knowledge base that is availiable in blade forums and this is the ultimate thread ??
I hate stainless steel folders :(
 
My ration is about 3-1 favoring Spyderco but I love the small axis locks particularly mini-grips, 707. I do not care for the expensive, large BMs. I like Brunettes too....
 
Spyderco has a lot more designs that I like compared to Benchmade, but the one BM I own (A 950) and others I've handled aren't bad knives. They're just not (With a few exceptions) a knife I'd want to carry. BM does do a much better job at pretty than Spyderco, which goes for the plain but functional flat slabs of G-10 all too often. I like pretty and functional; the multi-colored G-10, and more complex milling seen in many BM handles, is really nice. At least Spyderco's starting to move in that direction, with many color choices for the Endura and Delica now, and a few G-10 knives with contoured milling...

Also, Spyderco has a lot of mid/back locks, which is my favorite lock design.
 
Both are great, but they have two different styles. The answer's going to be different for every person. I tend towards Spyderco, but I also have many benchmades that I enjoy and use frequently. I think the opposition between the two companies is over-emphasized. Of course there's going to be competition between manufacturers of similar products. This does not neccessitate thinking of these companies as having completely opposing consumer-bases. Sometimes, I think many will agree, you can like both for different reasons. Just my two cents.

rwasham
 
Myal said:
I hate stainless steel folders :(
Click to expand...

Curious, what's so bad about stainless folders? I like carbon steel too, but more in the larger FB category. In folders, I view SS as a good compromise because of the internal mechanisms where moisture and grit can be concentrated, causing corrosion.
 
I probably have an equal number of each, I have 3 BMs in my EDC rotaion and my Spydercos are still in the box. It's not a quality issue, it's just that the BM 630 is my favorite knife design and I love the Axis lock on the 710.
 
Well, let's be subjective here and rate on a points scale.

Steel: +1 Spyderco
Consistent history in bring at the forefront of modern knife steels.

Ergonomics: +1 Spyderco
No one can argue this point.

Beauty: +1 Benchmade
I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but Spyderco is an acquired taste to many people.

Price/Value: +1 Spyderco
With materials considered, Spyderco comes out ahead again.

Cutting/Slicing: +1 Spyderco
Again, due to the grinds and philosophy of Spyderco, they take this category.

Customer service: Tie
I have had great success with both companies when it comes to customer service.

High End: +1 Benchmade
Benchmades Gold Class models are great investments in knife collecting.

Value lineup: +1 Spyderco
No one can beat the Tenacious series in price vs. function/ability.

Corporate Ethics: +1 Spyderco
When is the last time you heard about Spyderco stealing a design or in a lawsuit regarding a disputed patent?


Conclusion: +4 Spyderco
 
Last edited:
Ultimate thread? Well I have lots of Benchmades but no recent Spydercos. I just ordered one of the ultimate Spydercos so I can make my own ultimate comparison and I'll post the ultimate answer as soon as I can.
 
Blessed are those who just buy and use a good knife for years and never find a forum just to be told it's a piece of crap.
 
OK, time for me to ad my two cents.....

I'm new to this forum but own and have owned MANY Spyderco and Benchmade knives. I've owned more than half (some more than twice) of the Benchmades in their blue class. I will say I've been disappointed with overall fit and finish of Benchmade. The ONLY model I own that I didn't have a problem with was their 745 Mini-Dejavoo. And that was only on ONE of many 745's I owned.

Here are a few things I found on certain Benchmade models:

745- The entire belly of the blade was ground away (it was straight across) by the factory.
745, 707, 581 - The tip of the black coating was missing (on coated models)
480-1 (owned three) - Tool marks on spline of blade, blue anodize was spotty, nickle coating on spline wore off in less than three weeks on two of them, locked failed on one. Blade loose on two (in all directions)
480 (owned two) - Rust coating on entire blade, blue anodize was spotty. Sent one back to factory and the blade was replaced for free. However, get this!, it came back with the tip ground so flat I could bend it with my finger and it was multicolored due to excessive heat.
470 - Blade was loose (all directions) and if tightened to correct looseness, wouldn't open under assist.
245 - Stuck open, couldn't close. I owned four from the Paul series and NONE of them worked correctly. No wonder they discontinued this series before it ever took off.
On more than half of the Benchmades I owned the blades WERE'NT centered and and they weren't sharp. Under a loop the edge looked more chiseled than V'd. Sending a knife from the factory with a dull edge is like putting bike tires on a Porsche. Another frustrating thing with Benchmade is they discontinue some of their best models. WHY?!!!

I could go on and on (plenty more issues) but you get the point. All of this being said, Benchmade has OUTSTANDING customer service and made right on all of my issues. The problems I had wouldn't keep me from owing more.

About Spyderco......not ONE problem.. seriously....not ONE... amazing! The fit and finish was always flawless and the edge grinds and sharpness are PERFECT. I was apprehensive about the "Taiwan" made models but much to my pleasant surprise, they were the best of the bunch. Keep it up Spyderco. Spyderco should be the quality standard of which all companies should be measured. This is coming from a guy that built Satellites for Lockheed.

I was told by a reputable dealer and known knife person in the business that Benchmade works with the tightest profit margins in the industry. I can't verify this to be true, but it shouldn't be an excuse. Spyderco turns out nearly flawless knives and are overall less expensive than Benchmade.

I sorta skipped past Kershaw and a few others and started my knife hobby with Benchmade and Spyderco. The ZTs are nice but too darn heavy!

I'm now moving up the food chain.......

I write this post as a Sebenza Carbon is clipped to my pocket....:-)
 
I enjoy both Spyderco and Benchmade. They are my favorite production company. The little flaw in that is that I haven't yet tried ZT's and their so expensive for the most part that it's a bit hard for me. Eventually I'll make the leap. My favorite knives at the moment are the para2, 275 adamas, and 860 bedlam. The PM2 basically made me a gigantic fan of Spyderco. I don't like liner locks. I had an Endura that I love (it has sentimental value), EDCed for at least 2 years everyday, and still use on tasks that I don't want to put another knife through. This Endura did close on my fingers though - because after so much use - the detent was a little loose and I disengaged the lock with pressure from my grip while cutting. Forced retirement. As a result I greatly prefer the Axis lock and the Compression lock of the PM2. Spyderco produces quality cutting instruments that are lightweight and beautiful.

My Benchmade blades a little heavier, and they make me just as happy if not moreso. I tend to like heavy folders so they just fit my taste and style preferences. BM has better aesthetics for me. Both of them do everything I want from them and more. It's a tie for me - with the minor fact that I won't buy spyderco linerlocks.
 
Although both companies make wonderful knives, it seems like Benchmade's designs appeal the most to me, aesthetically.
 
My two cents...I have both Spyderco and Benchmade knives and love them both. That being said, I would give Benchmade the nod for making better high quality production knives.
 
Anything with a Spyderhole, so I'd say Spyderco gets the cake on this one for me. The Spyderhole's way better IMO than thumbstuds. The only thing I like equally well are flippers.
 
*raises eyebrow at "ultimate"*

At the moment... probably Spyderco. PM2, Caly, Military... so many good options. Personally, I find myself disliking more BM designs than Spyderco, and BM always seems to discontinue the ones I do like. I love my 710. But it would be a dead heat between the two companies if I could still get my hands on the 730, 610, and 615.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top