Thoughts on WE knives?

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King of the Cheese

King of the Cheese

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After much contemplating, I’ve decided to buy a We 704. I’ve always stayed away from knives made in China but I wanted to get some objective reasoning on what people think of We knives.
Are they durable? Are they capable?
How would any owners out there rate them against brands like Spyderco or Benchmade?
 
Built really well, some are ground really well for cutting, but for whatever reason I haven't held on to the 6 or so that have passed through my collection. I'm just not making a connection with the ones I've had.
 
Monofletch said:
View attachment 1351932 I have had several WE Knives. They are wonderful!
I am biased..... I say NOT EVEN CLOSE in comparison! Probably several steps up from those you mentioned.
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Well I mean Spyderco has never done me wrong, but after my fourth Benchmade came to me in shit condition, I decided to see what all the talk about WE is about.
I really hope I’m not disappointed.
But I understand when you make knives in a place like China, you can do things for half the cost of what it is here. I’m just hoping WE knives are the real deal and not some fidget-obsessed collectors obsession.
 
fatBatman said:
How is the toughness and durability? I worry that WE focuses too much on fidget factor.
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As good as any other knife I own. I’ll be honest, I’ve never abused one like I have my ZTs but I have no doubt they’d hold up well if I did.

edited to say, I have actually used a WE oem knife pretty hard at work and it’s held up well.
 
Best flipper I own, good edge holding, I'm satisfied.

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While I think that Spyderco and Benchmade are fairly good brands I don't think you have set the bar very high in your comparison. From what I can tell, We knives range in retail price from about $118 to $800, with a lot in the $300 area. The knives from Spyderco and Benchmade retail from $22 to the Spyderco Paysan at $800 and the Gold Class Benchmades up in the $1500 range. Both Spyderco and Benchmade sell most of their popular models in the $100 for Spyderco models and probably a little more for Benchmades. I have not had any WE knives and never will but I think that on average by price they should blow both of these brands out of the water and WE does not do it.
 
vjb.knife said:
While I think that Spyderco and Benchmade are fairly good brands I don't think you have set the bar very high in your comparison. From what I can tell, We knives range in retail price from about $118 to $800, with a lot in the $300 area. The knives from Spyderco and Benchmade retail from $22 to the Spyderco Paysan at $800 and the Gold Class Benchmades up in the $1500 range. Both Spyderco and Benchmade sell most of their popular models in the $100 for Spyderco models and probably a little more for Benchmades. I have not had any WE knives and never will but I think that on average by price they should blow both of these brands out of the water and WE does not do it.
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The PAYSAN is $800? I don’t think so bro.
 
after a quick search - MSRP on the Paysan is 800
some places have it listed at less, but out of stock almost everywhere it seems
 
WE’s fit and finish is better than both Spyderco and Benchmade. I’d say most of their designs aren’t as utilitarian as Spyderco’s are, but they can still do what you ask of them. Unlike Spyderco and Benchmade, they serve as OEM for smaller companies and designers, and produce a lot of great stuff through that avenue. WE’s budget line, Civivi, makes some of the best $40-50 knives you can buy. Dollar-for-dollar, you tend to get more from WE than you will from an American company. They’re one of the only sources of impeccably-made titanium frame lock flippers with enthusiast-level steel in the $150 range. That won’t even get you the base-model PM2.
 
When comparing high-end pieces, namely in terms of fit and finish, design execution, and price, they're above and beyond Spyderco and BM. I've transitioned to higher end with Reate and sold my one and only WE, it was a 601. It was a great knife with superb build quality. You'll be impressed.
 
WE does great machining, but I don't know how well they heat treat their blades vs. other manufacturers. From what I can tell, Reate likely does a better job with heat treatment, but I haven't had any specific complaints about the WE knives I've owned over the years (though they admittedly haven't seen a ton of use).

Strictly speaking in terms of build quality, they're incredible. While their designs don't connect with me much, most of the WE-made stuff I've owned has been absolutely exemplary in build quality, not even considering the competitive prices their pieces often come in at. I think they really excel when they produce designs from more established and experienced knife designers.
 
I have considered many of their knives over the years but there always seems to be something in each design that turns me off. They have yet to make one that I go, okay, got to have it. Its like they dont want me to buy one. I have no doubts about the quality. Not the least concerned there. But with Spyderco and Benchmade I have to ask the dealers to pick me out a centered blade cuz I have had 50/50 luck with what I got. Presently I have no WE knife, 2 Spyderco, and no Benchmade.
 
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