Top 3 mass-production knife mfrs.

S

Swedge

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Dec 23, 2008
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This question calls for your opinion as to YOUR top 3 knife manufacturers (and why). Not knives, manufacturers. And they have to be mass production, not custom, though they can be limited output, like William Henry Studio.

There are many mfrs. out there, and I'm interested in seeing what other people like and why. Sometimes I see brands on websites that I am not familiar with and I wonder whether they are any good (e.g., Al Mar, Bark River, CRKT). I just don't know.

And please don't post unless you actually own or have owned a knife from that mfr. So while I have heard good things about Chris Reeve Knives and about Bob Dozier, I have no firsthand experience and therefore wouldn't comment.

I'll go first, though since I don't have broad experience, I'm only going to list two.

1. Spyderco.

Why: Great variety of knives. Affordably priced for the quality. Spyder hole. The printed catalog gives the pertinent data for newbies to pore over (though it drives me slightly batty that when sometimes the pic of one knife on top of the data under another knife). And now that Spyderco has a cheaper line, they sell it under the Byrd brand, rather than making me figure out whether it's gold class, blue class, etc. I know if it's a Byrd, it's the cheaper version.

I have 3 Spydies: Spin etched, Ladybug 3 in SS, and Delica 4 with zdp-189 steel (about to be sent to Tom Krein for regrind!). Also one Byrd.

2. Benchmade.

Why: Great variety of knives. Affordably priced for the quality. Axis lock. Nice pix in the catalog, though it would be nice if they gave the edge length as well as blade length the way Spyderco does.

I have one Benchmade: 710 with D2 steel.

If you want to comment about a particular knife to explain why you like the mfr., that's good too.
 
Buck, Benchmade, then Spyderco.

Lot of other great ones out there though, but those are my top 3.
 
Benchmade - Consistently the best machined, smoothest action, most well built knives that I own.

Spyderco - Brilliant designs and engineering, with a large variety of styles, locks and handle materials.

Kershaw - Combines many of the attributes of the two companies above. Great variety of steels, excellent fit and finish and a terrific value.
 
Spyderco, Benchmade, Kershaw.

I'd say RAT Cutlery, but I dont know if they are considered a mass mfr. yet...
 
Chris Reeve
Buck
Bark River knife & tool

Reasons: They all sell products I like and would buy again.
 
1) Spyderco, the 'go to' brand for all things pointy and sharp. They've been doing it for a long time, care about what they're doing, and are just plain genius when it comes to design and new ideas. Led by Sal, Spyderco will never be out of the running!

2) Kershaw, catching up on Spyderco with their value, quality, and exciting designs. I expect to see Spyderco and Kershaw continue to battle it out for the hearts of the knife-nuts for a good while!

3) Emerson, 100% American, proven designs with an attitude. Not out to capture the hearts of the knife-nuts. Content just to give serious knife users what works, plain and simple.

Good thread, Swedge!:thumbup:

Regards,
3G
 
In no particular order:

CRK - Precise manufacturing and consistent quality plus excellent warranty and legendary customer service. No matter what else I try, I keep falling back on the Sebenza as my "go to" EDC. In my eyes, they have a certain je ne sais quoi that no other production or custom quite matches.

Spyderco - Innovative designs and materials, excellent quality control, warranty and customer service. From the Ladybug to the Military and everything in between there's something for everyone. I have absolutely no qualms with depending on almost any of their folders. In fact, an Endura is what I'll reach for if I'm going to be on the water or engaging in any activities where there's significant risk of losing a knife.

Victorinox - From the Classic to the 'Champ, I don't think anything needs to be said regarding their appeal (quality + variety + longevity + social acceptability). I'll never willingly be caught without a Rambler on my keychain.

If I had to limit myself, a large Sebenza, a Mnandi, an Endura, and a Rambler could easily take care of all my knife needs.
 
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Victorinox, Spyderco, Mcusta

I left Klotzli and Fontenille-Pataud out as they're pretty limited in production.
 
Im gonna hav to say for me its... Benchmade. They have incredible knives and good prices to boot. Next on my list is Kershaw. Wih knives like the lahar and the OD 1 and the Shallot/leek/tyrade with all their uber steel it is hard to beat kershaw. Lastly, that is a hard one. Im gonna go with case. They have incedible designs in carbon steel and are a classic. You cant go wrong with a case knife in ur pocket.
 
Well, Chris Reeve would be one, Strider Two, and probably RAT last. Third is a toss up because I can really think of another manufacturer that I really like. There are a lot of them out there that I have had such as Benchmade, Kershaw, Al Mar, Zero Tolerance, and many others but I can think of any other knife that I really liked between the Strider and my Sebenza.

Zero tolerances were great but I dont have one at the moment. Busse is also a great company and I like mine. My Sebenza is really the only one I carry...:thumbup:
 
Spyderco - The best of the best. Amazing designs. Good fit and finish for the price. The company has great integrity. Lots of fun and interesting stuff.

Benchmade - Great fit and finish. Some very nice steel choices over the years. The Axis lock.

Victorinox - The most consistently good fit and finish of any knife company, and done at a very inexpensive price point. Lots of fun designs.
 
I like all knives, these are my favorites.

Buck:

DSC01204.jpg


Queen and it's other branches: S&M GEC:

DSC04210.jpg


Case:

DSC04052-1.jpg


These are my three because they make affordable quality knives I use like and enjoy.



:D:thumbup:
 
I'll take your question and add a bit of a spin to it.
For beginners/ people who see a knife as a disposable tool:
CRKT- a ton of different models, at varying price points to whet the hunger of a person new to knives. Allows one to see what works for them.

Cold Steel- Again a great variety, varying price points, and allows one to express their "Inner Ninja" with knives that are actually useful. They also make the BIG folders for people who like those things- and have a full range of cultural knife reproductions (spears, swords, barongs, axes.....)

Case- even though I have a personal boycott of them one cannot deny they are on the top of the slipjoint world. Not much variety in steel- these are good for introducing knives that the public seems more comfortable with, and can lead to higher end lookers/collectables.

For the more discriminating/snobbish collectors/users:

#1 is Spyderco for their personal style, history, variety of blade shapes and steels, and above all else the fact that SAl Glesser will get on forums and discuss his company with nobodies like me- and then actually change designs/ accept the input in future models.

#2 Kershaw- hooking up with Ken Onion really turned the company around IMO. Now they are the leaders in assisted openings, are branching out into new areas with other custom makers and expanding their market with varieties of handle materials/shapes/designs; and on top of that are really starting to make a difference in getting damascus and hybrid steel blades into the hands of customers at an affordable price point.

#3- Bark River Knife and Tool- A smaller production company that has hard user friendly fixed blades. Their endless choices in handle materials and the fact that they are ergonomically designed for field use (not just pretty looks) make them very sought after. They run their production in batches so you can order the selection of handle choices as you want- but they may take a while getting it done (my Northstar is approaching a year beyond when I was supposed to get it). Usually a fantastic convexed edge on them, and even if your specific handle choices are not available you should be able to find a model of your choice available somewhere. Even though this is another company that I have issues with (found out after I ordered the Northstar) I cannot deny that they are on top of the fixed blade world.

My opinions only.
 
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