What do each of the big three (Spyerco, Kershaw, Benchmade) do best?

H

heekma

Joined
Jul 2, 2010
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226
Howdy folks,

I've been accumulating knives for a while now--picking up some real steam thanks to the exchange, whoop! whoop!--and I've got some nice examples from all three. I think they all make great knives in general and each have several stellar examples unique to their brand.

I'll take a first "stab" to get the ball rolling.:thumbup:

Spyderco:

Although all three make plenty of sharp knives, I have to say one of Spyderco's unique strengths is consistently screaming sharp knives--in every...single...box. I have yet to get anything approaching dull from Kershaw or Benchmade, but I freely admit when I get a truly sharp one, the first thing that goes through my mind is, "Whoa--this thing is Spyderco sharp!"

Kershaw:

Although their strong points are many, for me their strongest and most unique trait is making everything in house--down to the screws! That's a unique trait in this day and age for sure and one that greatly endears me to Kershaw. Another great strength is their willingness to push the envelope when it comes to new, interesting and damned cool designs and construction.

Benchmade:

I think at one time they could've laid claim to being the best overall in terms of fit and finish, but in today's manufacturing environment where CNC machining and CAD design are common, that playing field has been leveled.

At this point I'd say their greatest strength are their greatest hits--the McHenry and Williams 710, the Osbourne 940 series and the Pardue 520 series. The Snody collaborations are damned fine as well. These knives are rightly considered "greatest hits" for a reason, and if it ain't broke, then don't fix it.

In that vein, I was wondering what BF thinks each one does best, or what makes each brand unique from the others.

Best,

Heekma
 
Spyderco-best in the sub-3.5in range.
Ladybug, Dragonfly, Cricket, Spin, Balance, Kiwi, Kopa (both DCd) Sage series, Caly and 3.5, Stretch, Manix2, Para-all winners.

They do the FRN-handled lockback very well and consistently too.

Kershaw-sub-100 blades, AO, is the impression I get. Best warranty and CS too as I've heard.

BM-Strongest, most expensive, best large folders (The now DC'd Rukus, Skirmish, 806, AFCK, as well as the venerable 710), AXIS lock.
 
I'm just gonna list what draws me to each company.

Spyderco: great prices and excellent knives. As said above, all of their knives are scary sharp. I also like how they are constantly trying out new steels (though my wallet doesn't). Unique designs and excellent ergonomics.

Kershaw: Fit and finish are excellent. Great prices as well, some absolutely astounding designs and concepts, ie composite blades, CNC machined blades such as the Groove and Zing. They offer my favorite assisted opening mechanism, Speedsafe.

Benchmade: Absolutely love Benchmade. Axis lock, good use and choice of materials and outstanding collaborations. Customer service is top notch. I would trust my life with a Benchmade.

I'm a big Benchmade fan and for a while I looked down on Spyderco because I didn't like the designs. Once I held and used one my mind changed. My 551BKD2 is my favorite EDC but I have noticed as of late, my Waved Endura has been taking its place as the most carried.
 
Just my take on it:

Spyderco-
Wonderful in-hand feeling, very comfy for hard use, great performance for the money, IMO splitting the difference between Kershaw and Benchmade. I go here if I need a "user" knife. Everything on Spydies is well thought out, function-over-form stuff.

Kershaw-
Innovative designs, great AO, great proprietary steel (14c28n, ranks with 154cm in my use for edge holding, and easier to sharpen), best selection of under $100 knives. I go here if I need a "looker" or bargain knife, though their designs can be a bit polarizing, and sometimes I just want something that looks classic.

Benchmade-
Top-notch steel and handle materials, Axis lock, best manual action, highest "curb appeal", and more for lack of a better word "street cred" than the others. I go here if I need a "flagship" knife. They are priced higher than the others, and though I feel they're worth it, you don't really get more knife than with the others, in terms of functionality and quality.
 
Spyderco - best at variety of knife designs and styles. They also use a lot of different lock mechanisms

Kershaw - Flippers and A/O comes to mind. I'd like for them to do more standard fair manual openers though. Great knives regardless

BM - Axis lock. That's about it.
 
Spyderco
New steels, probably the best maker of lockbacks in the production world, great many designs, excellent sub 3" / 4" offerings.

Kershaw
A/O and Onion designs, majority USA made, great mid-level ($40-$80) price range options.

Benchmade
AXIS lock, automatic knives for military, ruining edges with LifeSharp.
 
Good thread!

I think Spyderco's biggest strengths are good price points, great customer service, great factory edge, and unique designs. Strongest designs are probably the Delica, Endura, Police, and Manix.

Benchmade's biggest strength to me is their balisongs. Wonderful. Strongest designs are probably the 710, Griptilian and Mini-Grip, and the BM42.

Kershaw's biggest strength is their consistent use of high quality materials in the sub-$100 range, Spyderco is good at this, too, but Kershaw has an amazing variety of knives with good steels and handle materials in that range. Also, Kershaw does great collaborations with other companies and custom makers. Strongest designs are probably the Leek and Bump.
 
As I don't own a Spyderco (have nothing against them, just for whatever reason have never picked one up) I cannot give an honest assessment, though I will say that everyone I know who owns one...EVERYONE, loves their Spyderco. That says a lot to me.

Kershaw has some of the best knives for the money, IMHO. My Storm will always be one of my favorite knives. Good steel, easy to open, easy to hold and use, and a REALLY solid framelock. All US made for less than $50. Outstanding.

My Benchmade Griptilian is my primary EDC because I trust it to do the job. I trust it so much that the mini grip is the knife I put in my wife's hands. I know it won't let her down. (Of course, the damned thing is pink, too.)
 
I have owned all 3 companys knives. Spydeco leafstorm,tenacious, presistance, and military( the delica for like 2 days). Kershaw scallion, leek and another cheaper model i cannot remeber. Benchmade 2 griptillians 551 and 553.

spyderco has the best values

kershaws have great coustem(sp) service and there affordable

benchmades are beautiful and expensive but you really do get what you pay for with BM.
 
ThePharce said:
As I don't own a Spyderco (have nothing against them, just for whatever reason have never picked one up) I cannot give an honest assessment, though I will say that everyone I know who owns one...EVERYONE, loves their Spyderco. That says a lot to me.

Kershaw has some of the best knives for the money, IMHO. My Storm will always be one of my favorite knives. Good steel, easy to open, easy to hold and use, and a REALLY solid framelock. All US made for less than $50. Outstanding.

My Benchmade Griptilian is my primary EDC because I trust it to do the job. I trust it so much that the mini grip is the knife I put in my wife's hands. I know it won't let her down. (Of course, the damned thing is pink, too.)
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The 553 that arrived today will be my primary edc 2mrw these knives are great!!!:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
Okay, I'm driven to ask the obvious guestion; I've got one Benchmade, a couple of Kershaws and about a dozen Spyderco's, yet I have over 75 knives, so what makes those 3 brands the "big three"?
 
Larry Turko said:
Okay, I'm driven to ask the obvious guestion; I've got one Benchmade, a couple of Kershaws and about a dozen Spyderco's, yet I have over 75 knives, so what makes those 3 brands the "big three"?
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That is a good question....I would imagine Buck, Cold Steel, CRKT, etc all sell a significant amount of knives themselves.
 
Larry Turko said:
Okay, I'm driven to ask the obvious guestion; I've got one Benchmade, a couple of Kershaws and about a dozen Spyderco's, yet I have over 75 knives, so what makes those 3 brands the "big three"?
Click to expand...

ThePharce said:
That is a good question....I would imagine Buck, Cold Steel, CRKT, etc all sell a significant amount of knives themselves.
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I would have to honestly say I hear more about Spyderco, Benchmade, and Kershaw here more than any other knife brands, not including CRK and Strider.



Spyderco: Value's, innovation, ergonomics, overall usability

Kershaw: Affordability, Ken Onion/Speed Assist and from OP's post, I thought Kershaw had parts made outside the US and assembled them here?

Benchmade: 710 is the only one I own and would have to say initiative to try and thrive here in the US although more people will be paying more dollars.
 
Spyderco: By far the most innovative and diverse of the three. Wide variety of steels, shapes, and sizes. Beautifully functional and high performance blades. Unconventional designs dont appeal to old fashioned people.

Kershaw: I think of flippers when I think of Kershaws. They make them well and like Spyderco, design their knives around cutting performance.

Benchmade: Aesthetically pleasing designs and great quality that are overpriced for what you end up getting. Conventional style.
 
Larry Turko said:
Okay, I'm driven to ask the obvious guestion; I've got one Benchmade, a couple of Kershaws and about a dozen Spyderco's, yet I have over 75 knives, so what makes those 3 brands the "big three"?
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Because they are the 3 biggest and most popular brands?
 
Larry Turko said:
Okay, I'm driven to ask the obvious guestion; I've got one Benchmade, a couple of Kershaws and about a dozen Spyderco's, yet I have over 75 knives, so what makes those 3 brands the "big three"?
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Discounting the low and high ends of the market, they make the "best"* production folders, have the broadest selections, and are probably at the top in terms of sales to people who understand knives and are in the market for a mid-range folder.
*"Best" being defined as: design (+innovation), quality, utility, establishment, selection, and/or value.

Now, there are plenty of other knife companies which produce knives that are comparable or superior in some way to the "big three." But 3 times out of 5, they have some notable deficiency, like: quality of materials, price, or variety. Maybe they make a great hard-use folder but nothing else that's noteworthy. Maybe they have a huge selection but the overall quality is inferior. Maybe everything is right but their innovation is non-existent. Maybe their innovation is excellent but they only manufacture 3 knives. Maybe their designs are lacking. Maybe their customer service sucks.

But that's just one man's opinion, and I'm curious if anyone thinks the Big 3 should be amended to include or discount one or more companies.

To answer the original question though:
Benchmade: Design.
Spyderco: Utility.
Kershaw: Value.
 
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kawr said:
Because they are the 3 biggest and most popular brands?
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I don't know if that's true. When you go to the large sporting goods chains, what you see are Buck and Gerber. My guess is that both of those way outsell the big three. Probably also CRKT. The Kit Carson M16 series is a very big seller.

My sense is that the Big three got that rep because they dominate a middle market. In between the lower priced brands mentioned above, and high priced, border line customs like CRK, sits Benchmade, Kershaw, Spyderco. Folks who wouldn't buy a Gerber, and can't afford a Sebenza, but want superior products at a reasonable price point. In that niche, these three can't be beat.
 
Spyderco is the brand for knife nuts, or as they call it knife aficionados. Always responsive to customer demand and always exploring new steels. They have the edge on innovation, except for opening mechanism due to their insistence on the thumb hole.

Kershaw concentrates on offering the highest value. I dare say they offer the best value in the industry, as they are able to crank out the volume to sell to Wal-Mart AND maintain excellent quality at the same time. Their choice of staple steel reflects this philosophy, as the Sandvik steel they choose is basically the best steel that can still be blanked, thus keeping production cost low. The company (KAI) is also entirely capable of producing premium knives (Zero Tolerance brand), which is not surprising at all.

Benchmade today concentrates on premium knives. They have excellent quality and good, varied designs with premium blade steels. They're not going to win awards on value, but you are going to get a pretty knife. They are also moving more into the collectible realm with their gold class.
 
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