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

J_Curd said:
Kershaw options over the years that I can recall...

AUS6
AUS8
8Cr13MoV
1.4116 German Stainless
VG-1
VG-10
Alabama Damascus
420HC
440C
CPM-440V
ATS-34
13C27N
14C28N
S30V
S60V
S90V
S110V
SG-2
CPM-154
D2
CPM-D2
Vanax 75
Elmax
Böhler M390

And last but not least...ZDP-189. Kershaw is the only manufacturer allowed to heat treat their own ZDP outside of Hitachi's facilities.

I know I've missed a few. And out of the list above...how many of those was a "first to market" by Kershaw? ;)

Feel free to give me a comparative list from Spyderco...I know they've done some options Kershaw has not...O-1, M-4...
Click to expand...

Not saying this list is inaccurate, but when did Kershaw use s90v? I missed that model. Regards, Steve
 
J_Curd said:
Kershaw options over the years that I can recall...

AUS6
AUS8
8Cr13MoV
1.4116 German Stainless
VG-1
VG-10
Alabama Damascus
420HC
440C
CPM-440V
ATS-34
13C27N
14C28N
S30V
S60V
S90V
S110V
SG-2
CPM-154
D2
CPM-D2
Vanax 75
Elmax
Böhler M390

And last but not least...ZDP-189. Kershaw is the only manufacturer allowed to heat treat their own ZDP outside of Hitachi's facilities.

I know I've missed a few. And out of the list above...how many of those was a "first to market" by Kershaw? ;)

Feel free to give me a comparative list from Spyderco...I know they've done some options Kershaw has not...O-1, M-4...
Click to expand...

First off, you listed the same steel twice (CPM-440V is the same thing as S60V), so take one steel count off of your list.

Ok. Since you asked for it.;) Here's a list of steels they've used. Also, you can go to this link, place the cursor over the "blade steel" tab at the top to see a list of just their current offerings in blade steels.

Gin1 (A.K.A. G-2)
AUS6
AUS8
440A
440C
ATS34
ATS55
154CM
BG-42
MDS
MBS26
VG10
ZDP-189
H-1
O-1
52100
CPM M-4
CPM D-2
CPM S30V
CPM S35VN
CPM S60V
CPM S90V
CTS-BD1
CTS-XHP
N690Co
3Cr13
8Cr13MoV
9Cr18MoV

I think the most important thing is that neither company has been satisfied just sticking to a couple steels, and neither company advertises any of their knives as just having "surgical stainless" or "Rostfrei" blades.:D:thumbup:
 
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I have many examples from each company, and like them all. I could make this into a several page report, so I will just list one thing for each.

Spyderco: Variety of innovative designs, and steels used.

Kershaw: Great prices for quality knives.

Benchmade: I have over 400 knives, and the consistant winner in the fit and finish category has to be Benchmade.... Others are good, Benchmade is the best in my opinion based upon examination of multiple examples from the major knife makers.

All that being said, I have more Spydercos than Benchmades, but like both makers equally, Kershaw has some great stuff, and I have many of them, but I just don't like recurve blades.
 
As to the "steel question", the only answer that matters when both are this close is "A hell of a lot".

Benchmade if I recall has not used as many but was faster at bringing the HSS to market (First with M2, M4)
 
I own and love all 3, they are so different that it would be hard to say that one is better than another.

I love the Axis lock and my 710 especially rocks, it's so smooth and sexy looking with a nice long blade. :thumbup:

I love arger Spydercos like the Military Police 3 G-10, Endura 4 G-10, they are very sharp, have ample room on the handles and they make my hand feel safe. :thumbup:

I love Kershaws that have the cool Speedsafe, which is very fast - all the way up to my ZT 0301. I dig their flippers too. :thumbup:
 
fastevo said:
Not saying this list is inaccurate, but when did Kershaw use s90v? I missed that model. Regards, Steve
Click to expand...

The older BOA's were s90v

actually I think they were s60v. A friend of mine has the old one and I thought it was s90v though.
 
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3guardsmen said:
first off, you listed the same steel twice (cpm-440v is the same thing as s60v), so take one steel count off of your list.

ok. Since you asked for it.;) here's a list of steels they've used. Also, you can go to this link, place the cursor over the "blade steel" tab at the top to see a list of just their current offerings in blade steels.
Click to expand...

bg-42.
 
I'll KISS with my views,

Kershaw- Quality
Spyderco- Performance
Benchmade- looks
 
J_Curd said:
Kershaw options over the years that I can recall...

AUS6
AUS8
8Cr13MoV
1.4116 German Stainless
VG-1
VG-10
Alabama Damascus
420HC
440C
CPM-440V
ATS-34
13C27N
14C28N
S30V
S60V
S90V
S110V
SG-2
CPM-154
D2
CPM-D2
Vanax 75
Elmax
Böhler M390

And last but not least...ZDP-189. Kershaw is the only manufacturer allowed to heat treat their own ZDP outside of Hitachi's facilities.

I know I've missed a few. And out of the list above...how many of those was a "first to market" by Kershaw? ;)

Feel free to give me a comparative list from Spyderco...I know they've done some options Kershaw has not...O-1, M-4...
Click to expand...

What knife/knives did Kershaw use VG-1 in?
 
Spyderco-28 different steels used (verified)
Kershaw-24 different steels used (440V & S60V are the same steel, so only one counts, haven't heard confirmation on their use of S90V....don't think it happened, and am still waiting on the claim of VG-1 having been used)
 
my interpretation of the op was what do they each do best, not compared to each other. but what is each company's shining feature...

i can't honestly answer as i've never owned a kershaw or spyderco, i just couldn't stand the fanboy foolishness...

from what i've read:

spyderco-ergos and function
kershaw- r&d and value
bm- f&f and aesthetics
 
^Summed up perfectly. Of course ergos and aesthetics are subjective, but I think I'm not far off when I say most people find BM knives gorgeous, but Spydercos ugly as all hell until actually holding one (and not looking at it while using :D)
 
I think that anyone that attempts to pick the 'best' of the three, is on a fool's mission. That said, my only comments on the three are as follows:

Kershaw - JYD2 Ti, SG2

Spyderco - Military

Benchmade - 710
 
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