What manufacturers are comprable in quality to Spyderco?

Mitchell Knives

Mitchell Knives

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Hi. So far, I only own three folders, all of them being Sypderco. I've become accustomed and spoiled by the high quality and value of Spyderco products, and have a hard time finding other makers that I really like. I'm looking for other manufacturers that are similiar in quality to Spyderco. I'm not searching for other manufacturers because I'm dissatisfied with Spyderco, I just want a little diversity in my collection. I'm sure I'll still have more Spyderco knives than any other maker. What are some comparable makers that are approximately in the same price range? Specifically, what are some particular models that would live up to my already high expectations? I'm looking for knives that are good for utility and defense, are well constructed and have good steel. Thanks.
 
Hard to beat a Spyderco :D

To be honest with you I think most company's in that price range would find it hard to compete with Spyderco in terms of quality and value.

I would recommend taking a look at Benchmade. They have some good designs. They also seem to be gaining ground in the quality control department.

A step down in price range but worth a look nonetheless are Columbia River and Outdoor Edge. These companies offer a lot of bang for the buck.

Camillus is making some excellent knives these days with the CUDA lineup. The Talon and EDC in particular.

A slight step up gets you a Microtech. :D
 
Once you get past some very minor "QC" problems, REKAT makes some pretty excellent folders that are very strong, of good design, and made with quality materials.
 
I'm also a big Spyderco fan. I'm not sure that anyone else, short of CRK and the custom makers, can really match them overall. Still, there are a lot of other companies doing good work out there.

I'd recommend that you look at Kershaw, particularly their Ken Onion collaborations. The Boa and Riccochet can hold their own against anything in their price range, plus some. Everything I've heard suggests that the Chive and Scallion are excellent values in lower-end blades.

The Kershaw Boa is one of my EDCs. Great knife!

--Bob Q
 
Check out Cold Steel. I have many Spydercos, but lately I find myself carrying two medium Voyagers. (tanto and a clip point) I broke the tip off a Delica myself, and watched my assistant manager break two Delicas of his own. The Voyagers are some of the strongest, toughest, zytel-handled knives on the market. I am anxiously awaiting the new versions of the Delica and the Endura to see how Sal & co. have fixed the problem of the easily-broken tips. Until that time, however, my Voyagers will continue to be my everyday carry-use and abuse knives.

Flinx
 
EZ,

Go with Benchmade. Spyderco doesn't make a knife better than the BM 710 in M2 steel. Not even close.

Then again, who does?
 
Originally posted by Flinx
I am anxiously awaiting the new versions of the Delica and the Endura to see how Sal & co. have fixed the problem of the easily-broken tips.
Click to expand...

The only "problem" is people using a knife improperly and then blaming the knife for having an "easily-broken tip."
 
Can't say enough good things about Kershaw. I used to associate them with kinda crappy stuff. But since Ken Onion came on board with them, they're stuff has all been top notch! :)

~Mitch
 
indeed, i've come to associate very nice quality knives with kershaw; benchmade is good as well. (the 940 is such a beautiful design!)
 
Lets not forget Gerber. While not my favorite, they do make some pretty good knives and are certainly in the same price range.

-Al-
 
Of course, what you like and how much you like it will depend on personal tastes...I'm a big Spydie fan myself. In my experience, Benchmade is to Spyderco what Avis is to Hertz...I (personally) feel they are each other's main competition.

Other excellent makers out there, though. Kershaw, SOG, etc., have great knives at a similar price range. And some of the Cold Steel knives are quite good, though I don't know about CS's new offerings.
Jim
 
Although I'm not a huge Cold Steel fan, their zytel handled lockbacks have a fit and finish that is identical to Spyderco because both companies have their Japanese zytel models made by more or less the same contractors in Seiki City, Japan. The major difference between Spyderco and Cold Steel is that Spyderco often uses superior steels like VG-10 or ATS-55, while Cold Steel is stuck on 8A.
 
Quite frankly, I do not believe that there is even one company out there that offers the total value that Spyderco does.
 
In production knives, I was only buying Spyders, after owning knives by some of the other manufacturers named above and being very unimpressed. The only other knives I buy now are Kershaw, and I carry my Boa quite frequently.
 
Frost Cutlery :D:D:D:D:D:D:D

CRKT is great for the money. I think I'm the only guy who posts on the forums who's experienced serious probs with Kershaw (I caution against the quality of their liner lock material in the cheaper Speed Safes) Benchmade is quite excellent, personally haven't had a problem yet with the 5 I've owned. I put Gerber and SOG just a notch lower, b/w CRKT and Spyderco, just don't see the same bang for the buck (at least with their folder offerings). Cold Steel seems to be a mixed bag, but I love my Voyager. Can't speak on Emerson, getting a Microtech soon, should ship this week. I have goten what I paid for 99% of the time with all the knives I've purchased.
 
As a Spyderco devotee, I think that their overall product line offers more good choices than any of the other companies mentioned.

However, each of the companies mentioned, Benchmade, Kershaw, SOG, CRKT each have certain outstanding knives that can't be ignored. Since you don't mention which Spyderco knives you have, it is hard to suggest what kind of diversity you are interested in.

My current collection of folders includes:

Spyderco's = 14
Benchmade = 1 (940)
CRKT = 2 (S-2, Apache III)
Microtech = 1 (LCC MA)
William Henry = 1 (B&T Lancet)
+ misc. slip joints I no longer use

At the moment, there are certain features that the other knives have for which there are no comparable Spydies.
 
spydies are excellent i have more of them than any other brand but some other good ones are benchmade, REKAT (if ya get one w/a good lock anyway...) some of the CRKT are ok, but not up to spydie imho, GT is a small co that makes mostly autos but also has some good manuals, emerson is certainly the equal, and w/the wave superior imho,the buck/strider collaboration is great for sure and i'm sure many others but these i have had experience with.....

imho the only one better for about the same $$ is emerson though, w/the wave, and benchmade makes some actually better like the AFCK, imho one of the best all time designs ever


sifu
 
Ones you should look at that are in the same general range are the Kershaws and CRKTs. I think the Columbia River knives have to be some of the best value out there.

Right now there are some close outs on Cold Steel models as they change the clip from modular to screw attached. You can pick up Voyagers and Gunsites for under $40.00. That's a steal anyday.

In the Benchmade line I have the large Ascent and the AFCK. They both use the Spyderco hole opening and the Ascent is a standard lock back while the AFCK is a liner lock. The lock back will probably take more abuse and the liner lock is easier to use. The Ascent has a nobby frame a thumb serrations on the blade, the AFCK is smoother framed and doesn't have the thumb serrations. Other than that they are very similar.

You should also consider the Emersons but they may be more expensive. My everyday carry is an Emerson CQC7b and it's a joy. I have their Mach I bt too and it's a typical Emerson. They are hard to beat.

If you can move into the $300.00 range, here is a custom Persian that I'm lusting after but just can't buy right now. It's a damascus blade and bolsters, MOP scales. If you want, I can put you in touch with the maker.

jim

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1509544&a=13619560&p=57062558
 
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