Why Spyderco instead of Benchmade

Spyderco or Benchmade

  • I like Spyderco better than Benchmade.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I like Benchmade better than Spyderco.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I like a few Spydercos, but mostly Benchmades.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I like a few Benchmades, but mostly Spydercos.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I like Benchmade and Spyderco equally.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
  • Poll closed .
fulloflead

fulloflead

Joined
May 3, 2002
Messages
6,192
I live in beautiful Denver, Colorado right next to Golden where Spyderco is based. It would make sense that I'd be a BIG Spyderco fan. In fact, I'm only a partial Spyderco fan. With the exception of a few designs I really like, I find most of them ugly.

On the other hand, almost ANY Benchmade makes me happy.

But Spydercos are HUGE on the forums!:eek:

What's the draw? What exactly is it about Spyderco that turns everyone on so, seemingly, more than other manufacturers like Benchmade?
 
IMHO I think the Spyderco Police model got a big hub-bub from the general public(for good reason), but Everyone I know, who isnt really into knives, always asks me "Is that a Spyderco" when I pull out my BM .....Its getting annoying. Just my temperment:p
 
I can count the number of Spydercos I like on one hand.
However I am unable to think of a handfull of BM's that I DON'T like.
 
I'm not quite sure how you get this impression, although you may be right I guess.

I much prefer BM's to Spydies myself. For reasons of design/look, mainly. Especially the Axis folders (excluding Tantos in my case). But in overall terms, don't the two brands have rather different price points? If so, I'd expect that'd have a fair bit to do with it, if things are as you indicate.

I must add that Spydies do enjoy a reputation for being very decent knives and that is my own impression of them. Also, Sal Glesser does come across as being a very decent guy, from posts you read about the place. I can't say the same about BM's Forum for example, which I consider to be an utterly transparent farce - a contrived marketing exercise more than anything else. Que sera sera, however.
 
Unlike TBG I have had lots of Sydercos and liked them all. They were all solid and never gave me any trouble. I have only had experience with five or six Benchmades and though I liked them for the most part, the only ones that I really liked were the 710, AFCK and Nimravus. The others were not as well finished or did not have smooth actions. This included the Stryker which I found to have a not very smooth action. This could have been the ones I tried, but I tried three of them.
 
I should say, I currently own about 5 or 6 Spydercos now. I have never had a problem with any of them, I'm just getting picky and only care for a few of there designs.
 
When I first started on knives, just a couple of years ago, I bought several Benchmades (Griptilians, Osbornes, TSEKs). I loved the Axis Lock and the 551 Griptilian was my favorite knife for almost 2 years. A few months ago I got my first Spyderco, a Gunting, then a Gunting trainer and a Ronin. The Compression Lock seems to me to be a more elegant and inherently reliable lock than the Axis, simply because it doesn't rely on small springs. I still carry and use the Benchmades, but Spyderco seems to be introducing more exciting new models lately. Now that I have my Ronin, my new most anticipated knives are both Spydercos: the Dodo and the ATR. I've been thinking about getting a balisong, though, so the pendulum may swing back in Benchmade's favor.

miguel
 
When I first started on knives, just a couple of years ago, I bought several Benchmades (Griptilians, Osbornes, TSEKs). I loved the Axis Lock and the 551 Griptilian was my favorite knife for almost 2 years. A few months ago I got my first Spyderco, a Gunting, then a Gunting trainer and a Ronin. The Compression Lock seems to me to be a more elegant and inherently reliable lock than the Axis, simply because it doesn't rely on small springs. I still carry and use the Benchmades, but Spyderco seems to be introducing more exciting new models lately. Now that I have my Ronin, my new most anticipated knives are both Spydercos: the Dodo and the ATR. I've been thinking about getting a balisong, though, so the pendulum may swing back in Benchmade's favor.

miguel
 
Originally posted by switched
I much prefer BM's to Spydies myself. For reasons of design/look, mainly. Especially the Axis folders (excluding Tantos in my case).
Click to expand...

Hey Switched I am just wondering how come you are excluding the tanto design? Do you just not like the Tanto design or have you heard some kind of problem that they have? Just wondering cause I am right now trying to decide between the 722 axis and 910 Stryker.

I prefer both BM and Spyderco equally but the axis lock is my favoroit type of lock and Spyderco doesn't offer anything similar to it that I know of.
 
BM's all look the same, I like the axis lock but otherwise there are only a few models I like. I have also had some poor experiences with benchmade from years back.

Spyderco on the other hand has many more models that I like.
 
Most (if not all) Spydercos aren't ravishing beauties, but they're not made to look good. The opening hole is great, their serration pattern is one of the few on the market that's actually useful (along with CRKT's). I think that BM's got one folder (AFCK) that's better than any Spydie, but all in all, they are about equal (considering what you get for your money).
 
I like both, but Spydercos tend to be a little thinner ground and a little sharper. Can't make a statement about which one is definitely smoother, since both make super smooth knives. Two examples: The Spyderco Viele and the Benchmade AFCK. Both of these factory folders are smoother than a lot of custom folders. I will take both company's products, gladly.
 
I have only two Benchmades in my keep. The rest are Spydercos.. :D Personally speaking, both companies do have their differences and advantages.. You've seen the earlier AFCKs with a roundhole but none of Spyderco's knives were produced with a thumbstud or opening disc.. Benchmade produced autos and some of their tactical folders are not really suited to my liking as in practical use.. But one thing is for real, if you refer to Blade Magazine's recent top 10 production tacticals, the BM-Emerson designed CQC-7 was first in the list. This was followed by at least two other Spydercos, namely : the Military and Endura. In terms of pricing, Spyderco produces very down to earth knives.. Benchmade on the other hand, can be rather steep... :( And when it comes to EDC rescue knives, it'll be hands down with the Spyderco Rescue.. This one is consistantly evolving.. So, to sum things up -- Spyderco RULES! :D

Sam
 
I think the main difference is in the type of knives you like. I like mostly hunting/utility knives, and gent's folders. Spyderco makes more like that. Benchmade mostly makes tactical folders, and does it darn well

From my point of view, a lot of the benchmades start to look the same, whereas Spyderco knives have more variety, from the millie to the toad.

I do have a couple BM's, though, and I like them!
 
There's an old saying that "Perception is reality".

I think Spyderco has a strong presence on the BFC because of their forum and the participation of upper management. This has developed a strong following among members here.

Spyderco also has probably the largest product line of any company so for a knife buying group that likes funky designs and plenty of change Spyderco fits a large niche audience.

I would add to that the fact that Spyderco probably has one of the best marketing plans in the industry - plenty of models, plenty of limited runs and reasonable prices with a good community presence.

Contrast that with Benchmade who has a relatively conservative product line & no presence on BFC I think it's easy to see why Spyderco is so popular here (BFC).

I think you'll be surprised to see how many people vote Benchmade, may not be the majority in the long run but I think they will hold their own.

Benchmade is a great company that sells a ton of knives, not with hype, not with a huge marketing presence, not with a ton of models for American's with our 3rd grade attention span's but with good stable products.

Is either way of selling knives bad - no, they just take different approaches to selling a butt load of knives.
 
If you can get over the FRN handles looking cheap ( They used to, to me, but I got over that and realized they offer good grip.) you will be able to buy knives from Spyderco with the best blade matterials out there. I don't even think I have seen Benchmades with VG-10, CPMS30V, CPM440V, or any of the other "wonder" steels that Spyderco offers. If you are kind of a steel snob like me, you'll really love that about Spyderco. For $50 you can have a very ergonomic handled knife with a CPMS30V blade and great fit and finish. Does Benchmade offer deals like that?? Not that I have seen...other than the griptillian models at least. ( And they only have 154CM blades I belive.)
-Kev
 
Originally posted by Morgoth412
If you can get over the FRN handles looking cheap ( They used to, to me, but I got over that and realized they offer good grip.) you will be able to buy knives from Spyderco with the best blade matterials out there. I don't even think I have seen Benchmades with VG-10, CPMS30V, CPM440V, or any of the other "wonder" steels that Spyderco offers. If you are kind of a steel snob like me, you'll really love that about Spyderco. For $50 you can have a very ergonomic handled knife with a CPMS30V blade and great fit and finish. Does Benchmade offer deals like that?? Not that I have seen...other than the griptillian models at least. ( And they only have 154CM blades I belive.)
-Kev
Click to expand...

While I agree with you to some extent I feel your argument is a bit misinformed.

Benchmade has a few models in S30V.
VG-10 is only available on knives made in Japan, BM is only made in America.
Benchmade uses D2 & M2 as well which are very high grade steels.
Griptilian is 440c - good steel, not exotic.

But I do like the wide variety of steels Spyderco uses and think it's great that they will throw premium steel on a non premium handle material to get a low priced knife. (goes back to marketing and variety ;))
 
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