A few reasons why I am switching from Benchmade to Spyderco.

T

TheEdge01

Joined
Apr 3, 2015
Messages
3,707
I have owned several Benchmades in the past, overall their knives are nice, quality control could use some help at times though. There are three reasons why I have decided to switch to Spyderco. The first reason is the Axis Lock. Benchmades axis lock is very strong and easy to use, but I didn't trust the Omega springs. If they broke, the blade wouldn't stay shut or lock open and you had to send your knife in for repair because they don't sell the springs. As far as spring reliability goes, I have heard of some lasting 10 years and others only holding up for a few months. Unfortunately, most of their knives feature the Axis Lock. Secondly, several of their knives just don't work for me. The thumb stud was made too close to the handle. When I tried to open the blade, I had to force my thumb under the stud. This was the case with their Crooked River knife as well, and it is one of their larger folders. I mentioned QC issues earlier, I'm not going to go into detail, because every manufacturer can run into issues. But I have read that Benchmades heat treat can be spotty at times. I'm not saying that Benchmades are junk, but I quickly realized that Spyderco's are better.
 
Last edited:
I've given them a fair shake and every time traded them away for a Spyderco. That has pretty much been the only thing in my pocket for a year and a half

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G530A using Tapatalk
 
Personally I like them both, but I will say this, my Paramilitary 2 was the sharpest out of the box of any knife I've owned. Benchmades included.
 
Spyderco also has,
Better ergonomics
Better blade grinds
Better heat treatments
And more knives in an easily affordable category
 
I am a Benderco guy.


If I see a BM that has a Hole... I am on it.
 
uxo2 said:
I am a Benderco guy.


If I see a BM that has a Hole... I am on it.
Click to expand...
I will be honest I have kick around the idea of trying some of the opening hole Benchmade designs. Hard to go back to a thumbstud.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G530A using Tapatalk
 
I like both companies for different reasons, but I've found more Spyderco models to my liking, be it due to ergos, steel, or cutting geometry. The axis lock is great IMO, though.
 
I have carried a VG-10 Delica just about every day this summer. And I'm probably more biased towards Spyderco, especially after BM's MAP bump destroyed a lot of the value there for me. From the ones of each that I already own, though, I would hate to have to pick one bug over the other.

"All good, just different."

udj1A3Z.jpg
 
I like both companies. But I get it. Most of my out of the box issues have come from BM...mostly related to grind issues. I do find myself reaching for Spydies more often than not. But to be totally honest, I have been solely carrying my Leatherman Wave with the main blade changed to an S30V blade.
 
CryoGuy5272 said:
I will be honest I have kick around the idea of trying some of the opening hole Benchmade designs. Hard to go back to a thumbstud.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G530A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I had a Benchmade Griptilian for a while. It was a great knife for the most part. If it didn't have the Axis Lock I would probably still have it. I don't like the idea of having to send the knife in to be repaired every time a spring breaks.
 
I am a fan of many brands. I have Benchmades, Spyderco, ZT and perhaps my favorite Fantoni. All have their positive and negative issues. I think I prefer Spyderco knives that have more traditional looks such as the Gayle Bradley, Southard and now the Advocate I have on pre order. The blade shapes found on the Military and other Spyderco's just do not appeal to me.
 
I've tried the Griptilian, 940, and 710. Suffice to say, BM knives just do not connect with me. Their service turnaround time is superb though
 
I too like a variety. I have a few Benchmades and like them well enough. But I do find their thumb studs to be a little awkward. In all fairness, I'm so used to using a hole that it's probably time to give a BM Sheepsfoot with hole a try.

I can't comment on the Omega spring issue. My BMs don't see much use because I'm usually carrying a Spyderco. :-)
 
Last edited:
The omega spring thing is a dead horse so I wont beat, but it is not an issue as most people imagine (rather than they actually encountered). It seems OP does not know the correct way of using a thumb stud on an Axis knife. It should be pushed forward rather than away. Lastly BM produces some of the most beautiful folders in the market.

Yes - I am fully aware that this is a spyder subforum and for the record I am a fan of spyderco. But I like Benchmade too.
 
All good just different.

Ps. If the omega springs break. Jam a piece of wood behind the bar. Knife wont close.
 
I'm a fan of both and I do tire of hearing, reading or BSing about the O springs. First of all, if a spring breaks there is another one and the knife will function. I'm sure we will now hear about someone's brother's friend's sister's husband's uncle had both springs break as soon as he took the knife out of the box and Benchmade refused to fix it and kicked his puppy.
I'm glad we have so many choices and can't really see the point of this thread.
No company is perfect.
Joe
 
sharp_edge said:
The omega spring thing is a dead horse so I wont beat, but it is not an issue as most people imagine (rather than they actually encountered). It seems OP does not know the correct way of using a thumb stud on an Axis knife. It should be pushed forward rather than away. Lastly BM produces some of the most beautiful folders in the market.

Yes - I am fully aware that this is a spyder subforum and for the record I am a fan of spyderco. But I like Benchmade too.
Click to expand...

I get it, you like Benchmades and don't appreciate reading negative comments about them. Yes, I know how to use a thumb stud, but I probably should have been a little more specific. The one on the Mini Barrage and 710 was positioned properly, I could easily flip the blade open using the thumb stud. The thumb studs on the 485, 940, and 15080 in my opinion, others may disagree are positioned too close to the handle and are awkward to use. I could have just pulled down on the Axis Lock and flipped the blade open, but the knife should have been designed better especially at that price.
 
palonej said:
I'm a fan of both and I do tire of hearing, reading or BSing about the O springs. First of all, if a spring breaks there is another one and the knife will function. I'm sure we will now hear about someone's brother's friend's sister's husband's uncle had both springs break as soon as he took the knife out of the box and Benchmade refused to fix it and kicked his puppy.
I'm glad we have so many choices and can't really see the point of this thread.
No company is perfect.
Joe
Click to expand...

Like I said, some may last 10 years and others could only last a few months. I'm not implying that Benchmades are junk, I just don't think the Axis Lock is reliable, and customers shouldn't have to send their knives in for repair every time one breaks. I realize the knife is still functional with one spring, but I am more comfortable with other locking mechanisms.
 
Don't get me wrong Edge....wasn't talking to you, but I have heard this so many times from people that didn't have THEIR springs break.....they 'heard' it somewhere from someone who heard it from someone else.
If you believe half of what you read about broken springs then there are about a gazillion broken knives.
Again, I have more Spydies than any other.....but I have a bunch of BMs that are fantastic. No broken springs or other horrible QC issues.
After getting to know Sal a little, I doubt he'd appreciate this thread.
It's a recipe for arguments.
Joe


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
palonej said:
Don't get me wrong Edge....wasn't talking to you, but I have heard this so many times from people that didn't have THEIR springs break.....they 'heard' it somewhere from someone who heard it from someone else.
If you believe half of what you read about broken springs then there are about a gazillion broken knives.
Again, I have more Spydies than any other.....but I have a bunch of BMs that are fantastic. No broken springs or other horrible QC issues.
After getting to know Sal a little, I doubt he'd appreciate this thread.
It's a recipe for arguments.
Joe


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

My apologies to any one offended. As the title says, I am making the decision to switch from one company to another. I experienced issues with Benchmade products. I am not a troll looking to cause arguments. I just wanted to start a candid conversation with other folks that may have experienced the same issues I have. One of the local Benchmade dealers claims that he had both springs break on him at the same time.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top