Alternative to Benchmade?

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for-um-me

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I'm looking for alternative makers to Benchmade knives. I like a quality product and was happy with Benchmade until the fiasco a few days ago.

I've been looking at ZT but not sure who else I should be looking into. Don't have much exposure to any makers asides from Benchmade and ofc Buck & Shrade when I was a kid.

Not interested in Spyderco.. not attempting to flame, just don't like the look that all of their knives evidently have.
 
Prepare to open your mind and empty your wallet.

I'm particularly a function over form guy, so I love Spyderco. What's your budget? That and preference on what you want. ZT, WE, Kizer, Reate, Southern Grind... So many out there.

I'm not a brand loyal guy. I like production and midtech, custom's,
 
for-um-me said:
I'm looking for alternative makers to Benchmade knives. I like a quality product and was happy with Benchmade until the fiasco a few days ago.

I've been looking at ZT but not sure who else I should be looking into. Don't have much exposure to any makers asides from Benchmade and ofc Buck & Shrade when I was a kid.

Not interested in Spyderco.. not attempting to flame, just don't like the look that all of their knives evidently have.
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Check out Protech for another homegrown American brand with A1 level quality.

Although I wouldn’t be too hard on Benchie. To err is human and to forgive is divine.
 
For the budget-conscious... The Taiwan CRKTs are well made and they have some great designs... But what do I know... I carry Spyderco...
 
I'm comfortable in the $200 to $300 range, ofc that can be swayed if I build interest in a certain knife. I unfortunately (in view of timing only) just bought a Benchmade 980 turret that I do like, it's much heavier and beefier than the 940 I already had, but those aren't necessarily bad things for me. I like sturdy stuff, and I like the way the handle feels, plus having something to hold onto. My uses are EDC, but I like the idea of a tactically capable EDC knife.

I understand that it seems unfair to discount Spyderco, but that is only done out of the appearance of their knives, I went to their site and I just don't dig the profile all of their knives seem to share
 
for-um-me said:
I'm comfortable in the $200 to $300 range, ofc that can be swayed if I build interest in a certain knife. I unfortunately (in view of timing only) just bought a Benchmade 980 turret that I do like, it's much heavier and beefier than the 940 I already had, but those aren't necessarily bad things for me. I like sturdy stuff, and I like the way the handle feels, and having something to hold onto. My uses are EDC, but I like the idea of a tactically capable EDC knife.

I understand that it seems unfair to discount Spyderco, but that is only done out of the appearance of their knives, I went to their site and I just don't dig the profile all of their knives seem to share
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For many people Spydercos are unlovable until they get one in hand.
 
Check out Three Rivers Manufacturing. Their quality is very, very high and they're a small American manufacturer, which can be a big bonus to some.

If you want fixed blades, White River Knives is another that fits that same profile. Small, high quality and U.S. manufactured. ETA: If you go this way, do yourself a favor and get a Sendero Classic. Jerry Fisk is a genius and it's an amazing knife.

If you're down with something north of the border, North Arm knives has a few very nice models that are quite affordable.

Another company to consider would be Freeman Outdoor Gear. They're within your price range and they straddle the line between production and midtech. The Freeman 451 BLF is an amazing folder on every level, I can't recommend it enough if you like, tough, heavy duty knives.
 
Felt the same way about Spyderco until I got hold of a Manix 2. I have tried other Spyderco’s but keep coming back to the Manix 2.
 
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Just a few options...
 
Maybe stick with browning, or sig, or hk knives since they make firearms. :)
Whichever company you decide to go with, make sure to do a background check on their politics and donations, you do not want to pick another possible fiasco of a company to back here for knife purchases. Its getting hard for people to shop these days.
Good luck with your search, there are a million brands out there.
 
I now avoid zt. I've had a rash of qc issues, there social media guy is the worst in existence, bashing or baning fans of the brand for having opinions. They trolled Benchmade over the gun thing too instead of just not saying anything.

The locks fail. The blades are too thick behind the edge. The new styles are horrid and not what they once were. Art knives not to be used.

And I think there might be a bit more I'm forgetting.

So go with a tool company that makes tools. Spyderco.. Stop pretending looks matter. You'll change your mind once you get one in hand and use it.

I also like crk's as users too. The sebenza and Inkosi in large are the two I use.

Also Benchmade didn't do anything wrong. Just crazy people making a big deal about nothing.
 
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I've only skimmed through the posts on this forum regarding the so-called Benchmade fiasco/controversy, but I'm just wondering if this isn't something that's getting totally blown out of proportion. Like it's giving the keyboard jockies something to go on about, as is typical on the internet. Maybe a classic case of making a mountain out of a molehill?
 
You didn't mention if made in USA is important?

Lots of Spyderco love. Wish I could be so practical but I'm like the OP, just don't care for the look and if I'm spending $100 + on a knife I want to like looking at it.
 
bobobama said:
I've only skimmed through the posts on this forum regarding the so-called Benchmade fiasco/controversy, but I'm just wondering if this isn't something that's getting totally blown out of proportion. Like it's giving the keyboard jockies something to go on about, as is typical on the internet. Maybe a classic case of making a mountain out of a molehill?
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It is and it isn’t. What they did was wrong. Were there many local forces coercing them, also yes.
 
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