Benchmade N690 3" vs Spyderco ZDP 189 2"

[Summerofgeorge]

Hi there, this is my first post here, obviously, and this will be my first SERIOUS knife. I've owned 440's before but I'm looking to step into real performance now. I've done a lot of reading on knifemakers and steels over the past several days, and I've narrowed my choices down to a Benchmade HK Monochrome in N690 for 43 dollars with tax and shipping...or a Spyderco Ladybug ZDP-189 for 39 dollars with shipping and tax.
I know the first question I'll be asked is what am I planning to use it for. I travel a lot internationally and also backpack, so I want a good EDC for defense, and the random use, as well as for occasional backpacking.
I would appreciate it if ONLY people who have used BOTH steels would comment. I understand that ZDP is excellent, but there's much less word on N690, and so I'd like the opinion of someone who owns both.
I've watched JDavis' cutting edge/retention tests on both steels on youtube...and to my surprise they seemed to perform nearly the same.
I like the longer blade on the N690 of course, but I think the ZDP is a bit better steel.
Anyway, any opinions/recommendations/responses appreciated, thanks!

 

[mkjellgren]

Spyderco's zdp is top notch, and will hold an edge much longer that n690, but can be a bear to sharpen. N690 is going to be pretty easy to sharpen and hold an edge for a reasonably long time as well as be more rust resistant than zdp. On a side note, the two knives you've selected are incredibly different from one another and the ladybug is more if a keychain knife than anything else. The dragonfly and delica are a bit more of a useful size if you're not putting it on a keychain and are also available in zdp189.

 

[T.L.]

Make sure you understand how small the Ladybug actually is. Its a tiny knife. I keep one on my keys.

You shouldn't pass right over all of Spyderco's VG-10 offerings. With ZDP you're paying more for performance that few will notice. Not trying to steer you away from it just keep an open mind there are a lot of knives out there.

 

[flarp]

I don't have experience with the Monochrome or N690 steel, but I would comment that those are two very different knives. Here's a pic of a ZDP Ladybug next to a Kershaw Leek. The Leek has roughly the same blade length as the Monochrome (3" vs. 3.05"), and the Monochrome is actually about 3/8" longer than the Leek (not to mention a wider and thicker handle). The Ladybug is a great small utility knife, but if you're planning outdoor/backpacking type work or even self defense, I'd look elsewhere.

 

[Summerofgeorge]

You shouldn't pass right over all of Spyderco's VG-10 offerings.

I've read that the performance and composition of VG10 and N690 are very similar. I only want Benchmade or Spyderco. And the 3" VG10 blades by Spyderco start at 52 with tax and shipping, whereas the N690 by Benchmade is 43.

The dragonfly and delica are a bit more of a useful size if you're not putting it on a keychain and are also available in zdp189.

The next size up in ZDP/s30v spyderco would cost over 63 bucks. That's 50 percent more price. Price to performance ratio means a lot to me here.

The Ladybug is a great small utility knife, but if you're planning outdoor/backpacking type work or even self defense, I'd look elsewhere.

I guess my only concern with the larger knife, is it being accepted while traveling internationally, in other countries abroad. Do you think police in other countries might frown upon such a size?

 

[Razorsharp-Travis]

save some more- get a ZDP dragonfly or delica- Ladybug is TINY. basically, your saving the amount of money your next future cheap knife is worth to increase the excitement you'll get out of a better knife.

 

[Summerofgeorge]

save some more- get a ZDP dragonfly or delica- Ladybug is TINY. basically, your saving the amount of money your next future cheap knife is worth to increase the excitement you'll get out of a better knife.

Your reasoning is sound, BUT I'm going to Asia right after Christmas, and have to buy presents and all too, so I don't really have the time to save more and I have Christmas expenses, so if you were going to choose between those two knives, or a knife under 45 dollars with tax and shipping, which would it be?

What would you feel is more important or a bigger loss? the difference in size 2 vs 3 inch? or the difference in quality of steel?

 

[zippy2001]

I like the longer blade of the monochrome, but I like the FRN scales of the dragonfly.
If it was me, I would try and find a Spyderco Delica. It makes an excellent EDC knife, it is very ergonomic, light and works very well.
The Monochrome has steel scales which do not afford very good grip, it is okay, but not perfect. And this adds more weight also.

 

[flarp]

I've read that the performance and composition of VG10 and N690 are very similar. I only want Benchmade or Spyderco. And the 3" VG10 blades by Spyderco start at 52 with tax and shipping, whereas the N690 by Benchmade is 43.

The next size up in ZDP/s30v spyderco would cost over 65 bucks. Price to performance ratio means a lot to me here.

The more exotic high-end steels are all going to have a terrible price to performance ratio. You're paying a huge premium for the steel, but the practical difference when actually using it is usually not huge. The super steels usually try to optimize specific attributes (eg. edge retention, toughness, corrosion resistance, etc.), and there are trade-offs (eg. a harder steel w/ better edge retention might also be more brittle and prone to chipping if cutting hard materials).

The Spyderco Byrd and Tenacious series both offer good bang for the buck. The 8Cr13MoV steel used in those lines are decent performing and pretty easy to sharpen/maintain. I'm not familiar with the offerings on the HK line from Benchmade. If you're open to other manufacturers, there is a pretty good deal right now on the Buck Large Vantage Pro on a large online retailer. 3.25" S30V blade, contoured G10 scales, deep carry clip, and not too far from the price of two you mentioned.

I guess my only concern with the larger knife, is it being accepted while traveling internationally, in other countries abroad. Would you consider police in other countries might frown upon such a size?

That gets very tricky. Every country has their own laws, and states/regions within the same country (or even cities within the same state) can also have wildly varying laws. Criteria vary from blade length to locking (vs. non-locking) to opening mechanism (one-handed vs. two-handed) to who knows what. I think the Spyderco UK Pen Knife and Chicago were two that were purpose built to adhere to laws in those respective locations. You'd best look up the laws at wherever you're visiting prior to bringing a knife there.

 

[mkjellgren]

Your reasoning is sound, BUT I'm going to Asia right after Christmas, and have to buy presents and all too, so I don't really have the time to save more and I have Christmas expenses, so if you were going to choose between those two knives, or a knife under 45 dollars with tax and shipping, which would it be?

What would you feel is more important or a bigger loss? the difference in size 2 vs 3 inch? or the difference in quality of steel?

Go with a spyderco dragonfly 2 in vg10. It will be easier to sharpen than zdp, takes an extremely fine edge, and holds it for a decently long time. They can be found for under $45 with a quick Google search. The dragonfly, with its forward finger choil and pinky shelf actually gives a full 4 finger grip which makes it feel like a larger knife than it actually is.

 

[Razorsharp-Travis]

Id go for the benchmade- its still very nice steel and a more usable size. N690 is a little better than 154cm and vg10. Just a tiny bit. Also its made by bohler, They use pixie dust in their steels

 

[Chris "Anagarika"]

For international travel, I'd suggest Victorinox One Hand Trekker. You have locking blade, and yet with Swiss Army logo, it's mostly will get you by various laws as long as the officer is convinced you mean no harm. Plus the tools will come in handy (both literally and figuratively). The extra cash you get can be used to buy DMT pocket / card sharpener to maintain the edge (Victorinox edges sharpens very well but being on the soft side, it'll get used up quicker too). This way, you get the best of both world.

Or, just get the DMT. When you hit ground, go to the nearest supermarket and buy Victorinox paring knife. It'll be your both EDC and SD knife. When you leave the country, put it in checked-in luggage, or if it's not allowed, just leave it. You won't lose a lot.

 

[Summerofgeorge]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm gonna have to think about it some more. The Delica looks good although still a touch on the small side, the Endura looks great, but it's a bit too long I think, and the Centofante looks perfect size, but has rivets instead of screws :/ . I like that the Spyderco blades have a more toned down look.
I'm kinda leaning towards the Benchmade, I just don't like the look or feel of it, and it's about half an ounce heavier than I'd like, but it fits my price, blade length, and durability needs well. As I said, I'm gonna have to think more on it.

Buck Large Vantage Pro on a large online retailer. 3.25" S30V blade, contoured G10 scales, deep carry clip, and not too far from the price of two you mentioned.

What is Buck's quality like? heat treat? It seems to me it's not up to Spyderco/Benchmade standards. Is that true or am I misjudging them?

 

[flarp]

What is Buck's quality like? heat treat? It seems to me it's not up to Spyderco/Benchmade standards. Is that true or am I misjudging them?

As with any company, they've got good knives and not-so-good ones. The Vantage series is one of the good ones. Good materials, design, and fit & finish. The Vantage features the Paul Bos heat treat, which is usually regarded as one of the top in the industry. Buck has a lifetime warranty on their knives. I've never dealt with their warranty dept (never had a need to), but others on the forums have rated them favorably.

If you're considering the Delica, I actually like that one more than the Vantage for EDC mainly because it is thinner, lighter, and has great ergonomics (I've got the VG-10 FFG version). The Vantage has an arguably better steel (S30V), a deep hollow grind (makes an excellent slicer), contoured G10 handles (some don't like the plastic feel of FRN on the Spyderco lightweights), and costs less at the moment (regular price is closer to $55-60, but it can be picked up for $47 right now).