Benchmade or Spyderco poll

Taking all factors into account, which company is better?

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L

Lovecraftian

Joined
Apr 14, 2023
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I know a whole discussion can be had about which company is better and that there's many factors at play considering materials, warranties, locking mechanisms, etc. I'm just curious to see where people stand in the form of a poll.
 
I own more benchmades than spydercos but I have a fair amount of each. I think your poll is a little too general no offense. Both companies offer a plethora of models in different variants. Personally, I really enjoy both. IMO spyderco offers more models that focus on utility vs looks (ergos and edge geometry) although all benchmade knives are very capable cutters. This is a tired question and a tired answer but I don’t believe you’ll find the answer you’re looking for until you try a few in hand. You’d be amazed how your opinion will change on certain models when you actually are able to hold one in your hand
 
I own many of both and I’ll have to go Spyderco by a good bit. Benchmade sends out almost all their knives dull comparing them directly to what Spyderco sends out. I love my 940s but there is blade play with the axis lock and zero blade play with all my Spydercos. There’s many other aspects to consider but this is what comes to mind as the biggest differences in my opinion.
 
Both are great company with great designs

Personnally I prefer Spyderco. I like the compression lock better than the axis lock and I usually enjoy the ergonomics of Spyderco better
 
They're both great American knife companies that each have their own strengths and weaknesses. I like both and if either company disappeared it would be a loss for the knife world.

So it's a tie.
 
Both companies extol the virtue of quality made high-end cutlery at a production level with amazing customer service. The axis lock is classic and widely imitated now with the crossbar locks whereas Spyderco produce the compression lock. Both companies have created amazing cutlery.

Between a benchmade 940 and a spyderco paira military 2, I don't think you can find better knifedom.
 
BM :overpriced and politically unpalatable !

Spyderco : many great designs and sometimes a deal can still be found . Got my vote here .

But even with GSM befouling the name , Cold Steel is still my go to for value .
 
Benchmade sells a great number more units and is a much larger company. There are more people that own their knives so they will win this poll if administered to the general public.

However, I go for Spyderco since their expensive knives are much more unique and I don't dare daily a BM with those ugly ugly handles if not an Osborne.
 
In my experience with well over 100 Benchmade folding knives and over 20 Spyderco folding knives, Benchmade quality control is vastly better than Spyderco. The rate of defectives that I have observed is 3% for Benchmade. For Spyderco, it's harder to decide where the cutoff between defective and non defective is. Ignoring Spyderco Byrds, about 20% of the Spydercos that I have bought were unusable out of the box. Some of those were easily fixable, some were not. Roughly another 20% were unsatisfactory and needed work, either disassembly or breaking-in over a period of months.
 
I had K390 Endura - knife was amazing, just I was the problem and I sold it.
Current owner of K390 Delica and I love that thing.
Spyderco knows how to make a good knife. Their steel offerings are also top notch. And K390 for prices they have - really hard to beat.

Now Benchmade.... It does look kinda plain. Action is good if you like to fidget. Feel in the hand is kinda cheap. Steels are underwhelming for most part, and their better offerings are priced so high that it makes you close the tab instantly. Even their S30V knife here costs more than K390 Spyderco.
Then the problems they have with such models such as Adamas.
Nothing they make is in my opinion worth even close as much as they ask for it.
Then the notorious omega spring breaks.
And finally - actions by their company towards third party scale makers and similar... and not only that, but also even political stances of their company.


My most carried folder is Recon1 (non pre-GSM). Given the option - I'd probably pick Cold Steel. Or just pick ESEE and carry my Izula.
 
I have not voted, I'm torn. Interesting how this poll has been turning out, whoah.

The upcoming BM Narrows must of put off a lot of folks 🤣🤣
 
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