Benchmade vs Kershaw

I don't think you can go wrong with either brand, although that doesn't help you much. I personally prefer and daily carry a full-size grip, but that's just me. You might find you like the Kershaw better. I agree that the scales feel cheap compared to other choices, but I like that they are very durable and light. Besides the weight (lack therof, or at least that's the "pocket feel"), I like how well even the full-size grip carries small in the pocket. I've also grown to appreciate the scales, as they just don't seem to wear, at least for me.

I carry this one all day, every day, and have for two over two years, and you really can't even find a scratch on the scales (same cannot be said for the D2 blade).

I'm not really pushing you one way or the other. A knife is a personal thing, and you have to find what meets your needs and talks to you, but these are my thoughts. The steel, the way it carries, and the way it stays looking nice (yeah, I know that's not the most important thing), combined with the ease and strength of the AXIS lock make a grip the right choice for me.

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Having said that, I'd definately look at a Blur and I'd handle some Spyders before I made a choice if I were you.
 
sticktodrum said:
So then what's the ultimate Benchmade?
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I'm not sure, but almost every Benchmade nut has a 943 that they just refuse to get rid of, but never carry. Ultimate, for me, would be the 3550. I don't carry it anymore, but it will be the last Benchmade I ever consider getting rid of.
 
"There is no point of comparing two companies: it is better to stick to specific products, that always makes more sense for me."

You can compare companies, since each company has a specific design and manufacturing philosophy that is expressed in their products. Just like with cars, furniture, appliances and even home builders.

I never found a Kershaw that I wanted to own. I own 5 benchmades and the Spike was my first premium tactical knife and the Styker my first auto.

I don't like Kershaw's designs enough to care to buy one, not their construction. A few years ago, some of their lower priced models were not really very good, but that's not true now. I almost bought an ET for the gadget factor, but the price wasn't worth it. Of the current production, their premium overbuilt knives with wide blades don't trip my trigger.

In comparison to Benchmade, Kershaw doesn't seem to be a leader in things I care about. For example, Kershaw has no lock that is as good as axis. Kershaw has no icon blade like the Benchmade butterfly knife. Sure they use the MIM process and have layered blades, but I don't think that has caught on like the axis or butterfly knife. They are leaders in assisted opening knives, but IIRC, assisted opening was first done by Blackie Collins for Meyerco, not Kershaw and Onion. The first production Onion I bought was an Eros by CRKT, none of his Kershaw models made me want to pull the trigger.

Kershaw is great for some, but not for me. Benchmade has many more models that float my boat.
 
Out of the models the OP mentioned in his first post, I would go with the Kershaw Blur. The others are great knives, I like Griptilians quite a bit in spite of the feel of the handles, but my Blur gets twice the amount of carry and use. It's really thin and compact, while still having a long enough blade for most tasks and a large enough handle. I've got the S30V variant and wouldn't ming owning a couple of the CPM-154 ones.

Out of the OP's list the Griptilian would be a close second. The only "bad" thing about the full size Grip is that the thick handle can be uncomfortable in some pockets, but it is wonderful in your hands.
 
Chitrod said:
Got it in my mind I want a good knife. Always carried junk. So I've gotten to look a
D love the 943 Osborne but it is too much to justify with a baby girl in the house. So I looked at the griptilian, mini grip, blur and leek. I love the size of the mini grip and leek for putting in my pocket and being comfortable. However the handle on the mini grip feels and looks cheap and the blade on the leek feels and looks cheap. Therefore I can't decide I also like the assisted leek but the axis benchmade is like butter. Is there a benchmade that isn't much more with a better handle?
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try a benchmade sequel 707
 
crom said:
You guys do know that penultimate means second to last, right?
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Yes. Nobody agrees on what the last (ultimate) Benchmade is. You know, the one that your children pry out of your dying hands because it isn't in your will?

BUT, the 943 is ALWAYS in someone's collection... Just not their fav.
 
All the Kershaws I am familiar with use either the liner lock or the frame lock variation and it is not my favorite lock design. I much prefer the Benchmade axis lock design and believe that it is stronger and less likely to wear or slip if mistreated. It is also ambidexterous, an advantage for lefties and potentially in some tactical situations. However the Blur is an excellent example of a frame lock design and a nice carry size knife with a good grip in the versions with the rubber inserts in the aluminum scales.
 
Chitrod said:
(...) love the 943 Osborne (...)
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If you really dig the 943, you'll probably be thinking of it until you eventually get one. Keep saving until you can afford to pick one up! Always sweeter to get something you really want, imo... :thumbup:

Good luck, OP! :)

-Timber
 
Cypress said:
Yes. Nobody agrees on what the last (ultimate) Benchmade is. You know, the one that your children pry out of your dying hands because it isn't in your will?

BUT, the 943 is ALWAYS in someone's collection... Just not their fav.
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I must be the odd man out. I love the look of the 943, but when I handled one I couldn't stand it. I'll never own one unless they start making it with full steel liners, or put lead weights in the handles :eek:
 
Another vote for the griptilian. Keep in mind that a mini grip does have full steel liners that run the length of the knife. The plastic feels cheap, but there's no lack of strength to them.

Although there is no replacement for the 940, it's definitely the superior knife. Might be worth it to save up some more money.
 
brownshoe said:
In comparison to Benchmade, Kershaw doesn't seem to be a leader in things I care about. For example, Kershaw has no lock that is as good as axis. Kershaw has no icon blade like the Benchmade butterfly knife. Sure they use the MIM process and have layered blades, but I don't think that has caught on like the axis or butterfly knife. They are leaders in assisted opening knives, but IIRC, assisted opening was first done by Blackie Collins for Meyerco, not Kershaw and Onion. The first production Onion I bought was an Eros by CRKT, none of his Kershaw models made me want to pull the trigger.

Kershaw is great for some, but not for me. Benchmade has many more models that float my boat.
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I must protest - have you seen the Kershaw RAM 1910? Made by custom knifemakers Grant and Gavin Hawk with their "Hawk Lock"?

Best locking mechanism for a smooth flipper that I have encountered -
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$%28KGrHqF,!ocFG6JtsySfBRzbEpI4qg~~60_12.JPG


Besides that one custom knife from Kershaw however - I would agree - Benchmade axis locks are unique. Only the RAM Hawk lock is comparable for Kershaw.

(the RAM is out of production so your point still stands true).
 
Chitrod said:
Got it in my mind I want a good knife. Always carried junk. So I've gotten to look a
D love the 943 Osborne but it is too much to justify with a baby girl in the house. So I looked at the griptilian, mini grip, blur and leek. I love the size of the mini grip and leek for putting in my pocket and being comfortable. However the handle on the mini grip feels and looks cheap and the blade on the leek feels and looks cheap. Therefore I can't decide I also like the assisted leek but the axis benchmade is like butter. Is there a benchmade that isn't much more with a better handle?
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Get a Spyderco Tenacious. Its a good knife. You don't need pocket jewelry if you can't absolutely afford to waste money. If you need a knife to use and cut things try the Tenacious. You won't need expensive sharpening equipment for it either.
 
A lot of good suggestions here. I have Benchmades and Kershaws and they both impress me equally well. Be cautious of the 707 Sequel though, I have one but have never carried it because of the (in my opinion) poor ergonomics. It just feels too small for my hands. The 943 however is my latest purchase and I absolutely love it. Started a thread recently on it here... http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1081296-A-little-943-porn
 
If you like the Grip, get it. But another suggestion is the Spyderco Gayle Bradley, one tank of a knife. Feels almost custom for the price.
 
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