Spyderco Tenacious v.s. Benchmade Vex Face Off!

[autoopen]

Low end in exactly what way? Blade steel and made in China only?
I'd say the fit and finish of the Tenacious is nearly as good as any $100+ Spyderco model.
Is the only difference between a $30 Spyderco and a $100 one the blade steel???

 

[Convert]

The blade steel, yes...and also the fact that it's manufactured in China at a fraction of the production cost. That makes up a significant portion of the price difference.

I was feeling froggy today since it's my birthday, and I just ordered both for the hell of it. I paid $38 shipped for the Vex on e-bay, and $36 shipped for the Tenacious from Your Corner Store. I have a sneaky suspicion that I'll like the Spydie a little more...simply because I've been eyeballing it for months now and finally had an excuse to order one, but we'll see. I like the looks of the Vex, but I might end up re-ebaying it to finance a new SOG EOD.

 

[enderwiggin]

The Tenacious is a low end knife when you compare it to other Spydercos

(like the Caly 3, Sage, Military, etc.). But for the price, the

Tenacious is a high value knife just like UpChuck said.


Peta~

I think it's a semantics issue. I don't know that "low end" vs. "high end" is really a value judgement!

In Paintball, you classify paintball markers (guns) from low to high end. The CCI Phantom (which I shoot) and the Spyder Shutter are "Low End" markers, while the Carter Buzzard and pretty much anything made by Angel are classified as "High End."

People get really upset over this, when it's just a method of classification.

A Chris Reeve Sebenza is a high end knife, while the Benchmade Griptilian is a mid to low end knife. Still, plenty of people love both, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with the Griptilian series!

All just terminology, not judgements!

 

[THG]

Guys, what about the Monochrome? I think lots of people forget this "budget" knife with the N690 steel which is supposed to be really good.

 

[Convert]

Guys, what about the Monochrome? I think lots of people forget this "budget" knife with the N690 steel which is supposed to be really good.

It was being discussed on page three or four, I think. If they lost the funky looking slots that are milled into the handle and made it with G-10 scales, I'd be all over it. Not a fan of the aesthetics in its current configuration. It could be a sweet budget knife though.

 

[darthsoaker]

A Chris Reeve Sebenza is a high end knife, while the Benchmade Griptilian is a mid to low end knife. Still, plenty of people love both, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with the Griptilian series!

It's all relative. In comparison to a Sebbie, yes, the Griptilian is low end. But in comparison to the majority of knives sold (including both CCC knives and the far superior Tenacious and Vex) the Grip series is very high end.

 

[Jake Bauer]

In Paintball, you classify paintball markers (guns) from low to high end. The CCI Phantom (which I shoot) and the Spyder Shutter are "Low End" markers,

Haha! Power to the pumpers! I shoot a Phantom as well. When I get to play. I 100% disagree with you that a Phantom is a "low end" marker however. I have never shot a more accurate paintball gun in my life. Nor a more efficient either. If you compare the Phantom to a high end "spray n pray" electro gun like you mentioned, the phantom (or any pump) wont keep up with it for sure, but that doesn't make it low class. They are two entirely different categories, built for two entirely different types of play.

Give me a Phantom over a Buzzard any day.

 

[Convert]

Well, I just got the Vex tonight, it was waiting for me in the mailbox when I got home from work. I must say, the fit and finish of this knife is first-rate. Blade sits perfectly straight folded or opened, and the action is extremely smooth although not lightning fast. I'm digging the BP coating, but it does have a slight sheen to it...I was expecting it to be a little more matte. Handle appears to be made well, and the G10 is grippy but not abrasive. The ergonomics are not great, but aren't horrible. Thumbhole placement is awkward, and it takes alot of wrist effort to deploy the blade quickly (perhaps I'm just spoiled from carrying my Cyclone for so long? Man I love the speedsafe w/ flipper combo...). Blade is pretty dang sharp out of the box, enough to remove the top layer of skin from my thumb because I got stupid for a second (hey, I get off work at midnight...I'm a little punchy).

I feel that this is an extremely high quality knife for the money, and I will probably throw it into the EDC rotation, but it might not work for everyone. I have big hands so its particularly difficult for me to get at the thumbhole quickly. I can't wait to get my hands on the Tenacious for a comparison - hopefully it will get here tomorrow. If the Vex is good, the Tenacious should be outstanding.

 

[Slowstarter]

I love my Vex. A real workhorse!

 

[foldernut]

hi new here. just got a Tenacious. it is my first Spyderco and thumb hole folder. I have a couple of Benchmade and CRKT folders and also a couple of customs (Brad Duncan and Aaron Frederick). the Tenacious definitely feels much more expensive than the $29 I paid for it. agree with most this is tremendous value regardless of place of manufacture. It is tight, big enough, sharp and good looking. What a great EDC option.

 

[phatch]

I prefer the Vex

. I prefer the inline thumb ramp to the steep bump on the Tenacious. I like how the handle is inline with the blade without the dropped butt the Tenacious (and most other Spydercos) have. While many feel that adds an ergonomic pleasantness, I am not among them. And it tends to increase the bulk in pocket.

Love the clip and hole placement of the Vex.

The Vex also does well in handle to blade ratio for a liner lock with about a 3/4" diff between closed length and blade length. The tenacious is 1 1/16. Again, many chalk that extra handle to improved ergos, but for me, that's a detriment in the carry and no appreciable improvement in use.

The differences in the Vex and Tenacious illustrate many of the divergent design philosophies between Benchmade and Spyderco. Both make quality products but they appeal to different users.

 

[Convert]

Tenacious came in the mail tonight....holy cow you guys. I absolutely LOVE this knife. I don't know what it is about certain knives that just feel great in your hand, but this one is by far my new favorite folder. The build quality is some of the best that I've seen...and for a chinese made knife that cost me only $36 shipped, I really am floored.

That settles it...I'm putting the Vex back on e-bay. I like it, but the ergos on the Tenacious fit my hand so much better that it puts the Vex to shame IMO. It's a great knife, but after handling the Tenacious, I just can't justify keeping it. It wont see any carry time. I'll use the money to order another Tenacious and gift it to one of my cop buddies for his birthday next month.

Spyderco, you guys have a real winner on your hands with the Tenacious. Outstanding job. Sal, I wouldn't mind shaking your hand some time. I'm down in Littleton, I never realized that you guys were up in Golden until I started doing a little research on this knife. Small world.

 

[Sal Glesser]

Hi Convert,

Thanx for the kind words and support.

We do have a factory outlet store in Golden next to the factory. It's on hwy 93 just north of Golden on the way to Boulder.

sal

 

[Jake Bauer]

Tenacious came in the mail tonight....holy cow you guys. I absolutely LOVE this knife.

That settles it...I'm putting the Vex back on e-bay.

Vex owned!

 

[Convert]

Vex owned!

Pretty much. It's not really the fault of the Vex...Benchmade really puts together a classy package even for their red class knives...but I had absolutely no idea that the Tenacious would mesh with my hand SO much better than the Vex.

I can't justify keeping it.