Spyderco vs Benchmade

jharpphoto

jharpphoto

Joined
Jan 22, 2011
Messages
284
This is sure to get some conversation going. I have another thread addressing my interest in a Benchmade knife. I'm sure there are as many Spyderco fans as there are Benchmade users. Any reason to choose a Benchmade over a Spyderco?
 
I do not own any benchmades so I'm going out on a limb here, but depending on what is important to you, I believe in general spydercos to be better slicers (someone correct me if I am wrong). I can tell you for sure though that I love all my spydercos. I think they have a great balance between being able to perform the more delicate tasks and heavy duty stuff.
 
jharpphoto said:
Any reason to choose a Benchmade over a Spyderco?
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For me? No.

I'm not a Spyderco fanboy I'm a Military fanboy. Spyderco makes it, Benchmade doesn't. Simple.

If Benchmade makes a knife that fits your hand, cuts well, is made from materials you like, or just looks great to you buy it. Same for Spyderco.

I don't get into Brand X is better than Brand Y stuff. I choose the knife I like no matter who makes it.
 
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From my experience , Spyderco's QC is vastly superior to BM's. Neither are perfect. But to me , it's not even a contest. Spyderco without a doubt.

Also , look at all the steel choices Spyderco has available. Look at all the lock choices too. A wide variety of both.

And the owner/founder of the company regularly participates in discussions here on the forums. That alone speaks volumes about the company (and the man). Very impressive.
 
Benchmade has a stellar warranty and customer service if that concerns u. They’ll fix or repair just about anything without most of the time any charge, free pocket clips. I’ve had blades replaced that I broke from negligence and replaced at no cost to me. Butt spyderco does make great knives as well just not as great in the warranty or cs aspect
 
Both great knives. Have several of each brand but prefer my de assisted BM 585 over all.
 
The longer Spyderco is around, the better they get. They've been knocking it out of the park with their CQI stuff. Benchmade is a bit stagnant IMO. I'm sure both will serve you well in what you need a knife for, but my vote goes to Spyderco for their umpteen million different models, colors and steels.
 
Buy the knife you want from either brand, but buy the knife, not the brand. For me, and talking about these two brands only, it's more about the specific knife model than it is about the company that makes it. My two fav daily carries are a PM 2 and a large Grip. I carry one or the other of those two 99% of the time. I've carried Paras since they first came out years ago. I've carried Grips since 2006 or so. They work well, they're tougher than a lot of people give them credit for, and they're easy to care for. They both come in a lot of variety for steels and colors.

I don't know which models you're thinking about, but I'd suggest buying the knife you want from either company rather than making yourself stick with one company or the other.
 
Planterz said:
Camaro or Mustang?
Coke or Pepsi?
McDonalds or Burger King?
Mac or PC?
DC or Marvel?
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Camaro
Pepsi
Burger King
PC
Marvel

In all seriousness, I'd go with Spyderco over Benchmade. But that's my personal opinion. Spyderco makes many more unique designs, as well as a huge focus on ergonomics, constant improvement, sprint runs, lock types, thinner blade grinds, better centering (at least Benchmade's centering to action ratio used to be waaaaaay off) and so forth. I used to own a fair amount of benchmades, carried a mini grip for a while, until I switched and never looked back to a Spyderco Delica, and now a Manix 2 exclusive in CTS-XHP, and have sold off every last benchmade and own a few dozen spyderco.
 
I'm a southpaw.
Axis - awesome from go.
Compression - awesome after I adapt.
Spydies - more slicey.
BM - you will see lotsa QC cries.

Both are great. And addicitve if u ask me:D
 
I own several of both brands and I'll tell you it's a hard decision, much harder for me than say Coke or Pepsi, or Mcdonalds or BK, those are easy to pick my favorite.

Both have models in their lineups that are amazing and they are my two favorite knife brands. It all just depends on what YOU like. Try several of both, you won't be sorry, and if you are then you can usually recoup most of your purchase price on the exchange.

One thing I will say that I notice on all that I own, Spyderco has a little better QC but not by much. I guess I've been lucky but all my BM knives have come sharp and perfectly centered from the factory. The only issue I had was on a first production that the pocket clip screws were loose, not a big deal to me whatsoever. That's why I have a torx tool.
 
I'm new to modern folders and really can't speak to Spyderco (don't own any yet). However, I've purchased 2 Benchmade knives this year (Crooked River and Grip). Both of these knives impressed me with their quality, fit, and finish. I know that a lot of people like Spyderco and I'm going to get one.
 
Both brands offer some great products. Its nice to have a choice. I do favor my Spyderco more but I own several of each. You really have to try both of them to see what you prefer. Toss in som Zero Tolerance into the mix too and you would have well diversified knife portfolio. (knife for every occasion).
 
Both good companies. Handle as many different models as possible. Buy what you like. Get a few of each. That's what I did. I currently carry an Endura 4, Manix 2, Griptilian, and a BM HK 14715 on a regular rotation. I have other models from both companies, (Adamas, Crooked River, Military, Police), but those above four get the most pocket time.
 
I have knifes from both Benchmade and Spyderco carry and use both, but for every one benchmade I own I have 3 spyderco's.
Spyderco's products just appeal to me more.
 
jharpphoto said:
Any reason to choose a Benchmade over a Spyderco?
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Of course...multiple reasons. One can say the same about choosing Spyderco over Benchmade. Whether those reasons mean anything to a given person is subject to one's individual preferences.
As an example, for many years I wouldn't buy a Spyderco knife. Why? I didn't like the hole... not so much as as opening feature as because of how it increases the width of the knife. (Truth be told, I didn't like how it looks, either.)
Some people like Spydercos specifically because of the hole.
For the most part, I have found Benchmade to be more comfortable in hand. Don't get me wrong...most of the Spyderco handles are ergonomically shaped; but the thin flat scales on some of them aren't great for me.
Some don't mind the scales, because the handles themselves are so well shaped; and would argue that Spyderco has some of the best handles around.
I could go on; but you get the point.

Somebody commented that Spydercos were, in general, better slicers. I haven't found that to be the case when compared to Benchmade (some other brands, yes). I have never owned a Benchmade that wasn't a good slicer.
Don't worry so much about brand - find a knife that you like and meets your needs.
 
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