benchmade knives just how good?

[icebones]

i have owned several kershaw, cold steel, shrade, gerber and other knives, but i am looking for a top end knife that will hold up to use and abuse, but will still hold a keen edge.

i have looked at benchamde, spyderco and some SOG knives.
any other brands out there you suggest that offer good knives without killing the bank, (under $150 please)

im really leaning towards the plain edge benchmade knives, they arent too fancy, but are plain simple and they look like they would get the job done.

 

[peyton]

I have carried a benchmade for four years in Iraq. I use it for everything, holds a keen edge and very reliable.

 

[JohnnyOrygun]

Thumbs up for Benchmade

I bought a Benchmade Griptillian several months ago and I really like it. I am a bit of a knife knut and I have Spyderco's, Cold Steels, the new Leatherman lock back, and quite a few others. I highly recommend the Benchmade, it really holds an edge and seems very well made. I would rate Benchmade and Spyderco as both top notch knives. My Griptillian has the combo edge and I really like it... razor sharp and the best of both worlds.

 

[TnShooter83]

I have the cheaper Mini-Ambush in plain edge
with a AUS-8 steel. Came RAZOR sharp, but whish I had got
at least a 154CM blade. Which the Mini-Griptilian, and Griptilian come in. Compare to CRKT AUS steel, the Benchmade seems to hold an edge longer. I think the bench made AXIS lock is on of the strongest locks you can get.

You can't beat the MonoChrome for under $50.00
And you cant beat the Griptilian for under $100.00
With $150.00 you can get in to higher grade blade steels.

 

[hso]

Depends.

Overall Benchmade takes their quality very seriously, even to their Chinese-manufactured line.

Lonewolf Knives makes several models below $150. They're quality is outstanding.

Randal King Knives are fanatics about QA and a knife in your pocket within your price range.

 

[Soap]

I've carried Benchmades daily for about 5 years. Currently, I'm toting a 610 Rukus that my wife bought me for our anniversary. Previously, I was carrying a 750 Pinnacle that had an edge polished by yours truly. That thing is ridiculously sharp!

I've found that the quality of construction is excellent. I've never had one fail me.

 

[Huckle2]

Benchmades are my favorite

I traded my brother-in-law out of an old Benchmade 5 or 6 years ago. I don't even remember what I traded for it. The Benchmade was old and loose. I contacted Benchmade and described it, asked what they would take to repair it. The response, "send it to us with $5 for shipping and we'll take care of it". When they returned it, the blade was like new, they even replaced their logo stickers. From that point on I was sold on Benchmade products and customer service. Turns out it was the model 812 which is out of production. I now have several that I don't carry, I just like them. They stay in a silicone sock. They are not cheap, but you get what you pay for.


My favorite is the 812. Perfect size for me, tough, holds an edge. This one I bought used off e-bay for $100 and made it my EDC.


Don't let the lace table cloth fool you...

 

[MadMercS55]

In my opinion, BM makes some of the best production knives out there. Excellent attention to detail and a great warranty to back it up. I've been using and collectings Benchmade/Pacific Cutlery knives since the late 80's and never had a bad one.

 

[spyder1911]

Benchmade and Spyderco are some of the best production knives made. SOG, Kershaw, and some Cold Steel are up there. Gerber is terrible.

 

[MacPelto]

I have EDCed a Benchmade stryker since they first came out - probably 10 years or so of constant use. Never even sent it back to get worked on. I may soon, though as the liner lock is finally starting to go a little too far over when it's open.

 

[The Tourist]

If you can, examine the knife before you buy it. I used to sell Benchmade knives through my distributor, and for many reasons, I don't anymore.

I found some Q/C issues. Not unusual for mass produced knives, but enough to cause me to re-think my goals.

And because some of my clients were LEOs, I sold automatics. However getting a broken mechanism fixed at the factory is a real hassle. While the police officer had the right to own the knife, as a "tradesman" I did not. I could not send the knife directly back to the factory, so it took longer to get things repaired.

Additionally, some of their autos are just plain sluggish.

I have one diehard Benchmade client, and there are enough dealers around so I can sub out a onezie knife to satisfy him. No one else seems to complain, and I have not lost business.

 

[icebones]

i kinda like the benchmade model 710. a nice plain edge, a balence between balde lenght and thickness.

from what i hear the AXIS lock is one of the best.

thanks

 

[spyder1911]

I found some Q/C issues. Not unusual for mass produced knives, but enough to cause me to re-think my goals.

If it is a QC issue any of the listed manuf. with the possible exception of Gerber will fix or replace it for free and some will even pay for shipping.

 

[auschip]

My EDC is a Benchmade, the model 635 Skirmish. It has been 100%. I did just trade for an Emerson Commander, and it will get some pocket time as well.

 

[Gewehr98]

I still carry my Benchmade Eclipse.

ATS-34, excellent lockup when opened, and the weight's in the blade, not the handle. I abuse the heck out of mine, and it still holds an edge. Considering the dated design of the Eclipse/Ascent Benchmade series, I'd wager they've come out with even better knives since then.

 

[The Tourist]

Spyder1911,

You might be right. However, many of my clients--and for myself, frankly--do not want to ship a knife back and forth to the manufacturer, even for a sharpening.

Most times, it takes several weeks. I have lots of knives, but some guys can only afford a few. With high-end stuff, maybe only the one.

Everytime I began the rigamarole of trying to get an auto repaired for a professional I felt like a felon going through a strip search. They even knew who I was. We'd wind up FAX'ing numerous ID's and letterhead stationery, and it would still take weeks. Yikes, with the correct Torx bit you can replace the coil spring in under a minute.

Ultimately I just told the LEO, "How about if I get you a nice Pro Tech? It's faster, more durable and cheaper..."

 

[Maia007]

I have owned two BM's. For a factory knife, I think they are top notch.

I carry an axis-lock folder in 154 CM steel. I would suggest one of the better steels for longer edge retention.

 

[beemerphile]

Four of my seven EDC's are Benchmade. I have an auto Pardue, auto Styrker, LH Styker and 707 that are in the rotation. The autos are my choice "on the farm". the LH Stryker for week-end EDC (jeans) and the 707 for office carry. They don't match up well to my large and small Sebenzas, but they outclass most all other production knives.

 

[Piedmont Plinker]

Benchmades are some of the best knives around, and I like them better than Spydercos.
I'd say you really can't go wrong with Benchmade, Kershaw, or, yes, even Spyderco (if thumb holes float your boat). Buck and Gerber, you have to be more careful, but they have some excellent value knives that seem to get badmouthed a lot on the forums.
(But don't buy a Gerber Nautilus. That thing is useless.)