EDC for under $100? (Spyderco vs Benchmade)

[Rhyno37]

Take advantage of Amazons excellent return policy.

Buy both the Delica and Mini-grip and return which fits you the least.

Realistically, anything Benchmade or Spyderco will serve you well and in the end it's all about personal opinions. I carried a mini-grip for a year, but went to the Delica because it is much thinner and more ergonomic for me. Ive been EDCing a Delica now for about 6 years and love them.

I would, but only the delica is sold by amazon. The mini grip is sold by a third party through amazon. Only way to get a mini grip through amazon is the 555:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

 

[Walking Dead]

I've had both. That being said I carry the Benchmade griptilian tanto. Mine is not the mini though. I carry the full size.

 

[conw]

Take advantage of Amazons excellent return policy.

Buy both the Delica and Mini-grip and return which fits you the least.

I disagree. It is a return policy, not a try it out then ship back free policy. Unless stated somewhere on the site that this is condoned, IMO you are just exploiting the system in a way that will end up increasing prices for other customers.

To the op...I think spyderco is more of a pioneer, more cutting edge and better value. One of the newer gen full flat grind spydies with a g10 handle and choil has to be used to be appreciated. Form absolutely follows function which is why spyderco has very unique knives.

Dollar for dollar I can't recommend a benchmade. If we are talking a $100 knife though I'd drive to a nearby "real" knife shop to at least handle them before I bought something (even if I did order online). Going by looks or secondhand opinion is simply not going to get you the perfect knife. Trust me I went through about 20 knives (all sold now) before settling on a g10 native 5...

Anyway in the size envelope you want I don't think spyderco can be outdone. The use of choil and the jimping make the knife handle amazingly well. You have to try it to understand...I don't think people buy spydies for looks.

 

[Walking Dead]

@ conwict. I replaced my Spyderco Native twice because the pocket clip grabbed whatever I brushed up against and it twisted it out of the square pocket it sits in. Have you ever had that problem? I ended up with the griptilian after that and any be happier. Where Benchmade really shines is the "Build your own Griptilian" you can pick all your options.
http://www.benchmade.com/customize/default.aspx

 

[floorit76]

To each his own. But I'd never let "pioneering" sell me a knife, or anything else. Every Spidero I've handled has felt goofy in my hand, not to mention looked freaky. Plastic, be it G10 or whatever feels cheap to me, benchmades included. And after an axis lock I'm not intrested in anything else. One handed open and close without changing your grip, and just as fast as an assisted.

 

[AStone]

I've owned a bunch of folders in the last 50 years.
Those included what just previous to my current folder
was the best folder I've ever owned: a Benchmade Osborne.

But in the end, after I bought my current one -
which I've carried and used everyday for 2+ years -
I gave the Benchmade to a carpenter to pay off a small debt.

My current EDC is my Spyderco Manix 2. I use it every day for everything, including cooking.
I used it earlier during dinner to cut my pork burrito (carry out; probably wouldn't use it in the restaurant,
but I'd prefer it over what they give me to cut with).

It rides in my pocket everyday. The G10 is too aggressive, and I've had to make it less so
with nail polish on the fabric side so it won't wear out my trouser fabric.

But the handle fits my hand like a glove. The gimping is first class.
It opens with one hand like a dream in less than a sec.

If pressed, I can use it like a kubotan, then open it for further action.

 

[conw]

@ conwict. I replaced my Spyderco Native twice because the pocket clip grabbed whatever I brushed up against and it twisted it out of the square pocket it sits in. Have you ever had that problem? I ended up with the griptilian after that and any be happier. Where Benchmade really shines is the "Build your own Griptilian" you can pick all your options.
http://www.benchmade.com/customize/default.aspx

Sounds like the clip got bent. Didn't have that issue with the native 3 or 5 but it did happen with a bent kershaw clip. Once it got bent out microscopically it grabbed everything I brushed against.

 

[conw]

To each his own. But I'd never let "pioneering" sell me a knife, or anything else. Every Spidero I've handled has felt goofy in my hand, not to mention looked freaky. Plastic, be it G10 or whatever feels cheap to me, benchmades included. And after an axis lock I'm not intrested in anything else. One handed open and close without changing your grip, and just as fast as an assisted.

the axis lock is fine but I don't see much benefit to fast one handed closing. I can safely and easy close any of my knives I've owned (did have a benchmade, sold it) that don't use a ball bearing type lock one handed. It just takes about 1/2 sec longer. As for safety I do get knives spec'd with high strength locks but I don't use them unsafely so if the axis can hold 1200lb static versus 800lb for my frame lock...who cares?

As for pioneering the reason you have a one handed knife with a clip at all is probably spyderco. They're also stiff competition. They drive down prices for high quality steel production knives and they still have probably 30+ high end steel knives under $100 when other companies use a lower performing steel on $150 plus knives.. They established that market segment and they continue to refine and redefine it. I think there are lots of other great knives out there but few companies in any industry are run by people as passionate as spyderco.

I guess you need what makes you happy but to me a knife is just a tool. I don't buy drills, hammers, or guns for how they look, or one material's appearance over another. The "luxury" I admittedly get is just from having the ideal functional tool for the job. It isn't like a car or pair of sunglasses...it isn't a status symbol or fashion accessory.

 

[AStone]

PS: I forgot to add the link for the Manix 2.

 

[floorit76]

I am an electrician. I USE my knife scores of times every day. One handed closing is extremely handy when you have a fist full of live wires and your hanging out of a bucket 30' in the air. There is nothing "status symbol" about my decision.

 

[JShirley]

Almost all of my folders are Spydercos. Only one of them, the G10 Polliwog, may take two hands to close without effort.

Most of my knife purchases recently have been from CutleryShoppe or Blade HQ. Use Nematocyst's link for information on the knife only- Spyderco doesn't want to undercut its retailers, so it's more expensive to buy directly from them.

Since I carry my M9 on my right side, and keep my keys and a few other things in my left front pocket, I carry my Translucent Manix 2 in my right rear pocket. When I did have a lightweight Native (Native 2), I didn't have any problem carrying it, and it very rarely left my pocket accidentally. I suspect something about the "square pocket" you carried it in is the culprit.

The Delica and Endura 4, and the Manix 2 and XLs, are absolutely incredible knives for the price. And they feel great. G10 is a composite, not a "plastic" but of course electricians are well aware of that. G10 is also considered by some experts to be the absolute best hard-use knife handle material in existence.

John

 

[floorit76]

I actually had no idea what really was. http://composite-laminates.com/g10.htm

The most versatile all-around laminate and composite, this grade is a continuous glass woven fabric base impregnated with an epoxy resin binder. It has extremely high mechanical strength, good dielectric loss properties, and good electric strength properties, both wet and dry. NEMA grades G10 and FR4 Glass-Cloth Reinforced Epoxy -- natural color is typically a yellowish to light green. The most versatile all-around laminate grades are continuous glass woven fabric impregnated with an epoxy resin binder. (Epoxy resins are among the most versatile and widely used plastics in the electronics field, primarily because water absorption is virtually nil, rendering it an outstanding insulator

But that still doesn't mean I like the way it feels. A friend told me a few years ago that Spiderco wasn't so much a knife company as it was a cult. I'm begining to see what he meant. They're all your fellas, I'll stick with what I have.

 

[Walking Dead]

"suspect something about the "square pocket" you carried it in is the culprit. "
My problem was never the pocket I carried it in as I only carried it in my front right. The problem was the stamped metal pocket clip sits in a small square pocket in the plastic scales. It's only retained by a sex bolt and can easily be twisted out of it by scraping your side against a work bench or table. The other Spydercos and all Benchmades are retained with torx screws and are much sturdier. I would not hesitate to buy another spyderco but never another native.

 

[JShirley]

Okay, I understand what you mean now. I agree that the clip is shaped a little differently than most other Spyderco's.

John

 

[22-rimfire]

I like the Spyderco Delica a lot. I have a couple Enduras that I use for work, but the smaller size fo the Delica works best for me for EDC. That and a SAK are in my pockets. I don't own a Benchmade knife, which doesn't mean they aren't good knives. It only means that I have been satisfied with what I have and not tired any of the Benchmade models.

 

[zhyla]

Okay, I understand what you mean now. I agree that the clip is shaped a little differently than most other Spyderco's.

Yeah, I've had some trouble from the Native clip. The squarish corners on the tip of the clip catch on things. A couple times I've had the clip bent a good 30 degrees. The Native 4 clip looks identical but has held up a little better. I haven't had this issue on any other Spyderco or my SOG knives. I've considered doing a little surgery on my Native to be able to add a wire clip like one of the Native models has.

 

[Manny]

I've used a mini griptillian 555 for EDC for the last 6 or 7 months and find it perfect for MY needs. It carries low and very securely in my pocket, is very easy to use one handed, holds a great edge and is the perfect size IMHO. The axis lock is also extremely solid yet easy to use. I'm so sold on it that I'm getting a spare to put back JIC anything ever happens to mine.

It's the most money I ever spent on a knife and well worth it IMHO.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

"The Way It Feels"

I actually had no idea what really was. http://composite-laminates.com/g10.htm

[ -snip- ]

But that still doesn't mean I like the way it feels. A friend told me a few years ago that Spiderco wasn't so much a knife company as it was a cult. I'm begining to see what he meant. They're all your fellas, I'll stick with what I have.

The way it feels is largely a function of how the material is finished.

It can be finished rough (which is common in knife handles) or it can be finished smooth -- almost glassy.

There's another composite used in knife handles, primarily by Buck Knives, called PaperStone. It is used, among other things, for counter tops and cutting boards. Pretty durable stuff.

Buck uses it for the handles of their new EcoLite series knives (the 110 and 112) and also in the Vantage series.

In the EcoLite series, the PaperStone is finished to a smooth, satin surface. Feels nice in the hand, goes easy on pocket fabrics.

In the Vantage series, it's finished rough -- almost sandpaper rough -- and, while it's very "grippy," it's also hard on pocket fabrics.

I don't know how to smooth that finish, but I know it can be done since I have the same material both rough and polished. If I ever mean to pocket carry the PaperStone Vantages, I'll have to mitigate that rough finish first.


This same thing applies to G-10.

Knife makers typically finish it rough for a better grip. I have a Kershaw Pack Rat, however that has less "roughness" in its finish -- it's still a bit rough, but not so much.

I wouldn't blow off a line of knives because one of the handle options feels wrong in my hands; instead I would look for designs using a different handle material.

Of course, if the aesthetics of the brand didn't appeal to me, I wouldn't bother shopping for one in the first place..

I don't own a single Spyderco. The aesthetics have never really appealed to me.

However, my sense of "aesthetic" has gradually changed as I've grown to understand what makes a good grind and what makes a good bevel and what attributes of a profile make for a good cutting tool. I'm beginniing to realize that Spyderco's blade shapes embody a lot of those attributes.

I still don't consider them "pretty" alongside my preferred brands, but while I don't lust after them, I'm gaining an appreciation for what they are.

Go with what you like -- it's hard to love a tool whose design you don't like -- but be willing to re-examine what you like about your tools as you rack up more miles on them.

I carry knives today that I shrugged off eight or ten years ago.

Those knives haven't changed, only my understanding has changed.

Allow your understanding to grow. It can take you more places if you do.

 

[Valkman]

AG is right, G10 or Micarta only feel rough because that's how the maker left it. It can be smoothed with sandpaper to whatever finish you desire, even glassy smooth. I don't like super-rough finishes myself but used to finish the handles of my Fighters with a 60 grit belt and then sandblast. Grippy without being overly so.

 

[jp9mm]

I have a Kershaw 'Needs Work'.(Dumb name) It is a great knife. High quality, quick opening, useful designed blade and grip. Can't say enough good about it. $40.00 My EDC.

Got the same one, very nice. tight lock up.

 

[conw]

"suspect something about the "square pocket" you carried it in is the culprit. "
My problem was never the pocket I carried it in as I only carried it in my front right. The problem was the stamped metal pocket clip sits in a small square pocket in the plastic scales. It's only retained by a sex bolt and can easily be twisted out of it by scraping your side against a work bench or table. The other Spydercos and all Benchmades are retained with torx screws and are much sturdier. I would not hesitate to buy another spyderco but never another native.

The new natives (not 3 but 4/5) have a regular spyderco clip/screw.

 

[Rail Driver]

I've got a S&W HRT out the front style spring assisted knife (no serrations).

It's lightweight, holds a good edge, and there's no risk of the knife closing on my fingers.

I've carried it every day (and used it most of those days multiple times) for the year and a half that I've had it.

I think I paid $30 for it.

 

[mdauben]

I live in Illinois but outside of Chicago. I don't think you have to worry about the blade size unless you are in Chicago and even then I believe the 3" and under restriction applies to those under 18 years of age. .

Actually, the 3" limit is specified in the state law, with no age exceptions. In Chicago, it's a 2.5" inch limit, or 2.0" if you are under 18.

When I lived in IL and worked in Chicago, I often carried "illegal" pocket knives (being ignorant of the law) with no problems, but I never gave an LEO a reason to search me. I could technically have gotten in a lot of trouble if for some reason I had ever been stopped.

 

[sigarms228]

Actually, the 3" limit is specified in the state law, with no age exceptions. In Chicago, it's a 2.5" inch limit, or 2.0" if you are under 18.

When I lived in IL and worked in Chicago, I often carried "illegal" pocket knives (being ignorant of the law) with no problems, but I never gave an LEO a reason to search me. I could technically have gotten in a lot of trouble if for some reason I had ever been stopped.

I am pretty sure that it is not illegal to carry a folded knife over 3" in Illinois but it is classified as a "dangerous weapon" and would be of concern if one used it to commit a crime.



"For IL statutes 24-1 (Unlawful Use of a Weapon) the blade length is not a factor nor mentioned in the statute. What the UUW statute addresses is "carries or possesses with the intent to use" regardless of blade length.
However, if a person for some reason finds themselves charged with armed violence then the penalty can be increased as an "aggravated offense" if the person is carrying a knife with a blade over 3", along with other named weapons."

 

[hso]

Buy both the Delica and Mini-grip and return which fits you the least.

That is unethical and unacceptable.