need a new knife...Benchmade?

[Bhi curamach]

Hello, I'm positive this is on here but my Kindle Fire WILL NOT allow me to type in the search drop down bar. Don't know why, not the first time its happened either.
At any rate, I seem to have lost my 12 or so, year oldSpyderco stainless full serrated knife.
It was a gift so I did not choose that particular design.
It worked great as an everyday carry though. Ive heard some people snickering about the full serrated blade but again, gift. Seems to cut stuff fine though.
Id like a replacement. This time on my own dime unfortunately.
Ive always been intrigued by Benchmade, again, unsure why but there it is.
Thoughts? Recommendations? I have a Cabelas and local hiking/climbing/etc store available so that's where Id most likely be purchasing from.
The Internet is always an option of course but I suspect there's no point. Unlikely to be cheaper and will have to wait longer..Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Knife is strictly everyday carry/general use with mild outdoor duty's as needed.
Like I forget my fishing/hiking specific blades....it happens more than Id like.
Thanks!

 

[Madcap_Magician]

My two favorite online knife dealers are gpknives.com and newgraham.com.

Both have excellent prices and service, with a slight price and selection edge to gpknives.com. The price will be substantially better at either than at Cabelas.

I just double-checked a quote on a Benchmade Griptilian, which is probably one of the most popular and common Benchmade models. $115 on sale at Cabelas, $80.50 at gpknives.com, where shipping is usually $5 or so.

GPknives.com and newgraham.com sell below Benchmade's dealer pricing scheme, so they are not allowed to advertise their prices (at least, if they want to keep stocking Benchmade knives). So you have to call or get an e-mail quote.

My favorite Benchmade folding knife (besides the BM 32, 42, and 51 balisongs) is probably the 710. Elegant and functional.

EDIT: Since you're buying it, I would go for the plain edge. I think combo edges are the worst of both worlds, but a sharp plain edge (And Benchmade's factory edge is not shabby) can do anything a serrated edge can do and are easier to sharpen.

 

[MarshallDodge]

You can't go wrong with a Benchmade and the Griptillian is a good choice. I have carried a
Mini Griptillian for 9 years. The Lifesharp service is excellent.

 

[Valkman]

I got a Griptilian a few months ago and love it. Tough and strong, and you can get a partially serrated blade if you want.

 

[Ivy Mike]

Benchmade is overpriced for an everyday knife.

Lots of people love them though. I carry knowing that for most cutting jobs, a razor is better. If you want a folder for cutting and defense, don't spend too much especially if it might benefit you more to lose the knife rather than try to hang on to it.

 

[shappa357]

I agree that gpknives.com and newgraham.com are excellent dealers.
The wait for a knife from them wont be long at all.
Benchmade makes a lot of fine knives. I have the mini-grip and one of the osborne designed knives...the 943.

 

[hso]

You are likely to pay more from a brick and mortar operation for a Benchmade because of Benchmade's pricing structure to retailers. You probably would pay less for another Spyderco.

Both companies make outstanding knives, but if you were happy with a Spyderco for 12 years I'd recommend finding an updated version of your old friend that went wandering.

You haven't said what the upper limit on price is so we don't know how to bound the range of knives for you.

 

[lemaymiami]

Can't comment on Spyderco since I've never owned one. I only have one Benchmade and it's been very durable under tough conditions ( I work as a fishing guide mostly in the saltwater portions of the Everglades....) where it's an important safety factor for me. The one time I contacted Benchmade for parts (the tiny screws that hold the pocket clip on my model) they were absolutely outstanding. Can't say enough good things about their service from that one contact.

Take your time, get a look at several manufacturers and pick the blade that suits your lifestyle and usage patterns.... I also have an Al Mar, and an old Henckel - but each serves a different purpose.... all are in the daily carry/serious utility category for me.

 

[50 Shooter]

Look at the Kershaw Blur, still made in the USA and finding one on eBay is easy.

 

[floorit76]

You can find Benchmade 940's on ebay for $140. IMHO, it is well worth the extra few bucks over a griptilian. They are much higher at retail though.

 

[Yo Mama]

I love my Benchmades. Great knife.

 

[Double_J]

I have only used a benchmade one time, good knife but not worth the extra money in my opinion. I had a spyderco delica 2 for about 3 years and loved it, it cut EVERYTHING I threw at it, kept a sharp edge and had great factory support. It went overboard when I was fishing and had to cut a rope wrapped around the prop of the boat so I can not say how long it would last.

The benchmade was nice but did not balance the same, the steel felt "rough" when I was sharpening it. I was using a lansky style sharpener and worked through several stones and never got the same "smooth" feel that the spyderco had when running it through the process. I don't have the experience of years of use/abuse to vouch for how long the edge stays, how it holds up, etc. but a lot of people seem to like them.

My personal carry knife right now is a cheap kershaw vapor (made in china). It is smooth to open, easy to sharpen, and holds the edge well. I don't know about the warranty side of things because I have not needed to contact them yet.

Should the worst happen I would have no problem buying a spyderco, kershaw, or if I got a deal on it a benchmade.

 

[floorit76]

I don't think we should tun this into Benchmade vs Spyderco, since he asked specifically about Benchmade.

 

[hmphargh]

Since you said that you were by Cabela's, I would suggest the Cabela's exclusive Mini-grip in D2. You can buy it in Black or OD with a plain or partially serrated blade for $99. Cabela's link

 

[50 Shooter]

I dont think its a this knife vs. that knife, he asked a question and guys are offering different options.

 

[Bhi curamach]

Hey thanks for all the replys!
Ill clear up a few things, knife not really used for defenestration's but any port in a storm if it came to that.
I'm looking at those web sites that were mentioned. I had no idea they could be cheaper.
As far as this versus that, no not really what I meant. Well I do appreciate straight edged vs serrated thoughts but Ive kinda got a good idea on how that works already....
Price? Had not really got that far yet, maybe top out at $150 pre tax but less is always better
Again, thanks for the help so far, I wont be replacing this thing for a few more days(I'm hoping it will wander back again..) so if you've read this far and want to add anything feel free.

 

[Pilot]

Offerings from Benchmade, Spyderco, and Kershaw in the same price range will be pretty similar in quality and performance with a maybe a slight edge in value for Kershaw

I used to be a pretty committed Benchmade guy. They make some really nice knives, and then I found the Zero Tolerance line which is made by Kershaw. Some are a bit more expensive, but really nice, strong knives.

 

[hhersh]

......I own a Benchmade AFCK folder that is not only beautiful but is my favorite knife out of the 200 or so knives that I own. It has stayed sharp and without cosmetic blemish for about 15 years that I have had it. I whole-heartedly recommend Benchmade...Harold

 

[Centurian22]

First on the search: I have the same prob from my smartphone, try going to the 'advanced search' link, it works for me.

Second: Benchmade? YES 100% absolutely yes. I have a Benchmade 'Mel Pardue' design griptillian (154cm model number I think) half serrated, tanto tip, black coated blade. I've had it for 5 years so far. It is by far the best knife I have ever owned in all possible ways. The axis locking mechanism is the strongest, easiest (with very little getting used to mostly breaking old habits / muscle memory from other type locks), and fastest locking mechanism I've ever seen. By fast I mean faster than some to most assisted opening knives. The only thing I was concerned about when I bought it was the plastic handles and edge holding up to my daily use / abuse (I work on a boat 242 days out of the year). I was afraid of paying $120 for a knife but it has not let me down in the least! Still razor sharp dispite the many things I've cut with it, the plastic handles have barely a scratch on them, the blade coating has held up well with only a couple scratches itself. The most show of wear is on the finish of the belt clip. At some point I plan to send it in for a servicing and re-sharpening (I believe its only $5-$10 possibly plus shipping) just to bring it back to like new condition. Definitely do some research into their many models to find what will suit your purpose the best.

Good luck and enjoy your new knife.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

The Spyderco equivalent of the Griptilian would be the Delica, and it can be had for $25-30 less. Quality is the same, but the Delica is thinner and lighter if that matters.

 

[Pilot]

I also think the Spyderco Manix II is in the Griptilian class, and I like the Manix II better, and yes I do have both.

 

[ugaarguy]

The Delica and Endura are very nice knives, but they're not equivalent to the Griptilian. The Manix 2 has the same blade steel (154cm), and it's Ball Bearing Lock is much more comparable to Benchmade's Axis Lock than the lock back of the Delica / Endura.

Back in June at The Blade Show Eric Glesser told me that they (Spyderco) would soon be switching the Manix 2 to a full flat grind S30V blade (like the Manix 2 XL), and not increasing the price. As soon as soon happens I'll be jumping all over a Manix 2, because that will be a tremendous value.

 

[hso]

I consider the Native as being the Gripi equivalent, but it is interesting that Spyderco makes several knives in the same niche as the Gripi.

I own a few Benchmades, but I used my Spydercos and Kershaws.

 

[rcmodel]

Same here.
I own 4 benchmades, 3 Spiderco's, 1 CRKT, and 1 Kershaw.
I carry an old AFCK all the time.

But Benchmade has priced themselves out of my income bracket with the nicer stuff in the last few years.

Plan to add a Kershaw Leek, and probably a Blur in the near future.


I guess the Griptilion is not that expensive, but I can buy a pair of Kershaws for nearly the same money, and they are a lot of good knife for the money.

rc

 

[bikerdoc]

I had no idea they could be cheaper.

Enjoy the search.
Try www.bladehq.com for lots of top brands