spyderco or benchmade

[desert gator]

I am looking to get a new folding carry knife, just a three inch blade. Which out of these two companies would you guys recommend?

 

[Yossi]

I can tell you that my Benchmade Osborne with D2 steel is a great pocket knife. It's well made, thin and opens instantly with either hand without using a spring. I really like it a lot.

 

[10-Ring]

I have a couple from both Spyderco & Benchmade. I prefer the Benchmades

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

There is no answer to this question. Although I'm a Spydernut, I have to just tell you to go out and handle as many different ones as you can. That's really the only way to find out what will work for you.

 

[eldiabloe1]

I couldn't make up my mind so I have them both. I have a Spyderco Polywog for dress and a Benchmade Osborne 950 for weekends. I love the Axis lock but the roller lock on the Polywog is stout.

 

[hso]

You're going to get a lot more variety in that blade length from Spyderco. They've made a conscious effort to provide knives in the 3" and under range.

But, consider that the two opening systems are very different and you may find that one or the other is just that much more convenient for you that the choice is simple.

So, handle items from both companies and decide for yourself.

 

[Javelin]

Both are great companys. I do however feel that Benchmade is higher quality. Probably just marketing.

 

[bikerdoc]

have both - due to my current condition I find the Spyderco Native and Endura fit my needs better at this time

 

[TimboKhan]

I have both, but my Griptilian is the 550 model with the hole, so in that regard it's not a whole lot different.

I am a Spyderco fan, but my limited experience with the Grip has taught me that Benchmade makes a darn good knife. Still, in the end, I find that my Endura rides in my pocket more often than anything else does, and I still think that the Native is about the best buy around.

 

[MutinousDoug]

I would not recommend a Spyderco knife to anyone who knows how to sharpen their own knife. That being said, they come from the factory adequately sharp and are a good deal for those who don't know how to do this and they have a sharpening policy to fix the knives you send back to them. They are OK for 90% of what most people put their knives through.
There are better knives at that price point if you are willing to put some effort into it.

 

[alaskanativeson]

I've retired a LOT of excellent knives to carry my Benchmade Doug Ritter Mini-Griptilian. The Axis lock is what did it for me. It's so smooth it's almost unbelievable. I have several Spydercos I like including a Native, a Terzoula custom, and a Centofante 3. All are now sitting in a drawer. The Benchmade even has my small Sebenza collecting dust.

I can't say there's anything wrong with the Spydercos. They are really good knives, and Sal (the owner) is a quality gentleman. The smooth quality of the Benchmade has won me over, though.

 

[BCCL]

I've got some from both companies, but my Benchmades far outnumber my Spydercos.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Benchmade and the Axis lock pretty much blow everything else away.

Haven't even looked at another Spyderco since I got my first Benchmade about 3 years ago---and this is coming from a guy who carried an Endura daily for nearly 10 years.

 

[JShirley]

I've had one Benchmade.

I'm not sure how many Spydercos I've had. Twenty, maybe?

John

 

[auschip]

Just like anything else it comes down to individual preference. I recently traded my only folding Spyderco, because the ergonomics weren't right for me. They might be a good fit for you though.

Just to muddy the waters even further, you might also look at Emerson knives. They have just about replaced my Benchmades for EDC.

 

[Limeyfellow]

Benchmade is probably the better quality, but you are going to pay for it. You can usually get a nib Spyderco from Ebay or a store sale for far cheaper. The Benchmade Mini Griptilian will do you just fine, and has a great locking mechanism, however, I still prefer the design of the Spyderco Delica and Enduras. I just like the bigger thumb ramp and jimping it gives me. Either does really well.

 

[CWL]

Both companies have consistently high ratings by users and collectors.

Get the one you like best or fit your price point.

I find that Benchmade makes some "dressier" knives more suitable for the office place, while Spyderco has more rugged designs using FRN and other composites.

 

[Vermonter]

After having the lockback spring fail in my Spyderco Persian I just can't trust them 100% anymore. Also the Spydie hole is a bit hard to operate with gloves on. I'm currently carrying a cheap Buck Nobleman. It's a framelock with a thumb stud. $18 shipped from Ebay. Nice quality for twice that money. When finances get a bit better I'd like to try a Benchmade or an Emerson.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Not to hijack, but due to this thread I just ordered my first benchmade, the mini griptilian in a smooth edge satin finished blade.

Thanks! .. I think..

 

[alaskanativeson]

Good choice. I now have 4 mini-grips. Two with 154CM blades (one with thumb stud, one with thumbhole) a D2 from Cabelas, and the S30V Doug Ritter version. All have plain edged blades, the Cabelas and Ritter have black blades, the 154CM have satin blades. All are great knives.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

This one (pardue?) is listed as 154cm blade.
I am no metallurgist, what this this mean in terms of sharpening and holding an edge? I was looking at so many of them on-line over the last few days that were D2 or SV30 (tool steel?). I honestly missed this detail when I made the purchase, my bad.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Found this in a Google search of 154cm knife blades

154CM knife steel: This is a high carbon steel with 1.05% carbon. It also contains about 14% chromium. Many people consider 154CM knife steel to be “super steel”, if you find the older stock. 154CM is not a standard grade designation, rather a manufacturers trade name. 154CM steel is similar to 440 C. 154CM steel has fair corrosion resistance and a very good edge holding ability, especially on knives for heavy cutting.

 

[Jeff]

I like Spyderco better. I have a BM 710-- with the original M2 blade. It's a nice knife, but I have abandoned it since I acquired my Police w CF handle about 6 yrs ago. Spyderco has far more designs and purposes. Their knives are more utilitarian. Plus Benchmade has all those ugly knives with the flame shaped G2 inserts and other sophomoric features.

I'm certainly not sold on BM's quality control being any better than Spyderco's. Spyderco's is superb. I have purchased many of their blades, having given away most of them as gifts. The 710 I own has some fit and finish issues. There is also considerable blade play; if I tighten it up then it becomes too difficult to open. To be fair, I've heard many times BM has improved their quality control considerably.

In summary, Spyderco, IMO, just makes more practical utilitarian knives with a ton of character and superb quality control, especially on their lockbacks, which I love. BM makes a fine knife,too, with their great Axis lock. (Don't care about liner locks on either brand.)

I would like to see BM go back to their roots and make more down to earth, practical, Emersonian designs, while keeping with their improved QC standards.

 

[Piedmont Plinker]

Kershaw
Seriously, any one of those will serve you well.

 

[MadMercS55]

I grew up with Benchmades and generally prefer them over most anything else. I have owned alot of Spyderco pieces over the years too, and some were nicer than others, but I find more consistant quality from Benchmade as a whole. I've had more Spydercos with blade play, lockup issues and other little things than BM. But both companies have had their ups and downs in QC over the years. These days I'd imagine you'd be well served by either one.