Benchmade holes

[Rogcohen]

Just looking at the new benchmade knives
http://benchmadeforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/638106573/m/8361008152/p/1
I'm surprised at how many have the Spydie hole! The Bob Lum Benchmade looks nice and I like the Griptilian with the spydie hole, I just hope the "agreement" between the two companies is fair and equitable, and I really hope we see some Benchmade standbys come Spydie way (like a Spydie with an axis lock... drool...)
R

[Rogcohen]

Oh, just noticed there was a similar style thread. Sorry about that, just delete this if you want.
roger

[druid]

that's a good link though nice looking knife I have a full-size bob Lum encounter which has basically the same handle without the cutout for the liner lock very comfortable, too bad it has a fat butter knife like benchmade edge. all contributions to go to the evil Empire:p also as I think he said they're using a round hole on the grip as well. owner how long it will be until they abandon the thumb stud altogether.

[zenheretic]

Oh, just noticed there was a similar style thread. Sorry about that, just delete this if you want.
roger
Unless it is a really over the top post like pornography or racist propaganda; Spyderco doesn't delete threads. You can delete though.

[Th232]

Also surprised on the number of round holes they have. Seriously, the Grips have round holes now? Ok, if BM were using drills to make the holes, I could understand why they'd want to use a round hole instead of an oval one, but seriously, this feels like the start to a trademark challenge to me. Plain economics is out, plus, they're using what they've termed before an inferior opening method. Two dead-end reasons.

[rcbalt2]

I can honestly say that nothing in BM's line is interesting to me. Even with out the trademark infringement I wouldn't buy a Benchmade.

[swingshot]

Calling a folder Dejavoo does not help either...

[Jordan]

The only BM I've been really happy with was my balisong. And their new line of those I don't like too much (Morpho... sounds like a bad magician). I tried the Vex, and I didn't like the feel of it. I'd rather have spent my money on a spyderco. That one became a Christmas present to my dad (who carried it for like two days and then went back to his buck knife but doesn't want to tell me... sparing my feelings :p ), and to be honest... I didn't feel good about GIVING it away (the little something or another cut the bejeezus out of me the first time I closed it). I don't think BM will get anymore of my cash anytime soon, and it's not because of copyright infringement (although I think thats pretty pathetic... acknowledging the patent holder would have been enough, I mean, wouldn't more people have been attracted to a BM/Spyderco collaboration anyway?), and it's not because I think that the knives are inferior to Spyderco (well... I think the materials and craftsmanship are pretty comparable anyway, what I think about the design is completely subjective)... it's because I don't like to spend 60$ on a 40$ knife. Also, along that completely subjective line... I'm with rcbalt, there isn't a design in their catalog that I am real interested in. That could change, but even if it did, I'd probably buy the spyderco equivalent in size and composition because it'd save me a little cash.

The company does inspire some die hard enthusiasts, just as much as Spyderco does even... and the time or two I've perused their forums I've found them to be as well spoken and knowledgeable as the fine company I keep on this board... so they must be doing something right. I'll certainly not go so far as to say that they don't make a fine blade, just not the blade for this man's pocket. :)

[Rogcohen]

Well said Jordan. I have no problems giving Benchmade business, but I find I feel more loyal to Spyderco. Maybe it's because of this forum, maybe it's because Sal has personally responded to posts and seems to take an active interest in his clients, and probably in large part it's because I can count on Spyderco to frequently put out knives that peak my interest. I've only been collecting a year, and in that time Spyderco has come out with loads of great designs, the first production full ZDP blade, the waved knives and more sprint runs than you can shake a stick at. And Spyderco continues to look for new designs. I'm not sure I'll by one of the new rare earth magnet lock knives, but boy am I tempted, just sounds so cool! And I'll probably have to get a CF stretch and maybe some others...

I know there's been an agreement, and I therefore I don't have a problem with Benchmade using the hole, I just feel that the hole is Spyderco's identity, not Benchmade's, and Benchmade should focus on the things that are identified as "Benchmade," such as the great Axis lock. Seriously, some of the new Benchmade's look so much like Spyderco's to me with the hole (Pika think Endura, Grip think D'allara etc....) and when I see the knives, I don't think nice benchmades, I think of Spydercos.... Weird really.
Roger
Roger

[dedguy]

I'm sorry if this comes off a bit inflammatory but I feel I need to say something to someone about it.

A member on the forum mentions how he doesn't really like Spyderco because their designs are too "extreme" for him. He was very nice about how he said it and in no way was trying to say others suck for liking Spyderco. I think though he is a bit misinformed. He is probably far more aware of Spyderco's more innovative and "odd" models as they tend to get the most attention. Spyderco also has a very strong base of simple utilitarian blades with time tested and proven designs. The constant exploration of new ideas is just icing on the cake.

Benchmade for me has always been unappealing for the exact opposite reason. All their knives look the same essentially. They don't even seem to have much variety in terms of proven well known blade styles. Things like Warncliff, Sheepsfoot, Hawkbill, etc don't really seem to have a place in their line.

Oh, I was also surprised by the number of very negative reactions to the catalogue posted by members there.

[Rogcohen]

Oh, I was also surprised by the number of very negative reactions to the catalogue posted by members there.[/QUOTE]

I noticed that too and was a bit shocked. You brought up a good point. Benchmade's new line isn't that "exciting." Sure, there are some knives I might investigate further, but for the most part it's boring, where as Spyderco always seems to be coming out with exciting new knives or sprint runs. Not all of them appeal to me, but I'm not always the target market, and there is enough variety in knife type, locks and steels that there is always, and I mean always, a Spyderco knife in the works that I am looking forward too.
Roger

[Jordan]

You fellas couldn't have been that shocked... nothing has been said here or in any of the other BM related threads that hasn't been said before many, many times. Really, this run has been pretty tame compared to the vex posts.

Tell you what, get your spyderco catalog and white out the part where they acknowledge who owns the wave trademark... go show it to someone who really likes Emerson knives... and then see what a negative reaction REALLY looks like. :D

[Rogcohen]

You fellas couldn't have been that shocked... nothing has been said here or in any of the other BM related threads that hasn't been said before many, many times. Really, this run has been pretty tame compared to the vex posts.

Tell you what, get your spyderco catalog and white out the part where they acknowledge who owns the wave trademark... go show it to someone who really likes Emerson knives... and then see what a negative reaction REALLY looks like. :D

Sorry if I didn't explain right, I'm not shocked at the hole usage or reaction to the hole, I'm shocked because the reaction to the new lineup by the benchmade forum has been lukewarm. They're didn't seem impressed with the knives, and most aren't new, just minor modifications.

[Jordan]

Ah, makes sense. Well, the only new players they added to their lineup have already played their best games with another team... the response is bound to be pretty lukewarm. :p

[SoCal Operator]

I already posted in the General Discussion thread, so I'll just pop in here and ask Jordan to repeat what he said in post #8 every time a round hole-related BM thread is started. Your choice of words was perfect.

[Jordan]

Thanks man, means a great deal to me.

[dialex]

Also surprised on the number of round holes they have. Seriously, the Grips have round holes now? Ok, if BM were using drills to make the holes, I could understand why they'd want to use a round hole instead of an oval one, but seriously, this feels like the start to a trademark challenge to me. Plain economics is out, plus, they're using what they've termed before an inferior opening method. Two dead-end reasons.
Indeed, remember how they were claiming "once you go oval, you never go round"? I really dislike this way of conducting a business. This is one main reason why - despite the fact BM makes some fine knives, I don't intend to get any of them :mad: