who likes benchmade?

[wiley sharp]

well, this may seem out of place in the spyderco forum, but just wondering... who llikes the benchmade? my personal opinion is that they just arent ever going to equal the Spyder, but you cant really nock the steel quality that they posess.... still, i think that they are really over-rated.

[wiley sharp]

Over rated/ over priced/ Underedged/ and they continue to struggle with being original. Example- what was or is their best inhouse designed knife? They seem to depend on the names of other makers instead of depending on their own designs.The balisong is what they used 2 do best and it's not really all that after taxes and what not.

"Sure you loaned it to your friend and when you got it back the tip was missing."

[vampyrewolf]

I've only been impressed by BM once, and I haven't bought it YET($$$)... that'll be the next knife I buy.

Looking at the LCC D/A, green scales... after that is the PE Military and PE Harpy... only going to have one "quality" knife that's not a spydie.

I find no reason to spend 3x more for less quality and QC. The LCC D/A is too sweet though...

We all start with 10 fingers. Those with Spydies have 9 to spare, Still need a thumb. Good thing I still have 8 to spare...

[sal]

Benchmade is a good company. They make good knives. They are an asset to the knife industry and certainly one of the top ten knife companies around. Every industry needs the "leaders" competing. That's what makes great products.

We're pleased to have companies like Benchmade to compete with.

When you look at the BIG picture, and the hundreds of knife companies in the world, making from POS product to top end product, Benchmade is one of the good ones.

They try hard to create and deliver good product. There are many companies that care little about the product they create. Better to seek out the Spyderco's and Benchmades, than be fooled by the tons of junk out there.

sal

[32055]

I really like Benchmade knives. As a matter of fact, it was my great appreciation of the 812, that led me to buy my first Spyderco knife. And the next one and....

[Gatekeeper]

I only have one... a 910 Stryker. Love it love it love it! Didn't love the price I paid for it though.
SAL... I salute you for saying good things about a rival blade company. It's apparent that you in fact own some BM knives! SHHH! I won't tell.

4 Out of 5 voices recommend playing with matches; the 5th one tells me to play with sharp things. The Gatekeeper

[John Frederick]

I like Benchmade alot, but its kind of funny that thier best design has a hole in the blade. LOL.

[sam the man..]

Ummmm I think of the BM AFCK as a &quot;nice knife&quot;. Its got a roundhole! Well oval now with an axis lock.. A wee bit overpriced though.. <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sam

have spydies will travel

[J Smith]

BM is a good knife I would probably be on thier web site know if I had gotten one of thiers first.but with a spydie being my first I got use to it and nothing feels as good to me know.
If I buy something from a company and really like it I usally stick with that company.Thats why I try to get as many people as I can, that have never had this type knife to go with spydies,they will stick with them.

Jeff

Edited by - J Smith on 11/11/2001 5:32:36 PM

[Alan2112]

I agree with what Sal said. Spyderco is my favorite manufacturer, while our mini-AFCK is my all time favorite knife. We have only one Benchmade, while we have half a dozen Spydercos. That's not to say I want be buying another BM, but Spydercos will always rule the roost! RKBA!

[shootist16]

I like them, but not as much as Spyderco. They can come so close to producing the perfect knife but then seem to always add something to mess it up. They finally make an Axis AFCK and even use D2 steel! But then offer it only with BT2 coating. Yuck!

Looks like I'll be sticking to Spyderco's. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

I do think that companies like Bechmade and Spyderco drive each other to better performance. Where would Spyderco or Benchmade be without each other?

http://www.theleadingedgeonline.com Your source for sport utility knives

[Joe Talmadge]

I agree with shootist's remark about companies like Benchmade and Spyderco driving each other to better performance. Both companies are leaders in the cutler industry without a doubt.

Spyderco's firsts are presumeably well-known to this board, but include the integral clip, round hole, popularization of zytel handles, custom collaboration, etc.

Benchmade has popularized some very important features as well. Their launch of the CQC7 &amp; AFCK is what exploded the tactical folder crazy among production companies, they are the ones who got companies looking at non-stainless-steels for folders again, they are the ones who made all folder companies re-think their high-end locks. Benchmade had some firsts, and just as importantly, they took some good ideas and productized them right to really explode the market.

I try not to think in terms of what is my favorite company, as this can lead to accepting a product from a favored company that I wouldn't from another. Although it's almost impossible, I try to judge each knife on its own terms. Among production companies, it's Spyderco and Benchmade who have the most products that I like, and in my view, they are constantly leapfrogging each other in terms of knife design and feature leadership.

Joe

[tique]

I'm also have to agree that BM and Spyderco make excellent products. I have owned and carried both. I have also owned knives from many other production companies, and these are two of the only three that I consider worth buying and using from both a price(not a big deal to me) and from a performance(very big deal to me) point of view.

Edit: Forgot what's in my pocket... I guess there is one other company whose knives I carry on a daily basis, my bad.

Edited by - tique on 11/11/2001 9:56:30 PM

[James Y]

I like and carry Benchmade knives. I also like and carry Spyderco's. In fact, my main EDC is almost always a Spycerco or a Benchmade, sometimes one of each. It depends on what mood I'm in as to which I will carry, i.e., which particular knife I want on me that day.

IMO, the friendly competition between Spyderco and Benchmade does indeed help both companies to continue to grow and develop. They are like two sides to the same coin of quality knife production. Liking the products of one is not a slight against the other.
Jim

[ronin203]

I like Allen Elishwitz's designs, and right now only benchmade makes them. As for the cost, I have seen Spyderco's for the same price. And benchmades quality is very good. Don't get me wrong, Spyderco is still my favorite,( I have about twelve of them), But I love my Benchmades too. I would like to see Spyderco do a collaboration with Allen Elishwitz or Greg Lightfoot. Also, a question for Sal, I saw a picture of a Emerson Commander prototype that had the Spyderco hole, any reason why that changed?

[akbell]

I do believe that the CQC7 was really and Emerson design, followed the CQC6. BM [icked up the option to &quot;mass produce&quot; them as opposed to Emersons hand built. Have an Emerson CQC7 and will put it up against anything out there! That said I own several Spyderco's, mostly because I can!

&quot;All war is deception&quot; Sun Tzu

[akbell]

I do believe that the CQC7 was really and Emerson design, followed the CQC6. BM [icked up the option to &quot;mass produce&quot; them as opposed to Emersons hand built. Have an Emerson CQC7 and will put it up against anything out there! That said I own several Spyderco's, mostly because I can!

&quot;All war is deception&quot; Sun Tzu

[RYAN]

Even I own a Benchmade. I have an Elishiwitz Tanto style blade. The blade is black and set in G-10 handles. Pretty little knife, but I have found it doesn't perform nearly as well as most of my Spyderco's. Doesn't hold an edge as well. It is a &quot;flash&quot; knife more than anything now. But even that will probably change once I invest in a Viele! Benchmade makes several good knives, but I will probably never buy another one again. Plus it is almost hypocrital to wear one.....considering where I work. <img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Edited by - RYAN on 11/12/2001 5:18:05 PM

[scolby]

Benchmade certainly has some attractive knifes and with their recent spate of mid-priced &quot;gent's&quot; folders and new fixed blades, they certainly are trying to cover all bases.

I think for many of us who have many knives and are constantanly trying out the latest and greatest, the emphasis is more about which pieces are truly outstanding rather than just good or even great knives.

Between Spyderco, William Henry and Microtech and a couple of custom knives, I just don't find myself keeping any of the Benchmade knives that come my way. The sole exception for me is the 940 (blue) which just has such an exceptional blade design and a great overall package that it is my one Benchmade keeper.



&quot;Chance favors the prepared mind&quot; - Louis Pasteur

Edited by - scolby on 11/12/2001 5:46:50 PM

[afee]

Front left pocket is my Chinook. Front right is my newish BM 730CFHS.

I like em both, as both have good designs made with high qc (in my dealings) followed by good customer service (of which i have had to use Spyderco's more frequently, go figure).

At the same time, both have the lemons of the line that don't do it for me. Buy what you like, and feel free to pass on the rest.

Edited by - afee on 12/26/2001 12:45:56 AM

[vlf_11]

If all you all like benchmade then i am sorry because they did nothing but copy spyderco. and that is a fact. they suck!

[Ashram]

Ignorance must be bliss.
Be not mistaken, BM knows their sh*t. ATS-34 blades, Titanium liner-locks, and G-10 scales, that is quality my friend. A different quality than spyders, but definately not lesser. I mean, i love and wear my CalypsoJr FRN, but i dont always want to carry a plastic handle lock-back. Mmm-kay?

[vlf_11]

yeah they maybe different but they did nothing but copy spyderco benchmades have no quality they have nothing but other knife companies ideas so they suck major d*ck.

[Ashram]

ok.

[scolby]

Well vlf_11, if you see fit to criticize others for a lack of imagination, then why don't you use your imagination and try to find some other ways to express your thoughts?

Your second post added nothing to your first.

"Chance favors the prepared mind" - Louis Pasteur

[bildrac]

I own numerous Benchmade products, in fact, I own knives from many of the major manufacturers (including Spyderco, EKI, Leatherman, SAKs from both Wenger and Victorinox, Case, Buck, Kershaw, Gerber, et cetera), and I love everyone of 'em! Right now I'm just a bit more Spyderco and EKI biased because of my Spyderco Moran and Gunting (and when they arrive at my local dealer, the Temperance Jr. and Perrin Bowie ;o), and my new EKI Commander and the Fred Perrin designed La Griffe.

[Formerly Nervous]

My only complaint with BM is price... it is my personal belief that they are still living the glory days of yester year when they were the difinitive production knife for defence and utility purposes in one... I remember some of the old fixed blades by BM and they were indeed exceptional. I am new here in fact this is my first posting.. most of my personal blades have been customs or BM... I purchesed my first spyderco just three days ago (a SS delica with plain edge) and i am IN LOVE!! It was purchased at a gun show, where i could hold and play with many and the Delica just endured to me in an unexplainable way...BM dosent make a knife for 40$... much less one that has the same feel and quality. I never believed i could own a knife that would actually replace some of my customs that cost less than a half a bill!! Im afraid that unless BM starts building knives on the same quality level as they currently do .. but at about half their current price.. they will loose alot of customers to Spyderco(actually im sure they already have). Its taken me almost 10yrs to convert.. but when all else is equil (more or less) money is usually the deciding factor.. and I actually feel like my delica is a better knife (for my hand) for much less the price than my AFCO. I think i will be picking up all the SS spydies. I love the weight, balance, and the solid feel.

[jay frew]

I own several Spyderco knives and I like them all but the blade that seems to find its way into my pocket most is my BM Pinnacle (model 750) mono-lock folder. The lock is solid and the combination of the titanium scales and 154cm blade material make it one tough working knife that has not let me down since I bought it (nearly two years).
Cheers! Jay

[ftkinney]

very intresting i just had a benchmade axis lock shipped to me when i was ording a spyderco i opened the box and was very surpried i belive it was the 710 (that was what it said on the blade) i thought the handle was very clean and well made and axis locked up like a valt yet was easy to realise. the stud is NOT the same as the hole, very clunky and i did not like the colors to much, black blade w/purple and black G-10 handles, not my style. the blade i have to say was very sharp, would easily cut arm hair. the blade might have been about 3mm like my harpy but did not seem as thick, the spine was has little bevel. over all a nice knife. i put it back in the box and e.mailed the company. seeing how i ordered a spydercard they were happy to make the switch i don't know the cost of the benchmade but i'm sure it was over the $20.00 or so for the spydercard.

FTK

[haji]

The LCC is a Microtech knife, not a Benchmade. Their Less than stainless steel&quot; blades are M2, not D2. However, they are a very well made knife, using top quality materials. The only thing they do that &quot;sucks&quot; is how they grind their serrations. They're way too far up into the blade. I have a Police Model that took 7 years of hard use to wear to where the BM's are to start. The Axis lock is a great design, but I'm wondering how much more they can do with it. Both Alan Elishewitz and Bob Terzuola have left the BM design team, which leaves Mel Pardue, Warren Osbourne and McHenry and Williams. None of these guys are really well known as &quot;tactical&quot; designers, so we'll have to wait and see where BM goes from here. I like BM's stuff, but I don't own one. I have 7 Spydercos, and its always one of them that I carry in the shop, day in and day out. Lately, its my new favorite Starmate.

Its all fun and games til somebody loses an eye, then its fun annd games you can't see.

[wiley sharp]

chris,(Vlf_11) (yeah, c'mon you guys, were practically brothers.) everyone, stop fighting.. O.K. all benchmade people on the right, all spyderco people on the left &gt<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>then we'll call the presidant and suggest that he make new busses and bathrooms for you people! I can see it now... signs that say, &quot;we don't accept poeple carrying BM&quot;...

I have a dream!!!

Spyderco or BUST!! youkon ho!!! yeah,yeah, yeah....

it's just a post, after all... an OLD post...
just forget I asked

Wiley:p

[zatoichi]

I LOVE Benchmade!!! Don't get me wrong, I Love Spyderco to, but Benchmade is ok in my book. I own an 812FSBT &amp; it is the hardest working knife I've ever seen in my life!!! I spend on average about $750/ year on knives.....yeah, i know....to much money, but I LOVE Knives!!!! And my benchmade hasn't let me down once either..... I also own a beautiful Benchmade serrated Titanium Balisong and it's as light as a feather &amp; as sharp as a razor! It's a quick opener 2, if you can open it quickly while being careful....I practice <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> But I also own quite a few spydercos...my fav is the merlin (harpy-blade). cuts thru anything...

[knifechic929]

Overpriced...but generally pretty good knives. I have heard complaints about some of the benchmades blade not holding an edge too well. Never heard that about any spydies. I like the designs that benchmade has to offer but I don't own any. Just cannot justify spending that much money on a production knife. I think I'd rather throw my money around on a custom.

You can never have too many knives...

[vlf_11]

I LOVE Spyderco!!! Don't get me wrong, I hate Benchmade to, but Spyderco is ok in my book. I own an 812FSBT &amp; it is the hardest working knife I've ever seen in my life!!! I spend on average about $750/ year on knives.....yeah, i know....to much money, but I LOVE Knives!!!! And my Spyderco hasn't let me down once either..... I also own a beautiful Spyderco serrated Titanium Merlin and it's as light as a feather &amp; as sharp as a razor! It's a quick opener 2, if you can open it quickly while being careful....I practice But I also own quite a few spydercos...my fav is the merlin (harpy-blade). cuts thru anything...

[Joyce Laituri]

IMO-Benchmade makes many wonderful knives and has several industry leading designs. I carry several (along with my Spyderco models of course). It helps also that Mel Pardue is my personal favorite custom-maker and they produce so many of his designs.

Quality comes where the effort is extended.

Joyce

[haji]

Joyce-well said. Benchmade uses very high end materials, and hold very close tolerances. That being the case, price will increase. This next year will likely prove to be a defining year for Benchmade, as Alan Elishewitz and Robert Terzuola are no longer on the &quot;design team.&quot; That leaves Mel Pardue, McHenry and Williams, and Warren Osbourne. Unless they pick up someone else, they seem to have abandoned the tactical end of the collaboration market. It should prove to be interesting to see what happens, as BM has leaned heavily on custom maker's designs, rather than having a small, diverse selection of collaborations as Spyderco has done.

Its all fun and games til somebody loses an eye, then its fun annd games you can't see.

Edited by - Haji on 12/1/2001 12:22:51 AM