spyderco, benchmade, or gerber??

[spyder_dude007]

I am thinking about buying a spyerco knife but am also considering benchmade or gerber knives. this knife is for boy scouts...what should i do???!~!~!~?!~?!~?

[J Smith]

BM is a good knife,Spyderco is better,Gerber used to be a good knife but lately along with some others(not only knife companies) are relieing on a name to sell crap.

JEFF

[Zabrewolf]

Spyder_dude007,

Different knives for different people. Does this scout have the basics of quality tool care and appreciation down? If so (my strong opinion) dump the Gerber idea all together. For a person that will care for and appreciate a quality knife, Gerber is a waste of money.

If the person is still learning, Gerber may be a good start. If you loose it, who cares. When it fails you, there are lessons learned. And we learn from repetition, constantly resharpening the Gerber will drill these lessons home.

For a more knowledgeable scout I say <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> or BM, tied for top slot. The tie breaker is what you want the tool to do and which of the <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> or BM selections fit the need and price best for you.

If you have some specific uses in mind I would be glad to offer selections I think might fit (so would about a dozen other <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>freaks). (Also, Victorinox is still a good all round scout type knife)

[45rook]

I agree with Zaberwolf, stick with <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> or BM. For a Boy Scout who does camping and outdoors I would say if you go Benchmade: Nimravus, Nimravus cub, River and Rescue, or the Outbounder for fixed blades. Folders: AFCK, AFCK II, TSEK, Ares,Griptillian, Stryker, 690,or 94x series would be great for a boy scout.
If you go spyderco: Fixed: Fred Perrin, or Bob Lum fixed Tanto. Folders: The Chinook! You cant go wrong with that. Its heavy and will take anything a boyscout can throw at it. The Military, Police and Endura great all around EDCs, easy clean up, and great for the outdoors. So I hope that helps a little. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
If you want a multitool, try a Leatherman, and dont forget to send him off with a surefire tactical light. The knife and light combo goes with the moto always be prepared.
Heck if you really want to spoil the kid get him a Benchmade and a Spyderco...then let him choose which one he likes best. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> If hes smart he will pack'em both.

[SpyderNut]

Many wise suggestions here, Spyder_Dude. If I were you, the first thing I'd do is find a knife that fit my hand comfortably, and was in my price range. Don't just go and buy a Benchmade (or Spyderco, for that matter) and find out later that you only bought it for its &quot;name&quot; or brand. I've had a lot of experience with Gerber knives, and as the others have mentioned, they are an OK knife IF you are intending to use it for light to medium work. Otherwise, you will be sorely dissapointed when that Gerber blows apart on ya' when you need it most. For a decent Boy Scout knife, I'd go with the following: (In this order)

1. Native (SE)
2. Delica (50/50)
3. Endura (50/50)

These are just a few of the many different Spyderco models that you could choose from. However, the models mentioned above are readily affordable to just about anyone, and are a pretty hard-working knife for what you spend for them. (Price range of $40 to $60 bucks).

Look at a couple of knives before you buy. Make sure your hand likes the knife too.<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Good luck, lad.

Mike

[joebe]

how about a SAK ???

[Sword and Shield]

As a multitool, I like Gerber. For anything else (read: folders), Gerber is strictly destined for the trash. Their mechanisms are unreliable, and their steel is subpar, both in my opinion.

Keepin' it real...real sharp, that is.

[GronK]

It always amazes me how negative folks are about Gerber. I own several, and they are decent, serviceable knifes with a lot of good steel for the money. Hey, I'm a big Spyderco fan and like BM as well, but for a scout it's hard to imagine something better than a Gator in ATS-34. If y'all can give me some specific instances of Gerber failures please do.

Just 'cause yer paranoid don't mean someone ain't out ta getcha

[sc_rebel1957]

Gronk i dont think were really trashing Gerber knives, but most of em are made in a 420 type steel which will not stand up to much hard work. And yes i know they have a model using ATS-34 but for the price you can get a Delica or Endura that wont fail you when the chips are down. I still use a old model GATOR when im fishing and cutting bait, but as in everything this is just my opinion and everyone has their own..Ron

[knifepunk]

hey J Smith let me tell ya the only crap i see about gerber is what ur talkin. i got a couple new gerbers and there very good knives. handle great and keep a hell of an edge. especially the harsey air ranger.

Edited by - knifepunk on 7/8/2002 3:32:35 AM

[Zabrewolf]

GronK,
The reasons I don't like Gerber is their loss of quality sense being bought by Fiskers. In the early-mid 80s they were one of the top makers to me. Around 92-93 I noticed their stuff was starting to degrade. I switched to the Gerber multi-tool thinking their design had some improvements over Leatherman. I went through 3 of their multi-tools because of rusting and snapped tools in less then a year. Switched to a SOG paratool and that held well. Later I switched to Victorinox Swiss tool and have had no complaints. I tried the EZ Outs, wasn't that impressed with them but thought a good starter knife. Then a friend drops one and the first 1/2' to 1' breaks off. Not going there anymore. A few years later (it was last month) I'm talking to this guy that works at a hardware store and says they use the EZ Out for opening boxes and then breaking them down and they routinely break a blade. They just defect it out and take a new EZ Out off the shelve. I have seen and heard of the Chameleon locking system jamming up for no discernible reason.

I've had and witnessed too many bad experiences, with Gerber to trust them any more. And it is a shame because two of my most prized knives in the collection are Gerbers. The Mark I, I carried in Desert Storm, and the Mark II a friend gave me.

I don't know others beefs with Gerber but those are mine.

[J Smith]

What I am talking about is the quality has drop alot in the past several years and seems to be continueing to do so.I have had old Gerber models and the new ones while maybe not crap seem like it compared to the old ones.Alot of others are the same Case,Buck,and Old Timer.As the easy out goes that was my last dealings with Gerber,it did not hold an edge for more than 3 or4 Med cuts,The clip was the biggest problem with bending out just from being in the pocket.Took it back to Wal Mart,I must not have been the only person haveing trouble with it.The guy in sporting goods showed me what looked to be a pile of about 5 or 6 in the bottem of the disply that were all brought back.

JEFF

Edited by - J Smith on 7/8/2002 9:48:51 AM

[Franco G]

I would agree with 45rook. Certainly, I would add a SAK, say Victorinox Ranger or Handyman.

Franco

A story of the country of a thousand islands (http://islands.zems.fer.hr/index.html), a saga of seduction to which few have proved resistant...

[James Y]

If you go Spyderco or Benchmade, there are too many good choices. For an outdoor/camping type knife, Benchmade has nice fixed blades...the folders I can mention that will work great are the Griptilians. There are others more expensive and better looking but the Grippies cut up there with the best of them, and they aren't too expensive but are great quality.

Spyderco has the Chinook (don't have one), Military, Endura, etc.

You really have to examine the knives first and see if it will suit you. I love both Spyderco and Benchmade knives. I've carried my plainedge 550 Griptilian daily for one year now, and have only good things to say. I have the other Griptilians too, but the 550 is always on me.

I find a good cutting combo for me is the plain Griptilian 550 and the new VG-10 Endura with full serrations. I love BM's 440C steel, and so far the VG-10 is living up to its excellent reputation.
Jim

[CKE]

Hey spyder_dude007
I would definetly go with the newer ATS-55 Delica. My first Spyderco was the old style Delica 50/50 edge. I am assuming that this knife would be for a child? A Delica will take anything a youngster will throw at it. I am not familiar with the steel as I do not own a knife with ATS-55. But Learning good sharpening skills when you are young is a good thing to know. Maybe a Calypso Jr. with the VG-10. I have been carring that one around for about two months and just love it. Abit pricey if it were to be lost though. I haven't really been looking at the BM lately. But they are good knives too!
Good luck!
CKE