If you are into hunting, fishing or other outdoor activities, you probably have a pocket knife in your tool kit…
And when it comes to the top pocket knife brands, Spyderco and Benchmade are two of the biggest brand names in the world…
Being two of the best in the knives business, these two brands are often compared to one another in terms of quality and usefulness…
Both of these brands have similar product lineups and decades of knife-making experience because they were founded around the same time…
However, apart from a few similarities, there are many major differences between the two knife brands…
People looking for a pocket knife might get confused between the Spyderco vs Benchmade war…
However, by knowing what sets these brands apart, you can easily pick the one that fits your style and needs…
So if you are trying to choose between the Spyderco and Benchmade knives, keep reading…
This article will explain the key differences between the two pocket knife brands.
Top 7 Spyderco & Benchmade Knives!
A Brief History Of Spyderco And Benchmade
Before we jump into the comparison between Spyderco and Benchmade, it is best to learn a little about their origins.
Spyderco was formed in 1978, while Benchmade started its operations a few years later, in 1981.
Benchmade got its name to emphasize the craftsmanship that goes into making their knives.
On the other hand, Spyderco pioneered the punched hole design in the pocket knife blades for easy opening.
Spyderco operates out of Golden, CO, while Benchmade is headquartered in Oregon City.
Spyderco Vs Benchmade – What Are The Major Differences?
Now that you know the brief history of the two brands, it is time to get to the major differences between Spyderco vs Benchmade knives.
Here are the key differences you should know about:
Manufacturing Locations
Both Spyderco and Benchmade knives are manufactured in completely different places.
Spyderco has manufacturing facilities in the US, Japan, Italy, China and Taiwan.
On the other hand, Benchmade manufactures a bulk of their knives right here in the US, with less than 10% of the manufacturing done in other countries.
Opening Mechanism
One of the biggest differences between the knives of the two manufacturers is how they are opened.
Spyderco pocket knives are known for their distinct hole in the blade that allows users to open the knife easily.
On the other hand, Benchmade uses a thumb rest as the opening method. Both of the opening aids have their benefits.
It boils down to the personal preference of the buyer, whether they want to use a blade hole design or a thumb rest design.
Price Point
One major difference between Spyderco and Benchmade knives is the price. Both manufacturers have high-quality knives; however, Spyderco offers lower prices.
On the other hand, Benchmade is notorious for its knife prices starting at around $100.
Since Spyderco outsources knife manufacturing to various countries, it can drastically reduce production costs.
And the cost savings reflect in the lower prices of the Spyderco brand.
On the other hand, Benchmade has to bear higher labour costs because they manufacture in the USA hence the higher price point.
Locking Mechanism
Another key difference between the two reputed knife brands is how their knives lock into place.
One major issue with pocket knives is that if they close at the wrong time when used, they can cause severe damage to the fingers of the person holding the knife.
Spyderco and Benchmade use different locking mechanisms to keep the users’ fingers safe from unintentional closing.
Spyderco uses a compression lock system (on many of their designs) similar to the liner locks used in some pocket knives.
On the other hand, Benchmade uses an axis lock mechanism (on many of their designs) that uses springs to hold the blade in place.
These mechanisms are reliable ways of locking a pocket knife in place. However, they both have different feels and ways of engaging and disengaging the lock.
Warranties
Both Spyderco and Benchmade knives come with warranties; however, the scope of warranty by both brands varies.
Spyderco knives come with a lifetime warranty, and they will outright replace the knife if it has any defects, such as poor craftsmanship, damaged on arrival, or material quality issues.
Benchmade knives also come with a lifetime warranty, and they will even repair a knife if it gets damaged by the user.
The great thing about Benchmade is that they will repair the damaged knife even if the user’s fault caused it.
In addition to warranties, Spyderco will also sharpen your knives for free and also offer repair services.
You can also get your Benchmade pocket knife laser marked directly from the brand at affordable prices.
Design And Aesthetics
For some people, a knife is just a cutting tool, while for others, a knife is a way to make a style statement.
If you care about the design and aesthetic appeal of the knife, then you will find significant visual differences between Spyderco vs Benchmade knife brands.
Benchmade makes pocket knives the old-fashioned way with straight handles and a rectangular design.
The rectangular design of these knives is carried throughout the majority of the brand’s product line.
So if you are into the traditional pocket knife look, then Benchmade knives will suit your taste.
Spyderco knives have fewer straight handles and offer more ergonomic handles with grooves for better grip.
Spyderco knife blades also have a hump near the spine to make room for the hole. So you will find them more modern looking with unconventional design features.
While Spyderco knives do carry more design features, they are surprisingly lightweight.
Every knife by Spyderco is properly balanced, so the additional design features don’t impact the functionality of the knife.
Top 7 Spyderco & Benchmade Knives!
Benchmade Vs Spyderco – Final Thoughts
Spyderco vs Benchmade debate goes back many decades in the knife enthusiast community.
Both brands have their own distinct brand images, and their knives offer a distinct feel.
While both manufacturers make pocket knives, their designs, prices, and operating mechanisms are different from each other.
You can’t go wrong with buying knives from either company. At the end of the day, it all comes down to the preference and individual taste of the person who’s buying the knife.
As always, if you want to get the authentic knife experience, then make sure you buy it from the official source.