Thread: Knives - A Question for you Benchmade Fans

I really don't know a whole lot about knives, but I do carry one everyday, and I have for years. A couple years back when I decided it was time for a new, nicer knife than the Gerber I had, I did a bit of research and wound up with the Spyderco Para Military. I got the plainedge one FWIW.

I can't say enough good things about it. Not having any other higher-end knives to compare it to, I don't know if it fits your bill specifically, but for me it's holding up very very well and I love it. At first the liner lock was tricky to get used to, but now I can very easily and very very quickly open and close the knife with one hand, and that's the only way I operate it. None of my fingers (or thumb) are ever in the way of the blade during opening/closing, and my lock has never failed or appeared as if it were close to failing. I thought I remembered back when I was researching the whole topic that the liner locks are actually stronger and more reliable? Or maybe that's just the opinion of some folks. Anyway, on the spyderco, the large thumb hole makes it very easy to open and close the blade with your thumb, and is big enough to quickly and easily locate it and have instant and complete control of the blade as you are removing the knife from your pocket. I've handled a number of the new assisted open knives, which seem to be growing popularity, and to be honest, I just don't like them. I'm as fast or faster opening mine, and with the thumb hole, I have complete control of my blade the whole time (including the instant it's actually opened/locked), whereas I don't have that feeling with the assisted opening.

Anyway enough rambling from someone who really doesn't know his knives as well as these other guys! Good luck with whatever you get!

Originally Posted by pjrage

I really don't know a whole lot about knives, but I do carry one everyday, and I have for years. A couple years back when I decided it was time for a new, nicer knife than the Gerber I had, I did a bit of research and wound up with the Spyderco Para Military. I got the plainedge one FWIW.

I can't say enough good things about it. Not having any other higher-end knives to compare it to, I don't know if it fits your bill specifically, but for me it's holding up very very well and I love it. At first the liner lock was tricky to get used to, but now I can very easily and very very quickly open and close the knife with one hand, and that's the only way I operate it. None of my fingers (or thumb) are ever in the way of the blade during opening/closing, and my lock has never failed or appeared as if it were close to failing. I thought I remembered back when I was researching the whole topic that the liner locks are actually stronger and more reliable? Or maybe that's just the opinion of some folks. Anyway, on the spyderco, the large thumb hole makes it very easy to open and close the blade with your thumb, and is big enough to quickly and easily locate it and have instant and complete control of the blade as you are removing the knife from your pocket. I've handled a number of the new assisted open knives, which seem to be growing popularity, and to be honest, I just don't like them. I'm as fast or faster opening mine, and with the thumb hole, I have complete control of my blade the whole time (including the instant it's actually opened/locked), whereas I don't have that feeling with the assisted opening.

Anyway enough rambling from someone who really doesn't know his knives as well as these other guys! Good luck with whatever you get!

These look like great knives. I carry a Spyderco Navigator and love it, but I'm looking for something only slightly larger. The Military is way bigger than what I'm after.

Edit: I just noticed you said Para Military. That blade might be worth looking at for me.

Jordan

Originally Posted by pjrage

I really don't know a whole lot about knives, but I do carry one everyday, and I have for years. A couple years back when I decided it was time for a new, nicer knife than the Gerber I had, I did a bit of research and wound up with the Spyderco Para Military. I got the plainedge one FWIW.

I can't say enough good things about it. Not having any other higher-end knives to compare it to, I don't know if it fits your bill specifically, but for me it's holding up very very well and I love it. At first the liner lock was tricky to get used to, but now I can very easily and very very quickly open and close the knife with one hand, and that's the only way I operate it. None of my fingers (or thumb) are ever in the way of the blade during opening/closing, and my lock has never failed or appeared as if it were close to failing. I thought I remembered back when I was researching the whole topic that the liner locks are actually stronger and more reliable? Or maybe that's just the opinion of some folks. Anyway, on the spyderco, the large thumb hole makes it very easy to open and close the blade with your thumb, and is big enough to quickly and easily locate it and have instant and complete control of the blade as you are removing the knife from your pocket. I've handled a number of the new assisted open knives, which seem to be growing popularity, and to be honest, I just don't like them. I'm as fast or faster opening mine, and with the thumb hole, I have complete control of my blade the whole time (including the instant it's actually opened/locked), whereas I don't have that feeling with the assisted opening.

Anyway enough rambling from someone who really doesn't know his knives as well as these other guys! Good luck with whatever you get!

I* agree with you on the assisted openers. I have a few but I also have a collection of full automatics (switchblades). I see no added value in the spring assist because you have to push the blade past 30 degrees anyway. I can open and close my Benchmade as fast if not faster than some of my switchblades.

Just a point for clarification, the Spyderco Paramilitary does not have a liner lock. It has what they call a Compression Lock. This is different because it allows access to the locking mechanism from the back of the handle, opposite the side where the blade enters and exits.

Originally Posted by icedog

I see no added value in the spring assist because you have to push the blade past 30 degrees anyway.

Not the case with the Kershaw mechanism. It's super slick and only requires the barest amount of specifically directed pressure. (I say that in that way to indicate that it's not easy to accidentally open the blade. There's also a nice lock to keep it safely closed.)

K1. Benchmade HK ally (old carry)
K2.Benchmade Model 158 - CSK-II
K3.Benchmade 10100 Protptype (1 of 3 main carry knives)
K4.Cold Steel AK-47 (Main carry of the 3)
K5.Cold Steel Ti-Lite VI (1 of 3 main carry knives
K6.Cold Steel Spike (occasional carry)
K7.Cold Steel X2 Voyager (carry not "allowed" until birthday)
K8.Cold Steel X2 serrated Voyager (carry not "allowed" until birthday)
K9.Cold Steel "Bushman" (carried when I worked at a gun store and liked to surprise people)
Marker?10.Cold Steel Sharkie (just buy a bunch of them)(DO IT!)

OK so I carried K1 for a long time and abused it to no end, it kept an edge wonderfully the lock broke when I was throwing it one night into some maple planks,good knife,cheap. K2 has not been carried but great knife. K3 has a wonderful edge the only complaint is the clip has bent out about 1/8 inch with use. K4 is a workhorse has been abused and abused, and is in great shape, pocket clip is still stiff as can be, I love this knife. K4 is a show stopper great knife great edge, only complaint is that the thumb stud came off. K6 Great cheap knife everyone should have one. I cannot wait to get my hands on K7 and K8 I know these are GREAT knives.

Originally Posted by jbbushman

K3 has a wonderful edge the only complaint is the clip has bent out about 1/8 inch with use...

This is common and easy to fix. Remove the clip from the frame and put the flat portion of the clip (where it is drilled for the screws) in a vise. Bend the clip back into shape and put it back onto the knife.

Brad

I am not a knife guy, but I always carry one. I only have one and I wanted something small, so I went with benchmade as well:

3100 Details | Benchmade

Originally Posted by icedog

I* agree with you on the assisted openers. I have a few but I also have a collection of full automatics (switchblades). I see no added value in the spring assist because you have to push the blade past 30 degrees anyway. I can open and close my Benchmade as fast if not faster than some of my switchblades.

Just a point for clarification, the Spyderco Paramilitary does not have a liner lock. It has what they call a Compression Lock. This is different because it allows access to the locking mechanism from the back of the handle, opposite the side where the blade enters and exits.

Whoops, yeah I guess I wasn't sure what a liner lock is, but I see what you're saying now, I've seen that type too. Sorry about that guys! Like I said, I don't know a lot about knives! I guess the compression lock is the one I was thinking of regarding which type of lock is "better" when I was doing some research a couple years ago.

Yeah, I was referring to the para military, which is right around the blade length you are looking for. And "tactical" as well, so I thought it may fit the bill.