Liner locks do not get a lot of respect at the moment, but I feel that well made liner locks are very solid and reliable. I find it strange that the frame lock gets much more respect despite the fact that the two lock types are very similar. I understand the advantages of the frame lock (and will outline them here), but in the end I think the difference is fairly small.

It seems that the most common type of knife (that is actually carried) is a small folder. It is followed by a larger folder, and then fixed blades. I think this is all wrong. Local laws aside (which may ban certain blade lengths, or fixed blades), I think fixed blades should be the most carried followed by large folders and then small folders.

This is a topic that comes up often on various knife forums. Which company is better, Benchmade or Spyderco? It is one of those questions that cannot really be answered because it comes down to personal preference, but it is fun to talk about.

A classic Spyderco and a classic Benchmade:

Benchmade and Spyderco have different things goes for them. Spyderco is all about spartan designs that are practical and ergonomic above being styish. Many Spyderco knives are traditionally ugly, but extremely functional and inexpensive. This makes them beautiful to the trained eye. Benchmade knives are functional and well-made, but tend to be a little more impressive visually. For example, look at the stunning Benchmade Skirmish (designed by Neil Blackwood):

Most “military” knives are pretty thick, beefy, and have some self-defense of combat oriented features. This is true of lower end knives like KA-BARs (which were originally a hunter design), and Buck Nighthawk, as well as higher end knives like Strider. Strider unapologetically makes beefy knives for military personel that have obvious self defense or combat purposes. Strider’s knives can be used to pry open crates, hammer nails, smash and grind everything from stone to glass, and be used as a backup weapon. However, Strider’s are not the best cutters in the world. Most military knives are not.

The Spyderco Manix is one of the most talked about, highly suggested and recommended, and beloved knives being sold today. And with a street price of around $130, it is an absolute steal.

The Manix has an S30V blade (of around 4 inches), and G-10 scales over full stainless steel liners. While it makes use of a lockback (technically a mid lock) instead of a fancy/trendy/new type of lock (not that I do not love framelocks and Axis locks), the backlock is very strong and is befitting of Spydercos mostr heavy duty knife (since Spyderco is known for their backlocks). Spyderco reports that the Manix (along with related knives such as the Chinook) have the strongest rated lock they make.

Neil Blackwood designed the Skirmish. Originally it was a custom knife with a 5.5 inch blade. The Benchmade versions (Large and Mini, 4.25 and 3.75 inches) are smaller but have the same attitude and beautiful looks. Many Benchmade fans, though happy with the Skirmish, wanted a big bad Blackwood design with an Axis lock. The RUKUS is the answer.

Pictured is the full-size RUKUS. It has a ~4.25 inch blade and a very long handle. G-10 and Micarta grips give it a very unique custom look. The knife is also available in a Mini version, and also with a stain finished plain edge (rather than the black coated combo edge pictured).

The Benchmade 710 is a modern classic. The now rare M2 version (called the 710 HS for “high speed”) is very coveted and expensive. D2 and 154CM versions were produced after the M2 version was retired.

The 710 was the first knife to use Benchmade’s Axis lock. And while the lock is now found on many models, it is still a hallmark of the 710 design. The lock allows the knife to be easily opened, and closed with one hand either manually or with the flick of the wrist. Axis lock knives tend to “flick” open very easily with the thumb, however, the thumbstud on the 710 is so close to the handle that it is a little harder to thumb flick open than, say, a Griptilian.

The Strider SMF is the bigger brother of the popular SNG. At $475 retail, it is not an inexpensive knife. Many people ask if the Strider SMF is “worth it” compared to less expensive knives like the Manix. Granted, the Manix is a tank and it is a very good knife for the money. But the SMF is just in another league.

The custom Neil Blackwood Skirmish is a folder with a 5.5 inch blade. That’s insane. The Benchmade production version is slightly less insane with a 4.25 inch blade.

The Benchmade Skirmish is the Beauty and the Beast in one knife. The recurve blade and colorful anodized spots are very beautiful, but the the sheer size is just scary.

The Skirmish has titanium handles and an S30V blade. This combination is very cutting edge. Combine the high-end materials with the very sexy and mean design and you have a sure winner.

The Emerson CQC-7 was a classic from the start, both as a custom Emerson knife and as a production Benchmade knife. When Emerson started his own production knife company the CQC-7 design really took off. He released a Mini version, as well as this Super version.

The knife features the distinctive CQC-7 shape, but in a larger package. For those unfamiliar with Emerson knives, and the CQC-7 in specific, there are special things to consider.