Very good and interesting information. You would think that benchmade would have S30V down to a science since they have been using it for such a long time and on so many knives. Glad to see your bugout has a really good heat treat. Great video!
Nice video! I have been collecting for decades and using many different styles of knives for EDC. The Benchmade Bugout is still the best knife Ive used in the Colorado mountains. USA made, super lightweight, great components and can get these for around a hundred bucks online. The amount of customization options also makes these fun to personalize. Cheers!
Erica, really like that you review knives that I buy. You’re down to Earth, real, practical reviews lends you an incredible amount of credibility. Steel talk, sharpening, and your zeal has frankly invigorated my love of carry knives. Like to see a review on your fav bush knife? I have had to research some things you talk about and wanted to let you know how personal you are is refreshing and ‘knife’ informative. Bought a Bugout and really like it, it is too lightweight but it is my edc while my UTX 85 is at Microtech. Thank you so much for your contribution to the knife community.
The slip joint is a good-looking knife, but I think it should have had steel liners or maybe brass. I really like the aesthetic. Glad to hear about your Bugout, and that edge you put on it looks awesome, but I think it'll perform better at somewhere between 600 and 1000 grit. Good update. Thanks for what you do.
Other moders have used G-10. It’s more for asthetic purposes but that is why I’m looking into using washers. I’m still new at this so I have to do some experimenting on it but either way washers will probably what I end up doing as OT uses them in the Bruin and it works well.
Thanks for sharing about your recent carry and testing. I too am always experimenting with sharpening techniques and enjoy learning new things. Take care and Cheers!
Love to see you in a good mood, have a nice week! Had a little incident with one of my 154CM EDC… think while cutting mango, the edge microchipped… was at my father‘s house during the weekend and used his stones to get it going again. Cheers, Erica ✌
What do you mean you’re not great at sharpening?!? I have felt your edges after sharpening your own knives and mine, you’re absolutely phenomenal at it!!!! And you’ve taken more time and energy to grasp all types of sharpening than most people, it’s super impressive!!!
I have had several Benchmades in S30V. They were all excellent, but that was 5 plus years ago. For the most part I do not like a polished edge. The exception is on tools and knives for carving wood. A polished edge does push through wood easier. For just about everything else a toothy edge is the better choice. It cuts without sliding off the material and holds a working edge longer. Steel choice is affected by edge choice. I like steels that have a course carbide structure. They go hand in hand with a toothy edge. S90V and Cruwear are two of my favorites. For the past 3 weeks I have been playing with a Vosteed Nightshade in Elmax and it has been a great experience so far. The factory edge was quite good but not perfect. About a week ago I put my own 14 DPS edge on it, it's at another level now! PS the Manix 2 and 2 XL are my favorite Spyderco knives.
@kpfagerberg There is a little more to it than that. The simple answer is yes at least when the knife is first sharpened. There are two types of edges that a blade has. First, when initially sharpened there is the fine edge. As it wears you have a working edge. When steels with course carbides wear more course carbides are exposed. Think of these carbides as micro serrations. They provide a long lasting working edge. So to me the two go hand in hand. Another steel that I love and forgot to mention above is K390.
@@LastChanceKnives True. If we're getting this detailed I'll also say that different types of abrasive will give you a different edge even if they're technically the same grit. Diamond plates for example IME give the most aggressive edge finish, but less so the more worn out they get. How you dress or flatten a water stone can affect the edge it creates too.
The edge on the Bugout is gorgeous! Maybe the prettiest one I've seen from you yet. You could parallel park your truck with that mirror! 🤣 Your passion for knife sharpening is so inspiring, Erica...you're ALWAYS striving to learn more and become better at your craft. Now, I'm a terrible knife sharpener, but as a musician, I think that I can relate to your drive to want to become better at what you're passionate about. I find that even when I make a breakthrough (i.e. learn to play a really difficult piece of music), I don't get any profound answers...only MORE questions!! When you have a love for something, it really is a lifelong journey of trying to learn more and get better at it. The inevitable irony being that you KNOW that there's no end to the journey. But it'll be a whole lotta fun trying to get there, right?! Love you, E!!! ❤
Thanks for the update. Keep the videos coming we the knife community really enjoy them or at least I do, I guess I should not talk for everyone! Live Long Prosper and Collect Your Own Way!
Thanks for the update!! Really enjoyed the video this morning while having coffee. Looking forward to seeing the remainder of testing as you know Im in the market for a bugout Or possibly my first spyderco!!
@@ericasedc Yesss! I’m going to pull the trigger on a Native 5LW and give the Spyderco a try!!! Thanks so much for your recommendation and what you do!! ❤️🔥
It's funny how we all use paper to test our knives cutting edges but in the real world we actually use scissors to cut paper. Cardboard and tape would be more true to life. At the prices they charge I'd expect Spydercos and Benchmades to do phenomenally well. I'm very keen to see how the TrueSharp holds up because I always go for CV or Carbon steels in my Case Knives.
I almost got the Sage, and got the para 3 instead. Only reason was I found a para 3 in s45vn for 145$ and couldn't pass it up. Sage is definitely on my list though, along with about 7 other spyderco's :)
I had a para 3 and a sage 5 and I ended up selling the sage and regretting it immediately. The detention on it is incredible and probably their most comfortable handle imo. Also thicker blade stock which makes you less scared of it
Who does that work on the Sodbuster? Was considering a pair of SBJ for wedding presents, but custom SBJ would be great. I'm a long time Delica user. Bought my first one in 96, I think, in AUS8a and still use it regularly. I've got an assortment of different Spydercos from the past couple of decades, but I keep going back to that original Delica and will until I have to send it to Spyderco if I ever break the clip that's molded into the handle. Great job on those edges, thanks for all the awesome content!
I’ll always be a Benchmade fan, I know they charge too much, but I just prefer them. I have a few different Spyderco, but I just like Benchmades look and feel better.
I agree about the hype on some knives like Benchmade,Spyderco. The problem is mass production and what country they're made and finally who is selling it. Some places buy 2nd goods. I won't ever buy a knife over $100 or go for the tuff steel bs; the tougher the steel the harder and longer it takes for an average person to sharpen.i have a shortcut on sharpening by using these black bones I find on the beach. These bones aren't large and have 2 sides; a black semi rough and a smooth tan side. I really like your show because you are honest about the knives. I'm in my 70s now and have learned in the past years from buying pocket to tactical knives for whittling
If you ever see one for sale- it’s worth picking up a strop made from kangaroo. I’ve been using roo without any compound as the final step in my strop progression. It’s incredibly stiff and consistent so you can immediately feel when a section of the edge isn’t up to snuff as far as consistency of the surface finish. And this may be something that occurs with other materials but I haven’t seen it yet - the surface of the strop is a pinkish color so you can see the trails of steel particles in the strop which also helps figure out exactly what parts of the edge need more attention. Be wary about falling too deep down the sharpening hole, it’s like quicksand. I’m often told I’m being obsessive about these sorts of things, but I’m also on the spectrum so I find this whole process very soothing. Take from this what you will and good luck.
Manix 2 LW, Stretch 2 (FRN), and PM2 are my go to Spydercos. I tried the shaman and felt it was to big (in weight and bulk) for everyday carry so my brother got it last Christmas and he has been happy with it. The PM2 and Stretch 2 get a pass with me due to their weight and much slimmer package is much easier to carry. I want to like the Delica I own and keep it because of how thin it is but it doesn't get carried unless I go radical and wear shorts when I leave the house. I haven't tried a sage 5 yet but may at some point especially if I can get it in spy27, M4 or K390.
I am a 940 loyalist but the Bugout is definitely one of my favorites. I also own a lot of Spydercos but never considered the Sage. Maybe it’s because the Delica and the Para 3 occupy that space.
I'm a big fan of the Sage 5 LW, for some reason I've used my para 3 LW more though. The sage is still on its factory edge but the p3 I've sharpened at least 3 times (both M4.). It must be that the p3 is SO light and the handles are rounded so well, even though the blade is a little thicker. I'm thinking of trying some of the scales Parsons Bladeworks sells for the sage. It's got a great design shape wise but I think the stock plastic scales with hard corners could be improved on.
Their new tagged out in magnacut has a pretty low HRC. Just when I’m excited by a benchmade product they do something that just puts me off. Like the pricing is fine with me if everything else about the knife is perfect
Benchmades s30v has always been excellent in my experience along with their newer additions like cruwear and cpm D2. Alot of people bring up the 3v thing but never mention that they did correct it. Also even though SSSteve did completely put the first run 3v bailout to shame, he also was a huge supporter of BM’s s30v in his testing. Overall I’m definitely a bigger spyderco fan but I still have respect for Benchmade and pick up one that I like here and there. Also people forget that Benchmade is unlike most US knife companies where their entire product line is US made so therefore they don’t have the profit cushion of an overseas line to help support their US manufacturing. I guess I just find it odd that you completely turned your back on Benchmade when you truly “discovered” spyderco. With all that said, I’m excited to see how these two compare in the end!
Benchmade has lost there minds !!! I do like there stuff, but they’re way way out of control with there pricing. P.S. you did amazing with your sharpening and love the Polished edge
Going off on a weird tangent, I could never buy a Benchmade 940 Osborne for the following reason...does anyone else think of Kryten from Red Dwarf whenever they see a 940?
Kinda hard to not talk like a nerd when you’re dressed like Waldo Sorry E I couldn’t resist after you brought it up for the seventh time lol Soddy and Slip are sweet and so are you Love you
Last Benchmade I purchased was a Freek in M4. It held an edge like VG10 at best. I gave it at least 6 to ten sharpening's in hopes it would come around. It didn't. Garbage heat treat.
Would agree benchmade has gone down hill on bang for your buck value. With that said I have had great luck with the ones I own. I have benchmades in S90v, M4, 20cv, S30v and have found the edge retention and performance to be good. The warranty department is good as well. The knife game is tough for USA makers with all the good quality foreign knives on the market. Thanks for the content.
I think tou should try Delica or Endera in k390 SERRATED. I thought plain edge was good...but wow. I want a Massad Ayoob in k390. I'm trying to get spyderco to make them.
I'd take a well done back lock over a compression lock any day. First off both operate one handed, are easy to use and keep the blade open. I just prefer a symmetrical design over frame, liner, compression etc. And if you practice it, there's really no functional advantage to a faster lock.
The ergos, action, & build is way better on the sage 5 lw vs para 3. The only good Bugout is the aluminum version with m390. The rest are overpriced garbage
Benchmades are more attractive than most Spydercos but their huge increase in price shows that they’re simply taking advantage of consumers. It’s a money grab with no increase in value to the customer.
I definitely need a sod buster in my life! Looks sweet! I just got back my old benchmade griptilian 557 tanto. I wore the blade down a lot and asked if they could thin it out or something lol. They ended up emailing me and said the blade was too worn down to hold a edge and said I could buy a new blade for $50 so I did. But weeks and weeks went by and I haven’t seen my $50 payment yet and I didn’t get my old blade back. Oh and the invoice said $0. Long story short I got a s30v tanto instead of the 154cm I sent in and the grinds were perfect. Even the edge was very good for a belt sander. Hasn’t been chippy, none of my benchmade s30v has been chippy, but my spyderco has lol. Only that’s a old native 1 spyderedge so idk. I got out of benchmades for awhile but they really hooked me up right so that’s worth something for sure.
@@tomdowser I agree, bm 154cm is super tough steel it seems to me. I was surprised I even got a tanto blade again. Not even sure if they made the grip tanto in s30v.
