Benchmade #2: Counting Down the Top Knife Brands
TOP KNIFE BRANDS THAT ‘STICK‘ IN THE MINDS OF KNIFE PEOPLE
Brought to you by BladeHQ
| Rank | Brand Name | % Able to Recall | % Top of Mind | Awareness Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 98.3% | 68.6% | 243.2 | |
| 2 | Benchmade | 94.3% | 63.0% | 229 |
| 3 | Kershaw | 94.9% | 47.6% | 215.8 |
| 4 | CRKT | 62.9% | 22.7% | 124.5 |
| 5 | Zero Tolerance | 58.9% | 31.1% | 120.8 |
| 6 | Gerber | 57.1% | 19.0% | 110.4 |
| 7 | Cold Steel | 52.6% | 16.3% | 100.4 |
| 8 | Buck | 48.0% | 14.3% | 90.6 |
| 9 | Böker | 46.9% | 18.3% | 90.4 |
| 10 | KA-BAR | 42.3% | 13.5% | 79.9 |
| 11 | SOG | 40.0% | 7.1% | 72.6 |
| 12 | Victorinox | 34.9% | 11.5% | 65.1 |
| 13 | ESEE | 33.7% | 5.1% | 60.8 |
| 14 | Chris Reeve Knives | 31.4% | 12.7% | 59.3 |
| 15 | Emerson | 28.0% | 22.4% | 55.4 |
| 16 | Ontario | 28.6% | 6.0% | 51.8 |
| 17 | Opinel | 23.4% | 7.3% | 42.5 |
| 18 | Microtech | 24.0% | 2.4% | 42.5 |
| 19 | Leatherman | 22.3% | 7.7% | 40.5 |
| 20 | Case | 18.3% | 0.0% | 32.0 |
| 21 | Morakniv | 17.7% | 3.2% | 31.8 |
| 22 | Schrade | 16.0% | 10.7% | 30.3 |
| 23 | Kizer | 13.7% | 4.2% | 24.5 |
| 24 | LionSteel | 12.6% | 4.5% | 22.5 |
| 25 | Pro-Tech | 11.4% | 5.0% | 20.5 |
ABOUT BENCHMADE Want a Benchmade? Get it now at BladeHQ!
Benchmade, based in Oregan began in 1979 as the Pacific Cutlery Corporation. Founded by Les de Asis, the company mainly made balisong or “butterfly” knives. Today, the iconic butterfly logo which marks all of their blades is an homage to those early days of the company. Benchmade still makes balisong knives, but offers exceptional cutting tools for many uses: hunting, bushcraft, tactical, and everyday carry. The armed forces are a major customer of Benchmade. Benchmade’s motto, “It’s not a knife, it’s a Benchmade” sums up their commitment to superior design and craftsmanship. All of their knives are manufactured in the USA and are under warranty for life.
We surveyed involved production knife enthusiasts and asked them to list as many production knife brands as they could remember to gauge brand awareness. 165 out of 175 respondents were able to recall Benchmade and of the 165, 104 did so within their first 3 responses. The average survey respondent was able to recall 12 knife brands and in total 167 brands were recalled.
Research indicates that there is a relationship between brand recall and market share, because in most buying situations a brand must be prominent in the mind of a buyer in order for them to consider purchasing it.
The survey, which was also the basis for our Infographic, did not measure brand esteem or brand identity and has nothing to do with what knife people think about the brands. Instead, it provides an indication of how widely the brand is known and if it has a strong place in the minds of involved production knife enthusiasts.
Visit KnifeNews this evening to find out which brand is #1 on our list of the Top Knife Brands that Stick in the Minds of Knife People.
August 28, 2015 #3 Kershaw
August 21, 2015 #4 CRKT
August 20, 2015 #5 Zero Tolerance
August 19, 2015 #6 Gerber
August 18, 2015 #7 Cold Steel
August 17, 2015 #8 Buck
August 16, 2015 #9 Böker
August 15, 2015 #10 KA-BAR
August 14, 2015 #11 SOG
August 13, 2015 #12 Victorinox
August 12, 2015 #13 ESEE
August 11, 2015 #14 Chris Reeve Knives
August 10, 2015 #15 Emerson
August 9, 2015 #16 Ontario
August 8, 2015 #17 Opinel
August 7, 2015 #18 Microtech
August 6, 2015 #19 Leatherman
August 5, 2015 #20 Case
August 4, 2015 #21 Morakniv
August 3, 2015, #22 Schrade
August 2, 2015 #23 Kizer
August 1, 2015 #24 LionSteel
July 31, 2015 #25 Pro-Tech
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Louis Cornelius Taljaard
August 30, 2015 at 12:48 pm
Damn, thought it was no 1
Daniele Capobianco
August 30, 2015 at 12:50 pm
Spyderco
Nathan Wilmoth
August 30, 2015 at 12:50 pm
Cuts me out.
My edc is a Spyderco Military,
I just havent seen to many out here in the boondocks except mine.
KnifeNews
August 30, 2015 at 12:51 pm
So did most people who entered the Guess, Like, & Win promotion.
Michael Blankenship
August 30, 2015 at 1:09 pm
What a shame
Jason Elrod
August 30, 2015 at 1:13 pm
Yes, I got it right!
Todd Garrett
August 30, 2015 at 1:23 pm
Spyderco is #1???
Wtf
Maybe 10 years ago
Ralph Crolley
August 30, 2015 at 1:29 pm
Benchmade is still where it’s at!
Cory Wallskog
August 30, 2015 at 1:34 pm
Spyderco is the best knife company NOW! They use 15+ different steels, all kinds of scale material and have a much wider variety than BM even thinks of doing..
Todd Garrett
August 30, 2015 at 1:37 pm
I sticking with kershaw and bench made .
The Zt line from Kershaw is really nice .
Max Obstfeld
August 30, 2015 at 1:45 pm
This was the original order I guessed but I went against it because I felt Kershaw was more widely known making them more popular…. ffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
Max Obstfeld
August 30, 2015 at 1:52 pm
I always carry Spyderco as well… I own the police 3, manix 2 xl, endura 4, and centofante 3.
Cory Wallskog
August 30, 2015 at 1:53 pm
I like and own all 3 but Spyderco is much better at listening to customers. Check out the spyderco forums and the owner, Sal, regularly talks to the members and listens to feedback on what to change/design. Nothing wrong with ZT & BM though, I own and like both.
Jeff Conrad
August 30, 2015 at 1:59 pm
The ranking is based on name recognition. I’d say the order is right.
Stephen Bynum
August 30, 2015 at 2:16 pm
Woo Hoo! That means I have a 1 in 144 chance!
Karl Hicks
August 30, 2015 at 2:21 pm
Damn! I was certain I had it right. I know a lot of people carry Spyderco, but I figured that Benchmade was more well known.
John Bosio
August 30, 2015 at 2:22 pm
Love my 940 Osborne!!!
Sam Loera
August 30, 2015 at 3:03 pm
Spyderco and Kershaw
Dustin Allen Miner
August 30, 2015 at 3:04 pm
Well, any day you ask me what the orde would be, it woulda been benchmade first….
Daniel Sagara
August 30, 2015 at 3:29 pm
Only knife ive ever had close on my finger was a benchmade, they can take a lot of force on the lock but a quick and relatively low amount of force can unlock the blade. I dont carry benchmades anymore even though i have like 5 of them. It was the presidio that closed on me.
Daniel Sagara
August 30, 2015 at 3:34 pm
The military uses spyderco and benchmade, never seen a kershaw on order by supply, but spyderco is what pilots have in their little survival kit thing. Then everyone else has either a benchmade auto presidio or a gerber 06 auto.
John Cooper
August 30, 2015 at 3:42 pm
I prefer my beefy Loco!!
Mark Meyers
August 30, 2015 at 4:09 pm
Remember this is about name recognition, I had BM as 3rd as most people don’t spend over $100 for a knife. I had Kershaw at #1. Really surprised that Spyderco is going to be #1 even though they’re at the same price point. I’m actually kind of glad as this just indicates that the masses, as one would assume, recognize the inferior knife over the superior one. *opinion
Mark Meyers
August 30, 2015 at 4:10 pm
I had Kershaw @ #1 too. Though I only carry BM. nothing against Spyderco.
Max Obstfeld
August 30, 2015 at 4:12 pm
To each their own. I plan on getting a Benchmade eventually to try it out. Any particular model you would recommend for a first Mark Meyers?
Mark Meyers
August 30, 2015 at 4:14 pm
I live in Lansing. The only BM dealer here went bust years ago. I purchase online from out of state–no sales tax. Also plenty of trusted dealers on the BM FB page. Most willing to sell just dollars above dealer cost, making very little profit, as to provide to the BM community; which is exactly what that page is. A community. Check it out..
Eamon Fitzgerald
August 30, 2015 at 4:21 pm
Well I’m out…… Too late to change my vote?
Eamon Fitzgerald
August 30, 2015 at 4:23 pm
I still to this day carry my cqc gen 1, a little beat up, but functions better than most
Keegan Garrett
August 30, 2015 at 4:53 pm
Well, still in the game I guess!
Keegan Garrett
August 30, 2015 at 4:57 pm
That was my initial thought too. Just by how many places that are non knife specific carry them near me. I changed it at the last minute just going on how consistently I see the Para 2 come up in discussions for EDC.
Keegan Garrett
August 30, 2015 at 5:10 pm
Hey Max, if you like the Manix 2 XL that you have I think the 810 Contego from Benchmade is worth checking out. I took a gamble and ordered one when I saw it in m390 steel and I like it quite a bit and it carries and feels similar in a lot of ways to the Manix XL (also one of my favorites) but is just enough different that it feels justified for me to have both.
I would also advise trying to find one to handle first though because the jimping on the Contego is very aggressive. It seems to divide opinion on the knife a lot. I don’t mind it myself.
Michael Lopez
August 30, 2015 at 5:19 pm
Check out the griptilian. Full size or mini. They also have different blade styles.
Stephen Bynum
August 30, 2015 at 5:19 pm
Spyderco just has a distinctive and memorable name. I like (and own) knives from both.
Philip Michael George
August 30, 2015 at 5:20 pm
^ Grips are good.
Also Barrage Mini. (A small jump in price point, but still.)
Jerome Adams
August 30, 2015 at 5:21 pm
Yes! Spyderco FTW!!!
Jerome Adams
August 30, 2015 at 5:22 pm
I’m in there with ya
Trevor Merry
August 30, 2015 at 5:23 pm
Cool I might win!!!!
Rob Voris
August 30, 2015 at 5:26 pm
Spyderco
Nick Carrasquillo
August 30, 2015 at 5:26 pm
Wow. I’m happy I got it right! Now crossing my fingers that I still have a chance of winning my group letter
If so, would be the best birthday gift I would have won ever (which is tomorrow) yeah!
Ryan Lee
August 30, 2015 at 5:36 pm
oh yes !
Kevin Edward Austin
August 30, 2015 at 5:52 pm
I have that Osborne knife, and absolutely love the thing .
Jerome Adams
August 30, 2015 at 5:57 pm
My Spydie senses are tingling!
Mark Meyers
August 30, 2015 at 6:03 pm
I’d also recommend a Grptilian–especially for the price. Awesome blade design, and a perfect intro to the AXIS lock. Not to knock Phillip, but I wouldn’t recommend any spring assist/auto (Barrage). They’re pointless on an AXIS. They can deploy faster than an assist and you can also close it just as fast without using your other hand or back of your leg. If budget isn’t an issue I’d recommend a 940-943. It’s really hard to go wrong..
Tommy Belcher
August 30, 2015 at 6:07 pm
Woo hoo, still in it!
Tobin Michel
August 30, 2015 at 6:10 pm
Benchmade should be #1.
Mark Meyers
August 30, 2015 at 6:14 pm
That’s f***** up. It shouldn’t have done that. Id send it back to BM as the only one I’ve had fold on my had an after market blade and was cut so that the AXIS bar didn’t move forward enough–causing to, like you said..
Max Obstfeld
August 30, 2015 at 6:25 pm
Thanks for the suggestions guys! They all look great. I’m really considering the contego.
Mark Meyers
August 30, 2015 at 6:30 pm
Do it! Just remember it IS a big knife! Haha. You’ll fall in love with it before you leave the store or in about 5 min. after it arrives at your door. Guaranteed.
Mark Meyers
August 30, 2015 at 6:36 pm
Even better: If you want in between the Contego and 940; get a 950 Rift-vitually the same blade design, but smaller. Steel liners that go all the way around the scales. Blade length is 3.67 and weighs 4.8 oz. where as the Contego is 3.98” and weighs 5.9 oz. It sounds like a small difference but 1 oz. means a lot when it’s in your pocket all day long. *opinion
Paul Jeong
August 30, 2015 at 6:41 pm
Spiderco = #1
Samuel Goodhand
August 30, 2015 at 7:04 pm
I really thought spyderco, while I know is highly recognized and highly respected by the true knife enthusiasts community, wasn’t as well known as benchmade and Kershaw among the more general community… Darn you spyderco!
Jamey Thomas McIntyre
August 30, 2015 at 8:20 pm
Booooom im still in it
James Williams
August 30, 2015 at 8:29 pm
How is Cutco not on the list?
Curtis Brandon Pedigo
August 30, 2015 at 8:48 pm
Spyderco will be 1 obviously
Louis Cornelius Taljaard
August 30, 2015 at 9:35 pm
Benchmade are quite difficult to get in South Africa, if found they are crazy expensive
Louis Cornelius Taljaard
August 30, 2015 at 9:37 pm
Really like the gryptillian, Spyderco is available almost everywhere. Ive got the delica 4 and I really love it
Mark Meyers
August 30, 2015 at 6:10 pm
Also mention that the Contego is a beast. I don’t like carry a to brick in my pocket for 8 hrs. but it IS an Osborne design. The reverse Tanto is genius. it’s all about Osborne and Pardue for me. If you want a tactical beast–get a Contego. For something a little more EDC friendly, I’d go 943 or a 940 if you want the reverse Tanto-also way beefier at the tip for prying and piercing. *opinion
John Thornton
August 30, 2015 at 10:50 pm
I have some rescue hooks made by Benchmade. They will cut belts, hooks, shoes, leather, and jeans faster than scissors! The next one I want is the Triage.
Nate Brooks
August 30, 2015 at 11:04 pm
Awesome I hope I win! I could use a new knife!
Mark Manzanero
August 30, 2015 at 11:49 pm
Benchmade over Spyderco all day long.
Nathaniel Mansker
August 31, 2015 at 12:53 am
That knife looks so familiar. Just like the one in my pocket!
Donny Harwood
August 31, 2015 at 1:12 am
I’m going to guess that Spyderco is number 1. If it wasn’t, I would have already been on the list.
John Khashabi
August 31, 2015 at 2:06 am
Nathaniel Mansker , you sport a Kershaw you hater
Nathaniel Mansker
August 31, 2015 at 2:25 am
I sport a Spyderco and a Benchmade
Mike Harajli
August 31, 2015 at 3:17 am
Spyderco paramilitary 2 will be #1 watch
Darren Rich
August 31, 2015 at 3:49 am
Watch the number one turn out to be smith and wesson, or winchester
Gary Rayner Alaina Horton
August 31, 2015 at 4:54 am
Has to be soyderco guaranteed
Emmanuel Lagunas
September 8, 2015 at 11:58 pm
Love my 940