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580 vs 940 series?
- Thread starter NIKLASAL
- Start date
- Joined
- May 25, 2006
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- 3,982
The two are very different, although from the same designer. Each has their merits; the 940 is slim, and yet has a beautiful blade. It's been a catalog mainstay for years. The 580 Barrage series are also worth owning. Although larger and with a completely different locking mechanism (I own four of them.) I prefer these, (the Barrage models) as I have a strong dislike for aluminum scales, and yes, there's a 940 now out in carbon fiber...so there's a lot to like there. Was I yourself I'd go buy a 940, or go to a store that carries Benchmade's products and play with one. It can't hurt very much to own both of these great knives.
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2013
- Messages
- 397
I EDC my 940-1 now but prior to it was a standard 940 for a couple years and I think it is one of the best daily carry knives out and I have many Benchmades and others. The secret of the 940 series is how well it carries which you wont know until you get your hands on one, it has a slim profile in width, and the length gives you a blade the same as a full size griptilian minus any extra weight, and for anybody who says the blade is not tall enough to be strong I would have to ask what do you do with your folders, go get a fixed blade. One extra note is that there are people on the forum who make custom scales for the 940 series (thanks DOAT). I know thats not a direct comparison to the 580 but just for reference it gets the point across.
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The 940 is the BM that everyone should own, IMO.
It's a little more compact than the 580, and it's super compact for a knife with such a large blade and strong lock. The ergos are awesome, as is the machining they do. It carries as well as a Small Sebenza, but is a bigger blade with a grind many (myself included) like over it. It's the knife with nearly 3.5 inches of blade that feels like it's a knife with less than 3 inches of blade and something as light as it couldn't possibly be capable of hard work...but it is!
As much as I dislike most standard tantos on American knives, the reverse tanto on this knife is just great. It's a great multi-tasker and a really strong blade. It accomplishes the strong tip without the functionality loss a standard production tanto suffers from, plus I think it's probably the best design possible if you damage and need to reprofile a tip. And S30V steel is a really good overall steel. To me the 940 is just a signature Benchmade that screams quality, creativity, and practicality.
It's a little more compact than the 580, and it's super compact for a knife with such a large blade and strong lock. The ergos are awesome, as is the machining they do. It carries as well as a Small Sebenza, but is a bigger blade with a grind many (myself included) like over it. It's the knife with nearly 3.5 inches of blade that feels like it's a knife with less than 3 inches of blade and something as light as it couldn't possibly be capable of hard work...but it is!
As much as I dislike most standard tantos on American knives, the reverse tanto on this knife is just great. It's a great multi-tasker and a really strong blade. It accomplishes the strong tip without the functionality loss a standard production tanto suffers from, plus I think it's probably the best design possible if you damage and need to reprofile a tip. And S30V steel is a really good overall steel. To me the 940 is just a signature Benchmade that screams quality, creativity, and practicality.
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2013
- Messages
- 516
I love both of Osborne creation. Having said that, if you already own Barrage, you will be pleasantly surprised sleek, light weight, silent deployment of 940.
I use it in the office where deployment sound of Barrage may be misunderstood as "automatic / switch blade" may be a serious concern. Also noted above, 940 sheds any extra weight into highly compact design without losing ability to be a 3.5" mid size range blade.
MFL
I use it in the office where deployment sound of Barrage may be misunderstood as "automatic / switch blade" may be a serious concern. Also noted above, 940 sheds any extra weight into highly compact design without losing ability to be a 3.5" mid size range blade.
MFL
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2013
- Messages
- 1,002
I'm in the minority as I'm not a huge fan of the 940. I find it too long and narrow and also prefer full liners. I like the Barrage line, the ergos are great and it has the perfect blade shape for EDC. I personally EDC a 525 as I prefer the regular axis lock and I find it extremely comfortable in hand. To me it has a similar shape as the Barrage.
I recently got a 585 (Mini-barrage) and I've taken a liking to it... I've also got a 940, which is awesome. It really depends on what you're going for, your lifestyle, and your typical uses:
940: thin, yet big blade. S30V steel, Drop point or reverse tanto. Can have the scales re-anodized and/or bead-blasted. Doesn't offer as much grip, especially when wet/oily
580: Bigger/thicker handles, fully customizable (Bladeshape,steel,colors,etc).
Check out the Griptilian too..
940: thin, yet big blade. S30V steel, Drop point or reverse tanto. Can have the scales re-anodized and/or bead-blasted. Doesn't offer as much grip, especially when wet/oily
580: Bigger/thicker handles, fully customizable (Bladeshape,steel,colors,etc).
Check out the Griptilian too..
- Joined
- May 18, 1999
- Messages
- 1,709
I have a 581 and 586. I had a 940. My 586 handles dress/office carry just as well as the 940 with much better steel. If I want a 3.4" blade, it falls to my M4 Presidio. I really like the 940, but I already have knives that do what the 940 does. I will probably get another 940, but it isn't on my must-have list.
