940 or 520?

C

caesare

Joined
Apr 1, 2013
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I'm so torn with this decision I can't even handle it. I love the blade steel and blade shape on the 940, but I love the bigger handle and strength of the 520. Not a huge fan of the 154cm, since I really like powdered steels.

It's going to be for edc, with the occasional hard use (camping).

Which one do you guys suggest?
 
The 520 is a tank compared to the 940. Not to say the 940 is weak, but two different knives here.
for regular EDC it's the 940 for me.
Cheers
 
My 520 is my "beat to death" folder. Its most recent use was to tear down the bolt on my Savage rifle in the field. This consisted of prying the extractor c-clip off and back on to correct an ejection problem. The great thing about 154CM, is that it's easy to sharpen once you've damaged it. S30V isn't exactly a picnic when it gets a booboo.

My 943 is sleek, smexy, and goes into town well. It's still tough, but nowhere near as mongo as the 520. Be warned, the 520's scales DESTROY pockets. Also, I'm pretty sure I can carry 3 943s in the same pocket and they still won't feel as hefty as the 520. Big knife is big.

Pic for comparison. 943, PM2, 520.

 
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The 940/943 seem a bit dainty to me, I would go for the 520. I kick myself for not buying one in M4 when they were available.

There are lots of other interesting Benchmades, such as the 580/581 Barrage.
 
Both great knives... but they couldn't be more different, eh? I'd ask yourself: what's the main purpose for this purchase? What void to I need to fill in my collection -- and what role will I use this knife in most?

  • If you're needing a gentleman-sized, pocket-friendly but fully-capable folder, 940 all the way.
  • But if you want a no-holds barred workhorse (pocket-filling size be darned), 520!.

As others have said here and elsewhere, my 943 goes "out on the town" with me all the time. It's a true favorite... and I'm sure it can handle your camping tasks, too. But I never take mine camping. The blade is plenty long, but the handle is so slender in all directions, I just can't see getting the leverage I'd like when tearing in to ... say... a log. And it's just too purdy to drop in the dirt. :)

If I'm camping or working around the house, I'd grab a much bigger handled beast, like the 520 (or in my case, my 950 Rift... or my ZT 300... or Spyderco PM2). For my tastes, that 520 handle is a touch thick for anything other than work pants -- for me, the 520 would be limited to weekend/evenings "EDC."

Oh heck, this is all academic. If you're like the rest of us, you'll buy both eventually. :p
 
If you want a big beast of a folder, with the better steel and blade shape of the 940, check out the BM 810 Contego.
M4 steel, about the same blade shape, handle is comfortable but rough, but very grippy.
BIG knife though.

However, I would pick the 940 for regular EDC. Now they just need to add G-10 or CF and a super steel.
 
940 all the way. One of the best folders on the market in my opinion. The aluminum scales can and do show wear, but besides that, it's a perfect EDC.
 
The 520 is just too tough on pockets to be an everyday carry. Yea it is that bad. If you want a Benchmade folder for camping I would go with the 275. IMHO the 520 is just about as pure a tactical folder as you will find. Made to be used with gloves.

The 940, and I prefer the 943, is a joy to carry, but don't be fooled it is a full sized knife.
 
Don't pick based on the blade steels, that's all I can say. Both steels work well, both are gonna get dull. The only steels I've ever found that were noticeably better than any other, commercially, are CPM-M4, and VG10, neither of which are an option here between these two.
 
Sorry, I'm partial and love the 520.

Great knife and ergonomics in my opinion.

Actually; it's hard to find a BM I don't like.
 
Have been carrying either a 520 or 525 daily since 2006 ---so yes, you can say I'm a Presidio fan and don't see the point of carrying anything else.

If you SLIGHTLY bend the clip out --its much easier on pockets while still maintaining retention. My pockets last as long as the rest of the pants now.
 
For EDC I would go with the 940. Great knife, plenty of blade and still carries like a small knife.
 
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