940 or Small Sebenza. You can only have one of them. Which is it?

I recently bought a new 940. I remember how happy I was the day I received it and how much like a little kid on Xmas morning I felt when I was opening up the packaging. I also remember how I felt when I found that the blade was about one human hair width away from being in direct contact with the presentation side scale--and when I sent that knife back to the vendor. As I learned the unpleasant way -- Benchmade "quality control” (at least in my personal experience) is a contradiction in terms and a non-existent commodity.

Don’t think and don’t hesitate. Buy the Sebenza and don’t even consider a Benchmade.
 
I gotta go with the 940. Not a fan of feamelocks in general and the axis is one of my favorites. Plus nothing about the sebenza has ever attracted my eye.
 
Have had both. The 940 is the only knife I've ever actually lost, despite having worked on a river for a number of years.

I like the small sebenza more. Frankly if the 940's axis lock contributed to my fumbling it with cold fingers. Never had that issue with a frame lock. Thats not even getting into the asthetics or the fun I've had taking a mic all around the sebenza.
 
My son has a 940-1 (that I gifted to him). I appreciate it, but find it an unacceptable compromise in terms of ergonomics - it's grip is just too slender for my hands; feels like it is lost in my palm. I found the small sebbie marginal, but the inlaid version (mine is micarta) absolutely magical. Perfect edc.
 
940.
Easier to open and close with one hand with the axis lock. I don't feel as bad about beating it up because of the price tag. Send Benchmade an email for a FREE deep carry pocket clip and let that bad boy disappear in your jeans.
 
Another vote for the Sebenza. I have the small Inkosi and 2 940 variations. The 940s rarely get used. I can’t remember the last time I carried one of them.
 
so much confidence in sebenza materials, build, and company. 940 is perfect EDC with long blade length and long thin light package. I don't have a ton of love for the <3" class, i'd rather have the 940 if i can't have a large seb
 
“Only one” is a tough decision when a person likes two or more knives with the same enthusiasm.

The 940-1 is my favorite folder. So I choose 940.

If I choose “one for life” then it can’t have breakable springs. So I choose the small Sebbie.

But I need a 3.5”ish blade on a “one and only” folder. So I choose the Gayle Bradley2 for the win.

Ok, out of the two you mentioned, I’ll take the 940. :)
 
I owned and used a 940 for a couple of years but a Sebenza Insingo is the one I would choose. The 940 has the better steel/RC but the amazing construction of the Sebenza along with the ability to take it apart for cleaning makes it a life-long tool that you will pass down to your kids. I have yet to experience an omega spring failure but the design and potential failure rate may be something to consider. Now that the omega spring issue is coming to light, even in a somewhat low MTBF (1/lambda), there still is the risk that there will be an in-field failure at some point on some knives. The good news is there are companies that are selling back-up springs in the market. In summary, having a simple but well made Sebenza with few failure mechanisms combined with the ability to easily disassemble and clean makes it my choice.
 
Small Inkosi... knives that I can't open easily with either hand bother me and the double stud Sebenzas aren't common enough. (and I don't care for the 940)
 
940 only because I prefer a longer blade length. Would take a Large Sebenza or Inkosi of the 940 obviously.
 
I like my 940 knives (especially the 1701, it's my current favorite) a lot and carry them regularly.

I like my small CF Insingo Sebenza enough not to be motivated to sell it, but not enough to really ever carry it.

IMO 940 > small Sebenza. Totally a personal taste thing, though.
 
The 940 has a much longer blade and longer handle than the small Sebbie. Get a large Sebbie and your problems are over.
BUT...get a SEBBIE.
I have owned perhaps 30 or 40 small and large Sebbies, and carried several "varieties" of large Sebbies over about four yrs....
I have never owned a 940 for more than one week...and don't care to repeat...
 
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