942 Axis or Sebenza

Geode

Geode

Joined
May 12, 2001
Messages
2,950
OK, I have been lurking a little on this site and now must make a decision in the next couple of days about whether to get the BM 942 Axis lock or the Sebenza.

I would really appreciate input from those of you that have both types of knives (any axis lock folder will do). I have never handled an integral lock folder before.
 
As a new Sebenza owner I've got to tell you that from an overall quality standpoint there is a clear choice.

However, that being said....If you really like the Axis lock then I'd suggest that you make arrangements to get your hands on an integral lock folder and see if you like it. (Many dealers will let you return a knife within a short period of time.)

If you pick up a Sebenza and don't just fall in love/lust/single-minded obsessive devotion to it then if I were you I'd choose the one that has the action that you prefer.

I think you'll find that there is only one choice for most people on this thread...but realisticly you should choose the one you like best and fits your needs. BM's are good knives. You should carry what you like.
 
Geode

I don't know if one can really compare a Benchmade to a Sebenza. They are far apart in materials, workmanship, attention to detail, price and quality.

Benchmades are a decent knife for the money. But, the Sebenza is a great knife! You really need to handle one- kind of like the ads that say "must see to appreciate".

Both locks are effective and work very well.

If you can afford it, get the best production folder out there- Sebenza. I haven't heard of many that were disappointed with the choice!

I like my Benchmades and carry them from time to time, but I usually carry a large or a small Sebenza either Classic or Regular depending on the mood. I also just ordered a left-handed woody for a daily carry.

Roj hit it on the head- buy and carry what you like. I like customs and have many, but I am always carrying the Sebenzas!
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Daniel
 
I have a 940 benchmade that I carried for awhile, But when I got my large seb. I don't ever pick up the 940 anymore. I like the axis lock and at first the seb seemed a little awkward when I went to unlock the blade, but now it's very natural and has smoothed up quite a bit.I can even operate the seb with gloves on without any trouble at all. The sebenza is also easier to keep sharp than the 940 was. I have chopped limbs and brush with the sebenza and I wouldn't have attempted to do that with the 940 , but the 940 is a lighter weight knife and works well for the lighter chores. Why not just get both knives and be happy !
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"A six blade Knife will do anything for you"-Dire Straits
 
Here is a pic for comparison.....I have a biased opinion since I got my Sebenza. I like it so much that I sold off most of my Benchmade collection, excluding the 940 (my wife likes it) so I could purchase it and its little brother. I will not buy another production knife unless it really makes an impression on me (though I am looking to buy a 942). I have never held a knife that feels like the Sebenza. It really does have the feel of a fixed blade when it's open.

Overall, I like the 940. It has great lines and it's lightweight but not a fair comparison to the Sebenza. You can do alot more with a Sebenza than you can with the 940. The Sebenza is built like a tank and will hold up like one through some serious battering. The 940 is best left to light duty cutting, e.g. boxes, packages, string, mail. You can put the Sebenza through its paces and have it still perform flawlessly. This is the 1st folder that I have never been afraid to use as I would a fixed blade. The Sebenza is plain and simple, just the way I like it. A jeans and t-shirt knife for a jeans and t-shirt kinda' guy.

View

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Ken
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"Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names." - John F. Kennedy



[This message has been edited by remster135 (edited 06-06-2001).]
 
You guys are killing me!

I am now overly intrigued with the Sebenza, especially the large one.

It is a weighty rascal though, just about what the BM 710 is. I will let you know the outcome of the decision.

Thanks
 
two knives at very different price points.

I like the axis locks but prefer the 705/710 design for an everyday user. The sebenza is a better knife with better materials and workmanship for roughly twice the price. The axis lock is a little easier to use imho but benchmades can not (and are not designed to) compete with a sebenza. If price is not a concern you will not be dissapointed with a CRK. FWIW, I find the large sebenza a little on the big side and prefer the small.
 
I own both the BM 940 and Sebenza large and small. I still own a few Benchmades but they don't even come close to the quality of the Sebenza. For the price they are pretty good I guess but they just don't compare.
 
I also compared the pinacle benchmade (what model # was it, 750?) To the large sebenza. It looks to me to be a copy cat production of the sebenza but if you open and close it and then do the same with a sebenza, you will clearly see/feel the difference.The sebenza is a cadillac and the pinacle is an LTD Ford! I would probably buy a pinacle if I didn't have the seb, But I would really be wanting the sebenza. Just whatever blows your skirt up!
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"A six blade Knife will do anything for you"-Dire Straits
 
Like comparing apples to oranges and Volkswagen to Roles Royce. It makes no sense to do so.
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135, that is a great picture, What Sebenza is that and what size??

Shame on you... I had almost fought off the 'sebbie bug' infection. But after seeing your post I have been bitten badly once again............
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Oh well...... I can see the hand writting on the wall. <><><><><><><><><>
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teacher
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teacher,

That, my friend, is a large, lefty, serrated Sebbie with a bronze thumblug and spacer with a small swedge added for good measure.

Glad you liked the pic.
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Ken
firedept_md_wht.gif
"Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names." - John F. Kennedy

[This message has been edited by remster135 (edited 06-10-2001).]
 
This is about the 4th post to which I have responded with the same massage. I bought a large 'benza with ironwood inlays today at the Blade Show when I had the oppurtunity to buy any number of customs for about the same price. The Sebenza is quite simply the last using knife you will ever need. I have customs that I carry and will continue to carry, but this new 'benza will probably find more pocket time than the rest. In the past I have had an off and on relationship with the Sebenza. I had a 2000 wood inlay large that I sold a few months ago. I was definately afraid to carry it for fear of a scratch. Today, I purchased the 'benza and for some reason have no fear of carrying it and actualy can't wait to carry and use it!
Go figure.

BTW to answer your question, Sebenza all the way. The 942 is nice and has a great lock, but everytime I see a post about BM's I can't help but think about bowel movements! Sorry.

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Art Sigmon
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Php. 4:13

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword"
Heb. 4:12
 
The 'Benza ALL the Way! I just got back from
BLADE tonite. The BM 940 is cool, but..............I brought home 4 Sebs myself
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. Picked up a couple of Small Uniques in Classic & Plain and also the "Flat Ground" Large with Reeve's name etched in on the Blade with the date of 6/06/01. This wass part of the first 100 pieces of the Flat Grind Blades I believe.

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Knives & Things
Mike Payne
 
Just by the by, Mike, Chris actually signed the flat grind blades with a dremel - not etched in at all!!

Anne
 
Geode,

I have had a 940 and a small Classic Sebenza for a couple months. I have carried two knives daily for a long time and these two have become my every day carries.

At first I worried about using an expensive (for me) knife for everyday chores, but now I wouldn't be without the Sebenza. I can get both knives extremely sharp and the 940 stays that way...because I always reach for the Sebenza.

Yes, the Ti slabs already have light scratches on them but, I think in time they will come to resemble the stone washed blade.
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The blade still looks like brand new BTW.

I have to agree with most in this thread, this is an unfair comparison. Sebenzas are at least a step up in fit and finish and materials. I think both locks are good but I prefer a integral lock and the CR version is the most solid I have seen.

My favorite 'improvement' over most production knives is the use bronze washers...they give a smooth action and will last...why doesn't everyone use them, too expensive?

One other thing, the stud on the 940 would catch on things and it would open, I found a safe place to carry it after some experimenting. This never happened with the Sebenza, the detent seems to be better at keeping the knife closed than the Axis.


I like them both but...it's apples and oranges.


Steve-O
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Steve-O:
I like them both but...it's apples and oranges. Steve-O</font>
Click to expand...

I agree with Steve-O. I carried the 942 to the office daily for a couple months and it works fine, easy to open, fits the hand and carries well.

Then I got a small Sebbie. I like the blade profile better for the things I do with it. It locks solid. Looks great. And because of the shorter blade length, I can carry it in more situations. It appeals to the Engineer in me.

I guess it comes down to `I like my 942 but I love my Sebenza'.

I now have a small `Woodie' on order.
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Bob
 
I have the BM940 and one thing to remember it's not just a Benchmade knife but a collaboration with a very reputable Custom knife maker Warren Osborne, which shows in the style of the knife. It's patterned after one of Mr. Osborne's customs called the Policeman I think, that knife has similiar blade shape and it has a top style lock, very cool stuff.
I love the 940 I have, works great, when you draw back on the axis lock and lightly twist your wrist it is really like a gravity knife, so smooth and fast to open. Lock up is fairly good, if the blade wiggles too much for you, you can push the lock bar up tighter on the tang. The finish on my knife is excellent and well thought out.
The handle is slim and comfortable, but to me it's too slim/narrow, to have better controled cutting I still love my Sebenzas and about any one of the 7 I own will do the job nicely. I own a wide variety of them, which has taken a few years to gather!

Large old Style Sebenza, pre-Classic less any clip
Large new Style
Small Classic
Small new Style
Small Wood Inlay, 1999 flavour with Box Elder wood
Small Decorated with a comet theme, very nice
Umfaan

Still holding out on getting a large Wood inlay and also hoping that the Reeve family will consider doing the Classic with an inlay!

I own only one BM940 though, the edge on that one is a bit thicker at the bevel than my Sebenzas and therefore the Sebenzas always seem to slice/cut just a tad better...
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G2


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"The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions!"
Take the time to read your Bible Now, don't be left behind...

[This message has been edited by Gary W. Graley (edited 06-23-2001).]
 
Ford or Ferrari?

The Sebi will out perform the BM in every respect. The only real advantage of the 942 is its ambidext and a lot cheaper. The axis is smoother and stronger, but is a Sebi weak?
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The Farrari is a race car, the Sebi has racecar like performance and looks darn good as well. The fit an finish are top of the line.

In my humble opinion, there is NO comparison at this level. I love my Spyderco Military and BM710, but given the choice it would be a Sebi in my hand. They get better the more time you spend with one, the little things, the little... adds up to a BIG deal to a KnifeKnut.

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Wayne.
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
 
Do yourself a favor and save a lot of money and get the Sebenza You will get one anyway so why waste your money on other folders? Unless of course if you have tons of money and just want a variety of folders. I have a couple 940's and they are nice but QC on them is spotty. The Seb is a no brainer.
 
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