943, the poor cousin.

I always thought the 940 blade looked like some sort of banana barge oyster shucking knife. FUGLY. I've always liked the 943 (maybe that's why I have 4 of them). Anyway, I now have a 940-1 and am so close to pulling the trigger on switching out the S90v Forrest Gump blade for a black S30 943 blade. I love the 943 blade shape, but unfortunately, the S90v is proving to be a hard one to dump in favor of S30v.
 
I took the G10 from the 940-1501, and inserted my 943 S30V blade. Loved it so much that I've since gotten rid of every other 94X family knife I had (a total of 5) including the 940-1. If they did 943-1, I'd definitely buy one.

 
Redwood25 said:
I took the G10 from the 940-1501, and inserted my 943 S30V blade. Loved it so much that I've since gotten rid of every other 94X family knife I had (a total of 5) including the 940-1. If they did 943-1, I'd definitely buy one.

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Oh yeah, now that's what I'm talking about.
Well done sir!
 
I passed my 940 down to my 12 year old and really feel a need for another from the series, either the 940-2 or the 943, and I'm leaning towards the 943.
 
Edit: I guess I should have read the OP's post more carefully, as I missed his reference to my post and pic. Anyway, here's a link to a different thread and the pic of the knife I've posted a few times.

I was just posting on another thread regarding the 940-1501 along with Joe and few others about the lack of love for the 943 and how BM has not really had any special runs or other offerings for that blade. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1414400-940-1501-KW-Exclusive?p=16309717#post16309717

I had a 940-1, but never really warmed to the blade shape. The CF was great, as aluminum handles leave me cold, but thought the 943 to be a much preferable blade. When a 943(-01) franken-knife appeared on the Exchange I jumped all over it and it's become a favorite. The 940-1 got sold a while ago.

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ChazzyP said:
Edit: I guess I should have read the OP's post more carefully, as I missed his reference to my post and pic. Anyway, here's a link to a different thread and the pic of the knife I've posted a few times.

I was just posting on another thread regarding the 940-1501 along with Joe and few others about the lack of love for the 943 and how BM has not really had any special runs or other offerings for that blade. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1414400-940-1501-KW-Exclusive?p=16309717#post16309717

I had a 940-1, but never really warmed to the blade shape. The CF was great, as aluminum handles leave me cold, but thought the 943 to be a much preferable blade. When a 943(-01) franken-knife appeared on the Exchange I jumped all over it and it's become a favorite. The 940-1 got sold a while ago.

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Dam! I just might have to do that, but it's a real expensive franken. I have a -1501 that I was going to do it to but the cf is so sexy!
 
Joe Manco said:
Dam! I just might have to do that, but it's a real expensive franken. I have a -1501 that I was going to do it to but the cf is so sexy!
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I bought mine like it is and lucked out on price, but look at it this way….

Lots of 940 lovers are fine with aluminum handles, so if you buy a 943 (S30V) with stock black aluminum scales and a 940-1 (S90V) with the CF and swap 'em out, wouldn't a 940aholic love to have an upgraded steel in the usual, albeit black, scales for the price of a stock model? If all parts are brand-new, you should be able to get at least close to the price of a new 940. That would leave you near the price of a 940-1 with the blade style you prefer. Buy 'em on the secondary market and your exposure is even less.

BTW, S30V is a perfectly fine steel and I wonder if the advantages afforded with S90V are really that significant in a knife less robust than some of its larger, heavier cousins. I don't find mine falls short for any of the EDC-appropriate uses for a finer, lighter blade.
 
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Now I'm happy!!
940 with a CPM-20CV blade and black aluminum scales will be for sale within a few minutes.
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There you go, Joe. Nice lookin' blade and a great swap-out! Hope you get a good return on that Franken. That's a pretty cool knife, too.

Does the 940-1501 come with a Parkerized split arrow? That's my favorite BM clip and would be just right for that new beauty of yours.
 
ChazzyP said:
There you go, Joe. Nice lookin' blade and a great swap-out! Hope you get a good return on that Franken. That's a pretty cool knife, too.

Does the 940-1501 come with a Parkerized split arrow? That's my favorite BM clip and would be just right for that new beauty of yours.
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You can google it. It has "Benchmade USA" clip. I think it's parkerized too.
 
I have a low carry clip that BM sent me just because I asked.
Think it's painted, I'll blast it and darken it when it starts to chip. Do they make a parkerized deep carry?
 
Yes and no. Universal deep carry clip is only silver and black painted. Deep carry clip in BM 908 is parkerized but has different screw spacing, doesn't match to knives with three screw slot.
 
ourgon said:
You can google it. It has "Benchmade USA" clip. I think it's parkerized too.
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Yeah, I did google it after I wrote and saw the clip you described.

I have a couple of those black painted deep carries in my drawer but don't favor either painted or deep carry. I have lanyards on lots of my knives, but don't keep one on my 943-1. The Parkerized split arrow looks great on those scales and leaves just enough of the butt of the knife out for an easy grab.
 
I love the 943 blade shape, but I sold all of my 943's because the steel is so out dated. S-30? What about S-60 and S-90 and S-110 and S-125. Benchmade needs to peddle buggy whips and rug beaters. How out to lunch can you be?
 
tiguy7 said:
I love the 943 blade shape, but I sold all of my 943's because the steel is so out dated. S-30? What about S-60 and S-90 and S-110 and S-125. Benchmade needs to peddle buggy whips and rug beaters. How out to lunch can you be?
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Well, S30V will cut you just as deep as S110V, and is less expensive. For a working knife, I don't see much of a problem there. Heck, I have knives in 1095, 440C, and 154CM that do a number on most anything I'd cut them with. Each steel type has it's place.
 
Basher313 said:
Well, S30V will cut you just as deep as S110V, and is less expensive. For a working knife, I don't see much of a problem there. Heck, I have knives in 1095, 440C, and 154CM that do a number on most anything I'd cut them with. Each steel type has it's place.
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I'm with Basher on this point. As I wrote in a post above "BTW, S30V is a perfectly fine steel and I wonder if the advantages afforded with S90V are really that significant in a knife less robust than some of its larger, heavier cousins. I don't find mine falls short for any of the EDC-appropriate uses for a finer, lighter blade."

I've got lots of knives is S30V and have no desire to rid myself of them. Tiguy's point is well-taken, though, and goes to the heart of the subject of this thread--why won't BM give us some options and upgrades for our beloved Poor Cousin?

tiguy7 said:
How out to lunch can you be?
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Maybe they only make 943's between noon and one….
 
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S30V would be fine with me in a G10 handled 943.

Would I prefer S90V and CF, or some higher grade steel (whatever that's interpreted to mean)? Yes. But I have more folders in S30V than anything else and am quite happy with the steel.

943-2 please Benchmade. Or 943-1. Either way I will buy one.
 
I have 2 knives in S60, 5 in S90, 6 in S110, and 3 in S125. In my opinion they all are significantly better S30. S30 is OK, but how can you keep me down on the S30 farm after I've been to S125 Paris.
 
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