943, the poor cousin.

[Basher313]

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.

Bahaha! Good point. I guess all I was trying to say is that S30V is still a fine steel, but there's nothing wrong with variety or options, is there?

 

[ChazzyP]

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.

With your engineering background, I get where you're coming from with your focus on the steel. And yeah, the better the steel the better the cut and that's what knives are for, no?

I have lots of knives in lots of different steels--from 8Cr13MoV and VG10 to M390, Elmax, and CTSXHP with lots of stops in between. My black-scaled combo Tenacious is my beater work knife and I guess it would please me if it had better steel, but then it would cost more and I wouldn't want to use it for a beater. I have two other Tenasci--blue and green handled--that I keep nice 'cause I like 'em despite the crap steel.

At the other end of the scale, past dozens of others and S35VN CRKs, are two Shiros--a 111 in M390 and an F3 with Python Micarta in S30V. The F3 is gorgeous, has unbelievable F&F, and is wicked smooth. I wouldn't dream of letting it go because it's "only" S30V. I feel the same about my 943(-1). S90V was not enough to make me overcome my dislike for the 940-1 blade shape and that one got sold. I'm definitely into the better steels, but for this knife knut, the steel is only part of the equation.

But, different strokes for different folks and, again, we're talking about BM's short-sightedness in offering us options on our Poor Cousin and we're all in agreement--what's up with that?

 

[palonej]

Tenasci Steve????
I love it!!
Joe

 

[uram09]

a Benchmade 943 with the 940-2's scales, an unpainted clip and blue spacers (or a bottle opener ) is the dream baby

 

[-Corey-]

I prefer the look of the 940 blade myself, it also has a little more heft in the blade that makes it flip in and out smoother when I just pull back on the axis bar to open and close it. For my general cutting tasks however, the fine precision tip of the 943 is much more useful. I think I may need to start carrying it a little more often instead of the 940.

I must say, I was a bit disappointed with my 940-1501 when I first got it, but with this black blade, I think it looks much better.

And just so ya know, there's quite a few old 941 models out there, it's the same blade shape as the 943. Here's all the ones that I know of...(click on the links below to see a pic of each model)

941-81 (blue and gray titanium, polished S30V, Gold class)

941BC1BL (blue aluminum, BC1 coated 154CM)

941BC1G (gray aluminum, BC1 coated 154CM, Limited 200)

941BC1RED (red aluminum, BC1 coated 154CM, Limited 500)

941BT-BB (blue and black splash aluminum, BT coated 154CM, Limited 50)

941BT-PUR (purple aluminum, BT coated 154CM, Limited 50)

941CFV (Carbon Fiber, S30V, Limited 25)

941D2CF (Carbon Fiber, D2, Limited 500)

941TI-01 (gray and blue titanium, S30V, Limited 500)

 

[palonej]

Corey!!!!! WHYYYYYY!!!!!
I am now completely cross eyed and have a tremendous migraine!!!
Can you say blade envy???? Is that even a thing?? If not, I definitely am feeling something like it!!
WOW!!!

On a different note......I have a black CE on my 943 and have been thinking of doing a blade swap just like you did!! It looks amazing my friend!!
Think I'm going to do that today and put the 1501 blade into a pair of DOAT scales!
Joe

 

[palonej]

Also, you heartless enabler, that blue and gray Ti is absolutely gorgeous!!! Pretty sure that would be an impossible find and can only imagine the price of that bad boy!
Joe

 

[-Corey-]

Believe me, I'd love to have every one of those knives, but I've only got 3 from that list. And let's not even get started on the list of 940 models, I'm sure I don't even know about half of those. By the way, those DOAT scales look amazing with the black blades as well.

 

[-Corey-]

Also, you heartless enabler, that blue and gray Ti is absolutely gorgeous!!! Pretty sure that would be an impossible find and can only imagine the price of that bad boy!
Joe

If you're talking about the 941-81, I think there were only 38 made, so yea I probably wouldn't be willing to pay the price for it even if I did run across one.