Another 'Help me decide' thread, this time: 940/943 or 960???

[ZDHart]

I've been itching for a better quality Benchmade axis knive for EDC that is very lightweight, very thin, 3+" blade, and of great quality.

After much research of all the available models, I think it comes down to these two models for me. Most of my other considerations were selected out due to being significantly heavier and/or fatter. The 940/943 and 960 are quite light and very thin for their size, both axis locks, both have respectable quality components. I can have either for $130.

960 - red or silver... I'm thinking silver. But red would be cool too. Knife is discontinued, but still avaliable. I like the look of the design. Blade shape seems fine to me. Looks like a winner to me. But I take it it's not such a popular knife, for some reason. Perhaps people lean away from the D2 steel? Is it really a much less desireable choice in steel?

940/943 green or black... I'm thinking 940 green. Or 943 black. Toss up on that. But probably 940 green as I think I would prefer the stronger reverse tanto on the 940 vs. the clip point of the 943, though either would probably serve me equally well.

What are your thoughts on these choices for EDC? Typical uses, as with most of us, will be boxes, bags, envelopes, twine, occasional piece of fruit or what have you. Light duty, basically.

Looking forward to your considerations. Thanks!

 

[st_burt]

I have a silver 960 and a green 940, so hopefully I can help. I like the way the 960 looks, but other than that I prefer the 940 in every way.

The handle on the 960 is too short for me (I have average sized hands, I think), and the edges of the handle are a bit sharp. The 940 has curved edges and is enough longer that I can get a much better grip on it. Also, although both are anodized aluminum, the 940 handle has a rougher texture, so it's much easier to hold on to. The 960 can get slick pretty easily if you hands sweat at all. The G10 inserts are polished, so they don't help with grip.

I prefer S30V to D2 for a small folder, so the 940 is better for me in that regard. Both knives have excellent blade shapes for EDC, I think. The tip seems a bit stronger on the 940, if that makes a difference.

The 940 is a candidate for my "if you could only have one knife, which knife would you choose" list, and I gave the 960 to my girlfriend. She said it was "pretty," and it fits her hands better than mine. It's still a great knife though. I didn't give it to her until I bought the 940. I don't think you would regret buying either knife, unless the 960 turned out to be too small for your hands.

 

[myowngod]

I vote 940... to me it is a GREAT edc blade if you need something smaller. Still one of my fav's even after buying a lot of much more expensive knives..

the 960 just didn't speak to me the way the 940 did...

 

[cziv]

+1 on the BM940 Osborne. I bought another one because I like it so much. I doubt they'd discontinue it but the price was good so I tucked another one away. :thumbup:

 

[OldDude1]

Greetings ZDHart: Go for the Benchmade Osborne 940. The ratio of blade length to the overall knife dimensions allows an almost 3.5" blade to efficiently fit in a 4.5" frame. The anodized aluminum scales are light, marginally grippy and not at all flimsy for an every day carry knife. Weight is less than 3 ozs. The modified reverse tanto S30V blade takes and holds a 30 degree overall edge suitable to my purposes. The blade's shape is only limited by lack of belly.
The 940 feels comfortable and rigid as the Axis lock seats. It is also highly responsive to minor pivot screw adjustments. You may wish to personally examine the specific knife before purchasing it. The narrow width of the frame doesn't leave excess room for clearance between the upper blade sides and the stainless partial liners. My first 940 came with an off center blade which I was unable to tweak into alignment. After a trip back to Benchmade it was returned perfectly centered. My second 940 was well adjusted and centered. Yep, liked it so much I bought a spare. The Axis lock is ambidextrous, smooth, fast and positive in operation. It is also entirely too much fun to play with. Bottom line, the knife is thin, light, strong, has a good blade length for an EDC and does not scream "Look I Have A Knife." It is easy to carry and can be quickly used and quickly put away. OldDude1

 

[Doggonit]

I'm a 943 man myself, but will vouch for the 940 as well. They make a lovely EDC blade that can take on jobs well outside of its intended uses.

 

[redisburning]

Im not a huge fan of the 940, but I like it a lot better than the 960. The 960 handle is, imo, not very ergonomic.

 

[jblane]

I love my new 940. Only thing I'd change about it is that glossy purple stripe along the back of the handle, which is almost pink! I'm planning to paint it black, then I'll have the perfect folder.

 

[cziv]

Only thing I'd change about it is that glossy purple stripe along the back of the handle, which is almost pink!

Heaven forbid! That rocks IMO and it's purple 90% of the time. I'm a Prac/Tac kinda guy but I love that classy little backspacer.

 

[nevermind35]

I do not own a 940 but I have owned a 960. If you're looking for a knife with some class get the 960. It truly is a beautiful knife and if the handle feels good in your hand than it should be pretty much the perfect knife. I actually just sold mine because it was not very ergonomic for MY hand. Actually as a dress/church/special occasion knife it was perfect because you could use it in the standard grip or choke up on it with its finger choil. However I wanted it as a EDC/work knife and the grip just was not ergonomic enough to do long hard jobs with it. But boy was that thing a beauty! Infact let me go dig up some pics...

 

[ZDHart]

nevermind35... I know! The 960 is really a gorgeous knife. I'm sure that which ever knife I bought, I would be very happy with it. All in all, though, it sounds like the 940/943 is a more universally satisfying knife... and if I ever decided to sell, the 940/943 would probably be a much easier sell. My wife has a 943 with black combo blade... so I think I'm going to opt for the green handle 940 with a plain blade. It's tough to go wrong with that knife. Thin, remarkably light weight for it's blade length, great steel, strong blade design (reverse tanto), axis lock, grippy scales, tried and true design. Pretty much a Benchmade classic, I guess. OK, my decision is made, green 940 it is. (My wife told me to pick a nice knife for my upcoming birthday... that's the reason for this thread!) Thanks, guys.

 

[otis williams]

i've been edc'ing a 1st production 940 for around 7 years. love it... the purple spacer's faded a bit. i have a 940 in carbon fiber and d2, with a blue spacer tucked away for dressier occaisons.

 

[ZDHart]

Otis... do you know when the 940 first went into production?

How about the 943?

My wife was asking me today how long the model has been around.

Thank you.

 

[frontline29]

Get the 940 you WILL NOT regret it.

 

[ZDHart]

frontline... thanks for the pic... that's a great visual!

 

[cziv]

The 940 has a longer blade than the 960 as well. You'll be amazed at low long the blade really is when holding it next to some big honkin' folders, side by side, for a blade length comparison.

i have a 940 in carbon fiber and d2

I passed on a green first run 940 in D2 at a great price, cuz I dislike D2. But carbon fiber handle would have sold me. Is that a Gold Class or something?

 

[SHADOW84]

I was once stuck with the same delima and ended up buying a 943 PE and still ended up buying a 940, both are great knifes and will serve you well, the reverse tanto style of the 940 is a whole different kind of beast when compared to the 943... IMO the 940 surprised me as it turned out to be a better slicer for me than my 943... I still carry both knifes and would not get rid of either one of them... if you like the 943 series try and find a 941 with the BC1 coating its a awesome blade with a very unique and durable finish...

 

[cziv]

That 941 has a mini pig sticker blade huh? Looks the same as the 940 except the pointed tip and it's 154cm steel, which is also good stuff.

 

[otis williams]

I passed on a green first run 940 in D2 at a great price, cuz I dislike D2. But carbon fiber handle would have sold me. Is that a Gold Class or something?

when was the 940 released? i don't remember...

my green first run is in 154cm... didn't realize they offered 'em in other steels. the cf/D2 was a pre-production i got a few years later(26 of 500 i think)... bought it in a store front, for about the same price as the standard 940... i don't think it's a gold class, but i don't know very much. came in a metal box-thing.

 

[cziv]

the cf/D2 was a pre-production i got a few years later(26 of 500 i think)... bought it in a store front

Hmm? Don't know when they began the 940 otis williams - maybe someone will chime in. Have you got any pics of your 940's around? I'd sure like to see them.