Benchmade 530 vs. 940 Comparison Pics

Apples vs oranges. The 530 is much slimmer and lighter. I have a 530 with a deep carry clip that is my office EDC and you forget it's even there.

 

Despite popular claims, the 940 is a pretty hard duty knife, and that's magnified when compared to the 530. The 530 has a thinner handle (though not much thinner because the 940's is already much thinner than the average knife) and a thinner blade; I tried to get a shot of those.

I'm just going to link to the album because the pictures are pretty big. If you want any angle in particular let me know. http://imgur.com/a/xSk9X

 

Changed the clip on my 940



Cheers

 

I handled the 530 at a outdoor place, and I was not impressed one bit. The feeling to me was super cheap, like a gas station knife. I know its probably not, but that knife is WAY too thin and light for my liking. I can see it being a good knife for someone who lightly uses his knives. I'd go with the 940 as its a proven benchmade design that's not going anywhere for a reason.

 

I like the size of the 940 but don't care for the blade shape of the feel of the scales so I bought its cousin the Gaucho. It's a gorgeous knife with a beautifully ground blade and superbly ergonomic scales.

 

I prefer the 530 over the 940. Why? I dunno it's nearly the same size. Just fits my hand better...maybe it's also the aluminum scales so easily scuffed.

Now again, the Gaucho has always been a sleeper. As a prime candidate for a quick upgrade by swapping the stock blade for a 943 it becomes a great combination of cool scales and great clip point blade. Yet even as is, that (Gaucho) blade is either liked or hated, but it Is kind of cool. Just not my cuppa.

 

I have both and honestly carry the 530 more because it is so light and thin. Hasn't failed in my edc tasks at all, going on a year now. I did mess the tip up a bit dropping it onto carpet (!).

 

Any knife can be damaged by dropping. The blade on a 530 is thin, but then again...I've broken the tip off a heavy duty Shun kitchen knife that dropped on the floor, so it happens. The score? Floor tile 1, knife 0.

Good news is: $25 plus shipping can get you a replacement blade if the damage to the tip can't be repaired.

 

Blaspheme Joe, are you off your meds.

 

To me, the 530 has always seemed a knife with a fairly narrow, almost specialized, profile: it's incredibly thin and light, and to do that it gives up several other attributes. It would be suitable for activities such as ultra-light hiking (where people cut the handles off toothbrushes, for example) where few other knives would fit the profile as well.

 

I've found it to be the perfect office carry knife. I use it for opening mail, packages, slicing fruit, cutting string, etc.