Benchmade 940 vs 940-2

Benchmade 940 vs 940-2 vs PM2 vs Para 3

  • 940

    Votes: 13 25.5%

  • 940-2

    Votes: 16 31.4%

  • PM2

    Votes: 19 37.3%

  • Para 3

    Votes: 3 5.9%
  • Total voters
    51
KnifeCarsen10

KnifeCarsen10

Joined
Sep 12, 2018
Messages
167
Hey guys, just wondering what knife I should purchase. I’m looking for a good EDC knife, not going to be banging in it outside on wood. I don’t necessarily like the green aluminum scales on the 940. I really like the g10 on my 551-1, but I’m also interested in the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 or the Para 3. Out all 4, what are the best pros and cons. Thanks!
 
If you want something to drop into your pocket and forget about until you need it, 940-2 (personally, I’m not a big fan of the aluminum scales).

If you want a knife to really use a bunch and don’t mind sacrificing pocket space, PM2.
No offense intended to Para3 lovers, but the aesthetics just don’t jive with me.
 
I had a 940 with the aluminum scales. The feeling of those scales in my hand was awful. It felt like the way nails being drawn across a chalkboard sound. If I was going to go for another 940 I’d bite the bullet on the cost, treat myself to CF scales with superior blade steel and get the 940-1. There’s a fair amount of dissatisfaction with BM’s QC these days and you’ll need to inspect any new BM thoroughly to make sure it satisfies whatever personal standards you have for a new $180-$270-ish knife. As for the PM2 and PM3 are a lot bigger in your pocket than a 940 is. If size/pocket space is an issue, the Spydercos may not be for you.

Anyhow, the question was which one to go with. What I’d get is a PM2, a PM3 and a 940-1. If I had budgetary limits, I’d start with the one I best liked the descriptions of and then get the other two later on, as available money permitted.
 
4mer_FMF said:
If you want something to drop into your pocket and forget about until you need it, 940-2 (personally, I’m not a big fan of the aluminum scales).

If you want a knife to really use a bunch and don’t mind sacrificing pocket space, PM2.
No offense intended to Para3 lovers, but the aesthetics just don’t jive with me.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the input!
 
Stumpy72 said:
I had a 940 with the aluminum scales. The feeling of those scales in my hand was awful. It felt like the way nails being drawn across a chalkboard sound. If I was going to go for another 940 I’d bite the bullet on the cost, treat myself to CF scales with superior blade steel and get the 940-1. There’s a fair amount of dissatisfaction with BM’s QC these days and you’ll need to inspect any new BM thoroughly to make sure it satisfies whatever personal standards you have for a new $180-$270-ish knife. As for the PM2 and PM3 are a lot bigger in your pocket than a 940 is. If size/pocket space is an issue, the Spydercos may not be for you.

Anyhow, the question was which one to go with. What I’d get is a PM2, a PM3 and a 940-1. If I had budgetary limits, I’d start with the one I best liked the descriptions of and then get the other two later on, as available money permitted.
Click to expand...
I don’t know if I’ll be able to get a 940-1 anytime soon because of price, but would you get the PM2 or the para 3, and why? Thanks!
 
Well, I've owned the BM 940-2 and the PM2. I found the PM2 had great action, great erogomics, but I felt it carried like a much larger knife in pocket(carried worse in pocket than the 551-1). The G-10 on the 940-2 I immensely despised. It provided absolutely no traction which is why I sold it. It did carry great in pocket and also have amazing action, so that are the perks. To be fair, I also immensely despised the g-10 on the BM 551-1, how can you call a knife a "griptilian" and take away all of its grip? Frankly that is blasphemy. So, personally I'm not a big fan of any of the knives you mentioned, as I personally sold them all... However since you like the g-10 on the BM 551-1, the 940-2 gets my vote for general edc tasks out of the 4 options you provided.
 
Gideons said:
Well, I've owned the BM 940-2 and the PM2. I found the PM2 had great action, great erogomics, but I felt it carried like a much larger knife in pocket(carried worse in pocket than the 551-1). The G-10 on the 940-2 I immensely despised. It provided absolutely no traction which is why I sold it. It did carry great in pocket and also have amazing action, so that are the perks. To be fair, I also immensely despised the g-10 on the BM 551-1, how can you call a knife a "griptilian" and take away all of its grip? Frankly that is blasphemy. So, personally I'm not a big fan of any of the knives you mentioned, as I personally sold them all... However since you like the g-10 on the BM 551-1, the 940-2 gets my vote for general edc tasks out of the 4 options you provided.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I just like the feel, and it doesn’t tear up my pocket. Just my opinion! Thanks!!
 
The Pm2 is arguably the best edc on the market, at any price. Only a small minority of people who get a pm2 don t like it.
(I ll bet). It s not the very best at anything, but it s very good at everything. The ergonomics are close to the best. The fit and finish
is reliably high level. The strength is very good. And the wide flat grind is a fine slicer. There is only one other knife that I think is close to the PM2 as an edc for a good price.
You didn't t mention it and neither am I.
 
whp said:
The Pm2 is arguably the best edc on the market, at any price. Only a small minority of people who get a pm2 don t like it.
(I ll bet). It s not the very best at anything, but it s very good at everything. The ergonomics are close to the best. The fit and finish
is reliably high level. The strength is very good. And the wide flat grind is a fine slicer. There is only one other knife that I think is close to the PM2 as an edc for a good price.
You didn't t mention it and neither am I.
Click to expand...
May I ask what the other knife is?
 
I just bought the Benchmade 940-1702 REI exclusive, and wow the blade is probably my new favorite for EDC. I like the G-10 scales and am really digging the color way. Its the perfect size to fit in my pocket and forget about it till I need it. I had a PM and someone jacked it from me. One day I'll get another one but for now I'm digging the 940.

-Ed
 
edge13 said:
I just bought the Benchmade 940-1702 REI exclusive, and wow the blade is probably my new favorite for EDC. I like the G-10 scales and am really digging the color way. Its the perfect size to fit in my pocket and forget about it till I need it. I had a PM and someone jacked it from me. One day I'll get another one but for now I'm digging the 940.

-Ed
Click to expand...
I really do like the color scheme on that one! Cpm-20cv is my only supersteel and I absolutely love it! Thanks!!
 
S2BJIM9.jpg

I second the 943.
 
I dont own a 943 (want), but I own several 942's and really like them. Have not had a bad one. S30v, D2, S90v all have been centered and feel great in the hand (to me). I want to start on the 943's next.
 
I haven't had much experience with the specific knives you offered, but if I were in your shoes, I'd look at how much I actually use the knife.

Benchmade's offerings usually carry very nicely and are ideal for quick cutting tasks. However, they seem less than ideal for prolonged cutting tasks (longer than 5 to 10 minutes at a time, think about whittling or preparing a large meal with a lot of food processing).

Spyderco's offerings seem the other way around. Their focus on ergonomics means they have the upper hand for prolonged cutting tasks, but their shape means the carry is a bit less in some cases.
 
KnifeCarsen10 said:
I don’t know if I’ll be able to get a 940-1 anytime soon because of price, but would you get the PM2 or the para 3, and why? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Just one personal view, but... I think the 940, PM2 and Para 3 families are all what I’d call “industry standards” in current production folders--kind of like what the Chevy Malibu, Ford Torino and Plymouth Satellite families used to be in 70’s-80’s American cars. I think it’s hard to go wrong with any of them, even though I already have. If/when I order another 940, my order to the vendor will stipulate that I expect a centered blade, solid lock-up, no visible flaws/damage and no blade play. I don’t know if that’ll make any difference in what they send to me, but at least they’ll know the criteria by which I’ll be deciding whether to keep the knife or return it to them.

I’ve already got a Para 3 (M4 blade+natural G-10 scales) and I’m keeping my eyes open and waiting for a limited edition/sprint run PM2 that gets my attention with blade and scale materials. I’ll probably be unable to resist the siren song of the 940 forever, so I’m keeping my eyes open for a 940 LE/SR that gets my attention with blade/scale materials, too.

I need to say that for me, this is all self-indulgence. I (and I suspect most of us) could probably make do with any one of these three knives to handle almost all of what comes our way in our everyday lives.
 
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