benchmade 940 vs bugout

[Knife devotee]

I want to save up for one of these two knives but don't know witch one to get. any help will be very helpful thanks.

 

[Whitedog]

If you want something light with a blade profile for slicing go with the Bugout. If you want something a little heavier and more pocket jewelry go for the 940. Get what you want!

 

[Astronaut FX]

Flip a coin. Heads, 940. Tails, Bugout. If you flip and you’re disappointed with the results, it will tell you which you prefer.

 

[Jhansenak47]

Get out and cut stuff. I prefer 4 finger grips, thin blades, minimal bulk, and minimal weight in a folding pocket knife. I would probably lean more towards the bugout, but my real preference is the discontinued Dejavoo. If you have any local stores that stock them go in and look at the knives in person.

 

[GatorMedic]

I was EDCing a 940-2 when I bought a Bugout. Carried the Bugout for a few days and realized it was the knife for me. Sold the 940-2. Have carried the Bugout every single day since then. My vote is obviously the Bugout, but both are great knives.

 

[Agronox]

Flip a coin. Heads, 940. Tails, Bugout. If you flip and you’re disappointed with the results, it will tell you which you prefer.

That's a rather clever idea. I was ready to type up a post asking about what your intended uses for the knife were, what your budget was etc, but I vote for this idea instead. lol

 

[Dadpool]

What do you like about each of them? I sometimes do a pro/con list when I'm considering two knives, and that usually sorts out my choice.

FWIW, I considered both and went with the 940-1.

 

[TommyG19]

To me, the bugout has better ergs and better blade. Just isn't pocket bling, if that's what you want.

 

[Kreyzhorse]

Both are good knives. To me, the 940 is a bit more stout. It's something I'd want if I needed a knife for any reason beyond EDC tasks.

 

[Sergeua]

There are aftermarket scales for bugout if you want it to look prettier

 

[Lapedog]

There's always the cf aftermarket scales for bugout if you want it to look prettier

I vote 940 variant under most circumstances because I am not in love with the “flimsyness” of the Bugout’s scales.

On the other hand if BM ever releases the bugout with CF scales or you plan on getting some made I think it will be one of the best EDC ever made.

 

[abbazaba]

Bugout. It's better in every way after a scale upgrade IMO. My 940-1 and 943 might be seen on the exchange soon. I've been carrying a Bugout with CF scales every week since last September and just finished putting a new edge and Ti scales on the Ranger Green for something new...

 

[FullMetalJackass]

Bugout. 940 is now an overpriced scam.

 

[Wowbagger]

I don't have a Bugout but I do have the 940-1.
I give the Bugout a lot of crap because it isn't really my kind of knife and it seems to be all the rage. it's a dirty little habit I'm not proud of but I enjoy it.
aaaalllll though . . . the thinness of the blade is desirable and I can appreciate that the knife is very pocket friendly because the handle is thin.

That said I much prefer the handle shape of the 940-1 in use and for me that is what my knives are about . . . use. To get the handle I want I will "stoop" to removing a perfectly serviceable pocket clip because it messes with my grip and carry the knife in a pouch. Latest example of a knife with a great handle (once I took the clip off) is the Spyderco Pattada another that I have been carrying in a pouch for ever is the Ritter Griptillian (the handle is nice and thick in use but kind of fills the pocket for accessing other things in the same pocket).

So handles I like : 940-1, Pattada, Griptillian.
One handle that is anti what I like : Bugout.

It's ALL about the handle shape in use for me. But I guess you got that already.

The other day I was fooling with my Cold Steel Holdout III (the smallest one) and noticed how much that knife is like the Bugout meaning over all it is a nice thin flat package that is very pocket friendly.
. . . so anyway . . . that's what I think.

 

[Wowbagger]

I want to save up for one of these two knives but don't know witch one to get. any help will be very helpful thanks.

First off for my Carbon Fiber 940-1 with S90V blade I felt I paid a fair price and am completely happy with the knife. I got a perfect one.

What I wanted to show in these photos is the sort of thicker and less tall handle I prefer and why . . . in my imagination (since I don't own one) . . . the Bugout, being thin handled and tall, may not be the knife FOR ME. It might just be the perfect knife for you though.

So
These photos show the handles on the knives I prefer as opposed to the thin Holdout III at the bottom of the first photo and on the far right in the second photo which is not only thinner but taller. What I call slab sided.

I still like the thin Holdout for what it is and would never trade it but the other handles are so much better in use. For me.

 

[Dean51]

The Bugout will cut like a knife should cut.
The 940 not so much.

 

[Wowbagger]

The Bugout will cut like a knife should cut.
The 940 not so much.

. . . well . . . actually a traditional like the Case Trapper will cut like a knife should cut. The narrow (vertically speaking) blade profile will cut curves better than the Bugout and because it is thinner than either one it will cut with less effort . . . in say hard leather or cardboard.

The tall blade on the Bugout might be good for cutting slices off a cucumber or batoning for vertical strength.
It doesn't but curves like a knife should but curves though.


And while we are on the subject of maneuverability (rolling the knife handle in one's grip to cut curves or at least change direction with ease and control) . . .
this is why I prefer the narrow (vertically) and fat (horizontally) handles; one can grip it in a two finger grip and it doesn't feel tippy


Those old dudes knew what they were doing with the Trapper. Other knives are a compromise in performance or just plane hype when it comes to a folding knife. Sure longer is better (some times) and thicker / taller blades are better . . . for . . . ohhhhh I don't know . . . hammering through nails or slaying Balrogs. I don't do much of that. (granted the tip of the 940 is a bit odd.)

The 940 allows one to roll the knife in the grip similar to the Trapper and like the Ti Lite shown bellow. Note the knife rolls a full 180° in the hand. I full flat ground the Ti Lite and these photos are of one I cut into a Wharncliffe.
This is how a user work knife should perform. This knife is not comfortable to carry in the pocket and requires a pouch as does the Trapper. But the 940 can perform like this and still fit in a pocket; partly because it is so darn light.

The Bugout fits on the pocket well; it wins there.

 

[uxo2]

Bugout because the scales have traction. Not slick like the 940.
Lighter in the pocket.
Better ergos.
Same steel S30V.
Don't like blue. Ranger green scales, DLC blade.

CHEAPER than the 940.

 

[Pinnacle64]

Have two 940‘s carbon fiber and G-10 models plus a blue bugout.

For me 940 wins out just feels more solid overall and I like the 940 blade design myself. It’s just a personal perfence both are great knifes in different ways.

 

[Bucketz21]

bugout with carbon fiber, 940 variant, stock bugout. in that order. the top two is a really close, but I think the stock bugout is just not the knife the 940s are. the solid condensed feel, and the long pretty blade shape do it for me. not in every knife, but it's found that edc niche and it works there. as lots have said, the bugout is a different knife entirely with after market scales