Benchmade 940 vs. Kershaw Blur

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frogger42

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Sep 17, 2008
Messages
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I am going to the gun show tomorrow afternoon and a new tactical / EDC knife is on my shopping list. I think I have it narrowed down to the Kershaw Blur (1670S30V) or the Benchmade 940. Both have aluminum handles (G10 would be good too) and both have S30V blade steel. They are both similar in size as well. I'm looking for something in the 3.2 - 3.5" blade size. The Benchmade is quite a bit more expensive and I'm not really sure why. Can you guys tell me which of these you would prefer and/or what else I should look at that is similar. My criteria are...

Durable
Good blade steel
3.2 - 3.5" blade
Fast opening
Can be used for EDC, but also would do as a tactical knife in an emergency.

I currently carry either a Kershaw Scallion or a Kershaw NRG. I like both, but I am looking to add something a little bigger to the collection.

Thanks in advance.
 
The Blur is the "ideal" tactical/practical knife for quite a few Kershaw users. Great blade shape, tough as nails, and fills the hand well.

The price, like most Kershaws, is a great value. Get the Blur (I have 4 different models). Love em.
 
I would vote for the Benchmade ... It does cost more , but it is in another class...
 
I have the Tactical Blur and a 943. Not quite what you listed but close enough.
The AO on the Blur is almost too fast and hard. Its nice though. I had trouble with the liner lock not engaging fully and it would fail a one handed spine stress. I'd hold it in my hand with my index finger pushing on the spine like I was closing it and it would snap shut. I took it apart and filed the tang engagement tip of the lock with my sharpmaker rods and fixed the lock up quite well. Its nice, secure and tight now.
The ergos on the Blur are a little better than the 94x too, its got more meat and feels a little better in the hand. But its also more noticeable in the pocket than the 94x.
Short of the lock problem I had, the workmanship on both of them are are of undeniable quality. That Axis lock, slim profile, and butter smooth pivot of the 94x series are what make up the price difference for me though. Only gripe I have with the 94x is the steep grind on the bevel. You have to either reprofile it or adjust your sharpening technique to compensate.
It'd be a tough choice for me, but I'd probably go with the 940.
 
At about the same price point of the 940, you can get a ZT0200. While the Blur is nice, with that $$$ to spend, and wanting a EDC/Tactical, I'd pick the 0200.
 
SPXTrader said:
At about the same price point of the 940, you can get a ZT0200. While the Blur is nice, with that $$$ to spend, and wanting a EDC/Tactical, I'd pick the 0200.
Click to expand...

That is an awesome knife, but I'll pass for two reasons...

1. Just because I have the money doesn't mean I feel I need to spend it.
2. That knife is much bigger than what I'm looking for.

I seem to be finding the Blur I'm looking for on line for $75 - 85. That is of course before shipping and there is no instant gratification. If I can pick one up for under $100 OTD at the show, I will probably grab one. I really like the 940, but I haven't found any concrete reason to spend the extra money AND Kershaw's customer service has made me a loyal customer. I will buy other brands, but only if there is a good reason.
 
I'm more of a fan of the 940, almost completely because of the axis lock. I'm not a fan of AOs (eveb though one of my favorite knives is one), recurves or liner locks. That's not to say that the blur is a bad knife,far from it. A couple of knives you might consider:

BM griptilian
BM 520
 
I personally thing the 940 is the best tactical edc choice from a production company out there. Good luck!
 
Buddy at work has the 940 while I have the 943.
I like the balance on the 40, but the tip is too blunt for what I want in a slim, small, pocket knife.
 
without a doubt: i vote for the 940 ... of course because i'm a benchmade's fan, but if we are talking about those two models, that's mainly because of the axis and the blade shape: the blur is a lot too bendy to be efficient in most daily tasks
 
i recomend a 1580 kershaw boa. same price range as a 940, has g10 handles with a s30v blade. the thumb ramp locks your thumb in unlike the slipery 940.. i have a 941 + a 1580 and the only upside to the 941 i can see is that it weighs less and i rather like the axis lock. the 1580 is often overlooked and has all of the specifications you mentiond
 
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I had a 940 and it's a good knife. i think it rides better in the pocket and Benchmade does good with S-30V.(Kershaw does good on S-30V also. I love Kershaw, and have/had many, but between the two knives questioned, I'd go 940)
 
I have the BM Osborne 940 and like it a lot. You can't go wrong with a 940. Classy knife.
 
The 940 series are great knives. Fairly tough while remaining slim and gentlemanly. IMO it's in a different class than most Kershaw stuff. Also, screw assisted open. Gimmicky crap. The axis lock is faster, easier, cooler, safer and better in pretty much every way possible.
 
I have a Blur and love it. I use it pretty roughly at work cutting anything that needs to be cut (but I don't abuse it at all) and it works great. I've never used a 940 so i can't say which one I would pick, but I can say you won't be dissapointed with a Blur by any means.
 
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