Benchmade 940 Vs. Paramilitary 2

grennings23

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Jan 19, 2017
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I know that these are very different prices and I know that they are both very good knives. I was wondering which would be a better large edc that can also be used for some LIGHT bushcrafting. Some basic whiddling and such. Which would be your choice for edc and which would be your choice for the outdoors? Thanks in advance.
 
The PM2 may be more sturdy. Try to hold them both to help you decide.
 
Neither would be a great choice for your indicated uses. However out of those two the the 940 has a much sturdier blade tip than the PM2.

Perhaps a full size griptillian might be a better consideration.
 
Like mentioned above their are not meant for bushcrafting. For those either a fixed blade or a much beefier folder maybe like a Zero Tolerance (older models)
 
If a 940 is all I had.

Better than nothing..


If I have a choice between the two.


PM2 wins.
 
Had a PM2.
Have a 940.
Both are great knives. I owned both at the same time. The Para was just too much of a pocket hog. So I sold it.
I have some really nice customs, and the 940 is still part of my regular EDC rotation. I have even taken it camping (along with a fixie).
For outdoor use? I would highly recommend getting a nice fixed blade.
 
PM2 would be better for light bushcrafting as it is built tough though it's tip is a not as robust.

Here's TheLateBoyScout's PM2 Field Test ...
[video=youtube;-obVipiFm0E]https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=-obVipiFm0E[/video]

For me, the PM2 is too big in the pocket for EDC. In that regard, the 940 fits me better.

If limited to wittling, I'd get the 940.
If more than wittling, I'd get the PM2.
 
I've got a 940-1 and a pm2 with cf scales and m4 steel. both are good knives. for anything hard use I'm sticking to the pm2. the 940-1 is small pocket friendly, super lite and superb blade... no slowtch, but its got side to side play. not a fan of that, also the uneven blade grind and non center blade, yikes, pm2 has better fit and finish.

for the jobs your suggesting I wouldn't use either of them tho. I'd probably pickup my manix2, but its an even bigger pocket hog.

you mentioned large, the 940 is small in comparison to the pm2.
 
Do yourself a favor and ditch the bushcrafting idea. It's just not what they're for and both, like most other folders, will be awful at it. They're also both quite expensive, so if you can afford either, you can also afford a Mora fixed blade for bush work.

I love the 940, but as mentioned above, the PM2 is the higher quality blade and less expensive to boot.

I'd get the PM2 and use the savings on a decent fixed blade for bushcraft.

BU-863BRS.jpg


The Buck Selkirk is a handsome offering that can be had for about the difference in price between the PM2 and the 940. And of course there's always Moras for next to nothing.

If you want a truly large EDC though, I'd suggest a Military instead. Carries about the same as the PM2 and offered a larger handle and greater blade length. Just traded for a KW exclusive in 204p and am loving it.
 
I want to choose the PM2 but I just can't. With it's weak tip and large overall size, I cant get behind it. Plus, to top that off, the flat, straight spine of the blade just looks wrong to me. It's like the blade smith was in a hurry to get off work so he cut corners when he made the blade.

FWIW, I did not like the 940 either. Then I got to handle a gold series and I was converted. Not really sure if I would ever buy one but I can see why people like it.

I can't picture anyone using these knives for bushcrafting.
 
For light bushcrafting I have chosen an ESEE 4 since IMO a fixed blade is really what is required
The ESEE 4 is small but still capable for what "light bushcrafting" is for me

As a consequence I would say that neither of the 940 or PM2 has been designed for bushcrafting

However at the end it depends on what is "light bushcrafting " for you.
Of the too I will definitively take the PM2 because at least it offer a full grip that allow you for strength tasks
I have both and the 940 is my strong lightweight EDC folder where the PM2 is the one I take for hiking or when I go outdoor and don't really know what I may have to do
The PM2 carry light, offers lot of different grips options and it's handle makes strength tasks secure



Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant Tapatalk
 
In my uses, the Para 2 has been a better all-around knife. This is mostly because of how obtuse the grind was in the 940 I had & I believe they are all are ground very thick behind the edge. It really is no comparison for me. If I had zero knives and they were the only two available and I had to choose one it would be the Para 2 every time. Now take the $$$ difference and also get a Morakniv Kansbol for the bushcrafty stuff. Win-win!
 
The PM2 would be a great companion to a fixed blade. The delicate point would go from being a liability to a benefit. Great for detail work. Good slicer while still having some stout.

It's expensive as a sidekick though and you may do better with an Endura or even a RAT 1.

940 is great urban EDC. Opening mail and slicing apples without too much pocket space. 940 is a better fondle toy too.

On that budget ($160ish), I'd go fixed blade and endura for inna woods.


If you really want a folder to do it all in those purposes, look at Cold Steel. Recon 1, Ultimate Hunter or maybe even a Finn Wolf.
 
Haha funny than you mention Mora. I have one and I was looking for a folder that I can use in the outdoors as a companion knife to the Mora.
 
Bushcrafting with a folder? I would choose neither as some above posters said. A Cold Steel Voyager would be a better and cheaper choice.
 
As others have said, neither is meant for bushcrafter. However, gun to my head and those are the only two options, I'll take the PM2
 
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