benchmade 940 vs spyderco paramilitary

940 for me. I love how compact it is for having a 3.4" blade. I couldn't warm up to the PM2 (or PM1 for that matter) due to its edge to OAL ratio, and I'll take the axis lock over a compression lock every time.
 
I was thinking about a thread like this earlier today. My two main edc's that always fight for pocket time are the 940 and my PM2. I usually find that I carry both pretty evenly. However I will say that when I carry the 940 im always playing with it. The lightning quick deployment and axis lock make it a joy for flick. However it doesn't quite have the ergo's of the PM2 or the option of a high end steel. I rotate my 20cp PM2, and s90v PM2. In the end I would get both if I were you!!
 
Both are for me in my top few EDC knives. They are a bit different but both excellent. I have Para 2 in my pocket right now. But I carry the 940 more, just more slim and trim.
 
I like the 943. It's just so refined and well thought-out. The lock is excellent, too.
 
Definitely the Para 2 for me -- I actually prefer the ergos of the slightly larger handle as compared to the 940.
 
I really like the 940. It is a lot of blade for its size! Very easy to carry. Good Luck! Kevin :D
 
I would never ever buy a 940 again. Terrible chalky handles that get scuffed up like crazy. Dumb reverse tanto grind with terrible edge geometry that made it impossible for me to touch up on a sharpmaker. You basically have to reprofile the edge straight from the factory. Screws on the handles are microscopic and pathetic, making it very difficult to take the 940 apart without stripping a screw. Also the pivot on the 940 is jacked and keeps coming loose with just a few open/close cycles without loctite and you cannot adjust out the side to side play it came with. For a knife that basically costs 50% more than a Para 2 I cannot possibly recommend the 940 over the Para 2. If you really want an axis lock knife I suggest getting a ritter grip or any grip for that matter.
 
kawr said:
I would never ever buy a 940 again. Terrible chalky handles that get scuffed up like crazy. Dumb reverse tanto grind with terrible edge geometry that made it impossible for me to touch up on a sharpmaker. You basically have to reprofile the edge straight from the factory. Screws on the handles are microscopic and pathetic, making it very difficult to take the 940 apart without stripping a screw. Also the pivot on the 940 is jacked and keeps coming loose with just a few open/close cycles without loctite and you cannot adjust out the side to side play it came with. For a knife that basically costs 50% more than a Para 2 I cannot possibly recommend the 940 over the Para 2. If you really want an axis lock knife I suggest getting a ritter grip or any grip for that matter.
Click to expand...

Only one of those problems came with my 940; the pivot screw kept backing out. Some teflon (plumbing/pipe) tape fixed that, though. It's absolutely my most "frictionless" knife by far, and is so without bladeplay. Maybe I just got lucky, or you were unlucky.
 
Both are great knives. The 940 takes up less room in the pocket and the axis lock is fun, but the Para/Para 2 is the better EDC for me. Better ergos and I really like the compression lock. The Axis and the Compression locks are some of my favorites.
 
The Para 2 is the better knife, imo, but for EDC, the choice is a little more difficult. The 940 is a fantastic carry knife with its slim profile and classy-looking design aspects--the Para 2 isn't nearly as subtle. All things considered, I would say go with the 940 if you want something for the city or the Para 2 for more rural carry.

But again, weighed strictly on their own merits as a cutting tool, the Spyderco Para 2 outshines the BM 940, hands down!
 
The para 2 would suit you better than the BM 940 when you have to do some hard cutting like going through cardboard, the bigger handle and ergonomics of the para 2 make it more comfortable for that kind of cutting. The 940 carries really nice because it has a slimmer profile, and is really nice to open, the axis lock is more comfortable to use than the compression lock. Another thing to consider is that the BM S30V is a little softer than spyderco's, so it doesn't hold an edge as long, i'd recommend the 940 in D2, Benchmade's D2 is awesome.
 
I vote para 2, its my favorite overall knife, with my favorite lock, I have 2 currently and just pre-ordered a third sprint, though a BM 940 is on my want list.
 
I only have the 940, and its a joy. It dispalys no bad issues, the lock up and centering are perfect. It opens easily and quickly. Very light and compact for carrry even in dressier clothes.
 
I don't own a para 2, but I do own 3 940 variants. The 940 has been my go to EDC for the past 6 or 7 years. The size, ergonomics, and smooth mechanics just work for me.
 
i vote para2 because i prefer opening knives using the spyder-hole instead of a thumbstud, plus for my hand the ergo's of the para2 are excellent.
 
IMHO, they are totally different knives, which do not overlap duties or anything else. I had a 943, and didn't like the blade shape at all. My son liked it, and he EDCs nothing else, even though he owns and has tried quite a few other knives. I far prefer the 941, and that is why I see these two knives as diametrically opposed.

With black scales, blue back spacer, and matte blade, I put a perfectly mirror polished, very low angle edge on my 941. As such, it's a very dressy knife. It's just a sexy bitch! If 007 carried a knife, this is what he would carry. It's infinitely more refined than the P2 in every way, but especially in the type of lock.

The P2 is a hard use knife, that can be had with better steel than s30. Mine is 20cs, with light gray scales that are about impossible to keep clean. It's a work horse, and I like it very much in that arena. To the naked eye, the blades are the same length, but the P2 is a monster, closed, side by side, or in the pocket. They lengthened the blade in the P2 vs. the P1, but the blade is still disappointingly short. Keep in mind that the P1 is an exact 2/3 size Millie, so they are on the right track. I've never heard anyone ever say the P1 or 2 doesn't have enough handle, yet it's a full 1/3 smaller than the Millie. Go figure.

It boils down to the beauty or the beast.
 
940! extremely light weight, slim, and long blade. but i got mine way before BM start to cheap out on their manufacture cost, and quality control went the drain. so if u are planning to get it new, i'll say get the PM2. unless u find one with those parkerized split arrow pocket clip....not the stupid paint on ones.
 
In my opinion the two knives are in different classes. The PM is a far stronger knife than the 940 which , also in my opinion is quite flimsy compared to something like Syderco's PM or PMII.
What are your primary EDC tasks ? The only setting I could find a use for the 940 would be a Gent's folder or knife for light tasks , while the PM is built for tougher use.

My three cents. :)

Tostig
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top