Benchmade 940 vs ZT0350

[SaintZe]

Oh look, another thread where someone asks the forums how to spend their money. What a shock....

Anyways, I'm looking for a new knife. Specifically, I want a folder that I can carry and use in gloves, but that's still not *too* oversized or intimidating. I tried carrying both a mini-grip and 0770, and neither was particularly easy to open or use with even my light gloves. Now, there are a lot of options out there, but having handled more than a few knives I really like the 940 and 0350, and because I'm a special snowflake, I'm particularly interested in the respective S90v and M390 models. I love the extra belly on the 0350 and its beefy grip, which comes in handy given my especially long fingers, and I love the slim and sleek design of the 940 (although I'm not sure how well it would fit in my gloved hands.)

Problem is, I have far too little discretionary spending cash to just buy both and decide afterwards which one I like, and I don't really have enough to feel justified in buying the 940 or 940-1 over the 0350M390. So I want to hear from y'all what you think about... well, anything related to this conundrum, especially from anyone who can compare the two knives side-by-side.

 

[whitty]

We don't have the 940 in stock but have it coming soon. When we get them in stock I will be more than happy to load you up with comparison pics. Probably be end of next week though.

 

[Colorodo]

The ZT0300 is a gloves knife and that is mentioned in their description of the knife.

 

[stonproject]

I like zero tolerance.

But theres just something about a benchmade....

 

[SaintZe]

We don't have the 940 in stock but have it coming soon. When we get them in stock I will be more than happy to load you up with comparison pics. Probably be end of next week though.

That would be incredibly helpful, thanks!

The ZT0300 is a gloves knife and that is mentioned in their description of the knife.

I like the 0300, but it's too much of a pocket brick for me. I prefer the 0350, if only because it's easier to carry regularly.

I like zero tolerance.

But theres just something about a benchmade....

Agreed. But there's something very wrong about the price I'd have to pay, for the basic model or the 940-1. An 0350 is 120, 0350M390 155, compared to 180-220 for the Benchmade. Damn MAP.....

 

[flarp]

The 0350 is easier to work with gloves. The flipper is larger than that on the 0770, and combined with the assisted-open, should open easily and consistently every time. The ergos on the 0350 are also fantastic, and you'll really appreciate how it fills the hand if you find yourself doing a lot of cutting, or having to put more weight into the cuts. It isn't a small knife though, and it it can be a bit bulky in pocket. I usually carry mine in my back pocket because it can obstruct access to my keys and wallet (which I keep in my right front pocket).

The 940 definitely carries more comfortably, and it packs a lot of blade in a very compact body. The Axis lock can be easier to disengage while wearing gloves, compared to a liner lock. The 940 is pretty compact though, so if you found the Mini-Grip tough to work with gloves, the 940 might not be much of an improvement.

Below are some shots of the 0350 and 940 together, as well as some others in or around that price range that may be worth considering. I just tried them all with a pair of light work gloves on, and here's my quick and subjective impression (from best to worst):

Ease of opening: 0350, 0562, 0556, 0770, 551 (Grip), 556 (MiniGrip), 940
Ease of closing: 551, 0562, 0350, 0770, 0566, 556, 940
Carrying comfort: 940, 556, 0770, 0566, 0562, 551, 0350
Handling comfort (ergos): 0562, 0350, 551, 0566, 0770, 940, 566

I know the 940 doesn't look great on that list, but remember that this is with gloves on. Without gloves, the 940 is very easy to open, close, and handle. Behind the Ritter Mini-Grip, the 940 is actually my next favorite Benchmade. I really like that knife a lot and highly recommend it. It's just that the super slim form factor that makes it a terrific general EDC knife ends up working against it when wearing gloves.

 

[vanslem6]

Wearing gloves, the Axis lock is way easier to use than any frame-lock or liner-lock I've used.
Not to mention, the 940 looks much better, is much slimmer, isn't a stupid flipper and has a way better clip than that crap on the 0350.

 

[J_kocaj]

Double post accident

 

[J_kocaj]

I have both of these knives, and I don't know how you compare them they are two completely different knives. One is a beefy work horse and the other is a sleek EDC (gentleman folder). I carry the 940 way more. The 0350 is just to beef for me to EDC, but is probably the better knife for gloves.

 

[Kievanr]

I have a 940 and have been EDCing it for probably close to a year now. It is a great sleek knife but even without gloves it can seem a little small in the hand. I don't see it being very easy to use with gloves on.

 

[Hawk45]

I don't think those two knives could be any more different.
I'm a big 940 fan but it's a light weight carry edc knife, not really a gloved beater. It's tough, but not something I'd recommend for gloved use.

For gloved use, I'd look at some of the Spyderco's with big holes or Emerson's with the wave for easy opening. You're not going to find a luxury steel Emerson, but they are tough enough and made for use with gloves. Get a Commander or CQC-15. Even some of the Cold Steel knives are really nice with gloves, and I think come in CTS-XHP now. Just throwing some things out there.

Outside of that you can go flipper style, then you have a whole gambit of knives from ZT. I'm not a huge flipper fan, but lots of guys love them.

 

[SaintZe]

The 0350 is easier to work with gloves. The flipper is larger than that on the 0770, and combined with the assisted-open, should open easily and consistently every time. The ergos on the 0350 are also fantastic, and you'll really appreciate how it fills the hand if you find yourself doing a lot of cutting, or having to put more weight into the cuts. It isn't a small knife though, and it it can be a bit bulky in pocket. I usually carry mine in my back pocket because it can obstruct access to my keys and wallet (which I keep in my right front pocket).

Before I say anything else, thanks a bunch for the photos! My first ZT was an 0350 that I regret replacing with an 0560 to this day. I've had some hands-on time with the 940 and REI griptilian as well, but it was limited at best and seeing a side-by-side comparison is incredibly helpful. Much as I like the 0770CF, the lack of 3D scales (or at the very least peel-ply CF) really kills it for me. I'd even prefer trac-tec inserts a la the Blur and older ZT models, although sculpted CF would be amazing. But I digress. I too carry the 0350 in my back pocket- it's definitely quite the (ergonomic) brick. As for the 940, I remember it being very comfortable in hand, but your pictures really put the size into perspective. It's really not much of a handle compared to a lot of the beefier ZTs and Benchmades.

Wearing gloves, the Axis lock is way easier to use than any frame-lock or liner-lock I've used.
Not to mention, the 940 looks much better, is much slimmer, isn't a stupid flipper and has a way better clip than that crap on the 0350.

I agree on the Axis lock, but I'm not really looking for something slim here. I'm not a huge fan of flippers either- at one point I considered de-assisting the 0350, grinding off the flipper, and using the blade stop as a thumbstud.

I am, however, a fan of the 0350 clip. Sure, Benchmade's design is fancier, but for simple clips the 0350 really nailed it IMO. The 0350 isn't a knife that's really designed for deep carry, and it's not going to sit nearly as well as the 940 or any other slim knife.

I have both of these knives, and I don't know how you compare them they are two completely different knives. One is a beefy work horse and the other is a sleek EDC (gentleman folder). I carry the 940 way more. The 0350 is just to beef for me to EDC, but is probably the better knife for gloves.

I agree with you in the abstract, although personally I would not describe the 940 as gentleman's folder. It's slim, but it packs a lot of blade length and cutting performance into a very tough package.

I have a 940 and have been EDCing it for probably close to a year now. It is a great sleek knife but even without gloves it can seem a little small in the hand. I don't see it being very easy to use with gloves on.

Yeah, based on flarp's pictures and your post I'm definitely overestimating the size of the 940. Thanks for your input!

I don't think those two knives could be any more different.
I'm a big 940 fan but it's a light weight carry edc knife, not really a gloved beater. It's tough, but not something I'd recommend for gloved use.

For gloved use, I'd look at some of the Spyderco's with big holes or Emerson's with the wave for easy opening. You're not going to find a luxury steel Emerson, but they are tough enough and made for use with gloves. Get a Commander or CQC-15. Even some of the Cold Steel knives are really nice with gloves, and I think come in CTS-XHP now. Just throwing some things out there.

Outside of that you can go flipper style, then you have a whole gambit of knives from ZT. I'm not a huge flipper fan, but lots of guys love them.

Very informative post, I appreciate it. I'm looking at Spyderco but I prefer the ability to purchase a replacement blade for my beaters- that or they have to come cheap. While a RAT or something similar would cover most of my cutting tasks, anything I'm using in gloves will more than likely be facing cold conditions or a lot of general use around the farm, hence the thicker blade. I'll definitely look into Cold Steel's offerings, especially their new designs in CTS-XHP. Emerson is completely off the table. Not a fan of, well, a lot of what makes up Emerson as a brand, but I don't need to bore you with my own biases. As for ZT I really liked my 0350 but the 0560 somewhat soured me on their lineup as a whole. Really wish there were any local stores where I could check out more knives in person.

 

[Jastab]

I have both of these knives, and I don't know how you compare them they are two completely different knives. One is a beefy work horse and the other is a sleek EDC (gentleman folder). I carry the 940 way more. The 0350 is just to beef for me to EDC, but is probably the better knife for gloves.

Well put. The 940 is a slim, light, easily carriable knife. Which to me puts it in a gents folder category, especially the 940-1.

 

[chopsaki]

I carry the 940 and think it's the perfect knife. I often use it with gloves on and find it quite easy to manipulate. The blade shape, handle to blade ratio, super slim and comfortable in the pocket.

The finish on the aluminum scales offers great traction for a gloved thumb to grab as you pull it out of you pocket. The axis lock is much easier to use than a few ZTs I have owned. I love the 940 as you can tell. Not too many downsides as far as utility is concerned.

 

[onojoe]

What is the usage? these are 2 totally different knives. I personally love the 940, the ZT is a much bigger knife. How are you going to be carrying it and what are you going to use it for. Answer those questions and I think you could get some better answers.

 

[SaintZe]

What is the usage? these are 2 totally different knives. I personally love the 940, the ZT is a much bigger knife. How are you going to be carrying it and what are you going to use it for. Answer those questions and I think you could get some better answers.

I'm looking for something I can use in gloves of the winter and neoprene varieties, so cold to freezing temperatures will be in effect, more than likely some water as well, although not enough to justify H1. I live on a farm, so it'll see semi-regular use at a variety of tasks. While I'm not one to misuse my tools I do like a knife with a robust tip and relatively thick blade stock, especialyl for a knife I'm going to be carrying in situations where gloves are necessary. I already have several other knives, including a few 'dressy' pieces.

 

[Mgj48]

It is hard for me to imagine any knife easier to open and close than the 940. Admittedly , I have not handled some of the knives mentioned earlier but the axis lock takes no effort to open or close because the blade swings with zero drag . Beautiful and I love mine ---- but my EDC is a Spyderco Stretch VG-10.

 

[Rapt_up]

found this thread because I am looking at 940-1, and I have to say its interesting how every person's view is somewhat unique... I have had 0350 and felt it was too small. So I went to a 0300... and it wasn't too big, but I also carry a Leatherman Surge as my EDC tool, but I wasn't quite happy with the blade shape and thickness so I kept looking and... my favourite folder is a Benchmade 710. If it came with assist and a flipper with a CPM high V steel (3V, S90V, S110V, 10V) it would be perfect.

I have handled a 940 a few times and the steel tempts me in the -1... It seems like it would be a nice functional dress folder... especially with the lightness of the CF scales. I don't think a 940-1 would be my choice for a heavy use folder, although they are certainly tough, I'd look at a regular 940 for that.