Benchmade 943, 960, or HK14200?

A

adg44

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Jul 26, 2007
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I am having a hard time deciding between these threeknives. I want an axis-lock knife, with aluminum handles and about a 3.5" blade. These are the only ones that I have found that fit the bill.

Opinions?

BM960SLV.jpg


bm943j.jpg


BEN14200_1.jpg


I didn't realize Benchmade discontinued the 14200 and replaced it with the G10 handled version. I have held this knife and I love it, but the other two have caught my attention as well. I haven't been able to find anyplace that has the 14200 (non serrated or tanto blade) in stock yet, but I will keep looking. The 14200 will go nicely with my P30 as well.

Now, let's be honest, I'm most likely just going to buy all three anyway, but I figured I'd ask here first. ;)

- Anthony
 
I think that any of these knives are well suited to your needs.

I have the 943. Smoooooooth knife.

Don't rule out the 940 either. Same knife, different (better IMO) blade shape. And a cool green handle with a purple Ti backspacer. (The 943 has a blue Ti backspacer.)
 
Tripton said:
I think that any of these knives are well suited to your needs.

I have the 943. Smoooooooth knife.

Don't rule out the 940 either. Same knife, different (better IMO) blade shape. And a cool green handle with a purple Ti backspacer. (The 943 has a blue Ti backspacer.)
Click to expand...

Do you have some photos of yours that you can post? I did see the blue Ti backspacer and it does look cool for sure.
 
Cant go wrong with any of them thats for sure. But i have heard great things about the 940 from lots of people, even thougj i dont own one.
 
I have the smaller 14210. Allthough not aluminum, the machined G10 and thick SS liners with lightening holes make this a very stiff knife with no blade wiggle. IMO on Axis locks the thicker liners work better with the lock bar.

I call the CNC machined finish on the G10 scales "jigged bamboo". Has more attitude than my Sebenzas and better ergos than a PT CC that I had. I've had mine for a couple of years and it just gets smoother.

I also have the 426 Gravitator with similar Snody 3.5in blade design as14200....one of my better slicers.
 
In terms of design, there's not much in it between the 943 and 960. I prefer the look of the 943 in general, but the 960 has a nicer pocket clip (for looks, both will function the same). Both are very light but the 960 has a slight edge: 2.2oz for the 960 and 2.6oz for the 943. I prefer the blade on the 943 as for EDC I like a pointy tip, but the 960 is still fairly pointy. Deployment is super fast on both and lock up is excellent. Grip is similar in terms of retention but the shape is quite different so you might want to hold them, see which you prefer.

The main differences for me are the steel and length. The 943 has S30V which I love, the 960 has D2 - not so much. The 943 is about 3.75 inches long, the 960 is just a little over 3 inches.

I think the HK knife you'll be looking at now is the 14205. This is quite a different knife: much heavier at 4.96oz, but with a wider blade so you've got more chopping/slicing/slashing power there. Wider tip means greater strength, but less versatile for fine cutting, piercing and the like. It's longer than the 960 but shorter than the 943 at 3.5 inches. The G10 handle gives a more secure grip, but the finger choil kinda pokes out so when the knife is closed it looks kinda ugly and is a bit pointy, not very comfortable when putting your hands in your pockets for something. Also, the G10 will wear on your pockets - unlike the smooth aluminium of the 960 and 943. The pocket clip is nicer than the 943 (same as the 960) but the steel is not quite as good: 154CM (still a fantastic steel though!). Also, the thumb stud can be a little hard to get to, and deployment is a wee bit slower than the 943/60 - but still wicked fast, like all Benchmades.

I'd go with either the 943 of 14205 depending on whether you want more knife (14205) or greater carryability (943).

FYI, there's a couple of other ~3.5" aluminium handled knives from BM: the model 921 Switchback, the model 420 Resistor and the model 520 Presidio.

The 14205 has G10 handles though, not aluminium. If you're considering G10, also look at the 930 Kulgera, 710 McHenry Williams, 615 Mini-Rukus and the 950 Rift.

For lightweight EDC, personally I'd go with the 943 or 930. OR, the 940 - which is the same as the 943 but with a blade shape which will be better for a lot of people. If I wanted somethign a little heavier, the 14205 or the 615.
 
Thanks for that informative reply. I am looking at the 14200 though, not the 14205, as there are still retailers that have it. That is even heavier at like 5.6 ounces. The thing that is turning me away from the 960 and 943 is that they are so light at only 2.6 ounces or so.

Out of the three of the knives I listed, I've only ever held the HK14200. It is a big knife, rather thick, and seems like it would be a little hard to EDC. That is where the 943 comes in. I think the 960 is out, at least for now...

Does someone have photos of these knives? The ones on the retailers websites aren't that great, as no one is holding them, etc.
 
This is odd. The 943 in the pictures above has a silver pocket clip, but all the ones that I've searched have a black one. Is that something that is an optional accessory that you can swap out? I think the silver one looks a lot better than black.
 
Not an option as far as I know. Probably an early production/prototype? But I agree silver clips look better. One complaint I do have of the 943 (and a whole bunch of knives out there) is that they put a black clips on a satin finished blade. Even the screws, as with many other knives, are black. I'm not a ninja, and if I was the shiny blade would give me away anyway, no need to cover everything in black Benchmade! :P
 
I have a 940 Osbourne which is pretty much like the 943 just a different blade
profile. One of my favorite to carry. Very light and very thin, but still feels
very tough and durable. Very sharp too. Definitely the smoothest and quickest
opening knife I own.
 
You cant beat the Benchmade 940 series. I think you would like it best! GOOD Luck! Kevin :D
 
Go with the 94X Osborne series. I've been EDCing my 940 for the past 5 years or so and it's my favorite Benchmade. Like others have said: slim; strong; comfortable; solid. Smoothest opening BM I've had - the balance between the weight of the blade and handle makes it that.

Good luck!
 
943 and 940 are terrific designs. Of the 3 you listed, I'd recommend the 943.
 
I’m a huge fan of the 960. I’ve owned 4 and have 2 right now. Its super light. Super smooth (perhaps even better it the smoothness category then the 940/943). And looks good to boot.
 
Thanks for all the great input. I like both the 943 and the HK14200 (which I have been lusting over for almost two years now). Considering the HK is discontinued, I think I'm going to pick up one of those while I still can. Then in a few months I'm sure I'll want to waste more money, so I'll buy the 943. :)
 
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