Benchmade? edc

knives_in_nature

knives_in_nature

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Jul 7, 2014
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So I want a benchmade, but can't decide which to buy!? I am interested in the 940-710-volli. Can any of you help me decide which I should get and why? Just give me your opinion on why you think one is better for edc. I really like the idea of a bigger blade so the 710 is sexy to me. However the 940 looks and feels so amazing... And the volli is pretty sexy. If I don't get one of these benchmades for a new edc I will probably just get a cold steel rajah 2 for defense. PS how big of a deal is it to get the 940-1 over the regular 940? I love aluminum so I don't think its a big deal for me to get carbon fiber. However s30v vs s90v is another thing..
 
The 710 is considerably larger than the 940. Personally, I much prefer the 940 for my EDC uses. It's compact, yet packs a good size blade (3.4"). I'm a sucker for green knives, so I'd probably stick with the regular 940. ;) The S30V on mine has held up very well. I've never tried anything in S90V or handled a Volli, so I can't say much about either.
 
The volli is (IMO ) one of, if not the, best knife Benchmade offers. I'm sure the 940 and 710 are great knives but, the geometry of the volli as well as the s30v steel makes it one their better cutting performers. It has a similar thinness behind the edge as the spyderco sage. Amazing knife and vastly underrated .
 
The 940/3/-1 are amazing carry knives
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So are the 710s

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I have or have had all 3 of those. Still have a 710 and a couple of Vollis. I agree with Edgesnarf that it's one of BMs most underrated offerings. The blade profile & steel is ideal for my everyday needs. I like the weight, size, and feel of the G10 scales. I can go with or without the AO so that's no concern for me. Mine are great slicers and that's 95% of my cutting.

The 710 is in my collection just because it's an iconic Benchmade. It's too slim and the blade's longer than I like for an everyday knife. The 940 in 154CM was one of my first Benchmades. I kept it a long time and then traded it for something else. Still regret trading it even though I didn't carry it much. It's like the 710, just a long time popular BM model that ought to be in the family if you favor Benchmades.

If I still had all 3 models, though, I'd still carry the Volli more often than either of the others.
 
^
What's wrong with the 556? It's the knife that keeps BM in business (so to speak). Best seller year in and year out for a reason. It being "entry level" makes it less prestigious but as an EDC it stands up to anything out there.

BTW, I have the RAT2 also and it's awesome :) 940-1 CF is very special too.
 
I have a 710 and a 940-1... just going off of size, the 940 is nice light use edc that can you can just throw in your pocket and forget it's there. I put a lanyard on mine so I can fish it out as it's typically what I'll carry at work and not keep clipped to my pocket. the 710 is a bit bigger and while not out of the realm of edc by any means, it's not as pocket friendly as the 940 (not many knives are for that matter).

A 940-1 LNIB can be had for a nice price if you keep an eye on the exchange here (where I got mine). The carbon fiber is light (obviously) and looks sleek. I'd highly recommend it. As for the s30 vs s90, both are great but s30 is a harder blade while s90 is super soft but extremely resistant. Which one to get really depends on what you plan on using it for and where.
 
My 710 is a fabulous knife; BM knows how to heat treat D2. However, it doesn't get much pocket time because it is rather heavy, like my Mini-Rukus (S30V), which I also love. My D2 Grippie is my usual edc, consequently. I'd suggest you go light.
 
Stays Sharp said:
^
What's wrong with the 556? It's the knife that keeps BM in business (so to speak). Best seller year in and year out for a reason. It being "entry level" makes it less prestigious but as an EDC it stands up to anything out there.

BTW, I have the RAT2 also and it's awesome :) 940-1 CF is very special too.
Click to expand...

It's a nice, well-built knife, but I don't really like it. Lol!
I dislike the hollow sound/feel of the handle, and the blade shape isn't my favorite. Just seems way expensive for what it is. IMO, of course.
 
Simple solution, get both :) I had the 710, 940 and 943. I loved the 710 but it was a tad big to carry. Here something odd (for me), for some reason the aluminum scales on the 94X always gave me a nail on blackboard feel. Like when my nails scraped against it. Maybe just me and I prefer G10. If I had to pick just one for EDC, I would go with 943 for the size and weight.
 
Edgesnarf said:
The volli is (IMO ) one of, if not the, best knife Benchmade offers. I'm sure the 940 and 710 are great knives but, the geometry of the volli as well as the s30v steel makes it one their better cutting performers. It has a similar thinness behind the edge as the spyderco sage. Amazing knife and vastly underrated .
Click to expand...

Agree with this 100%. A lot of people have no idea about the volli. Out of the three you mentioned, the 710's blade is way to long for me. The 940 is kinda wierd looking, and too flimsy feeling imo (compared to my other benchmades). Despite the quality of the materials i have held a 940-1 and was thoroughly dissappointed. Thing feels as weak as the aluminum one. Pretty sure the 940 series also have weaker axis locks when compared to others, i will have to check the benchmade youtube channel to verify.

EDIT
After checking on the Benchmade youtube channel, I found the raw data for the tests of the lock strength of the knives in question.
Benchmade does this test using a Chatillon TCD1100 Digital Force Tester to conduct the tests by applying a constant downforce on the lock.

1 000 001 Volli
Max force= 1043.8 inch lbs torque

940
Max force=698 inch lbs torque

710
Max force=1103.0

In conclusion, the 940 has a substantially weaker locking system than the Volli or the 710.
 
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I'm partial to the blade shape of the 940 and it's probably the most carried of the knives I own. At the same time you wont be disappointed with any of the above
 
benlg said:
Here something odd (for me), for some reason the aluminum scales on the 94X always gave me a nail on blackboard feel. Like when my nails scraped against it.
Click to expand...

I agree with that 100%, I grind my teeth when my nails scrape the aluminum. G10 all the way.

-NB- said:
I'm partial to the blade shape of the 940 and it's probably the most carried of the knives I own. At the same time you wont be disappointed with any of the above
Click to expand...

Also my most carried... as much as I lean towards bigger knives, the size and weight give my 940 the most pocket time based on convenience. It's my "at work" knife... that said- nights and weekends I usually go big.
 
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I love my 940, it is the sharpest, sweetest handling blade I own. With all the wear on it, it is still the best feeling in my hand.
 
I've never handled a Volli, but I don't care for its looks. The 710 is a solid choice, but personally I'm not fond of recurves. I like the 940/943 designs, so this isn't a very difficult choice for me. My vote goes to the 940.

(Steel rant) I honestly think people get way too caught up in steels on the forums. Most people won't notice much of a difference in edge retention. Many of the steels with longer lasting edge retention tend to be a pain to resharpen when they get dull, so you end up having to touch up the edge anyway, but end up paying a serious premium for the new and trendier premium steels. Most of the steels used by top production companies in these price ranges are more than enough for 99% of people if you're just interested in EDC performance. If you like doing YouTube videos and testing edge retention, then you'll notice more of a difference. But personally, those videos seem like quite a bit of work. I'd rather just watch 'em and use my knife for actual EDC purposes.
 
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