BM 940-1 vs ZT 0450CF

G

GJJGrappler

Joined
May 19, 2006
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As some of you may recall about two months ago I bought a BM 940-1 and wasn't too happy with the size, weight and overall feel. Was about sell it. Fast forward 8 weeks and now I love this knife and I'm so glad I held on to it. Anyway, I've been looking at the ZT 0450CF as I now have a liking for smaller, lighter, EDC knives. Does anyone have any experience with both that you can share? Thanks!
 
I have a 940-1 and an 0450cfzdp, and they're similar in a lot of ways. They're both thin, narrow-handled, and light. The 940 is a little thicker, and a little wider handled, and a little longer-bladed, but also ever so slightly lighter. The 0450 is a bit smaller in the pocket.

Some people feel like the 0450 handle isn't that accommodating, owing I think as much to the fact that it's sort of a teeny stick of a handle, both thin and narrow, as much to it's length (I have no problem finding a home for four fingers, but if you have giant paws it may be a problem).

The 940 handle is more comfortable, IMO, and the axis lock is awesome in its own way. The 0450 is a significantly better flipper, though, as you might expect (the 940 not being equipped with one).
 
I have a 940-1, and couldn't get the 450 to feel "right".
It felt like it was put together nicely, blade deployed and shut smoothly while showing no blade play. After all of that, it still felt too small and I couldn't get around that.

I wear XL width gloves.
 
I have both as well, really like them both too. For me, I typically carry the ZT more often. Can't really give you a reason, I just seem to choose that the more often over the 940-1. Maybe feels slightly better in hand? If I pick out a Benchmade, I usually go for the 484-1 over the 940-1, the 484-1 is one of my favorite knives. I have quite a few EDC in the smaller size (around 3 inch blade). I snapped some pics of the ZT0450CF along with the 940-1 so you can get a visual comparison. Also snapped a picture of some other similar sized knife so you can get an idea of general size compared to some other options.

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It's odd, I've never been able to find anything that truly compares to the 940 series. I'm sure there is something. The 450 does seem fairly close.

Gratuitous late evening pic
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I know it hasn't been mentioned yet, but have you thought about a Spyderco Mantra 1 or 2?
Similar in size to a Delica, but a Ti framelock flipper with an M4 blade built to slice (which I prefer in an EDC).
 
I have both also, but carry the 940 a bit more. Main reason is the 940 is able to be opened many different ways.
Otherwise both are excellent blades!
Joe
 
I have a 940-2 and a non-CF 0450, so...similar but not exactly what you're asking. The 0450 ergos work well for me, so in my hand they're close to equal in that regard (though that's not true for everyone). In my extremely scentific touch & use test, the 940 os a bit thinner behind the edge and a better slicer.

In the end, I cary the 940 more frequently but *like* the 0450 better. I was about to pick up a 0450cf as a companion for the pj, but then this found it's way home:
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Here's the three together for scale. The 0460 out slices the other two.

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I have both...like them but find myself carrying my 940 more. I tried the 940-2 but prefer my original 940. The 0450 handle is just a bit short for me to use all the time...it's still a good smaller edc if that's what you want.
 
Wow - just what I was looking for! Thanks 425KRS!

425KRS said:
I have both as well, really like them both too. For me, I typically carry the ZT more often. Can't really give you a reason, I just seem to choose that the more often over the 940-1. Maybe feels slightly better in hand? If I pick out a Benchmade, I usually go for the 484-1 over the 940-1, the 484-1 is one of my favorite knives. I have quite a few EDC in the smaller size (around 3 inch blade). I snapped some pics of the ZT0450CF along with the 940-1 so you can get a visual comparison. Also snapped a picture of some other similar sized knife so you can get an idea of general size compared to some other options.

stnLFa1.jpg

NqfYZ5y.jpg

PCCrOQc.jpg

P98VUVb.jpg


6tG9Th6.jpg
Click to expand...
425KRS said:
I have both as well, really like them both too. For me, I typically carry the ZT more often. Can't really give you a reason, I just seem to choose that the more often over the 940-1. Maybe feels slightly better in hand? If I pick out a Benchmade, I usually go for the 484-1 over the 940-1, the 484-1 is one of my favorite knives. I have quite a few EDC in the smaller size (around 3 inch blade). I snapped some pics of the ZT0450CF along with the 940-1 so you can get a visual comparison. Also snapped a picture of some other similar sized knife so you can get an idea of general size compared to some other options.

stnLFa1.jpg

NqfYZ5y.jpg

PCCrOQc.jpg

P98VUVb.jpg


6tG9Th6.jpg
Click to expand...
 
owned a few 940s , held a-1 also owned the 450. I ended up selling both knives and bought back the 940. The 450 was a tad slippery for me to take out and open consistently. Both have a great blade size to handle ratio along with being very light weight. I put deep carry clips on both.
I do really like the 460, might grab that one shortly.
I find that size and weight great overall but, my brain goes. If you want something light carry something lighter like a dragonfly or salt1. If you want something with a big blade carry a bigger knife. Although its pretty much just right in the middle I rather have an extreme of one or another.
 
I have a 943-1 Franken and an 0450 just recently modded with a CF show-side scale--feedback for Nyfestyle and mini-review for the latter here. The knives are remarkably similar in size and weight and both pack a substantial cutting edge into a small, pocket-friendly package.

The ZT is an excellent flipper that closes well for a frame lock knife, but I think the BM is actually easier and faster both opening and closing, requiring no special finger placement, rotation, or major change of grip to do so. Inasmuch as my BM blade is only available in S30V, I'd have to give the "edge" to the ZT as S35VN is one of my favorite steels. (BTW, I did have a 940-1, but sold it as I was neither a fan of the blade shape nor S90V, but if you like that steel--or others--there are more options for the 940 than the 943). The ZT has more belly to the edge than the BM while the 940's blade is a taste longer than the 0450's.

As to grip, I have trouble with any smaller knife as the last two fingers on my hand won't close, and I generally prefer and carry larger pieces. The turned-down butt of the ZT suits me a little better as it meets my ring finger for a more secure hold. The 94x series has a longer handle, though, which may better suit someone with more normal hands.

Anyway, both of these knives make nice light carries that are just different enough that the standard Bladeforums answer applies here--get both! :D

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I think there's a reason you picked between the Benchmade 940/943 and ZT 0450/0460. They're very slim and light EDC folders.

Right now Benchmade 940-2 (S30V) for $170 is the choice in the 940/943 section. With aluminum and then CF/S90V the price climbs rapidly from $182.75 to $267.75 (overpriced).

With ZT you can go from the lowest S35VN 0450 at $160 to 0450CF/0460CF for $180. Even the Sprint Run 0450CFZDP was "only" $240 (overpriced).
 
There is also the 940-1501 with a 20cv blade and g10 slabs.
 
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I apologize if the pictures make for a poor comparison.
I own the 940 and the 0450 belongs to my friend. I like both knives and they both have a sleek design. The 940 is a little longer and the handle is a little wider for the most part. Now these knives are not cheap. My 940 has aluminum handles, a titanium back spacer, and an S30V blade. The 0450 has titanium handles and an S35VN blade. (I forgot what the red barrel spacers are made of but I don't think they are titanium too.)
The only thing I don't like about the 940 is that the thumb stud is so close to the handle.
The only thing I don't like about the 0450 is the little "choil" or finger groove at the end of the handle.(What I mean is that I feel it runs out too quick with that little "hump" at the end.) It feels better on my hands not to have the handle curved at an end like that as opposed to the 940 handle which is straighter.
Also I don't generally like flipper knives and I don't own any but the 0450 is very similar to the 940 and it is a great knife. If you have a 940 then you will most likely like the 0450. Vice versa. If I had to choose one or the other, it'd be the 0450, because it costs less.
 
I have neither of these, however I want both of them. I plan on buying one of the two this week depending on that I can put my hands on first. I only buy knives over the $80 mark from the second hand market so it will come down to who is selling one first.
 
I used to have a 940-1, but traded it for a ZT0808. It is also gone. Now I have a 940-1501 with blue/black G10 and CPM-20CV blade. I don't see this one going anywhere any time soon. Being a lefty, the Axis lock just works better for me, plus the blade shape is easer for me to sharpen on my Edge Pro.
 
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