BM 940 or a Small Insingo?

Sufler

Sufler

Joined
Oct 15, 2005
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What would your choice be between the two and why? If you're wondering why I'm asking this question, move onto another thread. If you've thought about it and realized why the decision between the two is difficult... then share your opinion on here.

Thanks!
 
Sebenza. The craftsmanship and sheer perfection in every detail is worth it alone. Plus warranty and customer service is THE Gold Standard.
 
I own both and routinely carry both. They're both fantastic, but also quite different. If all you want is a good go-to EDC utility knife, with slick action, go for the 940. It's cheaper. If you're after something with a little more prestige, flawless build quality, attention to detail, and those "go the extra mile" features... well you know what to get.
 
I live the 940. It's not my favorite blade shape, but it's a large all business's folder, while having a bit of a gentlemanly look at the same time.
 
Don't have an insingo but I do have a 940 and an Umnumzaan. The 940 is probably my favorite all around EDC. I have grown to like the Zaan more and more but I definitely use the 940 more.

Maybe get an insingo and if you don't bond with it flip it and buy a 940. Either way I would highly recommend the 940. Great all around knife. This is the only knife I own that I may get triplicates of, yea I like it that much.
 
I bought a 940 a couple of years ago, and in the last couple of months a small micarta 21 and large Insingo 21 . I like the Benchmade but if I had bought the small micarta Sebenza first I would never have bought the 940. If I had bought the large 21 Insingo first I would have gone with Insingo for the small as well. I'm starting to sell off several nice high end production knives to fill out the CRK collection.
 
940 is just a quintessential product from Benchmade. I would go for that first because it is everything it needs to be from a legendary designer and a fine manufacturer. I also feel like the axis lock is superior to the Reeves integral lock in several ways, but not in all ways. Insingo is a nice knife. Super nice. But I feel like the 940 has precedent and later on if you have the means and the will you can add it to your collection and wear it with a suit! S90V, available on the 940-1, is a very nice option to have as well. There are good reasons to go either way. My own bias is decidedly in favor to the 940.
 
I have both. Not only can you have two 940's for the price of one small sebenza but the 940 packs way more blade into something that carries just as small if not smaller than the sebenza. Craftmanship obviously goes to CRK but the 940 gets you more bang for your buck. Buy the 940 and save up for the small seb or find one in the exchange.
 
I had two 940s in the last year.
One came with metal shavings in the Axis lock (from the cutting of the frame i think.)
One had blade play if i didnt crank the pivot down so that it was too hard to open and close the knife...
Its a great knife. I want to give it another chance.
 
The thing is... although a size difference, I think you can do everything with the small Insingo that you can with the 940. In terms of utility and usability, size wise, I think they're identical.
 
I prefer the blade shape of the 943 over the 940, but would choose either as a working knife over the Reeve knife because of the price/utility value ratio. I'm not saying the Reeve isn't a great knife, only that the Benchmade fulfills all my needs at a lower cost.
 
I have a 940, and not only do I love it, it's my most expensive knife. With that being said, I'm not convinced I need to spend any more on another knife.
I also have yet to find a frame-lock that I like.
 
Unless you hang around other knife folks with a lot of knowledge, the only prestige you will get from a Sebbie is from yourself and this forum. Doesn't mean it is anything less than a great knife, but it generally doesn't knock the socks off of people (I've had several). When I let co-workers use them, they always resorted to a 2 handed opening as the studs can be as bear to a generally non knife person. I traded a small for a 940-1 and haven't regretted it. It's very unique, has a great & fun to use lock, smooth as silk, nice long blade and is so light it seems to defy logic. I've had a couple regular 940s as well and they are really nice.
 
I got my first Sebenza, a 25, a few months ago, and thought, WOW, this is the last knife I will ever want. It is THAT good. So, what do I do? Just bought a 940-1 here, on the exchange. I had a 940, but sold it a few years ago, as it was a combo blade which I just don't like anymore, but have always missed it, so thought I'd try the upgraded, plain edged version. It is a disease. :rolleyes:
 
I have both (940-1) and have thought about this a lot. I did have to examine three 940-1's until I found one with perfect (at least to the eye, that's close enough for me) centering and grinds so watch out for that, it's a known issue.

I prefer the blade length and weight of the BM. Like the blade shape and grind of the CRK a little more. Like the Axis lock a little more than the framelock. Even though the Seb is a little smoother (and I emphasize little) I prefer the BM deployment as the shape of the thumbstuds is more ergonomic for me. Love the bushing system of the Seb but with a little blue threadlocker I don't have to adjust the pivot of the BM either. Pocket clip easily goes to CRK, love it. The BM clip is OK but nothing special. Slicing ability (food prep) goes to the Sebenza. Feel of carry in pocket - no preference. Feel of carry when reaching into pocket - slight advantage to BM for it's slimness.

These are just my opinions, others may differ. I love them both for different reasons and wouldn't want to be without either. I tend to carry the 940-1 more at work (office environment) and the CRK more on weekends.
 
RetiredGuns said:
Unless you hang around other knife folks with a lot of knowledge, the only prestige you will get from a Sebbie is from yourself and this forum. Doesn't mean it is anything less than a great knife, but it generally doesn't knock the socks off of people (I've had several). When I let co-workers use them, they always resorted to a 2 handed opening as the studs can be as bear to a generally non knife person. I traded a small for a 940-1 and haven't regretted it. It's very unique, has a great & fun to use lock, smooth as silk, nice long blade and is so light it seems to defy logic. I've had a couple regular 940s as well and they are really nice.
Click to expand...

Great post, well said.
 
I've handled the 940 a few times. When I go to a hammer grip, it is not hand filling at all. The lines are great, the blade shape is great, the lock is great, etc, but when it comes to extended periods of use, I want something more hand filling. Because of that, this becomes clear for me. I'd go small insingo.
 
I sold my 940 and kept the Sebenzas, but not because the 940 was inferior. It's a classic design in my opinion, one of the best Benchmade ever produced--or anyone else for that matter. There's so much useful blade tucked inside a slim handle. Plus, you could spring for a carbon fiber/S90V version and still be saving money.

All of this discussion is for naught if you really want the Seb deep down. Going the "logical" route and buying knives that are, theoretically "just as good" as the one you really want is how you end up with a ton of unused knives that you rarely carry. Just look at my sales postings over the last week and you'll see what I mean:eek:
 
Small Sebenza Insingo is my favorite edc after years of owning multiple benchmades, spydercos, and ZTs. Perfect size, handling, and overall performance. I don't care what other people think about my knife choice - on this forum or in general.
 
I only have the 940 but find that it is a great knife for the price. I have been EDCing it since I got it about a year ago. I don't even notice when I carry it and love the axis lock. It makes one handed opening and closing a breeze. I do have a Sebenza itch that I know using be able to shake until I finally own one. Maybe that will happen this year :D
 
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