BM 940 or SC Delica 4?

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gcbone08

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Jan 31, 2010
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I have been researching and trying knifes for the past few weeks in search for a new EDC and have narrowed the list to either the Benchmade 940 or the Spyderco Delica 4. Any suggestions on which would carry and perform better for a college architecture student doing basic cutting of model materials and everything else that comes my way during the day?
 
If I had to choose between the 2 I would most defintley go with the BM 940, although the Delica's are nice knives they just don't compare to the BM 940.
 
I have a Delica 4 in ZDP-189. I like the "grippiness" of Spyderco's bi-directional texturing. The thin blade and jimped thumb ramp make precision cutting much easier. It is thin and light weight, making it a pleasure to carry. I also have several medium-sized Benchmades, and I find them needlessly bulky. I carry them very little. They are nice to look at and play with, but for sheer functionality, I'll take a Spyderco every time.
 
940 by far.
Not that Delica is bad. I just think that the 940 has more to offer.But you will indeed pay for that.
 
940. No doubt about it!
I have about 15 variations of it and they are all great!
 
940 for sure, though you should really hold the two before you decide, especially because of the handle materials. Not everyone likes FRN, and not everyone likes aircraft aluminum. 940 because of how narrow the blade is, will help you make more fine cuts in tight places.
 
The Benchmade Osborne 940 has a relatively long and thin blade. This is, IMHO, one of it's best attributes. The ratio of blade length to the overall knife dimensions allows an almost 3.5" blade to efficiently fit in a 4.5" frame. The anodized aluminum scales are light, marginally grippy and not at all flimsy for an every day carry knife. Weight is less than 3 oz. The modified reverse tanto S30V blade takes and holds a 30 degree overall edge suitable to my purposes. I liked the 940 so much I bought a spare. The Axis lock is ambidextrous, smooth, fast and positive in operation. It is also entirely too much fun to play with. Bottom line, the knife is thin, light, strong, has a good blade length for an EDC and does not shout "I Have A Knife in My Pocket." It is easy to carry and can be quickly used and quickly put away. OldDude1
 
I've owned both. I've been carrying the 940 since just after they were introduced. The Delica is a darn fine knife. It's not even close to a 940, though.
 
With the Delica you will have a superb work knife. It is ergonomic and fits the hand perfectly for its size. This knife will do everything you need an EDC knife to do and it will ask happily for more:thumbup:.

With the 940 you get the functionality of the Delica with the "fashion" of a blue class Benchmade -and hence a different style altogether. The ergonomics are good, but I prefer the straightforwardness of the Delica -its a close call really;). The Axis lock rocks too.

Since you are in college you are probably on a tight budget, so let the nicest thing you have be your blade! :D:thumbup::p -get the 940!
 
OldDude1 said:
The Benchmade Osborne 940 has a relatively long and thin blade. This is, IMHO, one of it's best attributes. The ratio of blade length to the overall knife dimensions allows an almost 3.5" blade to efficiently fit in a 4.5" frame. The anodized aluminum scales are light, marginally grippy and not at all flimsy for an every day carry knife. Weight is less than 3 oz. The modified reverse tanto S30V blade takes and holds a 30 degree overall edge suitable to my purposes. I liked the 940 so much I bought a spare. The Axis lock is ambidextrous, smooth, fast and positive in operation. It is also entirely too much fun to play with. Bottom line, the knife is thin, light, strong, has a good blade length for an EDC and does not shout "I Have A Knife in My Pocket." It is easy to carry and can be quickly used and quickly put away. OldDude1
Click to expand...

I agree everything OldDude1 said. You get a LOT of blade for 3 oz. However, a new Delica with the FFG blade might be a better slicer. I can't say more than "might" because I don't own a Delica, but a Caly-3 and Sage 2 have a similar blade shape and size, and I prefer their slicing ability, but you get significantly less cutting edge for the same weight with these knives.
 
Definitely the 940.
highlighted qualities:

-lightweight (aluminum handle, Ti liner)
-sleek
-ergonomic, grippy anodized scales
-s30v steel
-useful blade shape, with a sturdy strong tip due to reverse tanto design
-SUPER SMOOTH- Flies open
-one-handed quick close (axis lock)
-from a reputable company with excellent customer service

IMO, it's as close to the perfect EDC in my definition i've seen.
i bought the semi-serrated, as i got it before i developed the taste for straight edge blades. the serrations on it are perhaps the most useful i've seen. they're subtle, so they won't interfere much with slicing anything from fruits to packaging, and they've got symmetrical teeth, so you won't snag if you're using the serrations to cut through rope, seat belts, or a stem of wood.

I haven't tried the delica, but if i had to make the choice again, i'd definitely buy the 940 again. in fact, i will definitely at some point buy another in plain edge, but perhaps not in the near future. It is probably the only knife i'll consider buying more than one of.
 
They're not really in the same price class. Most $100 knives are nicer than most $50 knives. The Sages or Caly might be a better comparison.

I love Spyderco (especially the opening hole vs. thumbstud) and don't own any Benchmades, but the 940 is very, very nice.
 
I'd vote for the BM 94x if you are willing to shell out the extra money. My 943 has been my constant favorite EDC for years now. It weighs in at a paltry 2.62 ounces, and it has such a thin and slender profile it disappears in your pocket.

The Delica 4 is a great knife in it's own rights, but between the two I prefer the BM. The Delica seems to be a little bit flimsier than the 94x to me, even with the nested stainless steel liners, it flexes near the pivot where the knife handle becomes very narrow. The closed profile also makes it bulkier in pocket despite being shorter overall than the 943. On the other hand, the jimping on the thumb ramp make the knife very secure in hand. It also has great ergonomics and the bi-directional FRN is very grippy without being rough on your hands.

The 94x also has great ergonomics, though it doesn't appear to from the looks of it. I will knock the knife a little bit for the lack of functional jimping on the back of the knife - usually if I have to use more pressure on the blade I will place my thumb on the flat portion on the back of the blade. The operation of the Axis lock makes opening and closing a real pleasure. If you can adjust the pivot to just tight enough, you can get a very tight lock up with zero blade play (it feels extremely solid) and still have the blade effortless to open and close. At that point, the bigger phosphor bronze washers of the 94x allow the blade to kind of just "dangle" there with very little friction.

I also carried my 943 all through my undergrad at PSU, and never had any problems whatsoever.
 
OldDude1 said:
The Benchmade Osborne 940 has a relatively long and thin blade. This is, IMHO, one of it's best attributes. The ratio of blade length to the overall knife dimensions allows an almost 3.5" blade to efficiently fit in a 4.5" frame. The anodized aluminum scales are light, marginally grippy and not at all flimsy for an every day carry knife. Weight is less than 3 oz. The modified reverse tanto S30V blade takes and holds a 30 degree overall edge suitable to my purposes. I liked the 940 so much I bought a spare. The Axis lock is ambidextrous, smooth, fast and positive in operation. It is also entirely too much fun to play with. Bottom line, the knife is thin, light, strong, has a good blade length for an EDC and does not shout "I Have A Knife in My Pocket." It is easy to carry and can be quickly used and quickly put away. OldDude1
Click to expand...

+1 on all that, well said. the 940 is beautiful to look at, light, built nice and tight, not too aggressive looking for your campus, put together pretty slim and light, you won't even know its there until you need it, at which point the thumb stud/axis lock will make for a very quick out of pocket then back in timeframe. It's my primary EDC
 
I've handled both and love them both, but it really depends on how much you want to spend. The new FFG delicas are great slicers, so I'm sure they would be effective in what you are cutting. The Benchmade is a well built knife with great aesthetics, however you will have to pay more.

I got the Delica, and it cuts everything I throw at it perfectly without any issues.
 
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