BM-940 vs. BM-943 Blade Usage

this_is_nascar

this_is_nascar

Joined
Jan 17, 2004
Messages
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Does one blade perform certain tasks better over the other? Other than the shape and looks of the blade, why would someone get a 940 over a 943 or visa versa?
 
I have never held a 943 but it is my belief that the reverse tanto has a thicker tip. Many knife buyers these days seem to prefer that. I just got my first 940 and I really like it. It does have a solid tip but unlike the tango point the reverse tan to is very usable. I'm considering grabbing a 943 now as well. :)
 
The 943 seems like more of a sticker because of the pointy end. The 940 will have more belly and a stronger tip.

I wish the 940 came with the black handle and blue space.... I love the blade shape but hate the green and purple
 
I don't need a tip that can pierce anything more then what the reverse-tanto 940 can do, better tip strength too, though I would love a 943 also.
 
I prefer the 940 over the 943 because of the tip. Im a fan of the reverse tanto, and it makes for a thicker, more robust tip. It feels more utilitarian.
 
Basically agree with every post in this thread.

If I'm carrying just one knife, it's the 940. It's a probably a mental thing because I've never snapped a tip on a knife, but the 940's is just much more durable without being a bad "poker". If I was constantly piercing things or had a task like cutting zip ties all day (to get underneath them having less height at the tip would be handy) I'd go with a 943, though. Otherwise I'll pair the 943 with something beefier like a Techno.

Quick overlay tip pics (linked because they're big)
http://imgur.com/z8QexnW
http://imgur.com/9JD7tsl
 
Next to the 710 the 94x knives are also mainstays of any collection. I've owned both and give a nod towards the 940. In many ways the 943 is only a little smaller than the 710; different by design, and the 940 is also a little smaller than the Rift. But as a matter of choice I like the slim profile and surprisingly long reverse tanto blade. In the end, it's all about choice and am glad these models are still in the catalog offerings.
 
940 is my preference. The weightier blade of the 940 swings better.
 
topher89 said:
The 943 seems like more of a sticker because of the pointy end. The 940 will have more belly and a stronger tip.

I wish the 940 came with the black handle and blue space.... I love the blade shape but hate the green and purple
Click to expand...
You can sand off the green anodizing and get some Aluma-Hyde II from Brownells to get them a semi-gloss black (or flat black, or put a clear gloss on them). As for the backspacer, send me an email through the forum.
 
A lot of my knife use stems from cutting hangnails, removing slivers, and a plurality of other "microsurgeries". The tip on the 943 (once properly sharpened) is one of the best fine-work instruments I used to carry.

The difference in blade shape between the 940 and 943 makes for two completely different knives. So much so, that when they are sitting open next to each other, you'd never know they were related.
 
Cypress said:
A lot of my knife use stems from cutting hangnails, removing slivers, and a plurality of other "microsurgeries". The tip on the 943 (once properly sharpened) is one of the best fine-work instruments I used to carry.

The difference in blade shape between the 940 and 943 makes for two completely different knives. So much so, that when they are sitting open next to each other, you'd never know they were related.
Click to expand...

I have the 940 right now and love it. I may pick up a 943 just cause. Such great EDC knives.
 
Cypress said:
A lot of my knife use stems from cutting hangnails, removing slivers, and a plurality of other "microsurgeries". The tip on the 943 (once properly sharpened) is one of the best fine-work instruments I used to carry.

The difference in blade shape between the 940 and 943 makes for two completely different knives. So much so, that when they are sitting open next to each other, you'd never know they were related.
Click to expand...


Yea, and that's exactly my point and reason for the question. Does one blade "do stuff better" than the other and if so, what "stuff" is that? The only real answer I got is that one user feels that the 943 blade would be better for sticking or possibly doing finer detailed work.

For example, I'd venture to guess that if all I wanted to do was trust a knife into a tree or car hood or whatever, without damaging the point, I'm betting the 940 would do that better than the 943. What about food prep? Is one better than the other? What about whittling? How about box cutting? How about.................. you see what I'm asking?
 
this_is_nascar said:
Yea, and that's exactly my point and reason for the question. Does one blade "do stuff better" than the other and if so, what "stuff" is that? The only real answer I got is that one user feels that the 943 blade would be better for sticking or possibly doing finer detailed work.

For example, I'd venture to guess that if all I wanted to do was trust a knife into a tree or car hood or whatever, without damaging the point, I'm betting the 940 would do that better than the 943. What about food prep? Is one better than the other? What about whittling? How about box cutting? How about.................. you see what I'm asking?
Click to expand...

I think you may get varying answers. But I would think that the only thing the 943 would be better at are things that require a precise point. Something a bit more narrow (similar to spyderco). The 940 blade is very versatile, IMO and could be used for any of the above tasks if you needed it to. I wouldn't really want the 940 or the 943 for widdling though.
 
this_is_nascar said:
Yea, and that's exactly my point and reason for the question. Does one blade "do stuff better" than the other and if so, what "stuff" is that? The only real answer I got is that one user feels that the 943 blade would be better for sticking or possibly doing finer detailed work.

For example, I'd venture to guess that if all I wanted to do was trust a knife into a tree or car hood or whatever, without damaging the point, I'm betting the 940 would do that better than the 943. What about food prep? Is one better than the other? What about whittling? How about box cutting? How about.................. you see what I'm asking?
Click to expand...

The answers that you have already received are a decent summary. The 943 has a finer tip and is more "stabby". Ultimately, it is a personal preference decision. The bellies of the two models are identical to my eye so slicing and other cutting jobs aren't going to get done much differently. The difference in blades occurs above the cutting edge. The 940 has a thicker spine toward the tip.

12864577844_5716a0a7b1_z.jpg
 
I'd say it comes down to whether you want a thicker or pointier tip or if you prefer the looks of one better. Other than that, there's not much difference.
 
Probably not what you meant, but I find the lighter blade on the 943 makes it easier to flick open and closed, with a barely perceptible wrist action.
The 940 is great in the flickiness department too, but I notice the blade weight difference in the 943 for sure.
Love both.
 
I think the different heights of the blades themselves as you approach the tip makes them difficult to compare even though they share so many similarities. The uniqueness of the reverse tanto compared to a more traditional blade also makes it difficult.

Both blade shapes are exceptionally useful, and unlike the 'Americanized Tanto,' the reverse tanto is great for virtually everything. Both work well for fine food prep in that they are good slicers. Both are reasonably tough for what one would expect from a practical, light, and compact EDC. Both are also well-suited for the partial serrations if you like that configuration, as you still get a lot of usable plain edge. Both also have great ergos, use a great steel, carry exceptionally well, open/close with ease, and are reasonably easy to sharpen.

I think personal usage will dictate if the stronger tip of the 940 or the slightly more precision tip of the 943 is best. The 940 blade upsweeps a little bit harder and has a little more straight than the 943, which is more of a progressive upsweep. Depending on usage, I could potentially see people preferring one blade style over the other based on that.

Personally, I like the 941/943 because when I want to do tip-only cutting (for example, cutting paper that is lying flat on a surface), I don't feel I have to invert the knife quite as high and I think the fine tip reduces the amount of force needed to cut in that specific situation, with less resistance. I also find the slightly more progressive upsweep of the 943 to make cutting food on a plate easier when you want to use primarily the tip-area to cut. But all of that is more my own personal reason than anything else.
 
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