fight! fight! CUDA Maxx 5.5 or BM 940??

allyourblood

allyourblood

Joined
Sep 3, 2003
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okay, okay. i know they're basically apples and oranges, but i want both, and can only afford one. whichever i end up with will be used regularly, and i don't deserately need one over the other. so, i guess my question is, if for some freak reason, you just had to get one or the other, which would it be and why? keep in mind, the winner will be a user, but not hard use. average EDC tasks, with the Maxx winning out on the beefy, SD factor.

i'm open to all information, reviews, rants, you name it. if you think i'm a dummy for even bringing this up, tell me that too. just be nice. thanks gang!

abe m.
 
I'd say go with the 940, for varying reasons. It will handle everyday tasks quite well. It's cheaper than the 5.5. I'd love to have a 5.5 as a folding kitchen knife, but not as an EDC.
 
The CUDA Maxx has been my EDC since they first came out. I rotate occasionally with other knives, but the CUDA Maxx or one of Darrel's customs ends up in my pocket. To be honest, I have carried one of these for long enough, that it seems like a normal size knife. I have never had any issues with regard to its size. No negative comments, even from LEOs who have seen it. Of course, I'm not doing anything stupid with it either.

So, if you can't tell by now, I'd say, go with the Maxx! :D Besides, you have no length issues with a folder in CA. Why not take advantage of that while you still can. You never know when someone there will change their mind.
 
Depends on what you already have.
If you have plenty of EDCs, go with with the MAXX, it's big and different. If you don't have a fair amound of EDCs or if you really want to try the axis lock yet, get the 940.
 
if carrying it doesn't present a legal problem, I'd say get the Maxx. Otherwise get the 940, preferably the ti handled model, which is definitely a cool knife.
 
woah! the Maxx seems to be winning by a decent margin. yes, there is no blade length restriction in CA, and i have many other EDCs, so the Maxx would certainly be a new twist to my regular rotation.

walkingman: you called it. i long for a Benchmade, and i want an AXIS lock knife to call my own! the design of the 940 is so sweet, i die just a little bit, each time i see it. on the other hand, the Maxx is big and sexy, and the frame is irresistable.

i will have to sit on things for just a while longer, until i'm really sure. although, whichever i don't get will simply be added to my Christmas list! :D

abe m.
 
I think the 940 is a great EDC knife. I love the blade shape and it's very hard to beat a good axis lock from Benchmade. The handle is very comfortable it can be had in just about any normal color. The steel with it being 154cm is great.
BUT

I carry the Max in my rotation all the time. I've always carried large folders and the Max is perhaps the best large production folder out there. It's very large however, it has a very thin profile so it carries easy in standard jeans. The pocket clip allows for the knife to set low in your pocket for "descret' carry. D2 steel is great.

I guess I am a firm beliver in " A big knife can do what a small one does (although not always as well:) but a small knife can't do what a large one does.
 
I gotta cast a vote for the Cuda Maxx. I've had one as an EDC for several months now, and have no complaints about it. the extra blade length comes in quite handy often times. I even have one of the thicker, heavier first ones out, and it's still real easy to carry. The new slightly thinner ones should be a breeze to carry. The Cuda Maxx is kinda like a super sized Sebenza, at an umnbelievable price.

Axis locks are really cool and all, but still just not as confidence inspiring as a good ole fashioned framelock.

BTW, if you get the CUDA be sure to invest in some loc-tite. All that blade mass tends to loosen screws up quite rapidly otherwise. and it loosens up EVERYTHING, even the stud on the back of the blade.
 
okay, here's something to add. both knives will fit fine in my jeans, on workdays. however, any day that i don't work, i wear plain Dickies slacks. i'm pretty confident the 940 will ride fine in my pocket, but i'm not so sure of the Maxx.

in a perfect world, i'd check out the Maxx before i bought it, but my local knife store does not carry it, or at least, doesn't have it in stock right now. anyone wearing that bad-boy with Dickies, or some other side-pocket slacks?

abe m.
 
Runs With Scissors: this is the first time i've heard about the screws loosening. is it very bad? will i be retightening often, even with Loc-Tite?

abe m.
 
Nah, that's just been my own experience. A couple of dabs of blue loc-tite an' you'll be good ta' go.

Edited to add: I carry mine in my uniform slacks every night, never really been any more of a problem than any of my other knives (Chinook, AFCK Axis, CRKT M-18) Actually sometimes a few less problems due to it's relative thinness and straight profile. Also the weight seems to keep it from shifting around quite as bad while seated, etc.
 
ARGH! :) I was all set on asking for the Al Mar SERE 2000 for my birthday, but now I might be asking for the MAXX... Decisions, decisions! :)
 
I have both in my pockets right now. The 940 never leave my pocket,though. You can comfortably carry the MAXX in either your hip pocket or front pocket. The 940 can be carried left or right and is out, open, closed, and back in before anyone can blink.

Either one is a great knife, but as an EDC I would lean toward the 940 as it is legal to carry in more places than the MAXX. Also you do get funny looks when your MAXX falls out of your back pocket in the middle of a resturant. ;)
 
kay, here's another question:

i saw another thread regarding D2 and patina, or discoloration. is the Maxx susceptible to this? i'd hate to think the blade is going to tarnish, or darken over time? will the blade stay it's usual shiny silver-steelish color if properly cared for?

btw, i made another attempt to check out the 940 and the Maxx at my local knife store. they had neither! bah! they did have a few other BMs, however, and i got to play with the AXIS lock. me likey! also got to manhandle a Kershaw Blur. not in league with the other two, but still a great everday knife!

abe m.
 
I own both, and I would buy the 940 first. The Maxx is an awesome knife, but I like it mainly because it raises eyebrows. It's an awesome knife, but if I had to pick one, I'd take the 940.
 
I've been carrying a Maxx Bowie for almost two years now and the blade still looks like new.

I also own a blue 940, but I rarely carry it. Nice knife, but I prefer the Maxx for general utility as well as for SD.

--Bob Q
 
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