KUR or 940-2?

D

dkblade

Joined
Nov 7, 2014
Messages
880
Every time my better half sells a house I get to buy a new knife. Close of escrow is drawing near, and pending any potential catastrophes I should have a new toy in about 2 weeks

I love the axis lock. It's the quickest locking system of any folder from closed to "open in usable position" to closed. In car terms it's the Bugatti Chiron from 0-100-0. Benchmade knives are also just plain fun to play with! I haven't had any experience with the 940 beyond review videos which give heaping praise to its blade shape and perfect weight. However fit and finish can be an issue with BM which for me slightly decreases value. If I get an uneven spine grind it's going back...especially for $170.

I've never handled a lionsteel but just last night I came across the KUR and it's highly impressive! Italian ingenuity mixed with what appears to be impeccable fit and finish make this knife a definite competitor, however I don't know how well they hold up, particularly in flipper form. I do love the recessed triangular barrel screws and pivot and the shape just looks utilitarian and sleek. It is a bit on the beefy side though and it will take a while to get used to no thumb studs coming from a sebenza.

They are very closely priced at around $170 which makes the decision even more difficult.

What say ye?
 
two really different ones. what will be your primary use? one may be better than the other in those aspects
 
KUR is quite a bit heavier and wider than 940-2. Also, if you're going to get a KUR get one with a black stonewashed blade because it protects the Sleipner tool steel better.
 
Personally Id stick to the 940 as the KUR is just too heavy in my book for a good pocket knife but I am generally wearing lighter denim or khaki pants.
 
Looks like I'm in the minority. I'd vote KUR. It sounds like you have (or had) a few BMs if you are familiar with the axis lock. I might just try out a Lionsteel and then tell (no... Demand!) the wife to sell another house so you can get the 940-2 too. :D:p:)

Don't tell her I said that. If you do, my name is Sven and I'm from Canada.
 
As the owner of a Kur I'd say it's not as heavy or bulky as it looks but there is a heft, fit & finish are great, it's a really well built knife and the steel is a joy to use. As far as the osborne, visually I don't like the pattern and I also don't love s30v.
 
KUR is 5.58 ounces vs. 2.65 ounces for 940-2. KUR is also much wider and thicker.

KUR has excellent quality and is a flipper.

940-2 should be hand picked for one with no QC issues.
 
Primary uses are minor cutting tasks around the house, cutting tape, rope, paper and boxes at work. Nothing crazy. It leaning 940 mostly because I've wanted one for years while the KUR only piqued my interest the other day. Also my sebenza fills my frame/integral lock desires nicely....the benchmade will be more fun to just play with while I'm driving. KUR will have to wait guys!
 
okay, those tasks wont really matter with either blade profile. of course the Kur will be a slightly better slicer due to its geometry in comparison to the 940-2. the 940-2 however has a thicker tip, but alas, the majority of your edc tasks will not require that. im not sure which steel would last longer in those tasks, slipner or s30v, especially since the blade geometry has a lot to do with the edge retention (generally speaking s30v has a longer edge retention than D2 of which slipner is close to D2 composition). slipner steel is not stainless and ive seen youtube reviews of it rusting in some water, if you keep the kur dry it wont rust, but thats something you have to think about in your location. the rust can be cleaned off, but with prolonged exposure to water it may cause issues like pitting.

the other thing would be do you want a flipper or an axis lock. i like flippers better than axis lock, but if you dont have a benchmade, id recommend one at least and the 940 would probably be my first choice if i were new to them.
 
No way do I want a knife that pushes over five ounces. Loses its taste right off... IMO
 
If you want a perfect knife, there is only one option for you:
Don't get into knives...

Every single knife will have some flaw, no matter how miniscule. I don't care if it is a $100K Loveless City knife, I am sure if you look hard enough, you can find something...
------
My point being, you don't buy a $150-$200 knife for perfection. You buy that price range for a quality knife. An uneven bevel, a slightly differing swedge, S90V that chips if you hit some grit or a ceramic/glass plate, or G10 that is slick, or Aluminum that gets Very cold in the winter, et al are all potentially part of th game in this price range...
You are getting a quality slim carrying work knife. Yes, it can dress up for an event, or it can spend the day working in the yard. It can be easy to maintain or a bear to sharpen, depending on your equipment.

Other examples that I have in this price range that aren't "perfect":
ZT0770cfM4: Too slick with some small voids in the CF edges
BM 710-1401: tip slightly proud, slightly off center
Spyderco Mantra 2: Push button flipper has a "technique" due to the lightness of the blade, factory could have made their job easier by not adding scallops/choil that isn't needed (this would also make it slimmer in pocket).
Large 21 Sebenza: Slightly uneven secondary bevel (the tall hollow ground area, the main noticeable part of the blade above the cutting edge) and ricasso.

What you aren't getting is a slim William Henry, an ultra high hardness Rockstead, or a brute of a knife like a Busse. It is just a nice EDC that can work or play with near equal skill. Don't baby it, and don't cry if it isn't Perfect...
Like I said, Nothing (especially knives) is perfect.
 
Last edited:
the 940-2 G10 is completely slick gives absolutely zero traction. It is a great knife on paper, but in use I was extremely disappointed with it.
 
Update for them who care, I bought the 940-2 and am SO happy with it. Axis lock as always is great. Made sure they gave me one with perfect grind and centering because that's important to me. Also got a screaming deal on it at $130. When I think about my Spyderco PM2 I think I like this 940-2 better. I say that only because I think they're about as close of competitors as exist in the knife world. On their own they're both fantastic knives!

Thanks again for the advice. Next sale will result in my Glock...a lot of leg work to do in the meantime!
 
NJBillK said:
If you want a perfect knife, there is only one option for you:
Don't get into knives...

Every single knife will have some flaw, no matter how miniscule. I don't care if it is a $100K Loveless City knife, I am sure if you look hard enough, you can find something...
------
My point being, you don't buy a $150-$200 knife for perfection. You buy that price range for a quality knife. An uneven bevel, a slightly differing swedge, S90V that chips if you hit some grit or a ceramic/glass plate, or G10 that is slick, or Aluminum that gets Very cold in the winter, et al are all potentially part of th game in this price range...
You are getting a quality slim carrying work knife. Yes, it can dress up for an event, or it can spend the day working in the yard. It can be easy to maintain or a bear to sharpen, depending on your equipment.

Other examples that I have in this price range that aren't "perfect":
ZT0770cfM4: Too slick with some small voids in the CF edges
BM 710-1401: tip slightly proud, slightly off center
Spyderco Mantra 2: Push button flipper has a "technique" due to the lightness of the blade, factory could have made their job easier by not adding scallops/choil that isn't needed (this would also make it slimmer in pocket).
Large 21 Sebenza: Slightly uneven secondary bevel (the tall hollow ground area, the main noticeable part of the blade above the cutting edge) and ricasso.

What you aren't getting is a slim William Henry, an ultra high hardness Rockstead, or a brute of a knife like a Busse. It is just a nice EDC that can work or play with near equal skill. Don't baby it, and don't cry if it isn't Perfect...
Like I said, Nothing (especially knives) is perfect.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that
 
I can honestly say that, while these are two very different knives, you all actually helped solidify my decision to get the 940-2!
 
If you can stretch it slightly, I would go with the 940-1501 Knifeworks exclusive. Gets you 20CV and a more interesting color pattern. Just a thought.
 
The 940-2 has a different handle pattern on the G-10 than the 940-1501 which I find more comfortable. If you're using it for just light tasks I recommend the 940! It disappears in your pocket and is a joy to use.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top