New Guy - First Question - Which New Knife

Which for EDC

  • Benchmade 940-2

    Votes: 26 44.1%

  • ZT 0450

    Votes: 33 55.9%
  • Total voters
    59
J

Jared Anderson

Joined
Feb 2, 2018
Messages
15
Sorry if this has been asked before, I am still finding my way around the forum.

I am in the market for a higher end EDC than what I am used to carrying.

The two that have caught my eye and I am focusing on are the Benchmade 940-2 and the ZT 0450.

Both seem to fit my criteria perfectly, and both seem to have their pros and cons.

So I figured I would ask guys who may have carried one or both of these for an EDC.

Which would you choose and why?

Thanks!
 
I'm a big ZT fan. The 450 is my gentleman's knife. It's larger and more capable than it looks, but it won't pull down your suit pants.

I'm a jeans and work boots guy with a 350 or something larger most every day, but having the option to carry something lightweight yet hard use is very attractive.
 
Thanks Steely, as you mentioned I am really just looking for a light duty, gentlemens style folder. I would like it to be able to do some medium work when needed but I have a lot of other knives I can put a beating on or use for hard duty stuff. I just need something for the everyday office guy who likes to play with it at his desk and use it to open things on occasion. I am an outdoors guy though so wanted something with a little more capability then a letter opener. Also I am just a guy who likes to buy tools to do work for me, so I dont need anything fancy, just a quality knife that will last forever.
 
One thing I want to mention if you buy a Benchmade - do not buy sight unseen. I went through three 940s (sold or exchanged) within a month because (in order) the grind was way asymmetrical, the blade was totally off center, and there were three highly visible grind lines on the clip side of the blade. I bought a Para3 Cruwear after that (and was blown away and instantly became a Spyderco guy). But the 940 does feel wonderful in the pocket and offers a ton of blade in a lightweight package - just make sure you get a good one!
 
The 450, in my opinion, is all of those things. If you want to get really lightweight, get it in carbon fiber. However, I think the full titanium looks classier and carries just fine.

Short of trying to break one, I don't see how you could under normal use.

Just be careful, they tend to multiply;)
 
I really like the 450 for the fact that it is a sleek beautiful knife without the finishing issues that the 940 is known for commonly. The only thing that is keeping me from just buying one and making this a hard decision is I love the ergonomics of the 940 and the blade shape of BM a little more than the 450. Choices choices! Blessed to have the ability to make! If I could only buy them both!!
 
0450 for me. Partial to ZT, Framelocks and Ti. Plus the full Ti can get anodized nicely. Check with @whitty , he can hook you up :thumbsup:
 
If you are looking for a gentleman looking knife the Zt 450 is the right choice.
It's equipped with bearings so it's very fast opening but maybe not suitable for heavy use.
I prefer also the pointy tip in order to carve apple seeds.
 
basetta70 said:
If you are looking for a gentleman looking knife the Zt 450 is the right choice.
It's equipped with bearings so it's very fast opening but maybe not suitable for heavy use.
I prefer also the pointy tip in order to carve apple seeds.
Click to expand...

I'm not an expert, but I think the captive bearings ZT uses should hold up just fine to pretty much anything. Stabman has multiple posted pictures of batonning his 804 through wood. I've become a big fan of them:)
 
Personally I would go with the Benchmade, just because I'm not a fan of all-metal scales. My hands might actually get sweaty, or it might be <gasp> raining when I need to use my knife...
 
Short, standard Blade Forums answer...buy both, handle them, use them, and sell the one you like least. Or keep both!
 
I’d choose the 940-2. I EDCed one for a few months and really enjoyed it. It would still be my EDC if the Benchmade Bugout hadn’t come along. I just bought a 940-2 for my brother for his birthday coming up. The 940 series is a classic for a reason. Also should add both the 940-2s came perfectly centered with even grinds and smooth Axis lock.
 
blades&wrenches said:
Short, standard Blade Forums answer...buy both, handle them, use them, and sell the one you like least. Or keep both!
Click to expand...

This is clearly the correct answer. However, if I had to choose one....I'd actually steer you towards the 940-1501 (Knifeworks exclusive). More interesting color scheme and big upgrade in steel for not much more money.
 
I'd go with the 940-2. They're both great knives, but the 0450 just doesn't work with my hands. I can't keep my fingers off of the lockbar to save my life.
 
The 450 is just slightly small for me ...but from your posts it appears it should be exactly what you're looking for.

The 940 can be a nice knife ... not as solidly built as the ZT IMHO ... and its bigger if you are looking for more a gentlemans knife.

And if you decide to go bigger than the ZT 450 ... I think you could find better options than the 940 since they seem to have have some QC issues in the recent past ... if you want a bit larger knife but still a gentlemans knife ... look at the ZT 770 in CF Handles ... it's a great knife and carries very light but gives you a better grip ... or gives my hand a better grip.

But out of your two options I voted ZT450.
 
I vote 450, both are good knives but in my experience with both the 450 just felt better in hand and to add to that I prefer the 450cf to the 450, but i'm a sucker for Ti/Cf combo.
 
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