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
0450 all day long! It was my springboard to knife addiction.
The 940-2 is well designed, but IMO does not exude the same level of quality as the 0450. Unless newer runs are improved, you’re taking bigger risks in fit & finish buying the 940-2 sight unseen.
That said, for ergonomics the 940 is probably more of a universal fit, but they are about equal to my hand.

I have and carry both. When I pull the 940-2 out I say to myself, “That is a competent little knife.” When I pull out the 0450 I say, “That is a bitch’n little knife!”

You may have already searched it, but my 940–2 experience is here: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/update-benchmade-940-2-first-impressions-and-a-question.1474118/

Anyway, your question is a fairly common one. Neither one is bad, but most who’ve tried ‘em both have a preference.
 
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Being a righty framelock, I haven't even touched a 0450.
That being said, if you are shopping for the same type of knife 10 years from now I'll bet one of the finalists will be some sort of 940 variant, and the 0450 will in all likelihood have been retired for 5 years or so.
I'm not saying there won't be some other ZT that fit's the bill, but honestly the 940 is an all time classic for a reason.
 
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T.L.E. Sharp said:
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.
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I should note though that the 0450 feels like a MUCH more expensive knife and costs less at the same time.

I KNOW the 0450 doesn't work for me. You're not in that boat though. Get the 0450. If it doesn't work for you trade it for or sell it to buy a 940-2. The 0450 is the better buy.
 
Buying knives based on images, online reviews, and popular opinion can be difficult. If you've got a shop within driving distance that carries either of them, make the trip...it's worth it - I've handled both, and bought neither. I'm not knocking either knife, they just weren't for me.

Here are a couple of older threads on this subject (the second references the 940-1, which is a different animal; but you may find some of the comments helpful)
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/zero-tolerance-0450cf-vs-benchmade-940-2-osborne.1399973/
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/zt450-vs-benchmade-osborne-940-1-for-edc.1366759/
 
I went through the same dilemma, and I ended up choosing... both, and I don't regret. I own both in G10 (G10 was a limited time offering on the 0450)scales, and my preference between both flip from day to day; the ZT feels a bit more solid in the hand due to one side being titanium, but I do love the axis lock and reverse tanto grind of the 940 and, on my copy at least, it hold an edge much, much longer than the 0450. Not much help, I know, but I would suggest to drive down to a knife store and handle both since, at the end of the day, it boils down to personal preference.
 
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I have both and the 0450 is way too cramped for my hand. I really love Sinkevich designs, but it is uncomfortable for me to use for anything but as a letter opener. In that regard, I like the 940 better, and 943 even more. The ZT 0460 might look crazy, but it fits my hand very well compared to the 0450.

However, since I have received a 535 Bugout as a gift and put CF scales on it, I am nearly certain that my 940 or 943 will not see any pocket time. If that's too small for you, consider the Spyderco Gayle Bradley 2, which I carry over the 940/0450 pretty much ever time.
 
I vote Benchmade. ZT makes awesome products though and you can’t go wrong with either. I’m just totally bored by titanium frame locks these days...
 
Lots of good info here guys, I will let you know when I decide which one.

At this point I think the easiest thing to do is wait till one goes on sale somewhere and I can get a deal on it ha!
 
The two most important factors would be what size are your hands and how good are your sharpening skills, for small hands either of those choices would be good alolthough I do prefer the axis lock. For medium sized hands I'd probably opt for the 0562 for bigger hands choices become more limited
 
Red0ctober said:
The two most important factors would be what size are your hands and how good are your sharpening skills, for small hands either of those choices would be good alolthough I do prefer the axis lock. For medium sized hands I'd probably opt for the 0562 for bigger hands choices become more limited
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Medium sized hands, and I can usually work a pretty good angle and edge on my KME
 
The 940-1501 was the first "expensive" knife I ever bought. The 20CV steel was definitely worth the $30 more over the 940-2. The handle is extremely comfortable and it absolutely disappears in the pocket. The blade flies open and shut and locks up tight - it's an awesome little knife and if I'm doing chores around the house/yard, it's the one I use.

Most of the time, however, I'm in an office and in those settings I always find myself reaching for something that feels a little more premium (usually my Kizer Mini Intrepid). After getting the chance to handle a 0450 last week I pulled the trigger on a nicely anodized version from BladesWeLove to have an alternative for my office carry. The handle isn't perfectly comfortable for me but I love the thin size and great action on the 0450 and for the types of cutting I'll be using it for, how it carries and how it looks matter more in this case.

KhEzvyj.jpg
 
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Jared Anderson said:
Medium sized hands, and I can usually work a pretty good angle and edge on my KME
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If it was me I'd go for the 0562cf that in my mind is a do it all kind of knife and if I had smaller hands would probably be able to fit all your needs. As nick Shabazz said it's a gem in the ZT range.
 
Red0ctober said:
If it was me I'd go for the 0562cf that in my mind is a do it all kind of knife and if I had smaller hands would probably be able to fit all your needs. As nick Shabazz said it's a gem in the ZT range.
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I already have larger more capable knives that I use, for this purchase I am just looking for a "gentlemen's" edc as stated before. Something to open packages with and cut paper, possibly other light to medium light duty at the very most. Also am pretty much set on the two stated, but I do appreciate the advice.
 
vbjoe7 said:
The 940-1501 was the first "expensive" knife I ever bought. The 20CV steel was definitely worth the $30 more over the 940-2. The handle is extremely comfortable and it absolutely disappears in the pocket. The blade flies open and shut and locks up tight - it's an awesome little knife and if I'm doing chores around the house/yard, it's the one I use.

Most of the time, however, I'm in an office and in those settings I always find myself reaching for something that feels a little more premium (usually my Kizer Mini Intrepid). After getting the chance to handle a 0450 last week I pulled the trigger on a nicely anodized version from BladesWeLove to have an alternative for my office carry. The handle isn't perfectly comfortable for me but I love the thin size and great action on the 0450 and for the types of cutting I'll be using it for, how it carries and how it looks matter more in this case.

KhEzvyj.jpg
Click to expand...

Those scales are beautiful!
 
LastRodeo said:
J Jared Anderson The BM 940 and ZT 450 are very different knives imo. I'm curious what criteria you used to narrow your choices to those two?
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Weight, size, reputation, price point, blade shape, I am looking for a daily carry in that fits well in the pocket.

Curious to what makes them very different knives in your opinion. I have felt and looked at both pretty extensively over the past few weeks and they seem to be in similar in many ways, but their features and fit and finish are the big difference.
 
Jared Anderson said:
Weight, size, reputation, price point, blade shape, I am looking for a daily carry in that fits well in the pocket.

Curious to what makes them very different knives in your opinion. I have felt and looked at both pretty extensively over the past few weeks and they seem to be in similar in many ways, but their features and fit and finish are the big difference.
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Deployment method is the biggest difference.
Price point is not as close when you factor in street price and one is g10 vs titanium .
 
That's the issue or fun part of this passion - no one knife is perfect for everybody or anybody .

that said I have 2 of the 0450's and carrying one today ... it ain't perfect but it's damn good at what it is - I'd like to see it a bit larger - not just longer but fuller in hand but it is what it is more of a Gent's knife I guess

I'd also recommend Benchmade Griptillian - lots of variations nice to see the axis lock in action ... The ZT's action is addictive !
 
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