Spyderco Paramilitary 2 vs. Benchmade 940

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GreyBear

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Dec 28, 2021
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Two of my favorite folders are Spyderco Paramilitary 2 and Benchmade 940. I have a couple of each.
I also have a Benchmade 943, and one of my Paramilitaries is a sprint run S45VN Forest Green. Love both.
What do you think of these, and which of these two do you prefer?

Here are some pictures:



 
Although the PM2 is a fan favorite, I have never been a fan. It’s just too big. It’s clunky to me and just never got the immense like. The BM is the better of the 2 IMO. I like the Axis lock more then the back/spine lock and overall size is just about right
 
I have 4 940's but only 1 PM2, so that should tell you my preferences. However, truth be told, I also have a Para3 and prefer that over the PM2.
 
I like that you asked which you prefer, and not which is better. Since you really can't go wrong with either, and it truly is all about preference.
For me? My first "real" knife purchas came down between the PM2 and 940. I don't think I've researched a knife purchase more since. I wound up choosing the Benchmade, mainly because of the size and lock.
Of course, once you start researching something that much, there is a strong chance you can fall down the rabbit hole. And down I fell. A month or 2 afterwards I bought the PM2.

Many knives later, I still have the 940 and it still gets some pocket time. One day I may give the lefty PM2 a shot, but I've pretty much moved on from that price bracket.
 
You should post a poll…

This is a hard one. I think I slightly favor the Benchmade, but idk. Could just be the day of the week.

Nice knives btw!
 
I also really like both and have owned both. Im the exact opposite of Sbs1974. I think as an EDC type knife the 940 is an amazing choice. I also had the carbon fiber version. It disappeared in a pocket. In contrast the PM2 looks better to me and looks like it could stand up to more abuse. I also went the extreme opposite with mine by adding flytanium copper scales. Its a very heavy large pocket knife. Thats more of what I wanted. For thinner blades with minimal pocket real estate (like the 940) I love the Microtech Ultratech.
 
Put me in the PM2 camp. I own 5 PM2s. I owned a Benchmade 940, but I sold it. I could never strike a balance with the action where I could get it open and eliminate blade play. And it just felt more fragile in my hand. Not saying it was, that was just a feeling. The 940's carry profile was great, but that was really my favorite part. I've been able to get to much better action with my PM2s, and they have felt far more stable in my hand.
 
I love both so hard to choose one over the other. I think for harder use, I'd go with the PM2 for its wider leaf-shaped blade and stouter handle. But the 940 is a great general EDC knife, easy to carry, generous blade length, non-threatening, etc.
 
I own about 25 PM2's and zero 940's. I don't dislike Benchmade, but I've never been very impressed with the 940. I wish they'd bring back the AFCK.
 
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For me it would be the PM2 hands down. I own plenty of Axis folders and the Spyderco compression lock beats the Axis for me hands down. I have plenty of Benchmade Axis folders and they are all great in their own ways but there has always been something about them that left me wanting. Never has been the case with the Spyderco. Only gripe I have with the PM/PM2/Para 3 has been the needle tip.
 
I’ve owned both a 940-1 and multiple PM2’s for several years. The 940-1 is definitely the winner for me. The slimmer and narrower profile is much better in the pocket for me. My 940 has been opened/closed 1000’s of times, has zero blade play, drops shut, and is on the original omega springs. 940-1 is the winner for me.
 
Great choice either way. I carry both at work. I’m a sucker for the carbon scales of the 940, and my initial disappointment in the action has long since passed as it wore in a bit. Definitely a fan of the way it fits in my pocket, it nearly disappears. Weekend carry is usually this or a Sebenza.
I carry my PM2 in the thigh pocket of my work pants. It’s pretty much always the first blade I reach for of the two, it feels more robust to me. I use it for tasks I know the 940 is capable of, but for some reason, I find I’m willing to abuse the PM2 a bit because of how stout it feels in hand.

I’m glad I have both and wouldn’t get rid of either.
 
940 easily. Had a PM2 a while ago and sold it. Just too bulky for the amount of blade you get. The 940 is the opposite though, nice and slim with a great blade. One of Benchmade's all time best knives.
 
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The BM fans will say the 940, the Spyderco fans will say PM2, can't go wrong with either one.
I'm a Spyderco fan, so PM2 gets my vote.
 
Ive had a BM 941 and an old sprint run of the OG Paramilitary in D2. They both have their place, both fantastic knives. I tended to carry my PM when I was outside hiking, fishing, camping, doing outdoors stuff more for some reason. I really like the 940's but the one I have in particular is the 941 and I'm not a huge fan of the blade shape, I'd rather have the 940, and on top of that it was a coated blade and I'm not much of a fan of coatings.
 
Definately the stonewashed 940. Benchmades are rugged and far less likely to snap when actually being used as a working blade. Sorry spydie fans. ;D
 
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