Thoughts/opinions on picking from 2 older Benchmades (943/921)

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Siggyhk

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Feb 8, 2006
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I'm going to pick up one of these knives in a trade soon. They are considered the same in value. Both are s30v, both have black handles, and both plain-edge, uncoated.
I carry an 806 regularly and will use either of these as my smaller EDC.
Any thought, comments, or opinions on these two knives would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
I had a 943 for a while and it was very nice and well made. It was slim bit still very sturdy and the opening acton was VERY smooth, the smoothest of any knife I ever had. The handle is also nice and smooth so it rides nicely in the pocket and won't tear up your hand or get in the way when you reach for something in your pocket.
There were a few things I didn't like about it though. I didn't care for the overall length of the knife, I found it too long for how slim it is. I prefer a knife with around a 3" blade for a light EDC. I also found the tip to be a little too delicate. I probably should have gotten the 940.
But like I said it was very well made just not my style.
 
The 921 felt weird in my hand--the back end of the knife is shaped oddly because of the extra blade. I honestly can't remember a single situation when such a small, extra blade would have been useful.

I EDC'ed a 943 exclusively for several years during my undergrad, and it (and the tip) survived a great many stupidly drunk weekends. I later picked up a 940 and found that the reverse tanto blade shape was more annoying than useful. The 943's blade shape lends it to be a great slicer because of the thinness of its profile.

In my opinion the 943 will make a better light EDC than the 921, but the 921 is discontinued, so it has a bit more collector's value than the 943.
 
If you can, try to handle both. I like the 943 design but it didnt feel right in hand when I tried it. Another thing to consider is that a knife is discontinued when it sells poorly, and it sells poorly because most people do not like the design. From that point of view there is a good chance you will not like the 921.
 
another vote for the 943 well made light weight smooth opening and a great slicer makes for a perfect edc
 
Thanks for the replies. I did have some concern about how the 921 would have felt in the hand due the that extra blade. I think I'll avoid it. The 943 sounds like a real winner though. I generally perfer a thinner, pointier tip at the expense of some strength, so I'd be okay with that. Thanks again.
 
The 943 is my favorite Benchmade to date and has been my EDC for many years.
 
I have a half dozen 943's mostly in Titanium. I love the ergonomics and the axis lock. I like sharp tips and lightweight knives. The Carbon fiber models weigh 72 gm. The Aluminum models weigh 82 gm. The Titanium models weigh 92 gm. in spite of the fact that they have an open back. The blades come in S30V, CM 154, D-2, and stainless Damascus. I wish they offered a higher spec'd steel. Great package!
 
The 943 is my favorite Benchmade, too. Just a great EDC knife, very light, thin, comfortable, smooth, and has a decent size blade without taking up pocket room.
 
I have both the 943 and the 921 from when they first came out several years ago in 154CM and S30V respectively. The 943 is an absolutely perfect EDC blade. It's lightning fast to open and close. So smooth you'd swear the blade was riding on bearings. The powder coat or whatever it is they put on the handle has a nice, chalky feel in the hand. I cannot say enough about the 943. It's been one of my favorite and most carried EDC knives ever, only recently being retired and replaced with a Sebenza Insingo. For me, the 921 is just too slim and slick. I love the Wharncliffe blade, but the thinness of it takes it out of the EDC category and puts it into a light duty, gentleman's knife category. Also, the second blade on the 921 doesn't have a blade stop for the closed position, so you can kiss off having a perfect edge on it. Reason being, it hits the metal backspacer and dings about 1cm of the edge right in the middle. Poor design IMHO. If I was in your position right now, it would without a doubt be the 943.
 
I own quite a few Benchmade's and the 921 is my personal favourite. Lovely and light, razor sharp (you can shave with it out the box) and the extra blade comes in useful - you can use it in any situation where you don't want to 'scare' people (don't like the term 'sheeple') with the main S30v blade.

Those who have a problem with the feel of the 440c extra small blade must be leaving it open lol, but it does flat spot if you snap it closed all the time - 1 minute on a Sharpmaker solves that one. I use the small blade quite a lot and it can sometimes save wear on the main blade.

The 921 is more than a knife - it's a work of art - get one and love it!
 
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