Tough Choice: BM 581 OR BM 943 Which would you pick, and why?

MTHall720

MTHall720

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Sep 21, 2010
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I have read lots of reviews and still having a tough choice. Although I have seen and handled the 581 I have not yet seen the 943. Planning on only light to medium duty use no matter which one I get. Priorities include a very easy to open knife, scales to fit a large size hand, and something which "feels" solid. The last part is my concern because I have picked up and looked at some very light weight knives that feel to me like the scales/handle is almost made of cheap plastic. I know it is entirely subjective but I want a knife which has a solid feel, substantial, even a little on the heavy side.

Anyone here well acquainted with both, and if you had to pick between what would your choice be?

Thanks everyone.

BTW: If Tsuji Girl reads this please add your thoughts.
 
I have a 580 and a 942 (same handle, just a reverse tanto blade shape instead of a clip point). I know the 58X have full length skeletonized liners and the Axis Assist fires open super fast and more hard than any other assisted openers. The 942 is very light, with partial steel liners. The aluminum handles of the 94X feels chalky, some like this, some don't.The 94X is an excellent EDC line, I'd consider the 58X more of hard use but it does not make a difference, as the Axis lock is very strong and personally my favorite. If you want a hefty knife, I'd go with the 581 because it has the aluminum bolsters and G10.
 
I would go with the 943, hands down. Slimmer profile, pointier blade, and lighter weight. I think the 581 is one of the uglier knives BM has out, plus I don't like assisted open. Axis locks are already smooth enough without any more springs and parts to get in the way.
 
I have medium-large hands, and find the 943 to be just fine. If you have large hands, it might be just a tad small.

Overall between the two I'd recommend the 943--lighter, slimmer, easier to carry, and if properly beveled, it will outcut the 580.
 
I appreciate all the input. One more question please. If I Flick open an Axis lick knife as my regular method of opening would it eventually make the blade loose or uncentered?
 
The 581 is quite a bit more "substantial" feeling in the hand. I love the blade shape and it is my favorite assisted opener by a mile. I find it to be quite a good looker, but I had several non-knife loving people question why I would carry a knife like "that". People are what they are tho. The 94x is a smaller knife, and quite a good knife, popular with many on BF. Takes up quite a bit less room in the pocket. Personally, and I wear XL gloves, I love the 581 so much I have 2. I got rid of my 940 and while I will replace it one day, it is not a priority.
 
The 581 sounds like it is a heavier feeling knife, which to me is a good thing. Eventually I want to add more than one Benchmade, but for right now I have narrowed it down pretty much to these two. I am also thinking about the Bedlam but not sure if the grips have a "plastic"feel, or a more substantial feel to them.
 
MT,

By design, axis lock doesn't get affected by any lateral shift. As long a the pivot is secured by loctite, it should be fine.
 
Chris "Anagarika";9718013 said:
MT,

By design, axis lock doesn't get affected by any lateral shift. As long a the pivot is secured by loctite, it should be fine.
Click to expand...

Great news. Thanks.
 
MTHall720 said:
The 581 sounds like it is a heavier feeling knife, which to me is a good thing. Eventually I want to add more than one Benchmade, but for right now I have narrowed it down pretty much to these two. I am also thinking about the Bedlam but not sure if the grips have a "plastic"feel, or a more substantial feel to them.
Click to expand...

The Bedlam has G10 handles, not Valox, so it should be fairly hefty with the the full length liners. It's not a small knife either.
 
My 940's pivot would get loose with use. Some locktite fixed the problem.
 
I vote 581. The G-10 and aluminum add weight but are very sturdy and solid. The blade is a good shape and size. The M390 stays very sharp through cutting various material. Axis assist is great. Still no reports of springs breaking so all the anti assist talk just comes from imagination. Overall it looks classy and cuts nasty. Just as solid as my Manix 2 and Presidio.
 
jay2pointoh said:
Still no reports of springs breaking so all the anti assist talk just comes from imagination.
Click to expand...

Let me rephrase that; I'm not worried about the assist springs breaking so much as assisted open is a huge pain in the ass for me. Axis locks are already smooth enough that they fly open without me wanting/needing a knife that can't be opened discreetly or closed as easily.
 
This is all excellent information to help me decide. I will definitely keep in mind too that the Bedlam doesn't have Valox. I didn't know G10 came textured or even relatively smooth so when I saw Bedlam pics I thought it was variation of Valox.
 
Chris "Anagarika";9718013 said:
MT,

By design, axis lock doesn't get affected by any lateral shift. As long a the pivot is secured by loctite, it should be fine.
Click to expand...

I have never used Loctite. Do you loosen the Pivot screw first, then put a few drops in, and lastly tighten the pivot screw?
 
MTHall720 said:
I have never used Loctite. Do you loosen the Pivot screw first, then put a few drops in, and lastly tighten the pivot screw?
Click to expand...

I guess so. Loctite not available in my country, at least on the major hardware stores :(

My only experience is taking out screws that use loctite. It's a pain, if not heated up first. :o
All the China made knives I have (Sanrenmu and Enlan) come with screws sealed by loctite. Unfortunately, the pivot doesn't seem to use one, as the Enlan EL01 & EL02 pivot got loosen up flipping it often.
 
MTHall720 said:
I have never used Loctite. Do you loosen the Pivot screw first, then put a few drops in, and lastly tighten the pivot screw?
Click to expand...

Basically yes. Put the loctite on the screw, then adjust it to whatever tension that you want. Let it sit for a few hours and you are good to go.

Heat up the pivot with a blow dryer or something similar the next time you want to remove the pivot screw.
 
581 as i agree with the points made here. I have light and heavy knives. Its on the heavier side but solid and thought out, not just a big chunk of al stainless in your pocket. Also, you can open it with out using the assist. Just use two hands. Whenever i give someone a knife to use I ALWAYS use two hands to open it. Its slower, more deliberate and less scary to non knife people. I'm not sure how the 943 "will out cute" the Barrage though. m390 is going to hold an edge better than s30v every day, require less sharpening, and make you feel all warm and fuzzy. The 930 is a lighter knife, and smaller. i wear xl gloves. the barrage fits like it was made for my hand in a standard or reverse grip. Its more like a Military handle than a PM2 (which is too small IMHO)
 
The 580 uses 154cm, not M390. Since about 2006, if I recall correctly, the 94x series is made with S30v. Additionally, the grind on the 943 has a significant distal taper that thins the geometry significantly.

It is likely that I confused other versions of the 58x series with the M390 version. In any case, I definitely think that the 943 "outcutes" the 58x series--the cuteness factor is over 9,000.

Furthermore, necro thread.
 
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