What should I get? Help! (ZT0450 vs 940-2 vs 531)

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grennings23

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Hello,

Been looking into a new EDC knife and I was debating between the ZT0450 (Titanium model), the 940-2, and the 531. I currently have the 556 and Para3 and I love both. Really looking to get a bigger knife than these and something that can be better used in more formal/polite situations. Some reasons that I like the ZT0450 is definatly the steel, I like the handle material, and I like the design, only thing that isn't my favorite is the lock, I prefer axis locks to frame locks personally. Some reasons I like the 940-2 is that its a tried and true design, super strong blade, good steel, and great warranty, only thing I don't like is that its expensive and the steel is worse than the ZT. Only reason I like the 531 is because of weight and slicing ability, I've been a bit reserved about the knife because I have larger hands and the awkward lines on the handle concern me. I have no experience with ZT knives so if anyone can educate me a bit on them that would be appreciated and which knife would you get? If there is a different knife in the same class and size that you would reccommend better I would love to hear it. Thank you.
 
You're looking at three very good knives there!

I'm a little confused about your preferences. You say you love the 0556 and the PM3 and want something bigger but gentler? I'd consider both the 0450 and 531 to be "smaller" knives than the 0566 and PM3. I know the 0450 has a 1/4" more blade than the PM3, but in almost every other way it's a smaller knife. The only one of your choices that I'd consider bigger and gentler would be the 940-2.

Now, about each of your options. The 0450 is an awesome knife. I have the Ti handle version that I've modded with a CF scale and I carry it quite frequently. I'm concerned about how comfortable it would be for you to use with larger hands. It has a very slender grip and flipping action is very dependent on keeping your hand off the lock bar. That might be a problem with your hands. I wouldn't put too much stock in the difference between the 0450's S35VN and the 940-2's S30V; I know there's a difference but honestly I've never really noticed much. Maybe the S30V will need to be sharpened more often, but it might be just a little easier to sharpen. The 0450 is an excellent formal/polite knife, however and ZT always does a nice job.

The 531 is kind of an odd creature. I don't have a 531 but I have a 530 and can't ever decide if I love the knife or hate the knife. It's definitely a "must handle" to be certain. Don't let the small size fool you. That coffin shaped handle has a surprising amount of area for larger hands. It's a really neat little knife but definitely not one I want to carry every day.

I kinda think the 940-2 might be a winner for you. The handle has lots of room for larger hands, the Axis lock is a fidgeter's dream and the blade shape is larger without being too aggresive. I have a 940 and a 943 and I think I almost prefer the 943. Unfortunately they don't offer it in upgraded handle materials.

Of the three you mentioned, I prefer the 940-2 for most purposes.

A couple of other things to consider:

Why not upgrade to a full PM2? There are lots of versions and you can pick the one that feels the most gentle and polite, and the compression lock works better on the larger knife. Lots of fun to play with!

Take a look at the ZT0808, especially an anodized version from USAMadeBlade. It's a little bit bigger than the 0450 but still fairly gentle. It might work better with your larger hands.

The Kizer Gemini or Velox2 make a great, understated EDC.

I love the Southern Grind Spider Monkey, or if that's a little too small you can check out the Bad Monkey.

I've heard good things about the LionSteel Kur, although I've never handled one.

The ultimate, polite knife if you can stretch the budget would be a large Inkosi!
 
The 0450 & 94x are fairly small knives, especially if you have larger hands. I have both and carry both, but I will have to say the 0450 get more pocket time. A bearing flipper is just flat fun if you've never had one before. Its fairly light, it's fast, has good steel and is built well. The 940-2 is even lighter, has decent steel and axis lock, what's not to love. As an edc or formal knife may be a better choice as it's less stabby & intimidating looking than the 0450. Both are the same size, I find the 940 handle a bit more comfortable in the hand with a much better clip than the ZT. Honestly I don't think either is a bad choice and BM's s30v is no slouch in my experience. Both are within $10-15 of each other when purchased new. The 531 I have not handled so I can't speak to it.
 
I have an 0452 and a 940 arriving today, oddly enough.

I've had an 0450 and didn't care for it. That's not true, I liked it, and it was a very fun knife. I just didn't love it. The size was a bit smaller than I'd have preferred and I didn't love where my thumb rested. But the design is amazing hence my buying an 0452. (I kind of wish there was an 0451, mayheba 3.4-3.5 inch blade version). But the popularity of the 0450 is no accident. (As suggested, the 0808 is amazing. I actually prefer that over the 0450).

I've never had a 940.

I like both companies. I really really like Zt. And for normal humans (us), better steel is imo largely a novelty. Bit to say there are no differences, but for just edc tasks, they'll all work fine.

Just pick one. Or buy both. ;)
 
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Hackenslash said:
You're looking at three very good knives there!

I'm a little confused about your preferences. You say you love the 0556 and the PM3 and want something bigger but gentler? I'd consider both the 0450 and 531 to be "smaller" knives than the 0566 and PM3. I know the 0450 has a 1/4" more blade than the PM3, but in almost every other way it's a smaller knife. The only one of your choices that I'd consider bigger and gentler would be the 940-2.

Now, about each of your options. The 0450 is an awesome knife. I have the Ti handle version that I've modded with a CF scale and I carry it quite frequently. I'm concerned about how comfortable it would be for you to use with larger hands. It has a very slender grip and flipping action is very dependent on keeping your hand off the lock bar. That might be a problem with your hands. I wouldn't put too much stock in the difference between the 0450's S35VN and the 940-2's S30V; I know there's a difference but honestly I've never really noticed much. Maybe the S30V will need to be sharpened more often, but it might be just a little easier to sharpen. The 0450 is an excellent formal/polite knife, however and ZT always does a nice job.

The 531 is kind of an odd creature. I don't have a 531 but I have a 530 and can't ever decide if I love the knife or hate the knife. It's definitely a "must handle" to be certain. Don't let the small size fool you. That coffin shaped handle has a surprising amount of area for larger hands. It's a really neat little knife but definitely not one I want to carry every day.

I kinda think the 940-2 might be a winner for you. The handle has lots of room for larger hands, the Axis lock is a fidgeter's dream and the blade shape is larger without being too aggresive. I have a 940 and a 943 and I think I almost prefer the 943. Unfortunately they don't offer it in upgraded handle materials.

Of the three you mentioned, I prefer the 940-2 for most purposes.

A couple of other things to consider:

Why not upgrade to a full PM2? There are lots of versions and you can pick the one that feels the most gentle and polite, and the compression lock works better on the larger knife. Lots of fun to play with!

Take a look at the ZT0808, especially an anodized version from USAMadeBlade. It's a little bit bigger than the 0450 but still fairly gentle. It might work better with your larger hands.

The Kizer Gemini or Velox2 make a great, understated EDC.

I love the Southern Grind Spider Monkey, or if that's a little too small you can check out the Bad Monkey.

I've heard good things about the LionSteel Kur, although I've never handled one.

The ultimate, polite knife if you can stretch the budget would be a large Inkosi!
Click to expand...

Just for clarification I have the Benchmade 556 Mini Griptilian, not the ZT0566. Thanks for your input.
 
With what you have, go with the 940-2. I've handled the 531 and it's a great knife also but not 940 good. Also, Spyderco Stretch or one of the Caly's
 
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As a 531 owner I'd have to put it last on this list. It's thin and light but the handle material doesn't feel substantial, the blade rubs the scale even though it's relatively centered, and ergonomically, pulling back on the Axis lock pushes the lock-side rear coffin point into your hand. It is light and carries very well despite those issues though.
 
I'd get the 0450. I'm a big guy at 6'11 & 290 lbs and it fits my giant hands great. The 0450 is probably the best "small" knife out the imo. I own 3 different variations of it.
 
I say try the zt 0450. You have a benchmade and a spyderco. Try something different and give ZT a try. It may turn out to be something you like
 
the zt 450 and bm 940-2 are actually pretty close to size when sitting side by side. Love them both. The question is which lock system you prefer.. Ball bearing flipper, or the Axis.
I've owned both, never had much interest in the 530 series, but I would give the slight edge to 940-2. The 0450 takes a little breaking in when new and where your finger lands on the lock bar can make a difference on deployment. It will rocket out once properly broken in. I've had the clip move around a bit on the 0450, but otherwise really great knife. The 940-2, only complaint is that it has 1st run production writing on the blade. LOL..Cannot go wrong here but if it was me, I would it be 940-2.
 
940 is definitely my favorite of the bunch.
ZT0450 is cramped (0452 FTW!)
I had a 531 and hated it. Great on paper, but not in my hand.
I prefer the 484-1 to all of the above (probably my favorite Axis BM).
 
the 940 is an axis lock with pb washers, the 0450 is a flipper on bearings.

benchmades have Fit and finish issues, where as ZT is known for quality (but every manufacture is known for having some issues).

axis locks are fun, but so are flippers. if you can find the benchmade used for cheap that has a centered blade and a professional sharpening job (benchmade factory sharpening is just bad). def get that, or goto a place that sells them and go through the boxes until you get one thats perfect, with no side to side play etc, then reprofile it (or send it to someone that can).

else go with the ZT, you wont regret either purchase.
 
Well, neither the 450 nor 940-2 are "bigger" than the Para3, though yeah, maybe you get 1/4" - 1/2" more blade; they are both much slimmer. The 940-2 would be my choice for something more "dressy" and office-friendly, since it lacks the ZT's "stabby" blade profile and doesn't flick out like a switchblade in the eyes of the uninitiated (unless you want it to.) You can open it slowly or quickly, which you can't really do with the ZT. BM apparently has had QC issues of late, so I would be a little concerned about the fit & finish of a new BM knife bought sight unseen. If you can get one after inspecting it a local dealer, the 940-2 would be my choice.

As for the 531; not even in the same league. Neat knife, I handled one a couple of weeks ago, and am still tempted to get one, but I can't quite figure out what to do with the thing. It is light, yes, but it is not small, and the handle while aesthetically pleasing (at least, to me, YMMV) it isn't exactly comfortable. I guess if you love the looks of it and the price point matters and you only plan on doing very light slicing tasks with it, then it would be OK. But it's not as dressy or as "nice" in any way as the your other two options. Maybe a good picnic knife to carry in a pair of shorts in the summer, best I can think of.
 
I have a 940 and a 531. Both are great.

The 531 takes it for me. It's less expensive and also kicks the blade out when you pull the axis lock, something none of my other Benchmade do. It's crazy thin, lightweight and I love how the blue and black g10 scales look.

My 940 is great too and I frankly just love how the 940 design looks. It operates very smoothly and there is something about the length and slim nature of the blade that makes it feel extrà nice to flip open and closed. The main downside I have with mine is I'm not a big fan of aluminum scales, but the 940-2 solves that. But that's a pretty penny.
 
531 and 940 are not very big knives. The 940 is a good knife but my pivot is such that it is either too tight to flip freely or it has bladeplay. This is apparently a problem with alot of 940s and apparently many Benchmades so be sure you get a chance to handle the knife first before you buy it if you go with a Benchmade. This doesn't affect the lock's strength at all but it is just annoying.

I would get the Zt 0452 if you are looking for a bigger knife of excellent quality.
 
I got 2X hands and don't like giant knifes I love the 0450 and my Shiro Neon both great midsize knifes.
 
The ZT0450 is a beautiful knife, but given the choice I wouldn't buy it again.

The finger-on-the-lockbar issue is real, the stock clip carries high and doesn't match the knife well, and the bird's-beak at the end of the handle may bother you if you have large hands.

My main issue, however, is the grind. It's pretty thick behind the edge, and the main flat grind below the swedge is very narrow, resulting in a rather obtuse geometry overall.
It lags behind my other knives in cutting performance and doesn't see a lot of pocket time.

If you want a larger, gentlemanly knife, and you like the Comp lock on your PM3, and you have some patience, maybe wait for the Spyderco Sliver.
 
I got 2X hands and don't like giant knifes I love the 0450 and my Shiro Neon both great midsize knifes.
 
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