Which benchmade: 940 series or 484 series?

Which benchmade: 940 series or 484 series?

  • 940-1 (carbon fiber, S90V)

    Votes: 15 42.9%

  • 940-1501 (knifeworks exclusive, G10, 20CV)

    Votes: 11 31.4%

  • 484 (G10, M390)

    Votes: 2 5.7%

  • 484-1 (carbon fiber, S90V)

    Votes: 2 5.7%

  • 484-1601 (knifecenter exclusive, wood scales, M390)

    Votes: 5 14.3%
  • Total voters
    35
I

ipwn3r456

Joined
Sep 2, 2013
Messages
92
Hey guys/gals,

Been itching for a Benchmade to complete the Spyderco/ZT/Benchmade trio, so far I am interested in the 940 and the 484 series. The five specific ones are the 940-1, 940-1501, 484 regular, 484-1, and the 484-1601. Feel free to vote at the poll for your favorite one.

I think I am tied between the 940-1501 and the 484-1 as my top two choices, but I am not dismissing the other three choices since they all look pretty dang good.

Owners of the 940-1 and the 484-1, how does carbon fiber feel in your hand? Do you think it's better in other ways compared to other materials other than being more lightweight? I really like the looks of the carbon fiber, but is it practical for daily use?

What do you guys think? Which one of them should be my first benchmade? Any opinions and suggestions would be appreciated, thanks.

EDIT: ordered the Benchmade 940-1.
 
Last edited:
I have both the 940 -2 and the 484. I don't have the cf versions as they are pretty expensive up here. I find both knives equally good, with a slight nod to the 484 as it fits my hand perfectly and quite frankly is my favourite knife. I also find that the 484 is a little more robust and feels quite solid in the hand. The G10 on both is smooth but the 484, by it's design, has a better grip.

Your best bet is to buy one, then later buy the other.
 
If you want pure perfect 940 you needed to get both 940-1 and 940-1501, move the blade from 1501 to the carbon fiber scale and you will get the perfect one. (At least it just my ideal 940)
 
I've owned more 940 series knives than I can remember all of (seven or eight at least) and have also had a couple of 484s, including the 484-1601, and of your listed choices I voted 940-1501.

The 940 is a great design, and while the 940-1 seemed like a no-brainer (I pre-ordered one when it was announced) I've come to realize that G10 handle variants get the most pocket time because they feel better in hand. My favorite version of all the ones I've owned so far is the 940-1701, which is G10 handles and 20CV, but also has red C-Tek inserts and red annodized hardware for style points.

I really like the 484, and in particular the 484-1601 is IMO a gorgeous little knife. It's a strange thing to get hung up on, but what killed that knife for me was the longish thumbstuds catching on my pockets like a semi-wave device that pulled the knife half open unexpectedly.
 
The 940 family of knives are really very nice. They're perfect for office/light EDC applications. My wife carries hers when she isn't carrying her ZT0562.
 
The carbon fiber on my 940-1 looks and feels fairly practical. Much more textured than the carbon fiber I've seen on other knives and as grippy as most knives I have with G10. I'd suggest the 940 if you want a pocket-friendly, lightweight blade for light use or the 484 if you want a more general purpose user.

What Spyderco and ZT knives do you have?
 
BTGuy said:
The carbon fiber on my 940-1 looks and feels fairly practical. Much more textured than the carbon fiber I've seen on other knives and as grippy as most knives I have with G10. I'd suggest the 940 if you want a pocket-friendly, lightweight blade for light use or the 484 if you want a more general purpose user.

What Spyderco and ZT knives do you have?
Click to expand...

The Native 5 and the ZT 0393.
 
ipwn3r456 said:
The Native 5 and the ZT 0393.
Click to expand...

Nice choices. I'm a big fan of the Native 5 for cutting cardboard and similar tasks. The ZT 393 looks like a great user also. Seems to me like you'd probably prefer the Benchmade 484 since it has more substantial handle and taller blade. Whatever Benchmade model/variant you get will make a good complement to finish the trio.
 
BTGuy said:
Nice choices. I'm a big fan of the Native 5 for cutting cardboard and similar tasks. The ZT 393 looks like a great user also. Seems to me like you'd probably prefer the Benchmade 484 since it has more substantial handle and taller blade. Whatever Benchmade model/variant you get will make a good complement to finish the trio.
Click to expand...

I think I have the chance to get the 940-1 for $210 or the 484-1 for around $170. Which one would you pick in your opinion?
 
I've tried to love the 940/943 and have owned many, but its just never been the one I put in my pocket.

evilgreg said:
I really like the 484, and in particular the 484-1601 is IMO a gorgeous little knife. It's a strange thing to get hung up on, but what killed that knife for me was the longish thumbstuds catching on my pockets like a semi-wave device that pulled the knife half open unexpectedly.
Click to expand...

This exactly. I ground down the thumb studs and am much happier now. I like the blade on the 484 much better than the 940/943, but its one of those knives you really need to handle to see if those grooves work for you. I have XL hands and didn't think they would, but it fits really nice and secure in my hand. I really love my 484-1601, but the 484-1 sees more use and carry. If it had a Spydiehole it would be a much better knife.

28621410614_dc04d6bee3_h.jpg
 
ipwn3r456 said:
I think I have the chance to get the 940-1 for $210 or the 484-1 for around $170. Which one would you pick in your opinion?
Click to expand...

If you asked me a year or more ago I would've definitely said the 484. Not only is it the less expensive knife, but I was working outdoors more and doing more tasks that needed a stout knife. For instance, I carried a ZT 562 more than anything for a while. I work in an office most of the time nowadays so I'd lean more towards the 940 myself. I hardly notice it in my pocket when reaching for keys, it's more than capable for the occasional cutting tasks I run into, and I prefer the longer blade.

Try to think of what you'll want to use the knife for. Would the taller clippoint be more useful than the shorter (heightwise) reverse tanto? Would the finger grooves in the handle and thumb ramp on the blade help you keep a better grip or do you prefer a more neutral handle? It really comes down to what you want, not what I would want. ;)
 
Last edited:
BTGuy said:
If you asked me a year or more ago I would've definitely said the 484. Not only is it the less expensive knife, but I was working outdoors more and doing more tasks that needed a stout knife. For instance, I carried a ZT 562 more than anything for a while. I work in an office most of the time nowadays so I'd lean more towards the 940 myself. I hardly notice it in my pocket when reaching for keys, it's more than capable for the occasional cutting tasks I run into, and I prefer the longer blade.

Try to think of what you'll want to use the knife for. Would the taller clippoint be more useful than the shorter (heightwise) reverse tanto? Would the finger grooves in the handle and thumb ramp on the blade help you keep a better grip or do you prefer a more neutral handle? It really comes down to what you want, not what I would want. ;)
Click to expand...

This is probably going to be a general use, EDC knife. I do feel more towards the 940 for its low profile that it brings, specifically the width of the knife itself. But at the same time, I do feel like the 484 has better grip that I like from my ZT 0393, which has a good grip, and I like the looks a little better. I don't think the blade shape matters much to me, since I don't think i will be doing heavy cutting with it. Hard choice regardless.
 
Last edited:
ipwn3r456 said:
This is probably going to be a general use, EDC knife. I do feel more towards the 940 for its low profile that it brings, specifically the width of the knife itself. But at the same time, I do feel like the 484 has better grip that I like from my ZT 0393, which has a good grip, and I like the looks a little better. I don't think the blade shape matters much to be, since I don't think i will be doing heavy cutting with it. Hard choice regardless.
Click to expand...

Hard choice for sure. Both very nice knives. Give it some time to see how your poll turns out and hopefully more people will give you their opinions also. :)
 
BTGuy said:
Hard choice for sure. Both very nice knives. Give it some time to see how your poll turns out and hopefully more people will give you their opinions also. :)
Click to expand...

Looks like majority of the votes are going with the 940s... Looks like no love for the 484s.
 
940 for me. Specifically the 940-1.

My 484 is only for small hands. Not medium or large hands. Ergos are not nice for my medium hands. They do look nice though. The thumbstds are annoying af too. They are too long and act as a wave at times.
 
Two great designs for sure. The 484 is too small for my hands.
I voted 940-1, the greatest blue class Benchmade to date. ;):D
 
ipwn3r456 said:
Welp, ordered the Benchmade 940-1. My wallet is now mad at me. Thanks everyone for their opinions.
Click to expand...
You should ask them to inspect it and give you the best they have in stock. Else it's probably gonna come with off center blade, lopsided edge grinds and up and down or side to side blade play.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top