Which Benchmade is the best EDC?

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PlentyofAWESOME

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Sep 25, 2014
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Hello all!
I was wondering if some people with experience could shed some light on some Benchmade knives for me. I live in a very small town and have no chance to go to a store and hold certain knives I'm interested in before purchasing.

I am currently looking to upgrade my current edc blade and purchase a benchmade. I was wondering which would make the best edc: the mini griptilian 555 or the mini presideo ultra. Both are currently the same price on amazon so price isn't an issue. I was also wondering if I should consider the 940 although its considerably more expensive?

If you all could just shed your experiences with these knives and could recommend one of them over another or throw another recommendation into the ring it would be very much appreciated! Cheers.
 
I'll start off by saying that I own a 940, 530-1303, 585, 10210S, and formerly a 730-1301.

My EDC Benchmade depends on what pants I am wearing.
I have a titanium low ride clip on the 530-1303, and this is what I carry when wearing khakis/dress pants for work.
If I am wearing jeans, then the 940 rides with me.

Both are excellent knives, it's just a matter of preference.

My girlfriend used to have (she lost it..) a 556 plain edge. She absolutely loved it. I couldn't afford to replace it for her at the time, so she has a Sanrenmu 763 for now.

Benchmade makes excellent knives. I haven't been disappointed with any of them yet. If I had to pick only ONE Benchmade, it would definitely be a 940. None of my other Benchmades are as smooth or as comfortable as the 940. It is a wonder to cut with.

And, in a pinch, it even will work for filleting fish.
 
Check the weight and decide if you want relatively smooth scales or rough scales. I've heard that some of the models similar to the Presidio have sharp edges and will wear your pants.
 
940 all the way here. Ive carried mine for a little over 2 years and haven't been disappointed with it yet. I will note that I've been through 2 sets of axis springs so far.
 
940 if you can afford one or get a discounted one on the exchange. The Griptillian is a good alternative if you have a budget constraint. I had a 940, sold it, tried others, bought a new 940. Will keep this one. The 913 comes close if you like the assisted opening option.
 
Between the 555 and the 527 there is a difference is steel; 555=154cm and 527=440c.
 
Thanks for the quick responses guys. Is the 940 really that much better than the other two options? And is there any other knives that compete with the 940? Possibly cheaper but still great in pocket?
 
PlentyofAWESOME said:
Thanks for the quick responses guys. Is the 940 really that much better than the other two options? And is there any other knives that compete with the 940? Possibly cheaper but still great in pocket?
Click to expand...

940 all the way with a Mini Grip running in second place.
 
PlentyofAWESOME said:
And is there any other knives that compete with the 940? Possibly cheaper but still great in pocket?
Click to expand...

707 Sequel. It's smaller and lighter than the 940, but it still packs a lot of blade. I've got mine in my pocket right now. :)
 
So if I were to compare a lower price option suck as the skyline or leek, how are they compared to a Benchmade? Does the higher quality outweigh the price for edc?
 
Personal preference question. But for me it's 581, 940, 470, 710, 810. In that order.
 
I'd pick the 555 over the 527 and maybe even pick the 555 over 940. Would get the 940 if you want to spend the extra $. Have my first 940 coming today but have a 943 with a s30v blade swap that i like but doesn't get used much. Weight and size doesn't really mean much for an edc for me. I carry a 275,300,5000,551 most of the time in a Benchmade molle pouch. Really like the 555/556 though and especially my 555 with a s3ov blade. I'd get the 555 or 940. Lots of other great options also if willing to go bigger.
 
My top BM EDC's are the 940-1, and the mini Grip.

707 is a far third place, simply because the mini Grip has much better in hand egos for me.

Do... Not...Underestimate... The mini Grip.
 
Here are my thoughts on the BM knives I've owned and EDC'd.

The Mini-Grip: Probably the best EDC knife that Benchmade makes in my opinion. It's affordable, customizable, comes in several blade shapes as well as steels. The Ritter version now comes in M390. Just a great all around utility blade. I wish the handle were a bit longer but overall I can't complain.

Mini-Presidio Ultra: I bought one of these thinking it would solve my "what knife do I edc today" problem; it didn't. I love the shape of the handle on the Presidios but this one is blocky/chunky and I don't like that. The knife also has 440c steel and while I won't knock that steel I will say that if given the choice I like 154cm better. For the money go with the Mini-Grip.

Others have and will chime in about other models. Here's my experience with some other Benchmades that I've EDC'd.


707 Sequel: Another great EDC knife. A bit smaller handle than the Mini-grips but man it packs a punch. Mine had the smoothest Axis lock I've ever had. I may pick up another for office carry in the near future. Only complaint is the handle being short and it's a little pricey compared to the Mini-Grip.

940 Osborne: Just an odd knife to me. I got on the 940 kick for a while but I'm off of it. For the money I like other options better. While the handle is longer it's still not ideal for me and it's really slim. While I like a slim knife I find the 940 needs some weight to it. I don't like the green scales/purple back spacer aesthetically. I also don't like the reverse tanto on that knife. It's a good knife but it's not for me.

943 Osborne: Same as above. I like the looks of the extreme clip point a bit better than reverse tanto and the black handles/blue backspacer. Oh yea, they only have partial liners as well.

903 Axis Stryker: Not a bad EDC. I like the steel and the G10 is a nice upgrade. It's a bit course when you first get it and I had to sand the one I owned down a bit.

Full Size Grip: Too FAT for edc to me. Otherwise it's a good knife.

710 McHenry & Williams: The 707's big brother. LOVE this knife and it carries well for such a large blade. The handle length is perfect for my hands.

950 Rift: I hate the handle. I don't like the pinky hump it has and I have never had trouble holding onto a knife to need the handle with that much jimping.
 
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940 all the way. I started off with a Griptilian Tanto, then an MDP mini griptilian.
Then I switched to a 707 sequel....
Once I got my hands on a 940... It was over for me. The balance is perfect , so smooth and comfortable.
If the colors put you off, I had mine duracoated in custom colors, at just over $180 for the whole shebang I already want another with a satin blade to have as backup.
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915 triage, cause then I've got glassbreaker and seatbeltcutter if need be...
That is one of my main reasons for carrying an edc anyway....
To use it for a tool.
 
Bobber said:
915 triage, cause then I've got glassbreaker and seatbeltcutter if need be...
That is one of my main reasons for carrying an edc anyway....
To use it for a tool.
Click to expand...

I really like the looks of the Triage. It's heavier than I like though. I've never needed a glass breaker or seatbelt cutter so it's not worth the extra weight for me but I see how it could be for some.
 
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