Which one would y'all pick?

The PM2 lure? When I bought mine, I thought it was going to be just another Spyderco. But upon receiving I discovered that it flips open every bit as smooth as a $300+ ball bearing pivot knife. As mentioned many times, the ergos are sweet. And....I've never had a compression lock like this. It just seems perfect and intuitive for my hand. I don't need to move my hand or grip as much as other knives to disengage. And the blade simply falls closed. Based on looks, I Simply did not expect to love it as much as I do. Also it's a great edc size, and the blade is not a super fat leaf shape to make the thumb hole functional with multiple opening methods.

Yeah, it's worth it.

Benchmade's are quality and functional also. I don't have a 943. Some people are completely hooked on the Axis Lock. I like it but just haven't been mind blown. I know it's not the best comparable to the PM2, but my next shortlist Benchmade is the 940-1. Love the looks and feel of that one.
 
At one point I was a die hard Benchmade fan. More specifically I was an Osborne designed BM fan. The 943 is a great knife and in my opinion the entire 94X line of Benchmades have an awesome handle profile and ergos. BUT, the PM2 is like a Beatles album: simple and timeless and delivers to any setting or mood (situation). I never feel inadequate with my PM2. Benchmade has an awesome warranty and customer service system however, and will repair just about anything you throw at them. This is what makes Benchmade so great.

At the end of the day it's the PM2 though. Everything I can say has already been said about it. It's just so darn sexy too.
 
Between the two, the 943, without question.

I like Osbourne designs, and the blade profile of the 943, and Benchmade as a whole, way better then anything Spyderco makes.
 
I've had both, well, a 940, and 2 PM2s as a matter of fact. Still have the 940.

The PM2 is more substantial. The 943 is what I'd consider a light duty knife. The PM2 is the better slicer, no contest.

Kind of depends what your EDC duties entail. If you're in an office environment, and maybe opening some letters & packages, and perhaps cutting up lunch, either will do. The 943 is smaller, lighter, and slimmer, and for what it's worth, probably less intimidating in appearance to non-knife people. If you're going to breaking down boxes, cutting plastic packing straps, twine & rope and various and sundry other materials, the PM2 gets the nod. As for lunch, you can not only slice it up on your plate, you can skin it and butcher it first with the PM2.

A real over-simplification: if you wear jeans or cargo pants to work on a daily basis, get the PM2. If you wear Dockers or other khakis, get the 943.
 
BM 940 or 943 work great.

They disappear in the pocket.
Same steel S30.

Axis lock.
 
Pm2 vote here and I am still a benchmade fan, just find that the pm2 is up to a wider variety of uses than the 943. 943 is a great knife, just more limited to me.
 
I like the PM2 for the ergos but I feel I lose a bit of cutting edge from the choil. Nonetheless, still a great knife.
 
Pm2 is a better working Knife. 943 carries better. I actually carry my 940-1 more than my PM2. But if I could only have one it would be the PM2 for capability.
 
I have been through at least 5 or 6 PM2's and just never do keep them for some reason. On paper it's ideal, but they don't stay in my rotation. It must be looks because I can't fault the function of it in any way. Probably why I keep trying with it. With that said, I would give the 943 a shot just because I love the look and the Axis-lock. I have never owned the 943, but I do have one I the way coincidently. I will let you know what I think when it arrives.
 
Just to be different...

Who am I kidding? PM2 is an amazing knife... my best purchase ever... buy with all confidence...
 
I have a few of both.....and would not sell any of them.
That blade on the 943 is flat out amazing! What a slicing machine!!! Smooth as oiled glass with a fantastic lock. I like them so much I had DOAT make custom G10 scales for them!
Para 2 is a little cheaper and just about the most fun knife there is!
I couldn't choose between the 2!
Definitely get both!!
Joe
 
I also have both and I like them both but I seldom carry either one. Actually, I have the Benchmade 940 which has a different blade shape than the 943 but is otherwise identical in size and shape. The differences are the Benchmade is slim in profile and rides easily in the pocket whereas the PM2 is wider in blade and handle and takes up a little extra space. Both are well made but handling is different due to different ergonomics. The Spyderco's G10 feels good but, surprisingly, the Benchmade's aluminum also is grippy as well. I like the Axis lock better than the PM2's lock but both locks are solid.

It would depend on what features you value most. If I were going to use a knife heavily and didn't mind the extra width, I would go for the PM2. On the other hand, the 940/943--while equally capable of hard work--has a narrow profile that is a joy to carry. These are both excellent knives and you can't go wrong with either one of them. As I said, I seldom carry either of these knives as I have others I prefer overall to either them but that's just my preferences...toss a coin and either side is a winner.
 
I love the Axis lock, but don't care for the ergonomics of the compression lock, so, for me, it would be the Benchmade. YMMV, of course.
 
PM2 is great but takes up too much space in my pocket. The 943 is so comfortable in pocket.
 
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