Zero Tolerance 0450CF VS Benchmade 940-2 Osborne

Which knife for EDC should I choose?

  • Zero Tolerance 0450CF

    Votes: 21 40.4%

  • Benchmade 940-2 Osborne

    Votes: 28 53.8%

  • Other knife

    Votes: 3 5.8%
  • Total voters
    52
G

Gideons

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2015
Messages
1,512
Hey BF,

I am looking into the buying a new EDC knife. I am looking at either Benchmade 940-2 Osborne or Zero Tolerance 0450CF. I want to get your input on which knife you like, and your thoughts on them. This knife, will be used for primarily EDC tasks, and maybe some stuff like little harder usage like outdoor maintenance (gardening, patio and other odd jobs). So, I want the knife to be super light and slim in pock so I hardly notice it but also be fairly capable.

- Gideons
 
The ZT is the cooler looking of the two I think, but I REALLY dislike frame locks and the 940 is a well proven blade so I'd buy it instead. Though I'd go for the 940-1501. Better steel for not much of a price increase.
 
I have both the 940-1 and a 0450 I put a custom CF scale on (before the 0450cf was announced),both with deep carry clips (free just call ZT or BM). As cool as the 0450 is, I grab the 940-1 over it every time. Vote cast.

The 940-1 is just a better all around knife IMO, and much more comfortable in hand (the 0450 is cramped for me and lacks a really firm grip). Plus I had a lock bar fail on the 0450 (my fault) that required four stitches.

Other suggestions?

  • Spyderco Mantra2 or Chaparral over the either of the above for a 2.5oz knife with a slim width.
  • Native5 LW and Manix2 LW for a larger body knife that is a absolute workhorse for the weight and awesome around the house/yard.
  • I HATE the assist, but the 0770cf is an great knife for the size/weight and much more capable than the 0450 or 940 IMO.
  • Spyderco Slysz Bowie is my favorite knife out there right now, so I'll just through that in the mix... Carries smaller, lighter, and more discrete than you would think, and is a great slicer with perfect ergos IMO.
 
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You really can't go wrong.

I would also pick the 940-1 If price wasn't a concern. The 940-2 on the other hand I would say is a total toss up. Can't go wrong.
 
940-2. Handle on the 450 is to small for a frame lock. I would prefer the 940-1 or 1501 if I had a choice between the three.
 
Toss-up for me as well. The 940 is one of my favorite Benchmade designs, and I like the aesthetic changes on the 940-2. The 0450 (and now 0450CF) has been one of my most frequently carried knives since I first got them. Both are excellent EDC knives.
 
940 over 0450 as the 0450's flipping action can easily be sabotaged by the lockbar. However, I'd take the Mantra 2 over either, as it's got pretty decent flipping action, a very functional handle shape and, most importantly, a useful and functional blade.
 
940 in any version just because everything about it is EDC perfection that after so many years just keeps being one of the most versatile knives you can put in your pocket...
 
I've got the 943 Osborne. It is a wonderful knife and appears to be nearly the same as the 940-2. They both have quality steel. And they both have the wonderful Osborne design. It is slim light and a great everyday knife. The advantage to the 940-2 is the replacement of the aircraft aluminum handle. My 943 has an aluminum handle that is dented and scratched easily. The 940-2 however has g10 scales which are surprisingly solid. I also love tanto style blades. The 940-2 would be my choice for my edc.
 
I have a 450 and 3 94x. The 450 is a really cool knife, great flipper, but I grab a 94x every time. Mostly my 943......like that blade shape a little more.
Scales by DOAT.
Joe
0bcd821996df0d24c8f3c9a16f5c2757.jpg

dd69d4b706b5e3492371dd82ec5d10e8.jpg
 
I love my 450cf. It fits my hand great and the action is superb. Its definitely the best flipper i have owned. However, that didn't stop me from getting a pre order in for the 940-2.
 
The 940 does have a slightly longer handle than the 0450. I can get a 4-finger grip on both. On the 0450, my pinky does rest more on the tail end of the handle, but because of the way it's contoured, it is a solid grip.

BM940_ZT0450_open_800x364.jpg


BM940_ZT0450_closed_800x375.jpg


BM940_ZT0450_length_800x295.jpg


This one has the grip-able parts of the handles lined up:

BM940_ZT0450_handle_800x355.jpg


And one of the two in pocket:

BM940_ZT0450_pocket_800x524.jpg
 
Gideons said:
Hey BF,

I am looking into the buying a new EDC knife. I am looking at either Benchmade 940-2 Osborne or Zero Tolerance 0450CF. I want to get your input on which knife you like, and your thoughts on them. This knife, will be used for primarily EDC tasks, and maybe some stuff like little harder usage like outdoor maintenance (gardening, patio and other odd jobs). So, I want the knife to be super light and slim in pock so I hardly notice it but also be fairly capable.

- Gideons
Click to expand...

I see you liked my choice of the 940-2 in the benchmade forums..cool.
 
I own the 940-1 and I really like it a lot. I also own the native 5 in s35vn steel which I also like very much. As much as I like my native though, I just always put my 940 in my pocket because it is just so slim and light and easy to carry. I suppose if I used the knife more and had it in my pocket less I would carry my native more often. I have not owned the 0450 series but I have handled them at the local sports store. I must say, it is a very nice knife, but I find the handle to be a little small and cramped feeling. One other thing that I like about my 940 is how good it is for food prep. The blade shape seems to be just right for a variety of food related tasks; in fact, I just used it an hour ago to spread some peanut butter on some bread instead of walking to get a butter knife. The shape works really good for spreading condiments and making sandwiches; at least better than the other knives I have tried, (delica 4 ffg, native 5, victorinox pioneer)
 
I know it's late but here are some 940-2 Pics.
Here's the deal
940- Gentleman folder/elegant
ZT450- Gentleman folder
940-2- Compact EDC tool
The 940-2 isn't as elegant or pretty, but it means to get the job done.
74dbde5593f6ea0ef676cc7e904e7c03.jpg

6cf9ec4e02ac0096efd5d9e00a723a9a.jpg
77c5a009248b326491d1edf9302f3842.jpg

The G10 is more slippery than the aluminum, and is super scratch resistant. The knife is light and balanced perfectly. If you put it through some tough work, it will probably look the same, while the 940 scales will be scratched up.

ZT450 will do well too. Maybe show scratches more easily because of the metal scales. Also frame lock isn't as handy as the liner lock. It is all a matter of preference



Life is like a box of knives, you never know which ones going to be off-center.
 
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