ZT 0450 or BM 943

I'm normally not a fan of flippers. But that 0450 is an exquisite looking knife. Really beautiful. I'd def go with the ZT.
 
I love my BM mini grip so out of bias I would go with the 943 and the fact the reverse tanto is just awesome. But the best part of the 943 is you can go to hell and back and it will still be in your pocket and working like new
 
Three posters stated opinions that the aluminum scales will show scuffs and dents quickly, as they are relatively soft aluminum. Won't hurt the performance however.
Also note that the grip THICKNESS on each is as follows...
ZT 0450: grip (handle) thickness is 0.400".
Benchmade: grip thickness is 0.410".

Obviously, both are very slim knives and should carry nicely.
I would go after the carbon fiber grips...as one fellow suggested, or titanium on the ZT. I have lots of titanium scaled folders, and they last forever. You will see spider-trails with extended carry, but they can also be sandblasted to "new" condition if you so desire, at a later date. (CRK does this for owners ALL the time.) I hate scratches and dents and dings, and anodized aluminum does not "feel good" in my hands. Obviously, personal opinion.
I've had quite a few of both brands...have seen generally better fit/finish with ZT. IMO.
 
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Why are you guys buying deep carry clips for the 940 when you can get one for free from Benchmade?

BTW I've had a plain old green 940 for over a year now with regular EDC use, and I do not baby my knives. The clip is scratched to hell, but the scales still look quite pristine.
 
NorthernSouthpaw said:
Just decide which deployment method you prefer, flipper or thumbstud, and go with that
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Such good advice! Really most of the time this is what it comes down to for me. They are both going to cut great so go with the one that flows with you.
 
jaxxsun said:
Both pretty are good knives. If I had to pick. It would be the Benchmade. You can get a titainium deep Carry clip from Casey Lynch for a few bucks. The S35 steel is a bit better. The deployment is faster and easier with the Benchmade, and that is using either hand. Even with gloves on. The same goes for closing it. The tip will be stronger on the Benchmade as well. This is due to the balde design.There are carbon fibre versions out there as well. If you want pretty and trendy. Get the ZT. You want proven functionality get the Benchmade. Getting scratches on the scales does not effect the performance of a knife. Only an anal mind set.
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Pretty biased opinion you got there. "You want proven functionality get the Benchmade"? Your implying that ZT has not proven themselves, or they are not functional. You also say ZT's are "Pretty and trendy". Also, almost everyone will agree with me when I say that a flipper is one of the fastest manual deployment methods. Also, we are talking the 943 right? Because the tip on the 943 does not really look that much stronger than the ZT. If it were the 940 with the reverse Tanto blade, I'd be inclined to agree.

I could go on, but I think you get my point. Your statements were clearly biased, and almost demeaning to ZT.
 
I'd get a 940, not the 943 - I really don't like that blade-shape [943]….at all. (!!!) :D :D
The coated aluminum is way more durable than I imagined it would be. I've yet to chip/scrape any of it off, to my surprise. I just can't get myself to like flippers, frame-locks, or asymmetrical scales. I'm also curious how people think that flippers are faster than an Axis lock, especially the 940? The only knife I can open/close faster is my 531, which has the same lock. :D :D
 
I'm very happy with the 0450. My first ZT. I don't have that specific Benchmade, but I have several others. The only drawback I can think of with the ZT is if you want to open it more discreetly the Benchmade will be better for that, since the ZT fires pretty hard when you press the flipper (which is also one of it's strong points, depending on your preference). For me, I'd choose the ZT (as I did) since I already have a few benchmades in the same size.
 
I agree with Southpaw, If you want a flipper and like to play with your knives then go with the ZT. However the axis lock is fun to use as well, especially if you hold it back and swing it open or close.
 
I have had 940 for a few years and just got a 450 yesterday. They are both great knives and you can't go wrong either way, but if you are leaning towards the ZT I would go that route. The flipper is super smooth and fun to open.

Or go with the best advise and get both.
 
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