940 vs Para 2

Do you like the Benchmade 940 or the Spyderco Para 2

  • Total voters
    102
I think Jordan is right. Tough comparing these two. I’ll take a 940 over the PM2. The 940 is lighter, a joy to carry in the pocket, just as capable as the PM2 and looks better(IMO)

I compared the PM2 and Gayle Bradley2 for my own use and decided to go with the GB2. The Pm2 doesn’t feel right in hand for me and I don’t care for the blade shape. (XXL hands)

The 940 and PM2 are all time greats to be sure.
 
I have to echo what Jordan brought up ... if you ask me to choose between the two I would take the PM2 everytime ... but these two knives are totally different knives ... kind of comparing apples to oranges.
 
I bought a PM2 just to see what was going on with this knife and all the good press and it is... ok. Looks good, works good. I would change a few things though, such as the non-chamfered scale edges, for example.

I have to vote BM this time. I don't own it, but it is on the list for sure! And it looks great.
 
Just giving my honest opinion based on my experience.

If my and so many other 940s didn’t come with a pivot where you can have smooth action and bladeplay or overly tight action and no bladeplay, then I would say hands down it is my preferred knife.

However the PM2 seems to be perfectly built most of the time.

So I would say a 940 with no issues is better than a pm2. However the pm2 is often the better knife by the fact it often has no flaws alone.
 
So what 940 is really better at performance wise as compared to PM2 and Delica? I know it is super lightweight and slim and looks great to many people but thats not what I am asking about.
 
sharp_edge said:
So what 940 is really better at performance wise as compared to PM2 and Delica? I know it is super lightweight and slim and looks great to many people but thats not what I am asking about.
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I don’t believe anyone said the 940 was a better performer.
Performance means different things to different people.
The OP question was, “which one do you like better?”

There’s really no wrong answer.:)
 
I like both and carry both after many years of trial and error with OHO pocket knives for my urban EDC purposes
 
I think they are very comparable in the sense that they are both top contenders for a true EDC blade in their blade size. They are very often brought up together (or with others) in this type of thread. They may not look similar but they both cut and are intended for EDC.... the differences being the deciding factors on which one someone buys.

I've never liked the 940, I'd go for the PM2.
 
GB940Rookie said:
I don’t believe anyone said the 940 was a better performer.
Performance means different things to different people.
The OP question was, “which one do you like better?”

There’s really no wrong answer.:)
Click to expand...

I was not questioning anyones choice of 940. These were just honest questions regarding 940.
 
sharp_edge said:
I was not questioning anyones choice of 940. These were just honest questions regarding 940.
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Well one thing I like about the 940 better is how slim it is in pocket. Two things I hate about the PM2 is the thiness of the tip and the handle to blade ratio.

I concede that the pm2 is an absolutely fantastic knife it is just not the knife for me.
 
I own both PM2 and BM940-1. I chose PM2 for your comparison, but as others have stated, I also believe these are not directly comparable.

Wouldn't a Griptilian compare more directly to the PM2?

Regarding the BM940, what does Spyderco offer that more closely compares?
 
This is how weird I can get :
I have only one 940
I have four Para 2s.
I carry the Para 2s way more.
Put some M4 steel in the 940 and thin out the tip and the 940 (mine is carbon fiber which I prefer) would get carried ALL the time.
 
I've got both and like the pm2 more. But the 940 is much more pocketable. I usually carry the my 940-1 when going out jogging or whatever as it clips onto anything easy and is so small and light. With that said the pm2 is just a much better work knife in my use. If you ever get a benchmade the 940 is the one to try. But if you want a good work knife that's great for edc too, get the pm2.

Tbo these are 2nd choices to framelocks for me. I rather have a framelock instead of axis or compression locks. I'm not going to succumb to the popularity of these locks types. If they made a pm2 framelock I'd get one instantly

Edit.... Para 3 is a good choice if you want a smaller pm2. It's worth it.
 
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What this thread really needs is some of my crappy photos.
. . . well maybe not NEEDS exactly . . .
IMG_5341.JPG
IMG_5342.JPG

Apples and oranges ?
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I suppose . . . though they are pretty close in blade length and not too far off in handle length really.

If I had my druthers I wouldn't carry either if I could get their key features in the third knife (or turd knife depending on your perspective).
I much prefer the Cold Steel Ti Lite IV to either the 940 or the Para 2 . . . IN HAND, IN USE.

The Ti Lite is lacking :
  • M4
  • A fun lock to fool with (though the Ti Lite explodes open faster than the other two).
  • Traction texture on the scales though the cheeper Ti Lite isn't bad !
  • The ability to disappear when in the pocket (boy is that an understatement)(needs a belt pouch).
What the Ti Lite has . . . or . . . what the other two need to have to win in my book :
  • Thinner blade (I cheated and ground the Ti Lite to 1.9mm (now that's a knife))
  • Not a tall a blade
  • Thin point (I still don't know what that car door stabbing point is doing on the 940 Gentleman's knife).
  • Thick, long, but not tall handle with good flats top and bottom for control. This ruins pocket access though.
Life (knife dude life) is a bunch of compromises. :( :)
 
Mo2 said:
Tbo these are 2nd choices to framelocks for me. I rather have a framelock instead of axis or compression locks. I'm not going to succumb to the popularity of these locks types. If they made a pm2 framelock I'd get one instantly
Click to expand...
hahaha
we are like yin and yang.
sounds like you would like my Franken Ti Lite. :thumbsup::thumbsdown:
Where as I would like one of your shunned locks on the Ti Lite.
 
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I prefer the 940 over the PM2. As was mentioned, the 940 disappears in the pocket, whereas I always know and feel the PM2 is there, especially digging into the bottom of my pocket for coffee change. I actually have to force myself to carry the PM2 once in awhile.
 
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