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I am really liking the look of the 943.I would appreciate any reviews or remarks if anybody has one,thanks
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Bench made 943
- Thread starter HOMER GRIFIN
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943 blade is perfect for my daily needs. The clip point punctures and is great for getting into tight places, I use the top side of the tip as much as the sharp side. I almost always have it in my front pocket because it has such a narrow profile I can still get my hand into my pocket to reach my change and lighter. I usually carry a Para 2 in my rear pocket but just got a Rift and kinda like that too.
^Look how narrow the top 1/4 of the knife is.^
^Look how narrow the top 1/4 of the knife is.^
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powernoodle
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I too subjectively prefer the 940's blade profile. But that did not stop me from buying both. Either way, I like adding the deep carry clip. In the past, and probably still today, Benchmade would send you one for free.
ChazzyP
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The 94_ series is, I believe, the most popular Benchmade line and there are way more 940's out there than 943's. There are many of us, however, that prefer the blade shape of the 943 and I am firmly in that camp. The 94_ is quite an amazing series with a fairly long blade packed into a light, lean handle that virtually disappears in your pocket. The cutting edges of the 940 and 943 having virtually the same geometry, I just find the long, pointed blade to be more useful in a lighter, leaner EDC. Honestly, to my taste, the 943 blade is more aesthetically pleasing than the 940's reverse tanto design. Undoubtedly, the 940 blade is tougher and arguably stronger than the 943's, but that's not what I'm looking for in a knife that light and lean.
The stock models of both knives feature aluminum handles with closed backs and S30V steel. The 940, however, has been and is offered in numerous variants of handle scales--G10, in both black and blue-black, and CF--along with pillar construction and several alternate and more highly regarded steels. Unfortunately, there are currently no other options available than the base model for the 943. Several of us 943-lovers have posted in a thread lamenting this fact that you may find interesting.
Any 943 you may see here or in that thread with handles other than the stock aluminum feature aftermarket scales or are Frankens with 943 blades installed in various 940 handles. Joe Manco, Joe P, and Corey have posted examples of those either here or over there. If you're OK with the aluminum handles, the stock 943 is a damn good knife and if you want something different, there are ways to make it even better. Here's my 943 blade in a 940-1 CF handle--
BTW: That's a sweet lookin' black blade on that 943, NFD. Guess I gotta put that one on the long list, too.
The stock models of both knives feature aluminum handles with closed backs and S30V steel. The 940, however, has been and is offered in numerous variants of handle scales--G10, in both black and blue-black, and CF--along with pillar construction and several alternate and more highly regarded steels. Unfortunately, there are currently no other options available than the base model for the 943. Several of us 943-lovers have posted in a thread lamenting this fact that you may find interesting.
Any 943 you may see here or in that thread with handles other than the stock aluminum feature aftermarket scales or are Frankens with 943 blades installed in various 940 handles. Joe Manco, Joe P, and Corey have posted examples of those either here or over there. If you're OK with the aluminum handles, the stock 943 is a damn good knife and if you want something different, there are ways to make it even better. Here's my 943 blade in a 940-1 CF handle--
BTW: That's a sweet lookin' black blade on that 943, NFD. Guess I gotta put that one on the long list, too.
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palonej
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It's a good piercing blade but I prefer the 940 more.
Edges are looking wicked Nfd!!!!
Joe
ChazzyP
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There is a lot of similarity between the 943 and 710 blades and they're two of my favorites. What's surprising, given the relative overall size of the two knives, is that the 943 blade is only about a half-inch shorter than the 710's. Like I mentioned above, the 943 packs a lotta blade in a little package.
For a true mini version of the 710, how about the long-discontinued 705, another one of my favorites--
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OP, I had a 943 and loved it. If your fine with the handle material then I would say get one.
My 943 was stolen and I've been holding off replacing it for a G10 or CF 943. If I cave now, I just know a -2 or -1 will be released soon after.
Gaaah, still stuck in 943 limbo
With respect Benchmade, you have customers here, asking you for something that you could so easily do.
I like what you've done upgrade-wise with the Griptillians and Barrage 580/585, and the 940.
So, how about poking some G10 and 20CV into your 943 making machine for us, yeah? Please?
The 943 and 710 are the 2 other Axis folders I want in the rotation.
My 943 was stolen and I've been holding off replacing it for a G10 or CF 943. If I cave now, I just know a -2 or -1 will be released soon after.
Gaaah, still stuck in 943 limbo
With respect Benchmade, you have customers here, asking you for something that you could so easily do.
I like what you've done upgrade-wise with the Griptillians and Barrage 580/585, and the 940.
So, how about poking some G10 and 20CV into your 943 making machine for us, yeah? Please?
The 943 and 710 are the 2 other Axis folders I want in the rotation.
ChazzyP
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OP, I had a 943 and loved it. If your fine with the handle material then I would say get one.
My 943 was stolen and I've been holding off replacing it for a G10 or CF 943. If I cave now, I just know a -2 or -1 will be released soon after.
Gaaah, still stuck in 943 limbo
With respect Benchmade, you have customers here, asking you for something that you could so easily do.
I like what you've done upgrade-wise with the Griptillians and Barrage 580/585, and the 940.
So, how about poking some G10 and 20CV into your 943 making machine for us, yeah? Please?
The 943 and 710 are the 2 other Axis folders I want in the rotation.
You think Benchmade is listening, Cursum? A lot of us have been revisiting this where BM could see, but no results and no responses that I'm aware of. I guess they just don't sell enough 943's to make a different production run worthwhile. On the other hand, how hard would it be just to put 943 blades in some of those 940-1, -2, or -1501 handles? I mean, knife owners do it all the time.
Do you think if a bunch of us took up a collection and bought you a 943 that would break the 943 Limbo Curse and BM would come out with a flood of upgrades and exclusives for our Poor Little Sister? One could only hope....
Thanks for the pics above, BTW. I've never handled a Nakamura, though I've always been interested in the knife. Nice to get a comparison shot with the others I'm familiar with. Nice lineup too, brother.
Keep the faith, man. :encouragement:
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palonej
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How true!! A bunch of us have been asking BM for another version of the 943 for quite some time.
Like The Chazzman says....they prob don't sell enough of them.
Come to think of it.....when I ordered my 943 the seller, White Mountain Knives, had to order it......he had a lot of 940's in stock though.
Joe
Like The Chazzman says....they prob don't sell enough of them.
Come to think of it.....when I ordered my 943 the seller, White Mountain Knives, had to order it......he had a lot of 940's in stock though.
Joe
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If I knew for sure that me buying a standard 943 would break the dearth of 943 upgrades I would gladly do that to help you guys out 
I have seriously considered buying a 943 and 940-2, blade swap and sell the franken 940. And I may do so yet. But the exchange rate and shipping costs I face make it an expensive way to go about it. Some of them DOAT scales look great, but again its a cost thing. Might just have to suck it up and do it.
Was trying the squeaky hinge approach first though, 'cos it would be so darn easy for BM to do. Hello? Mr and Mrs Benchmade? Are you hearing us?
I like the 484, especially in S90V, chunky wee folder that it is. Love the thumb ramp and blade shape. However to me it's chunkiness/cutting edge length ratio shows up just how great an EDC a 940/943 really is.
I have seriously considered buying a 943 and 940-2, blade swap and sell the franken 940. And I may do so yet. But the exchange rate and shipping costs I face make it an expensive way to go about it. Some of them DOAT scales look great, but again its a cost thing. Might just have to suck it up and do it.
Was trying the squeaky hinge approach first though, 'cos it would be so darn easy for BM to do. Hello? Mr and Mrs Benchmade? Are you hearing us?
I like the 484, especially in S90V, chunky wee folder that it is. Love the thumb ramp and blade shape. However to me it's chunkiness/cutting edge length ratio shows up just how great an EDC a 940/943 really is.
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If I knew for sure that me buying a standard 943 would break the dearth of 943 upgrades I would gladly do that to help you guys out
I have seriously considered buying a 943 and 940-2, blade swap and sell the franken 940. And I may do so yet. But the exchange rate and shipping costs I face make it an expensive way to go about it. Some of them DOAT scales look great, but again its a cost thing. Might just have to suck it up and do it.
Was trying the squeaky hinge approach first though, 'cos it would be so darn easy for BM to do. Hello? Mr and Mrs Benchmade? Are you hearing us?
I like the 484, especially in S90V, chunky wee folder that it is. Love the thumb ramp and blade shape. However to me it's chunkiness/cutting edge length ratio shows up just how great an EDC a 940/943 really is.
I very much concur.
I did this. I prefer the 943 blade with the 940-2 scales. However, it definitely feels like a lighter duty knife without the aluminum scales IMO. However, I am much happier now with custom G10 scales on my 943 from forum member deathofallthings. I haven't written up a review yet as I was waiting for him to work out some issues with the single layer shaving for certain versions of his scales. Here are some pics:
However, I switched to a Mini-Onslaught for awhile and am currently trying to lug around a Presidio.
View attachment 659881 There are many ways to cobble together the combinations of 940/943 handles and blades. The sad fact is that the best steel you can get for a 943 blade is S30V. What about S60V, S90V, S110V, S125V, and M390? Hello? Is anybody home?
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I honestly don't know why Benchmade won't offer a different variation of the clip point model anymore. I think the last time anything was offered was around 2009-10 as a 941 variant. I'm sure that if a limited edition 943 was made, it would fly off the shelves in no time. Maybe one of our faithful dealers here would be willing to put in a request for a limited run. The standard model may not be the best seller, but if you jazz it up a little and only make a limited quantity, everyone will want it.