ZT 0450 CF vs Benchmade 940-1

A

Armen

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Apr 20, 2018
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The Internet seems to swear up and down how the Benchmade 940 is one of the best EDC knives around (including Nick Shabazz). I picked up the 940-1 (carbon fiber and S90V steel) about 2 weeks ago and I'm just not in love with it:

  • The blade shape makes it look too much like a utility blade and less like a traditional knife.
  • The handles look boring even with a carbon fiber finish.
  • I'm not loving the partial liners even though it most likely does not impact structural integrity
  • I'm not loving the protruding screws even though I understand the engineering decision behind them.

I started looking at the ZT 0450CF. What I like about it based on first glance:

  • I dig the DLC coated blade and shape. It has a more traditional look (murdery according to Nick Shabazz).
  • The carbon fiber pattern on the show side looks nicer than the 940 in my opinion.
  • It appears to have full liners? (Do framelocks even have liners or is it just a frame?)

my questions about the ZT are:

  1. How reliable and durable are Framelocks? I've never owned one
  2. Does ZT offer blade replacement like Benchmade does for $30-$40?
  3. Does ZT offer the same warranty and customer service like Benchmade?

It's just strange to me that the ZT 0450CF looks more premium to me at $180.00 compared to the 940-1 at $270.00

Owners of the ZT 0450CF can you chime in and tell me what you like and don't like about this particular knife?

I forgot to add the knife store that I picked up the 940 from will only give me store credit and not a full refund so if I exchange the 940 for a ZT0450CF I'm going to have like $96.00 left over. The shop guy suggested a flashlight? not sure why I'd want one considering I have a cellphone with one? I must be missing something?

TL;DR: bought 940, not loving it even though internet says it's the best, thinking of ZT0450CF. need input.

- Armen
 
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About to head to bed, so I'm not gonna get to all the questions, but a couple things for what they are worth. First, the 940-1 has a serious edge in the steel over the 0450. Is it worth an extra $90? Hard to say. I'd also say that the handle ergos and blade shape on the 940-1 are superior to the 0450. Benchmade's warranty/CS is unparalleled and while ZT is good as well, Benchmade is superior, in my opinion.

Now, that being said, ZT has more consistent quality control on average as well, so that's also something to consider. And if you really want a flipper or a framelock, then you have your answer.

But if I was asked to pick between the two, I'd go with the Benchmade all the way. Having owned both several times, I think the 940-1 is one of the very best higher end EDC knives out there. The 0450 is no slouch, but I don't think it's quite on that level. For my money anyway.
 
Armen said:
The Internet seems to swear up and down how the Benchmade 940 is one of the best EDC knives around (including Nick Shabazz). I picked up the 940-1 (carbon fiber and S90V steel) about 2 weeks ago and I'm just not in love with it:

  • The blade shape makes it look too much like a utility blade and less like a traditional knife.
  • The handles look boring even with a carbon fiber finish.
  • I'm not loving the partial liners even though it most likely does not impact structural integrity
  • I'm not loving the protruding screws even though I understand the engineering decision behind them.

I started looking at the ZT 0450CF. What I like about it based on first glance:

  • I dig the DLC coated blade and shape. It has a more traditional look (murdery according to Nick Shabazz).
  • The carbon fiber pattern on the show side looks nicer than the 940 in my opinion.
  • It appears to have full liners? (Do framelocks even have liners or is it just a frame?)

my questions about the ZT are:

  1. How reliable and durable are Framelocks? I've never owned one
  2. Does ZT offer blade replacement like Benchmade does for $30-$40?
  3. Does ZT offer the same warranty and customer service like Benchmade?

It's just strange to me that the ZT 0450CF looks more premium to me at $180.00 compared to the 940-1 at $270.00

Owners of the ZT 0450CF can you chime in and tell me what you like and don't like about this particular knife?

I forgot to add the knife store that I picked up the 940 from will only give me store credit and not a full refund so if I exchange the 940 for a ZT0450CF I'm going to have like $96.00 left over. The shop guy suggested a flashlight? not sure why I'd want one considering I have a cellphone with one? I must be missing something?

TL;DR: bought 940, not loving it even though internet says it's the best, thinking of ZT0450CF. need input.

- Armen
Click to expand...

Framelocks sometimes have a liner under the cf or g10 scale side. The ZT450cf doesn’t though. It has just CF on one size and the titanium frame with the lock on the other. This makes a knife that is plenty strong. Truth is even the partial liners on your 940-1 make for a very strong knife. It may not feel it due to cf being so light but cf is actually very strong and ridgid.

Yes the s90v is supposedly the “better” steel but I actually prefer the s35vn that comes on the 450zdp.

As for the 90$ left over you could get something like a tube of Nano Oil to help keep the knife lubricated or better yet just save it, you will likely want to buy another knife down the road. You could also get something like a Spyderco sharpmaker if you don't have one or some other sharpening stuff.
 
I would also take the 940-1. the s90v isn't an issue to sharpen for me, prefer the aesthetics & ergonomics of the 940-1.

The only things the ZT has over the 940-1 is the frame lock which I prefer a lot more than the axis lock and also the flipper, which isn't a requirement but it's fun.
 
Lapedog said:
Framelocks sometimes have a liner under the cf or g10 scale side. The ZT450cf doesn’t though. It has just CF on one size and the titanium frame with the lock on the other. This makes a knife that is plenty strong. Truth is even the partial liners on your 940-1 make for a very strong knife. It may not feel it due to cf being so light but cf is actually very strong and ridgid.

Yes the s90v is supposedly the “better” steel but I actually prefer the s35vn that comes on the 450zdp.

As for the 90$ left over you could get something like a tube of Nano Oil to help keep the knife lubricated or better yet just save it, you will likely want to buy another knife down the road. You could also get something like a Spyderco sharpmaker if you don't have one or some other sharpening stuff.
Click to expand...

I do have a SpyderCo Sharp maker already.

Buying another knife would probably be a possibility as well.

The carbon fiber side of the 450 is strong enough not to require reinforcement or is it because the lock side is where all the load bearing takes place? Not quite sure I understand the construction. Does this mean the regular 450 is stronger because both sides are titanium?

For example the benchmade bugout has very little liners. You can literally squeeze the scales until both sides touch without much effort.
 
highestpoint said:
I would also take the 940-1. the s90v isn't an issue to sharpen for me, prefer the aesthetics & ergonomics of the 940-1.

The only things the ZT has over the 940-1 is the frame lock which I prefer a lot more than the axis lock and also the flipper, which isn't a requirement but it's fun.
Click to expand...

I wish I loved the 940 but I just don't. It's possible because the blade reminds me of the Skeletool. It's hard to swallow that $300 price and not be in love
 
Armen said:
I do have a SpyderCo Sharp maker already.

Buying another knife would probably be a possibility as well.

The carbon fiber side of the 450 is strong enough not to require reinforcement or is it because the lock side is where all the load bearing takes place? Not quite sure I understand the construction. Does this mean the regular 450 is stronger because both sides are titanium?

For example the benchmade bugout has very little liners. You can literally squeeze the scales until both sides touch without much effort.
Click to expand...

The bugout is not made from carbon fiber though.

The all titanium zt 450 would be stronger but the 450cf where one side is a slab of cf and the other side is the titanium slab with the lock on it is already plenty strong. It is more than strong enough for anything you would ever use a folding knife for.

If you are doing something that could possibly break the cf on a knife then it is not a task you should be using a folder for.

In this pic we can see the construction. The side that is closer is just a block of carbon fiber. The far side is titanium. Both sides would share any load but both sides are plenty strong for any folding knife type task. You are likely greatly underestimating the strength of carbon fibre.
0450cf_detail_1.png


Just like on your 940-1 there is no way you could pinch the carbon fibre together like you could pinch the sides of the bugout.
 
Armen said:
I wish I loved the 940 but I just don't. It's possible because the blade reminds me of the Skeletool. It's hard to swallow that $300 price and not be in love
Click to expand...

That is a very factual statement and could possibly be the reason I have never bought a 940-1. It's always been something I've wanted because I've handled it and have had a regular 940. I would recommend finding a -1 on the secondary market. They can be had for anywhere as low as 190-230. A quick trip to Benchmade and it'll be back to good as new. Probably off center though.
 
highestpoint said:
That is a very factual statement and could possibly be the reason I have never bought a 940-1. It's always been something I've wanted because I've handled it and have had a regular 940. I would recommend finding a -1 on the secondary market. They can be had for anywhere as low as 190-230. A quick trip to Benchmade and it'll be back to good as new. Probably off center though.
Click to expand...

I'm in a position where all I can do is get store credit from the knife shop where I bought it. I'm heading over there tomorrow to check out the 450CF. Maybe the 452 if it isn't too huge in size. They do have a 940-2 but that thing looks even more boring then the 940-1
 
I have a ZT 0450CF. I think you'll like it. All I can add BTW.
 
OK so, I have owned the 940-2, 943, ZT 0452 and ZT 0450.
The 940-1 and 940-2 are pretty much the same knife, but 940-1 comes in just a bit lighter cause of the CF. Having handling both knife, I like the feeling of CF more, but G10 is plenty fine and it is great if your hand get wet. In my opinion, G10 feels solid but it feels cheaper than CF, G10 is weaker than CF too. 940-2 has better balance, 940-1 is a tad front heavy. I like the blue back spacer on the 940-1 more than the green on 940-2. Axis lock can have side to side blade play, action may not be smooth and the centering can be off. S90V is a superior steel compared to S30V, but you will have to sharpen it anyway, just not as often, and the S90V is much harder to sharpen on your Spyderco Sharpmaker. They both can be chippy. Check the knife before buying it. Sucks that we have to do QC for Benchmade.
The 943 is just a 940 with drop point blade, it looks more traditional, I like the 943.
The ZT 0450CF is a great knife with great action, fast deployment, smooth closing. It is a tad heavier than 940s but the balance is great, feels solid. But it runs on IKBS ball bearing system, that means it can be easier to get dirty and requires you to clean it out, re-lube it every so often. I hate the pocket clip on 0450 line in general, it is very shallow carry so everybody can see a knife sticking out of your pants. You can touch the tip of the blade and the blade tang when the thing is closed, it's not gonna slice your finger open but it can cut you. It has green back spacer, on a knife that is black throughout, that is like wearing camo shirt and pants with a reflective safety vest on top to me. The coating on the blade can get scratched up pretty fast over time, it just there to be "tacticool" although it does help somewhat with rust resistance. S35VN is a great steel, it's better than S30V in terms of sharpening ability and ZT knows how to heat treat their steel so the steel is more than enough for most EDC tasks, it's great steel.
The ZT 0452CF is mostly a magnified 0450CF but with satin blade finish which is much nicer, the action on it is beautiful, it drop shuts. It runs on IKBS ball bearing system, that means it can be easier to get dirty and requires you to clean it out, re-lube it every so often. You can touch the tip of the blade and the blade tang when the thing is closed, it's not gonna slice your finger open but it can cut you. The pocket cip, although looks like a deep carry clip, actually just a standard, shallow clip because of the protrude screw. The detent can be a bit strong and the jimping on the flipper tab makes it unpleasant to open. The 0452CF ergonomic is the best compare to the other knifes I'm talking about, great balance, great grip, feel great in hand. It is the heaviest and huge compare to others and so it does not feel great in your pants if you wear slim or skinny.
One thing you need to note is that flipper knife is more reliable in terms of opening compares to thumb stud, that said, you can not do a slow, control opening on flipper knife. Benchmade's axis lock is more fun to play with but it is not as robust as the ZT's frame lock. I never have any ZT with blade play and off center but I struggle to find a Benchmade with no blade play, good center and great action.
NONE of these knife are for hard hard use. Like everyone else said, you should not use these knife for any heavy task that makes you afraid you may break the knife, get a fix blade, a pry bar and a multitool.
DO NOT BUY BENCHMADE AT RETAIL PRICE, it's a $50 tax for that butterfly.
 
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Despite the raving reviews of the 940, I never could get over the shape of the blade. If I dont like the look of a knife to start off, no matter how good it is, I have no interest in buying. Can't argue about taste.
 
I have a 940-2 and the 0450cf. Both are very good knives, even though if I had my "druthers", I would take the 940 (in any configuration but the -1 as it's $110CAN more than the -2 and not worth it IMO). That said, you had the 940 and didn't like it, so go with the 0450 plain or the cf version and try it out.
 
ZT’s CS is top notch. Zero complaints from me. So is Benchmade’s.
I don’t like broken Onega springs.
I don’t like uneven grinds.
I don’t like off center blades, esp on expensive knives.
I don’t like poor QC, i.e. fit and finish.

Because of those things, I chose the ZT0450CF (& 0450 & 0460). I could not be happier with my decision.

Go with the ZT0450CF, you’ll not look back.
 
Armen said:
The Internet seems to swear up and down how the Benchmade 940 is one of the best EDC knives around (including Nick Shabazz). I picked up the 940-1 (carbon fiber and S90V steel) about 2 weeks ago and I'm just not in love with it:

  • The blade shape makes it look too much like a utility blade and less like a traditional knife.
  • The handles look boring even with a carbon fiber finish.
  • I'm not loving the partial liners even though it most likely does not impact structural integrity
  • I'm not loving the protruding screws even though I understand the engineering decision behind them.

I started looking at the ZT 0450CF. What I like about it based on first glance:

  • I dig the DLC coated blade and shape. It has a more traditional look (murdery according to Nick Shabazz).
  • The carbon fiber pattern on the show side looks nicer than the 940 in my opinion.
  • It appears to have full liners? (Do framelocks even have liners or is it just a frame?)

my questions about the ZT are:

  1. How reliable and durable are Framelocks? I've never owned one
  2. Does ZT offer blade replacement like Benchmade does for $30-$40?
  3. Does ZT offer the same warranty and customer service like Benchmade?

It's just strange to me that the ZT 0450CF looks more premium to me at $180.00 compared to the 940-1 at $270.00

Owners of the ZT 0450CF can you chime in and tell me what you like and don't like about this particular knife?

I forgot to add the knife store that I picked up the 940 from will only give me store credit and not a full refund so if I exchange the 940 for a ZT0450CF I'm going to have like $96.00 left over. The shop guy suggested a flashlight? not sure why I'd want one considering I have a cellphone with one? I must be missing something?

TL;DR: bought 940, not loving it even though internet says it's the best, thinking of ZT0450CF. need input.

- Armen
Click to expand...

Don't feel bad for not liking Benchmade 940 (and its variants). I am with you. Read many positive reviews on the knife and finally bought one (940-1501). Other than being slim and lightweight, nothing of the knife attracted me. The blade is thick relative to its height, not a good slicer. The entire knife when opened is just like a small straight stick. ZT 0450cf is definitely more visually attractive to me (although I am a big knife guy so I went with the big bro 0452cf).
 
I can agree with some of your points. The 940 was my first "real knife" (at least my first knife in that $200 price range).

But you're right... there is tons of hooplah about the 940 all over the web as being the BEST EDC OF ALL TIME yada yada.... That was one of the main reasons that I ended up purchasing one myself. But I too grew tired of it. Its not a great cutter and I wanted a different locking mechanism like you do.

My advice is to keep trying out and carrying different knives. You will find a flaw in EVERY knife you purchase, trust me.... there really is no perfect knife. But thats the beauty about this hobby is that you never really stop collecting.

Try the 0450cf. I've never owned one but I've handled them in person. Nice little knife. Sounds like it might fit your bill a little better
 
I have a medium to large sized hand, and the 0452 is too big. The 0450cf had a hotspot in the rear of the handle that I hated. I finally took a belt sander to my handle and fixed it. I like it a lot better now. Be sure to hold it and make sure you like it before you buy. I'm also not a fan of the coated blade and to scale, but whatever.
I love the 940's. I have 2. The green aluminum one and a 941 in cf. They are my favorite knife, but I'm left handed and love the axis lock. I retract the lock with my pointer finger as I pull it out, and I have faster deployment than any flipper other auto I own.
lZqYzFD


A picture of all 3 can be seen here. https://imgur.com/a/lZqYzFD
 
Really like the 0450 but its too cramped because of that last bump in the back. I should have sanded mine down as well. Great job greyling! I sold both of mine because of this. Still have 3 variations of the 0452 though (which is damn near perfect for what it is IMO).

The 940 has never really clicked with me. I still keep a 940-1 and a 943 around waiting for the day they do, but I never carry them.

I carry my Bugout 535 all the time after upgrading to CF scales. Hard to imagine the 940 kicking it out of my pocket.
 
Well, I exchanged the 940-1 for a 0450CF and I'm totally digging the knife so far. The shop was kind enough to make an exception and refund me the difference instead of giving me a store credit piece of paper I'd have to carry around.
 
Armen said:
Well, I exchanged the 940-1 for a 0450CF and I'm totally digging the knife so far. The shop was kind enough to make an exception and refund me the difference instead of giving me a store credit piece of paper I'd have to carry around.
Click to expand...

You’ll love it. Your next purchase will likely be an 0450 and an 0460!
 
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