I wish they would have made the 945 with the anodized purple backspacer like the OG 940. They chose instead to use barrel spacers like they do for other variants of the series. The original 940 was one of my first “good knives” back in the day, and started me down the rabbit hole of this hobby. And that purple backspacer was part of its charm. The 945 is a fine knife, but it was a miss by BM to change up and use the barrel spacers with the aluminum scales IMO. Great overview, as always!
Did you not have one that matches the back spacer style on the original 940 but I think it's cool they still paid homage to it. I do prefer the look of the original backspacer though. The 940 was one of the first nicer knives that I was interested in.
Great review. I held out and got the green 945 and I'm pleased with it. I hear people complain about blade wobble and blade not centered. Blade wobble is a simple fix with a T-10 bit. As far as off centered, I guess I've been lucky because all my Benchmades are spot on.
In my experience, the blade play comes when people have the pivot too loose for drop shut action. The difference between just loose enough for drop shut action and so loose that you get blade play is like 1/16 of a turn on the pivot. To fix centering people need to loosen the BODY screws and fixate the blade in the right position, then tighten them again. Few seem to understand that the pivot tension has very little to do with the centering. If the scales are perfectly parallel, the pivot will be a perfect 90⁰ compared to the scales, centering the blade.
@@timbervandenhul9383 THANK YOU! Recently got a 940-2 and the blade centering wasn't great, didnt affect function just drove me nuts lol. I tried what you said using playing cards as shims and it workered PERFECTLY!!! Now that the action is broke in and thanks to you the centering is spot on my long time grail knife is chefs kiss perfect thank you soo much!
I’ve got the green 940, green 945 and a 940 G10 and the powdery “chalky” coating on the aluminium handles, if you actually use it and carry it, smoothens off pretty quickly. Eventually it gets quite slick to the point where I’d say it has less grip than a g10, which hardly wears down over time. So folks, I wouldn’t avoid either versions of 945 based on grip. To me the aluminium feels a lot nicer in hand.
I received this knife this morning and I like it alot , I also have the 945 bk-1, some how the aluminum has a tactile grip than the g10 but overall they are both great. Thanks for sharing
I like smaller knives because carrying my keys, wallet and a big knife in my pocket is way too much. The original 940 was just a little too long for edc, this is great!
I don't usually buy higher end knives from any company but I have two of these, one is blacked out. They have become my favorite edc blades. Just a well rounded and balanced knife.
I can’t help but compare this to one of my fav to carry is the ZT sinkevich. I’m gunna maybe just go with a 940. I know I should of already had this in my collection but better late then never.
I just got delivery of mine today (09/09/2023). I ordered two knives. A 945 with aluminum scales and a 940BK-2004 Blade HQ exclusive. The 940 was drop shut out of the box. The 945 still isn't as of this writing (typing?) so I'm currently in the process of breaking it in. Same as my 940-2, Mini Griptilian and Redoubt. I was a bit worried that it might not enough handle for me but it's just right. I still prefer the longer handle of the 940 but the 945 is more than okay for me. There's some axis lock bind as with my other Benchmades but I know that too will disappear after a while.
Honestly I like the blade aspect ratio on the 945 better then the classic 940. If that would be translated into the 940 I think it would look better as a whole.
I think you are right, the 945 looks a bit better to me too. If they wanted the same look on the 940 they would have to make the handle a lot "taller" so the can make the blade "taller" too. Which would take away from the great in pocket feel of the 940. However it could be a nice option for people who don't care about having a slightly bigger 940. Maybe for people with huge hands or something.
Just ordered both black and green versions of the 945. Have the green and carbon 940 and absolutely love them. I do tend to prefer knives on the smaller end of the spectrum. I've carried a pocket knife everyday for 20+ years and I've found 90% of what I use a knife for a smaller knife if absolutely suitable. I have larger knives ill carry at the cottage, camping or when I know the need will more likely be there but day to day I prefer carrying something I can use in public or in any situation really without getting a questionable stare like I've deployed some kind of threatening weapon lol
Great video as always, I never thought the 940 was so big that they needed to make a smaller one. The crooked river mini was a great idea but not this one.
From a carry perspective I totally agree but unfortunately there are localities where anything over 3 inches is considered a dangerous murder weapon lol.v for those people I think it's perfect, for me, I love the original 940, I wish it was a little thinner behind the edge but after reading about the design goals that Warren Osborne had, I think it perfectly hits those since durability was a big factor. I think the 940 is one of the best everyday carry blades
@@Dwfshamrock Iits easy to do, Montana has no restrictions. One could carry a 12” automatic dagger with zero worries. Outside of the legal side, I don’t see why someone would need the smaller one, full size 940 carries so slim I Would forget that I had it in my pocket when I used to carry it often.
Unfortunately, it happens primarily at the county and city level. You might think you're fine in Texas, then get arrested or have your knife confiscated in Austin. LA County and New York City are other examples.
I can't believe you didn't talk about the edge. The 940s weak point is that it's rather thick behind the edge and it would have been nice to know if the 954 is slicer in that aspect.
The 940 is by no means a bad slicer it’s just not as good as other blades that specialize in slicing the trade off is u get a much more durable blade which I prefer
Over the moon with my 945 it arrived the other day and its been the only knife to touch my pocket since. its even one of the "first production" ones, anyone know how many exactly say this? (its not that important but it would make for a cool fact when showing a friend) thanks in advance!
I just wish they used more premium steel with that vanilla green aluminium scales that I like…no reason to use S30V now days any more…not that it’s needed, it would just be nicer, I would buy it them, like this - I won’t…😏
The blade grind on my 940-1 looks like it was done by a kindergartener during a factory tour. The sharpening bevel looks like it was done on a concrete wall and it has also suffered two broken omega springs.
@@Quagmire925 omega springs do break..I also have two bugouts that were perfect except one broke an omega spring..love Benchmade but geez..spydercos are near flawless in comparison none of those issues
@@jlogue751 i've had grind issues with spyderco and pretty bad blade centering on my para 3 and a tenecious thats literally touching the scales with the blade, it seems like it depends what factory the knife is coming from dictates QC as far as I can tell. My only flawless knives came from the tiawan factory, and the japan factory. I probably won't get another chinese made spyderco after the tenecious because i've never had a knife that's that jacked up on center. I do own too many benchmades and they have all been pretty much perfect aside from screws falling out way to fast on my crooked river, and i've never had any failures even while being a dumbass with my benchmades but they tend to be pretty tough.
Another example of Benchmade's greed. The 945-2. Uses S30V/Alu....cositng as much as knives that have higher grade super steels (I think the S30V is an entry-level super steel). Better to stick with MIni knives from Spyderco also using S30v for much less $...after all what are most enthusiasts cutting?? :)) ...LOL!! Cardboard and paper :))) This knife cost more than Spyderco's best sellers---PM2, Para 3, Manix 2...Shaman...."normal sized" knives... The 945 retails in my neck of the woods for $390 CAD!! :P Not owrth it for a S30V knife....if gung-ho on steels we could pay $10 more for a 940 equipped with S90V/CF....if you buy into super steels...CF....
Mechanically is it possible to put the blade from the 945 into 940 handle? I’m wondering if the manufacturing tolerances are the same around the axis lock. It looks as though the extra length in the 940 is just in the handle?
I wish they would have made the 945 with the anodized purple backspacer like the OG 940. They chose instead to use barrel spacers like they do for other variants of the series. The original 940 was one of my first “good knives” back in the day, and started me down the rabbit hole of this hobby. And that purple backspacer was part of its charm. The 945 is a fine knife, but it was a miss by BM to change up and use the barrel spacers with the aluminum scales IMO. Great overview, as always!
they have that variant available
@@srqdude that's good news. So far, I've only seen the 945 offered with barrel spacers.
@@srqdude really? I can't find it anywhere.
The standoffs are a lot better for practical reasons, but the original backspacer is just so much nicer looking in my opinion.
Did you not have one that matches the back spacer style on the original 940 but I think it's cool they still paid homage to it. I do prefer the look of the original backspacer though. The 940 was one of the first nicer knives that I was interested in.
Great review. I held out and got the green 945 and I'm pleased with it. I hear people complain about blade wobble and blade not centered. Blade wobble is a simple fix with a T-10 bit. As far as off centered, I guess I've been lucky because all my Benchmades are spot on.
In my experience, the blade play comes when people have the pivot too loose for drop shut action. The difference between just loose enough for drop shut action and so loose that you get blade play is like 1/16 of a turn on the pivot. To fix centering people need to loosen the BODY screws and fixate the blade in the right position, then tighten them again. Few seem to understand that the pivot tension has very little to do with the centering. If the scales are perfectly parallel, the pivot will be a perfect 90⁰ compared to the scales, centering the blade.
@@timbervandenhul9383 THANK YOU! Recently got a 940-2 and the blade centering wasn't great, didnt affect function just drove me nuts lol. I tried what you said using playing cards as shims and it workered PERFECTLY!!! Now that the action is broke in and thanks to you the centering is spot on my long time grail knife is chefs kiss perfect thank you soo much!
@@57HEMIviken Glad I could help, hopefully the blade will serve you for years to come.
I’ve got the green 940, green 945 and a 940 G10 and the powdery “chalky” coating on the aluminium handles, if you actually use it and carry it, smoothens off pretty quickly. Eventually it gets quite slick to the point where I’d say it has less grip than a g10, which hardly wears down over time.
So folks, I wouldn’t avoid either versions of 945 based on grip.
To me the aluminium feels a lot nicer in hand.
Thanks for the help. I went with the 940 in green because I have huge ham hands. Got it on 3/17/22 Perfect Timing. Love to you and yours
Best (and best-looking) EDC on the market right now. Although I do love me Para 3
Best 940 for me is the 9400 auto. In my pocket everyday. Just a dude with one. Excellent review 👍.
I received this knife this morning and I like it alot , I also have the 945 bk-1, some how the aluminum has a tactile grip than the g10 but overall they are both great. Thanks for sharing
I like smaller knives because carrying my keys, wallet and a big knife in my pocket is way too much. The original 940 was just a little too long for edc, this is great!
Thank you for making this video as I really wanted a smaller 940 🤣🤣
No problem 👍
Did you really though? I feel like my 940 is already so tiny can't even imagine getting a smaller one 😂
@@Phaminator525 well in my country a 940 is considered a large knife already so was hoping that the 945 was a better option
I don't usually buy higher end knives from any company but I have two of these, one is blacked out. They have become my favorite edc blades. Just a well rounded and balanced knife.
I can’t help but compare this to one of my fav to carry is the ZT sinkevich. I’m gunna maybe just go with a 940. I know I should of already had this in my collection but better late then never.
I just got delivery of mine today (09/09/2023). I ordered two knives. A 945 with aluminum scales and a 940BK-2004 Blade HQ exclusive. The 940 was drop shut out of the box. The 945 still isn't as of this writing (typing?) so I'm currently in the process of breaking it in. Same as my 940-2, Mini Griptilian and Redoubt. I was a bit worried that it might not enough handle for me but it's just right. I still prefer the longer handle of the 940 but the 945 is more than okay for me. There's some axis lock bind as with my other Benchmades but I know that too will disappear after a while.
Honestly I like the blade aspect ratio on the 945 better then the classic 940. If that would be translated into the 940 I think it would look better as a whole.
Great point!
I was going to say the opposite. The blade looks stubby versus a down scale to the mini.
I think you are right, the 945 looks a bit better to me too. If they wanted the same look on the 940 they would have to make the handle a lot "taller" so the can make the blade "taller" too. Which would take away from the great in pocket feel of the 940. However it could be a nice option for people who don't care about having a slightly bigger 940. Maybe for people with huge hands or something.
@@timbervandenhul9383 well 810 is kinda like beefed up version of 940
i think the lanky weirdness of the 940 blade adds a lot to the 940. the 945 blade looks good too and more modern
Just ordered both black and green versions of the 945. Have the green and carbon 940 and absolutely love them. I do tend to prefer knives on the smaller end of the spectrum. I've carried a pocket knife everyday for 20+ years and I've found 90% of what I use a knife for a smaller knife if absolutely suitable. I have larger knives ill carry at the cottage, camping or when I know the need will more likely be there but day to day I prefer carrying something I can use in public or in any situation really without getting a questionable stare like I've deployed some kind of threatening weapon lol
Great video as always, I never thought the 940 was so big that they needed to make a smaller one. The crooked river mini was a great idea but not this one.
They needed to make a smaller one for those of us who love the platform but can't carry knives with blades over 3" long 😅
@@TheCrunchyCrouton I understand, that legal stuff.
From a carry perspective I totally agree but unfortunately there are localities where anything over 3 inches is considered a dangerous murder weapon lol.v for those people I think it's perfect, for me, I love the original 940, I wish it was a little thinner behind the edge but after reading about the design goals that Warren Osborne had, I think it perfectly hits those since durability was a big factor. I think the 940 is one of the best everyday carry blades
I forget about the 3 inch rule.
@@Dwfshamrock Iits easy to do, Montana has no restrictions. One could carry a 12” automatic dagger with zero worries. Outside of the legal side, I don’t see why someone would need the smaller one, full size 940 carries so slim I Would forget that I had it in my pocket when I used to carry it often.
Very good video, thank you!
940 all the way, by far the best!
The 94x are my favorite knives. Full stop. And I have Rocksteads, Direware, etc.
Possibly my favorite production knife design as well.
i don't know of anyplace in the u.s. where blade length of a pocket knife is restricted. thanks for the comparison -- very good
Unfortunately, it happens primarily at the county and city level. You might think you're fine in Texas, then get arrested or have your knife confiscated in Austin. LA County and New York City are other examples.
Caffeine, the unofficial sponsor of all of my videos….
It too small for mee I have 940 and handle is OK smaller than that is too small
I can't believe you didn't talk about the edge. The 940s weak point is that it's rather thick behind the edge and it would have been nice to know if the 954 is slicer in that aspect.
945 is a better slicer thanks to the thinner blade. Get the 945 if slicing ability is important to you
The 940 is by no means a bad slicer it’s just not as good as other blades that specialize in slicing the trade off is u get a much more durable blade which I prefer
Over the moon with my 945 it arrived the other day and its been the only knife to touch my pocket since. its even one of the "first production" ones, anyone know how many exactly say this? (its not that important but it would make for a cool fact when showing a friend) thanks in advance!
I think the first 1000 are labeled first production.
@@EpicSnuggleBunny Oh nice doubt thered be many more in my part of the world then (East coast Australia) many thanks!!
I guess kind of interesting but the price is nuts
I just wish they used more premium steel with that vanilla green aluminium scales that I like…no reason to use S30V now days any more…not that it’s needed, it would just be nicer, I would buy it them, like this - I won’t…😏
There called barrel spacers.
I have a 943 that's never been used or sharpened.
It seems "Again'' is the new ''Uhm."
No doubt
I own 4 BM now, my 9400 beats all!
Well considering the “wonderful “ laws in some of our misguided states, you can see why BM makes mini blades.........
patents are for 20 years ! then anyone can make them ! don't believe me ? look it up !
Lol the 945 is literally a smaller 940 so is it better absolutely not
but, yah.
Nope there quality is not better..my 9400 is horrible. Off center and much blade play ..up and down and side to side..pissed.
The blade grind on my 940-1 looks like it was done by a kindergartener during a factory tour. The sharpening bevel looks like it was done on a concrete wall and it has also suffered two broken omega springs.
@@Quagmire925 omega springs do break..I also have two bugouts that were perfect except one broke an omega spring..love Benchmade but geez..spydercos are near flawless in comparison none of those issues
I just got my 945 and it had perfect QC. I think they made sure early buyers got good quality since the reviews would be of those mostly.
@@jlogue751 i've had grind issues with spyderco and pretty bad blade centering on my para 3 and a tenecious thats literally touching the scales with the blade, it seems like it depends what factory the knife is coming from dictates QC as far as I can tell. My only flawless knives came from the tiawan factory, and the japan factory. I probably won't get another chinese made spyderco after the tenecious because i've never had a knife that's that jacked up on center. I do own too many benchmades and they have all been pretty much perfect aside from screws falling out way to fast on my crooked river, and i've never had any failures even while being a dumbass with my benchmades but they tend to be pretty tough.
That's beat, just received a 9400 satin blade & it's perfect
Another example of Benchmade's greed. The 945-2. Uses S30V/Alu....cositng as much as knives that have higher grade super steels (I think the S30V is an entry-level super steel).
Better to stick with MIni knives from Spyderco also using S30v for much less $...after all what are most enthusiasts cutting?? :)) ...LOL!! Cardboard and paper :))) This knife cost more than Spyderco's best sellers---PM2, Para 3, Manix 2...Shaman...."normal sized" knives...
The 945 retails in my neck of the woods for $390 CAD!! :P Not owrth it for a S30V knife....if gung-ho on steels we could pay $10 more for a 940 equipped with S90V/CF....if you buy into super steels...CF....
Good point the 940 carries so small in pocket why even carry the 945. Being that said it is nice the made a 945 I think I’ll try one anyways tho hs
Mechanically is it possible to put the blade from the 945 into 940 handle? I’m wondering if the manufacturing tolerances are the same around the axis lock. It looks as though the extra length in the 940 is just in the handle?
Benchmade's web site says the blade is slightly smaller but. Maybe the tolerance is slight enough. Hmmm good question