I'll take the 940 by far. I would describe the Southard as having a saggy looking blade, much like the shape of a sow's belly. The lightness and strength of the Benchmade make it a world class knife.
Thanks for the review. As some viewer mentioned, in Canada we have to pay a premium for the Southard which is around $310.00 cdn. But, I have to say the Southard is my favourite. It is so solid that there is not comparison 940 can match it. In addition, Southard Spyderco is the only chance I could afford a Southard design. Great design for the Southard.
I have both of these knives, they are among my favorites, and I agree the Spyderco Southard has better attention to detail. The only issues I have with the Benchmade 940-1 are the scale screws, which should be sorter, and the pocket clip, which is not for deeper carry. Neither of the issues are a big deal, but seeing the screws stick trough inside, though they do not touch the blade, shows a lack of attention to detail. The Southard has no lock insert, but I have has no lock stick or unusual wear so far. The Southard lock interfaces with the blade on the tang as well as an extension on the tang, which I suppose helps. I am right handed, so both of these knife work for me. For lefties, and for me, when I carry a backup knife on my left, the Benchmade 940-1 has that ability. On my less expensive knifes, I like to get two, one set up for each side, so I do take note of the ability to adjust.
I personally love my 940-1. I've been using it as an EDC but here in a bit more than a week, I'll be heading out for two months into the wilderness. Assuming I'll don't lose it, I'll come back and give my review.
Hey bobby !! I never had a southard so cant speak about it but the 940 is one of my favorites. I have CRK,s and Striders ect. I have also owned just about 90 percent of any current spyderco made. Love them all but that 940 remains in my top 3 along with my Sebenza,s. Good video as usual. Keep it up!
My Southard has the 204P blade, and your right the knife is very well made, fit and finish is top notch! I have the Positron also, it's a great little Southard flipper to, I just wish they had used the 204P in it to. For what it cost you would think the S30V is a little down grade! Still a great little carbon fiber flipper!
Love both, own both. If I have to choose between the two, I'd have to go with the Spyderco Southard. It's a much more robust knife. I have no doubt that with the construction design alone and less moving parts that it will last longer. Having said all that, neither the Southard or the 940 are my favorite edc. Both are considered collector knives for me. EDC honor at the moment goes to the Ontario RAT 2, LOL!
I love the Spyderco I love both of them but by far my all-time favorite is my old school police edition stainless steel fully serrated Spidey had 3 years and have never had to sharpen it I cut rope and Geotech fabric with it no problem still to this day
The 940 looks amazing. I think the spydie hole throws off the Southard for me but I so want to get one of his customs they are awesome! Nice knives man.
Two very nice knives. I have been eyeing both of those, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. I guess that gives me some more time to "research" I.e. Watch every RU-vid video there is in both of these :)
Good video but I consider the Southard to be a rip off. It's a good design and materials but the price is insane. I live in Canada and from the best source it's $309.99. Cold Steel somehow manages to make a Code 4 with XHP for $100. Best bargain in the knife world if you ask me. With this knife, as you say, Spyderco is putting a painstaking amount of energy into fit and finish. Fine. I would rather see them direct that energy into their high value everyman knives like Delica, Tenacious, Byrd. I've owned both high end and high value, and I honestly feel much happier about well designed value knives than I do a luxury folders. It's good to come away from a purchase feeling like you got more than you paid for.
+StartUpSurvival Firstly, the CAD dollar is further down than it has been in a long time. Secondly, CTS-204P is a much better more expensive steel to work with than CTS-XHP. The Southard also uses Titanium and ceramic ball bearings, vs the Code 4's aluminum handles with not bearings. Just because you don't like expensive knives or can't afford them, doesn't mean everyone is that way. Spyderco is clearly making money off of these high end folders and people are buying them. Lastly, they are putting energy into their more budget knives, this was apparent with the new HAP40 Delica and Endura. I buy high end knives, I like buying high end knives. Just because you don't buy them or don't see the value in them, doesn't mean a company should or will stop making them.
i really wnjoy the 940 design. i have 3 now g10 aluminum and the carbon fiber and theyre all great. i do not own a southard but really do want one. some day ill be able to give an unbias opinion.Oh btw thank you for not having disgustingly un trimmed nails, as lots of reviewers do. good video.
The 940-1 is the best benchmade made i feel, but the fit and finish spyderco has them beat. Benchmade kinda half assed a few finish details. I like both and carry both. Southard a little more
Interesting comparison. I have a different perspective. 940 is an unbeatable modern urban/office/gentleman's EDC. It will do everything with plenty of blade for it. Southard is leaning more towards the sportsman and outdoorsman side. Bigger, much heavier. But also, much more blade. Better slicer, better cutter. And god forbid you need to actually chop cut bigger tasks, the build of the southard is way stronger. The blade is significant steel.
i have both knives but the 940 has a lot of play in it if you want it to be fast opening. i think the spyderco is more durable but it does cost alot for a taiwan knife.
MamboPython Don't take the pocket clip off. I did to clean up some dust from use. It stripped the carbon and the titanium. They have had it in for repair for over a month and truly ignore customer emails. This is solely my experience. I am trading it as soon as I receive it back from repair.
Wow, a new goal! I now have to learn to use my middle finger on the thumb stud (they do call it a "thumb" stud for a reason, y'know?). So far it feels like writing with the wrong hand. ;-)
The biggest reason I carry a 940-1 is that I'm left handed. Take it out of the box, move the clip to the other side, and it's ready to go for a lefty. That frame lock will never work well for a lefty.
Visually Southard is tougher than 940-1. And it is going to outlive the Benchmade. It's belly shape suggests many years of sharpenings, while 940-1's blade won't last that long for sure.
$$ i have a regular 940, its ok. It cost to much to feel good about beating it up. It is also a little small for my hands. Plus it is not a hard use knife. The steel liner is thin an doesnt run the full length.
+Mark Jones Probably one of the main reasons preventing me from going for it. I've seen enough reviews to understand there are higher valued knives out there that match the quality of the Southard but damn does it look awesome! I would Love to use this knife and hate it at the same time knowing I can "damage" it. From what I understand though, the cost does reflect the build quality so you would have to abuse it to really do any damage but I would definitely be bummed if I begin to see scratches on the surface anywhere on this knife.
Yep and cool factor wears off quick. After all the best knife in the World on cuts stuff. Ohh wow it cut cardboard. Now if you paid more and it was able to act as if it were a plasma cutter that would be something all together different.
for 300$ i think it should be common to get a centered blade and lol... having the screws flush. Making the right lenght for screws should be a primary spec, even the chineese got it right
260$ for Taiwan?? People are nuts !! Premium quality doesn't come from the same place as 99% of harbor freight junk ! For Taiwan made maybe 26$ not 260
+sasha ghovanlou the place of manufacture , I like my stuff made by adults not 12 year old kids payed 1.00$ a day ., if they are the same cost to us the consumer and bench made is paying a good wage and supply a proper work environment and still making a profit how can spider co justify paying a workforce way less and taking your money? Also I am a American I like see my neighbors working and not collecting welfare. Just my opinion tho . It's like if Toyota charged Cadillac prices ? Sure Toyota is a great product but you don't see a 80000$ Corolla!
Nah fam, you're PARTIAL* to Spyderco. Being impartial would mean you don't favor one over the other. This grammar lesson has been brought to you by a Southerner. #feeltheshame
MetalsForBrunch If guys like it, It's your money. I choose to try and support American workers wth my money. It's all about supply and demand. If you create a demand for foreign made knives, that's where the supply will come from. US made products used to be a great thing. Americans would never consider buying taiwan products over American. Especially at the same price? But like bt said..... He doesn't care where they are produced...... I however, do care!
