Benchmade 940 VS Protech Malibu! The Battle of The Reverse Tantos!

[@MichaelE.Douroux]

On the Malibu, in terms of looks, most seem to prefer the Tanto. I think the lines on the Wharncliffe have a smoother flow.

[@FactFinderGeneral]

Unfortunately now days the price difference is quite big. 202.50 vs 260-280.

[@griff7749]

I hadn't thought about how similar those two knives are. I'm thinking of getting a bugout with some black AWT scales for a Pro-Tech kind of look.

[@My_Bow_L.Y.F]

Hey just a question? So I watched your video when you first made it. I have the 940-2 but i didn't have the Malibu back then. I just got my Malibu bout a month ago. It didn't leave my pocket for almost 2 weeks. Until I was scrapping some stuff with the tanto but the spine part and the lock disengaged on me. Have you experienced and lock failure wit the Malibu at all please let me know. I have 2one black and the other is blue. I'm sending in the black one wit lock failure back to Protect for repairs. So I hope it's just mine cause after that incident it will not lock up. So please let me know bout yours. And I know I should do this but i just took out my 940 and spine wacked it and no lock failure. Matter of fact I spine hit it pretty hard hope the I would have lock failure and nothin. Still solid as hell. Oh and just to let you know I super love my Malibu even wit the lock that doesn't work at all. I made a quick video showing it take a look at my video and tell me what you think. Just search Protech Malibu lock failure. I dont do videos just wanted to see if anyone experienced the same problem as me. Thanks again bearded gear.

[@beardedgear]

I haven’t had any failures on mine and I’ve had two reverse tantos 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@My_Bow_L.Y.F]

@@beardedgear ok I hope I just got a bad one. Ima check the other one I bought. I haven't opened it but ima check it out.

[@My_Bow_L.Y.F]

@@beardedgear ok I hope I just got a bad one. Ima check the other one I bought. I haven't opened it but ima check it out.

[@charleescorner8095]

(23.50) Osbourne created the 940 to be the perfect ranch knife for hard use. Not a Amazon package opener

[@carmelotansengco4605]

Great review of two great knives. Nick Shabazz would have probably mentioned the pocket pecker on the Malibu but that's neither here nor there. I'm actually thinking of getting a Malibu myself. My dealer has a couple. I'm leaning towards the Wharncliffe with Magnacut steel.

[@mikem4259]

I have the 940-2, and my biggest complaint, is the omega springs. I realize it’s a time tested system, but I had 3 springs break on it. Out of all the Benchmade’s I’ve owned, over the years, thats the only knife I’ve had that happen to. Because if this, I’m reluctant to carry it. Another problem with my 940-2 is it’s off center. If loosen it or tighten it to correct it, it’s either way too tight, or way too lose. For some reason, my 940-2 is the only Benchmade I’ve had problems with. I’ve got a few griptillians , one of which I got almost 20 years ago that’s never broken a spring, and it’s been flipped, I swear, a million times. It’s perfectly centered, and wicked smooth, and that’s the way it came.

[@TKO593]

My 940 cf isn’t able to center either, but my Malibu is perfect out of box.

[@KillaZamii]

It seems like every other online knife store is getting the Malibu EXCEPT for Blade HQ. WHY AREN'T THEY IN STOCK YET.

[@beardedgear]

I rarely order from bladehq anyway haha

[@KillaZamii]

@@beardedgear Where do you usually order from?

[@beardedgear]

Rivers Edge Cutlery is my number one, then KnifeJoy, then Cutlery Shoppe, after those three it’s pretty fair game between the others

[@sofloemir]

Did the price really go up form 190 to 270 on the protech?! wow!

[@jeremyreeves5349]

$209 last I checked, but we'll see when they come back in stock

[@quaxenleaf]

Secondary market is booming because of demand for Malibu.

[@My_kind_of_knife]

I have had the 940 for going on 5 years now and Its the knife that got me out of gas station knives so I will always have a spot in my heart for it. I did just buy a Malibu, looking forward to using it. Thanks for the great video!

[@quaxenleaf]

Yes very similar - both American made. Yet the 940 oftentimes has issues with grind, sharpness out of the box, blade centering, blade play, spring failure, etc. The Malibu? None of those. I hope Protech buries the butterfly.

[@joe_a_photo]

I don’t understand the 940’s price. The Griptilian in 20CV with blue liners and gray g10 is the same price.

[@beardedgear]

Yeah I had the 20cv sheepsfoot griptilian and I liked that better than the 940, it was much less slim in pocket but felt better in hand and seemed more capable.

[@joe_a_photo]

Bearded Gear I’ve always wanted a 940 but the price has kept me from buying. I bought a manix 2 lightweight in S110V over it. Not slim but just as light and way more interesting steel.

[@beardedgear]

That’s a great knife!

[@ruru2500]

I got my 940 with m4 for 160 a few months back. Compares better to the Malibu at over 200 these days. I'll have to compare once I get the protech, though I can say mine doesn't have blade play and is as smooth on the pivot as the one you show here.

[@915knife4]

I haven’t got one yet. Very hard to find right now. Can’t wait til the next gen is ready. Any word of when that could be?

[@flytheskymyway]

Did you cut your hair with the Protech Malibu or the BM 940?

[@SynthiaVan]

I always thought the 940 was a spey blade, I never figured it to be a reverse tanto with that curved tip...

[@spiritedwhiskey4640]

High and tight cut, lookin sharp! Just grabbed one of the Custom Malibu's with Mother of Pearl inlays, full contoured Titanium handles, and Nichols Damascus blade. Arrives tomorrow and cannot wait! Great content buddy keep it up!

[@beardedgear]

Dude those Malibu’s are so epic! I’m jealous! Thanks man 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@BalanceOvOpposites]

Had my axis lock break on my 940 after a year. Been carrying the para 3 for prob 3 years and works perfectly. As much as I enjoyed the 940, dealing w the axis lock breaking is not worth it when other great knives exist that dont have the spring problem.

[@gpo1956]

I really don’t understand the point of doing this video. It’s obvious the 940 was never going to compete with the Protech. Seems pointless knowing your feelings about the Malibu.

[@jamesmaggio7560]

I do like the Malibu but what about grip n in the pocket compared to the 940

[@jordanmyers0326]

I thought these were suspose to come out on bladehq soon

[@beardedgear]

Not sure when each of the retailers are getting them 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@jordanmyers0326]

Bearded Gear apparently I missed both drops 😢

[@beardedgear]

Bummer!

[@croatialives]

Is there any of the benchmark knives that you find appealing ?

[@gatorbone1531]

couldn’t decide, bought both ;) dont tell the wife🤫

[@beardedgear]

Lol

[@gatorbone1531]

@@beardedgear also great video keep it up 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

[@matthewy5996]

Wow really awesome comparison! Great points and both solid solid designs!

[@RobBernhard]

You've convinced me. But does anyone have the Malibu in stock? :)

[@beardedgear]

Not sure, I know they’re hard to get right now 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@RobBernhard]

@@beardedgear Hopefully they do another production run and REC gets their hands on a couple of the blue ones.

[@beardedgear]

I’m sure it’s only a matter of time 🤘🏻

[@stephenfisanick8704]

Malibu all the way! I have both the only difference is I have the Wharncliffe Malibu. The Malibu is way more smooth and I like the design more.

[@pollyholly198]

Watched your video while my 940 was on its way to me, and I have got upset I ordered it due to your unfavoured comments. It arrived. I was looking at it a long long time, thinking what have I done. I took it into my hands... pleasant feeling. Light. A veery beautiful knife. I opened it and went to cut an apple (Gala, a crunchy apple) expecting it to chop it. Nope, it slide right through and made thin slices. I washed it. Said sorry to it for the fact thinking to return it. And put it into my pocket. I hear a lot about "bad slicer"... this is not a kitchen knife for sure, yet at the same time Spyderco will not beat my kitchen knife neither. So overall I would still go with 940. Malibu with its tanto style has a beefy tip too, yet being so long at the tip's top edge could be more prone to break the tip IMO. But again, that depends what you do with your knife. For cardboards I use OLFA knife ))) Thank you for your video and opinion, yet 940 is great! And BTW, I know your video was in 2020, yet prices for Malibu went very up nowadays, as all the other popular/functional knives (including 940 making the price to go up with time).

[@Nkdc333]

You can get the 940-2 for $154 on Amazon. I prefer g-10 and open construction to aluminum. That said, I want a protech Malibu and will eventually get one. Just saying that the price comparison isn’t exactly on point.

[@beardedgear]

It is and it isn’t haha, the aluminum one I was comparing to is what I was going off of, but it is is good to know that the g10 one is cheaper!

[@Nkdc333]

Bearded Gear certainly understandable. I haven’t handled the aluminum one, so I’m not sure exactly the pros and cons. But the g-10 one is great.

[@jeremyspaulding7735]

Awesome comparison I have been checking out the Malibu alot lately especially now with the reverse tanto and this video really showcased how good it really is

[@TKO593]

I have the the CF940 and the reverse tanto Malibu. The QC/action on the Protech is better and i love the sound it makes better too. I just realize that my Malibu came with a black pocket clip not SS like yours.

[@pateralus9]

The Benchmade 940 is flipping 30 years old, haha. And I love mine! I'll have to see how I feel it compares to my Malibu when I get it in 2 days. 😃

[@flytheskymyway]

Well? What’s your decision. Comparing the 940 on a scale of 1-10 Vs Malibu on a scale of 1-10

[@pateralus9]

@@flytheskymyway Well firstly I believe I was wrong about the 940 being 30 years old; I think it was released in 2000, making this the 20th anniversary. Secondly, I ended up selling my Malibu & keeping my 940-1. That's not to say I don't love the Malibu, I just needed money & I chose to sell it over the 940-1. To rate them both based on everything about them (materials, form, function, fit & finish) based on my experience, which does not include handling knives that cost thousands, I would say: 940-1: 9.25 Malibu: 8.75 They are both among the most satisfying to own, handle, & look at of anything I've owned. The main reason for the 940-1 being ranked higher, for me, is that awesome carbon fiber. Both are ridiculously incredible pieces! 😃

[@KnifeWatch]

First. Awesome video so far! Nice haircut fam. This is actually a fair comparison!

[@beardedgear]

Thanks dude!

[@diegomireles]

I think a custom Benchmade with titanium, durasteel is at most 600 usd, while Titanium Malibu is 800 or 900 bucks. But normally protech are much more expensive knives, I think they use the best steel materials available and theyre 100% US made. I like both but I cannot afford none.

[@jeffhammond5875]

I was gonna get the 940 but after watching this video I found a malibu and bought it. I'm so happy with it. I got the black dragon scales 320$ Was gonna get the carbon fiber 940 for 300$

[@JohnBaker189]

i want one!!!!! wish canadian pricing was better though....:(

[@beardedgear]

Sorry man I can’t help you there haha

[@jaschaschaub676]

Same in europe.. 😂

[@christopherharris3435]

😯 well then... It is settled! Lol. Enjoy this reviewI am still trying to find a Benchmade that will stay in my collection. I have owned 3 but I just keep replacing them. Thought about trying The 940 but not so sure now. My guess is you will say the freek LOL, but which other benchmades have really hit the mark for you if any?

[@beardedgear]

The SuperFreek and the new enhanced mini freek are both fantastic in my opinion. The bugout is also one of my most carried and used knives 💪🏻

[@cavedog1279]

The Anthem is the best knife Benchmade has ever made. It's fantastic.

[@jurajizak1646]

Thanks for your review, a good one. Like your enthusiasm. Gonna keep my 940 for some time but I'll consider Malibu when it will be available in Europe :)

[@justinwagner5022]

Very good head to head, I can't wait to see the 3 protech button lock vid, I have a mordax on the way lol

[@beardedgear]

Awesome! I’ll be doing that video within the next few days 🤘🏻

[@dtomknivesandgear6635]

Digging the new doo. The Malibu is definitely the clear winner for me too. Button locks are so much fun. We need more out there.

[@beardedgear]

I think Protech is just getting started with manual button lock knives, especially with how well the last few are doing 👌🏻

[@clayrowden3916]

I bought my Malibu today. It just got to my dealer as the ProTech box of about 50 knives was opened in front of me. Mine is with a beautiful (Cobalt like) blue handle and reverse Tanto, CPM20CV blade. I love this knife. All you rave about is true. I also have a BM 940-2, 9400 and 945. I also love my these. I agree with you that the Malibu is better knife on multiple key levels as you assessed. But, I don't think this a viable comparison (exception being the price point and basic knife intentions) as the PT Malibu is a modern, contemporary design and the BM 940 Osborne is, (albeit great and iconic), an old and even antiquated design. I will keep both and likely add more of each to my stash. I also enjoy Elvis Presley and Elvis Costello. Thanks for your work Bearded Gear.

[@Redbirdsfan1970]

Shouldn't the fact that your brand new Malibu had a rattle in the pocket clip when you deployed it factored into the quality/fit/finish category? Yes, it should.

[@shadowcastyt]

Maybe, however Benchmade’s QC as of late has been dogsh!t and Protech has one of the best QC departments in the “large production knife” industry (my opinion, however I’ve handled a lot of Protech’s because of my love for their company, I’m definitely biased), as a whole Protech bodies Benchmade when it comes to QC, a minute clip error that was fixed in seconds is not as big of an issue as Benchmade has had

[@Redbirdsfan1970]

@@shadowcastyt I've had issues with a ProTech I own. I've got the BR1.7 Whiskers and I"m debating sending it in as there is blade play and often the auto open sticks. None of my Benchmades have any issues. If he was being honest and objective about his review he should have factored in the issue with the clip even if it was minor. It's simply not supposed to come from the factory like that. Period. ProTech makes awesome knives. This is about his experience with his Benchmade and his ProTech. His ProTech had a QC issue. Sure, he fixed it but still...it was there. Just saying....

[@Midwest.Taco_EDC]

Great video. You may have just pushed me over the edge deciding to buy a Malibu. Now to just wait for more in stock....

[@wis1024]

Love my malibu but the 940 is such a special and unique design. The milling on the handle, blade shape, closed back, theres nothing like it.

[@vinnymac831]

I say the Protech is the winner. The 940 is a staple, but it’s too slim for me in handle and blade.

[@beardedgear]

I say the protech is the winner too 🤣

[@maratmarat9426]

Malibu or bugout?

[@deadvikingtrolls]

20cv is slightly more brittle and has slightly more edge retention than s30v. 20cv/m390 are, or were, quite a bit overrated and I'd take s35vn over either. That said, the malibu operator now has magnacut which is very similar to cruwear only far more stainless so it easily beats the standard or any 940.

[@yidingwang5256]

Handsome haircut bro!

[@beardedgear]

Thanks buddy!

[@stampede720]

You talked for 30 minutes and didn't even show them lying side-by-side...

[@iZm24]

Looking sharp!!! 😍😍😍

[@beardedgear]

Thanks!

[@JohnC29]

I haven't carried a 940 on over 15 years.

[@915knife4]

You have extra medium hands. Hmm. 🤔

[@diezelvh4133]

I think the 940 has stuck around for so long is because there not special. If i pull it out in public, it is not intimidating at all. My other knives people do a second look and their like, woo dude..

[@PukaHeadMan]

Sorry, taking too long in getting to the point

[@preauxbleu1579]

Good job and good points. I agree that the Malibu is better. But this video could’ve been completed in 7-10 minutes. Just sayin’ 🤙🏽

[@beardedgear]

Lol, if you want short videos this is not the channel for you. That’s not changing 🤣

[@quaxenleaf]

@@beardedgear love your vids and content; don’t change a thing.

[@draganpastrovic2157]

I dont see the point behind this video, buy yourself a malibu enjoy it and that's it.

[@buckshot1955]

I don’t see the point behind your comment, you can watch the video or keep on scrolling and that’s it.

[@jamesmaggio7560]

940 or Bugout ? Lol

[@beardedgear]

Well I own and love the Bugout, and don’t have a 940 because I don’t really want one so 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@yohannmawash4209]

my favorite is Malibu

[@JohnnyTaxonomy]

Now if you could only get a Pro-tech Malibu. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@jamesfair9751]

The reverse tanto Malibu came first

[@johnscarborough4746]

About time you got a haircut you hippie!😉

[@beardedgear]

🤣🤣

[@bryanstone7237]

How dare you compare knives! Hahaha jk. I really enjoyed this review. The 940 just doesn't do it for me. Looks like a great knife, just not my cup of tea for whatever reason. That Malibu has been growing on me. I'm trying to keep myself from giving in since I bought way too many knives this yr. #firstworldproblems

[@corsairmotorwerks547]

Bro I have to stop watching your reviews. I usually end up buying whatever it is you’re reviewing. We have very similar tastes lol

[@wasnt_it]

I actually sold my 940 to buy the Malibu- (and since I have no idea when my pre-order will be fulfilled, I can at least watch some videos of it! )

[@Jason-mb7gk]

I would buy a gas station knife before I buy a Benchmade

[@Edgekeeper747]

They both wayyyyy overpriced. They both are $125 knives tops. Wake up Benchmade and protech. I do like the 940 for what it should be at $120-125

[@xylliiiking]

Dont be stupid there is no comperson osborn is never been full flush

[@buckshot1955]

Well said!

[@JamesStephen710]

My humble opinion is that the reverse tanto is well overrated and that the warncliff Malibu is 100x better.

[@IAMAMMAFAN]

Comparing an OLD 940 to a NEW Malibu not comparing apples to apples... To be fair both knives should new....Just sayin...🔪

[@beardedgear]

You mean new condition? Or a new version of the 940? This 940 was still in great shape, and is the most comparable Benchmade currently offered in terms of price and specs from what I can tell lol

[@IAMAMMAFAN]

@@beardedgear The Malibu was New In Box the 940 was used so the Malibu was the new shiney new knife. At least if the 940 came back from Benchmade sharpened and tuned it would be fair comparison. Everyone always likes the shiney new toy. But I still value your judgment just think the Malibu had the advantage out of the box....🔪