Yes, the -801 is more matte and not as bright, either. I don't have a 960D2 anymore to contrast them side-by-side, but maybe this will help.

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Well, carried my 960 for about 2weeks or so.
I enjoy that it's not G-10, but find that it's lack of grip is making it hard for it to be seen as my edc... Sunday knife here it comes.
I held a 440 OPPORTUNIST the othere day...
Sweet little nife. It does not have as loud a "knack" sound when the blade is locking up.
Guess it could have been the environment. ie the large open noisy store, compared to the quiet of the inside of my car, or the solitude of say my desk at work on saturday.
iether way I found it to have a bit more grip in the hand, do to the wood onlays and the jigged patterning on the alum. handles.
Seriously thinking about moving it on up the list to get.

The 960 has remained sharp. not hair splitting but still makes short work of card board lids on boxes. Cuttting up a tomatoe is still a breeze but think it could use a touch on the stone just so I don't end up spending to much time later trying to bring the edge back.

I tapped it against a tile floor the other day looking for hollow spots and noticed some of the finish has been rubbed off the end of the handel . its not NIB any more for sure...

Still I believe it to be an exellent knife. and well worth the money. for certain applications.

I have a 440 Opportunist, and it clacks quite loudly when I flick it open w/ the thumb stud. I was down to the 440 and the 960 when I wanted a gentleman's carry knife (the Shoki was disqualified because I don't want to carry a sheath too). Ultimately I went with the 440 because it's rare to find knives with wood used in the handles. It's really, really different from all my other Benchmades.

Cameron

quote:

tapped it against a tile floor the other day looking for hollow spots and noticed some of the finish has been rubbed off the end of the handel . its not NIB any more for sure...

Dang, your finish is wearing off already? I was begining to wonder when it would start with mine... It hasn't yet.. only problem I've had with it is keeping the pivot screw in place... It came loose pretty quickly, developed some blade play.. so I tightened it and loctited it, then it was a little too stiff.. loosened it back up again, and within days it had wiggle again Can't find the sweet spot with this one..

Well realy ... it's just a few pin head sized dents that barely let the alum. show through.
over all very tuff finish. I have not had any problems with the pivot screw....
Came out of the box just fine and have not needed to adjust it at all. and trust me it's not from a lack of flicking it or cutting things like multiple card board box flaps off.
Again, as for the finish it is very tough. It was never ment to really be tapped agains rock like surfaces. In comparison I could have gotten the same amount of damage had I missed my pocket and it had fallen to the ground hit the payvment in a parking lot or driveway.
The car key I carry has not scratched it at all. and it rides in the same pocket all day.

My 960 is the smoothest opening knife I own. It really is impressive to me.

quote:

Originally posted by Tyman:
My 960 is the smoothest opening knife I own. It really is impressive to me.

Me too... It was close between the 960 and my 930, but I think the 960 is a bit smoother.. The thing just flicks right open. The 930 has been sitting in its box since I bought it though

The 960 is, I think at this point, my favorite knife that I have ever carried. I dont like to carry knives that are too big/bulky...the 960 is so slim and compact; it is an absolute pleasure to carry.

Dispite its size it still has a decent sized blade and a handle which fits my large hands very well. Soooo smooth aswell.

Long Live the 960!

I carry my 960-801 most every day to work , so far anyway.......... I dont like big bulky knives to carry all the time , however just took my 760 to dinner tonight , Iam trying to break it in for use ....... dj

I traded clips with my 530 so my 960 would be a bit more stealth. I'd have liked a parkerized but just didn't have on to spare of any of my other EDC. I don't believe the 530's clip will get to beat up since it's on a knife I use for light... duty.
oh and I'm toten my 615-2 as aback up for it.

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