Benchmade 940 Maintenance

A

aaronmichael

Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Messages
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Hello All!

First post on here, I'll try to get straight to it. I've had a Benchmade Griptilian for at least 5 years now and I love it. I just graduated from college and got a Benchmade 940 Osbourne as a gift from my dad. I've been lusting over it for a while but could never afford it. Now that I have it, I'm almost too afraid to use it. I just want to put it in a display case - hahah. If I do want to start carrying it as an EDC, what steps should be taken to keep the knife in good condition? What should I absolutely never cut with it, what should I clean the blade with, does it need to be oiled,...etc. Also if someone could recommend a reasonably priced fool proof sharpening system, that would be awesome. I bought a DMT foldable sharpener for my Griptilian and from not being careful enough, I scratched the blade. I'd be willing to spend more on a "better" sharpening system. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you!
 
Hi Aaronmichael,

I know how you feel but knives tools not museum pieces. They are made to cut things and blades will get scratched... Think of then as character. I wore a rolex submariner for 11 years as a NYC paramedic, when it needed service, the folks wanted to know if I wanted the case polished. I did not as I remember where I was when i got those scratches and dings.

Enjoy your knife, keep it oiled and sharpen it when it is dull


Best

Paul
 
Like pwerfel said, a knife is a tool. There's no need to baby it, a knife like the 940 can handle use. Care for it properly (oil, sharpening), and it'll last you a lifetime. Don't let keeping it pretty keep you from actually getting use and enjoyment out of the knife.

As for sharpening, the Spyderco Sharpmaker system is very easy and popular, as well as being cost-effective.
 
Thanks for the words of wisdom guys. What does everyone suggest as a good lubrication for the pivot point? I'll look into the Spyderco sharpening system as far as sharpening goes.
 
I've always used RemOil for my knives - largely because I have it handy for my firearms. Back when I had a 940 , I'd put just a drop in the pivot every once in a while. Being a stainless steel, you won't see much blade rust under normal carry and use. Just wipe the blade down every once in a while and keep it clean and dry. Best of luck and enjoy that BM940!

-B
 
I find three things indispensable for folder maintenance:

Q-tips
bamboo toothpicks
Giotto Rocket

Every few days, I blow out the inside with the Giotto. If there's bits of gunk/lint in there, the Q-tips and toothpicks can take care of it.

Other than that, the hem of whatever shirt I'm wearing, Wenol metal polish, and Hoppes 9 lubricating oil with a precision applicator tip, and I'm ready for anything. If the knife can take it, I don't oil the pivot. For a knife that sits in a pocket (aka, lint trap), I prefer no oil.
 
You can actually keep most EDC knives fairly nice looking as long as you do (or don't do) a few things. Do: Learn how to sharpen a knife without scratching the side of the blade, master that skill before you try to sharpen your nice knives. Don't: cut things with sand or grit in them, this means bags of potting soil, mud covered rope or fabrics, cardboard that's been sitting on the ground, and other materials containing hard rocky substances.

That pretty much takes care of the blade. For the handle, most of the wear seems to come from vehicle belt buckles and the occasional drop. So don't drop the knife, and try to clip it in a way that the seatbelt buckle doesn't wear on it, or slip it in your pocket.

(edit: one more thing, use less oil than you think you need. 1 drop in the pivot is actually way more than you need, but it's the smallest amount that's easy to dispense most of the time. All excess surface oil does is attract and hold grit, which can cause scratches.)
 
The anodized handle will wear in time especially if you drop it in you pocket with coins sand etc. in there with it. Remember there are plenty of 940s out there so if you scratch it then you can replace it at some later date. I say just use the hell out of it and keep it sharp.
 
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