Benchmade 940. Pros? Cons?

[Cynic2701]

I'd also like to hear more on the 940 as I've been thinking of getting one for quite some time, but it is an investment, at least for my wallet.

I'd like to know what users think of the lock-up. For example, the axis-bar on my BM585 (which i love and purchased for much less than I've been able to find a 940) travels nearly the entire length of the liner cut-out - it's pushed all the way back by the tang in closing and travels to within a few millimeters of the forward end, keeping the lock-up tight regardless of wear on the tang, and the lock-bar contacts the tang such that, viewed from above, the base of the tang is flush with the lockbar.

How far onto the 940 tang does the lock-bar make contact?

Secondly, what aspects of the 940-series would you change, features you wish it had / didn't have? I've already read that some would prefer a different scale material, G10 perhaps. What else?

Think about circles and flat planes. If I'm reading you right, I'd say that that is a situation I actually wouldn't want--there's less room for wear. Moving the contact point further up the length of the blade tang isn't going to affect lock up if the tolerances are machined properly.

The Axis-lock is pretty neat, and seems pretty strong.

I prefer the 943 over the 940--the 940's blade shape just ended up being annoying to me. Personally, I like the choice of aluminum for the handle materials. Not everyone will agree.

 

[chiral.grolim]

Think about circles and flat planes. If I'm reading you right, I'd say that that is a situation I actually wouldn't want--there's less room for wear. Moving the contact point further up the length of the blade tang isn't going to affect lock up if the tolerances are machined properly.

The Axis-lock is pretty neat, and seems pretty strong.

I prefer the 943 over the 940--the 940's blade shape just ended up being annoying to me. Personally, I like the choice of aluminum for the handle materials. Not everyone will agree.

I haven't tried out the 940 blade shape before, but it appeals to me aesthetically *shrug*, and I also have no problem with aluminum handles, like them better than G10 actually, have a Kabar Dozier Thorn from some years ago (sweet minimalist knife) and just sprung for a BM520sbk (another I'd been eye-ing for some years), both of which sport aluminum. I consider it +1.

But with the axis-lock, moving the contact point further up the tang reduces the chances of lock-failure due to a slipping lock-bar which is the only failure I've witnessed occurring in the Axis (particularly the 710 and 556). Thinking, as you say, of circles & planes, a lock-bar seated too close to the end of the tang can easily be edged to slide/roll off the tang since the contact surface is so low and especially given the intentionally low strength of the omega springs. I am concerned about this in the 940, especially since it does not have the additional resistance of the 585's spring keeping it open.
Regarding wear-in space, I like that the 585's is fairly minimal while still present as i do not anticipate heavy wear in the tang, stop-pin, or lock-bar over the life of this small knife (nor would I anticipate such in the sleek 940) and there is less space in front of the lock-bar for something to slip inside and push back the bar. I consider that to be excellent adherence to tolerances. Perhaps there is less call for this in the 940-series which are intended for lighter use? Are the 940's intended for lighter use?

Sorry if I appear to be running away with the thread, just trying to get as clear a picture as possible of the knife from advocates/users. Thank you.

 

[kda89508]

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

One of Benchmade's BEST! Nice size blade in a small and easy to carry knife! Kevin

 

[tiguy7]

I have 940's and 943's in Al, Ti, and CF. They weigh 82, 92, and 72gm respectively. I have blades in S30V, D2, and SS Damascus. The 940 and 943 blades will drop into the Gaucho handle. The 940/943 handle does not quite cover the tip of the Gaucho blade. I love modular knives. I like the one handed deployment and return of the blade using the flick technique. Fast one handed closing is a very useful feature especially if you are holding the potato chip bag in your weak hand. This design is particularly useful for left handers who don't have as many options as right handers. I wish Benchmade offered more exotic handles and blades. I also wish they could scale the knife up about 15%.