Recommendation? Is this a good Benchmade 940?

G

GroovyBro

Joined
Jan 4, 2019
Messages
38
Just picked up a Benchmade 940. I have always really liked how the knife looks (green is my favourite colour) and I finally bit the bullet and bought it. However, I was wary of poor QC, because I've heard it from this forum and elsewhere. When I saw the knife in store, it looked pretty nice under the store lighting, but now that I've brought it home and looked at it closer, I think there are a few problems. Is this normal? Am I overreacting?

The grind seems to be different on each side of the knife. It's not a massive difference, but one side looks ground up further than the other. However, I feel like I hit the blade centering jackpot. The blade is seated dead center on the knife! Only thing I really had to change was pivot screw tightness. Either they come from factory super stiff, or they tighten them up extra hard before they send them over to Canada. Here is a link to the album: https://imgur.com/a/EYwVKKq

Overall, I'm really happy with my dream knife. Just would like to know if the grind is normal. If this isn't normal, what should I do? Should I do anything at all? I purchased the knife today so I could probably bring it back if need be.

Almost forgot one other thing. Does anyone know if Benchmade will send their deep carry pocket clip to Canada? They look really nice and I'd love to have one. I have also heard that Benchmade will send their omega springs to Canada, as it's less risky than sending the whole knife and potentially getting it seized by our customs. Is anyone from Canada able to confirm or deny this?
 
Looks good to me! I say throw it in your pocket and use the poo out of it! I recently got the same knife and have been enjoying using, tweaking, and tuning it. Cool knife for sure.
 
Gurdygurds said:
Looks good to me! I say throw it in your pocket and use the poo out of it! I recently got the same knife and have been enjoying using, tweaking, and tuning it. Cool knife for sure.
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That's what I intend to do! Have you personally gotten a deep carry clip?
 
Go back to store and look at other ones.
Get one that's even.
Its either ground at steeper angle on that side then the other side. To even it out you will have to do the same on other side.
They put too big of an angle anyway and going back to the heel its getting narrower and that could be an issue when your start grinding.

So when you actually start sharpening you can find that there is a problem with the blade. The angles could be uneven and for it to be even you would have to put different angles on the sides. Again, they took off to much on one side and you don't want to deal with it if you don't have to.
You are in Canada and don't have the luxury of sending stuff back to benchmade, so go and get a good one in the store.
 
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Sergeua said:
Go back to store and look at other ones.
Get one that's even
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Do you have a Benchmade 940? Does your knife have a blade grind that is more symmetrical? This is the only real issue I'm having and it isn't affecting cutting performance in any way. I'd like to know if other people have this issue or if it's only me.
 
benchmade will send you a deep carry clip if you ask, something else to consider is the smaller deep carry clip from the bugout. i have one on my 940 & it works great.
i’m not sure if they’ll send omega springs to canada, honestly wouldn’t worry about it if i were you. have never broken one, & i had a 710 that i used constantly for 16 years.
and they do tighten the pivot screws on knives going to canada so as to avoid any issues with customs
 
mrfields said:
benchmade will send you a deep carry clip if you ask, something else to consider is the smaller deep carry clip from the bugout. i have one on my 940 & it works great.
i’m not sure if they’ll send omega springs to canada, honestly wouldn’t worry about it if i were you. have never broken one, & i had a 710 that i used constantly for 16 years.
and they do tighten the pivot screws on knives going to canada so as to avoid any issues with customs
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I knew it! No wonder it was so tight! I think I got it just where I like it now. No wobble and the blade drops with a light flick of the wrist!
 
GroovyBro said:
Do you have a Benchmade 940? Does your knife have a blade grind that is more symmetrical? This is the only real issue I'm having and it isn't affecting cutting performance in any way. I'd like to know if other people have this issue or if it's only me.
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I expanded and edited the post. Trying to type fast on phone, think it's understandable. Check it out again. It doesn't matter it could happen to benchmade or Spyderco. My kershaw I have is perfect and it's a good thing. Sometimes you buy stuff and it's a small bevel that looks nice and then you see problem areas when you start to actually reprofile and make it wider. So it's better to avoid if you can.
If you don't care then whatever, just don't expect it to ever be even again. It might not be possible.
 
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GroovyBro said:
Yeah I really like it! The grind is fine?
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It looks great to me but I might not be the most picky person to ask. If a knife seems good, I use it and sharpen it as I go along and it all evens out. Used to be very particular but I have mellowed over time using folders because they eventually get banged up and I prefer them with character that way.

I think you have a really nice example. :thumbsup:
 
That’s definitely an uneven grind. If it bothers you then return it. Both my last two Benchmades have uneven grind but it’s not a big thing for me.

The 940 was uneven but pretty consistent the whole length of the blade. My Adamas is all over the board from choil to tip.

I know that the next time I have to give it a real good sharpening, like my 940 just had, then I’d work a little longer and maybe even out the grinds. But I free hand my sharpening so I’m sure my angles won’t be a perfect. If it cuts, it cuts.
 
Sergeua said:
I expanded and edited the post. Trying to type fast on phone, think it's understandable. Check it out again. It doesn't matter it could happen to benchmade or Spyderco. My kershaw I have is perfect and it's a good thing. Sometimes you buy stuff and it's a small bevel that looks nice and then you see problem areas when you start to actually reprofile and make it wider. So it's better to avoid if you can.
If you don't care then whatever, just don't expect it to ever be even again. It might not be possible.
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Thank you for your post. I went back and saw your edits! Thank you for your advice. I'll certainly have to think about it. I'm sure every knife has its own quirks, so I may leave it for what it is.
Knicked Digits said:
That’s definitely an uneven grind. If it bothers you then return it. Both my last two Benchmades have uneven grind but it’s not a big thing for me.

The 940 was uneven but pretty consistent the whole length of the blade. My Adamas is all over the board from choil to tip.

I know that the next time I have to give it a real good sharpening, like my 940 just had, then I’d work a little longer and maybe even out the grinds. But I free hand my sharpening so I’m sure my angles won’t be a perfect. If it cuts, it cuts.
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Nice to see I'm not the only problem with it. I'll probably just keep it!
 
I might be overthinking, but in my mind if your bevels are off(different angles), it will steer the blade in certain direction when you cut. When you are cutting a cardboard or cheese, the blade is getting wedged in. That steering is essentially twisting the blade in the medium and thus translates into added resistance to the user to complete the cut. So to me it's not just visual.

I just want you to be happy in the long run, when your new knife high wears off.
You have an easy opportunity to go have a look at other pieces.
Its a production knife, not every one is perfect. You already seem to notice something is off with it... Just get a perfect one, if they have, that you don't notice anything wrong to begin with.
 
GroovyBro said:
Just picked up a Benchmade 940. I have always really liked how the knife looks (green is my favourite colour) and I finally bit the bullet and bought it. However, I was wary of poor QC, because I've heard it from this forum and elsewhere. When I saw the knife in store, it looked pretty nice under the store lighting, but now that I've brought it home and looked at it closer, I think there are a few problems. Is this normal? Am I overreacting?

The grind seems to be different on each side of the knife. It's not a massive difference, but one side looks ground up further than the other. However, I feel like I hit the blade centering jackpot. The blade is seated dead center on the knife! Only thing I really had to change was pivot screw tightness. Either they come from factory super stiff, or they tighten them up extra hard before they send them over to Canada. Here is a link to the album: https://imgur.com/a/EYwVKKq

Overall, I'm really happy with my dream knife. Just would like to know if the grind is normal. If this isn't normal, what should I do? Should I do anything at all? I purchased the knife today so I could probably bring it back if need be.

Almost forgot one other thing. Does anyone know if Benchmade will send their deep carry pocket clip to Canada? They look really nice and I'd love to have one. I have also heard that Benchmade will send their omega springs to Canada, as it's less risky than sending the whole knife and potentially getting it seized by our customs. Is anyone from Canada able to confirm or deny this?
Click to expand...

I sent my 940 to Benchmade a few months back to have the omega springs replaced and it came back a few weeks later with no hassle. Also they have sent me omega springs directly as well when requested and pocket clips.

I don’t think they tightened the pivot down for the return shipment either come to think of it.

Enjoy your knife. They are really nice.

,,,Mike in Canada
 
The actual blade grind(s) can't be seen that well in the pics. What you're referring to is the edge, and or edge angle. Which can be off due to the human factor. Hand finished on machines..can show strong hand bias. (Righty vs lefty, as the knife is turned/flipped to work)


Small things, man. Use it. It will get sorted out on its first real sharpening..depending on who's behind the stones.
 
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Three things that don’t bother me when first getting a knife

Slightly uneven grind
Action stiffness/ looseness (is that even a word?)
Sharpness

These are all things that can generally be sorted out at home and will need maintenance eventually. My knife is going to be sharpened eventually but a useable edge out of the box is a good and expected plus, I’m going to have to lube it once in a while and subsequently locktite that pivot, and the grind will work itself out with sharpening.

I’m more concerned with extremely uneven centering that can’t be adjusted, blade play that can’t be worked out, aesthetic blemishes, or a defective locking mechanism. For the most part I’ve only run into the centering, but it’s a livable issue because it’s not terrible, just not pretty.

Another thing for me is that when I first get a knife, I look at that thing like god handed it to me. I’ll touch it and look at every inch of it and just flip that baby open and closed until my wife is ready to check into the looney bin lol. It’s usually within the first few days that my nit picking is at it’s highest. Give it a week or two and if there’s something that you just cannot live with, get it fixed.
 
Sergeua said:
I might be overthinking, but in my mind if your bevels are off(different angles), it will steer the blade in certain direction when you cut. When you are cutting a cardboard or cheese, the blade is getting wedged in. That steering is essentially twisting the blade in the medium and thus translates into added resistance to the user to complete the cut. So to me it's not just visual.

I just want you to be happy in the long run, when your new knife high wears off.
You have an easy opportunity to go have a look at other pieces.
Its a production knife, not every one is perfect. You already seem to notice something is off with it... Just get a perfect one, if they have, that you don't notice anything wrong to begin with.
Click to expand...
Just went to return the knife. The other one they had in store was a floor model and it had really awful centering. I'll probably try my luck some other day. Thank you for your advice
 
GroovyBro That's a fine looking specimen you have their and if it were mine I would be completely comfortable with it. I would be more concerned with off centering, Blade coating blemishes, or a gritty feeling action. Like another poster said edge angles can be off on most any knife ground by a human and it's probably more common than you would expect. That being said, enjoy your knife and use it like it's stolen.:cool::thumbsup:
 
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