Your experiences with the Benchmade 940/940-2

The QC on my 940-2 was crap for the price, but I still really like the knife. That a strong testament to it’s amazing design.

It took me about a year of tinkering and use to get the action where I like it; no side-to-side play and a dab of the wrist to close. Mine still wont free-fall without blade play, but I prefer its present setup anyway.
 
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I have a 940-2 and 943. I've replaced the scales on both. I like them both, but prefer the 943 with the G10 handle. The only issue I had with the action (I did have to adjust it to my liking) was when I accidentally used to much Loctite and it got onto the washers. After cleaning that up, it was back to a glass like action with solid lockup.I

If you are not comfortable on turning a screw and using Loctite on your knife (many people don't want to do any tinkering on their knives and that's fine) then you might be disappointed. Also, give it some break in time before tuning.

That being said, I found myself wanting a thicker handle for harder cuts, e.g. cutting through heavy cardboard and styrofoam for any decent length of time. The knife can do it, but it's not that comfortable in those chores. For most other duties, including shaving bark off of wood for an hour (wasting time) they are terrific.
 
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Thank you for all of your replies, I guess I'll pull the trigger on it soon and just take it apart and polish the internals for a smooth action.:):thumbsup:
 
I have a 940-3. I almost bought a 943 but I figured I had enough clip points and while I love the look of the green aluminum handle, I just couldn't handle the PURPLE backspacer.

Fit and finish were flawless although I don't carry it very much. I think the clip point would have been a better choice for my uses although I plan on taking it with me more this summer. Out of the box it was a little too easy to open - I can basically flick my wrist a little harder and open the thing without disengaging the axis lock, which is a bit unsettling (ie opening in pocket/accidentally).
 
I've had a 940 for years. I think I've carried it maybe twice. It's nice to look at, but it doesn't really fit my usage case.
 
Darkera said:
I have a 940-3. I almost bought a 943 but I figured I had enough clip points and while I love the look of the green aluminum handle, I just couldn't handle the PURPLE backspacer.

Fit and finish were flawless although I don't carry it very much. I think the clip point would have been a better choice for my uses although I plan on taking it with me more this summer. Out of the box it was a little too easy to open - I can basically flick my wrist a little harder and open the thing without disengaging the axis lock, which is a bit unsettling (ie opening in pocket/accidentally).
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I’ve read where a couple of guys anodized the backspacer to a different color.
I wouldn’t worry too much about it opening in your pocket. I found out that I can wrist flick every one of my modern folders. It seems like the bigger the blade the easier it is to flick, which kinda makes sense. Even my three inch blades can be wrist flicked. I carry tip up, blade to the outside of the pocket so I’ve never really worried much about it.
 
GB940Rookie said:
I’ve read where a couple of guys anodized the backspacer to a different color.
I wouldn’t worry too much about it opening in your pocket. I found out that I can wrist flick every one of my modern folders. It seems like the bigger the blade the easier it is to flick, which kinda makes sense. Even my three inch blades can be wrist flicked. I carry tip up, blade to the outside of the pocket so I’ve never really worried much about it.
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Good point, I just first noticed this with my Axis lock knives. I dropped my Foray on the ground and it opened right up, which made me get in the habit of putting a knife in a sheath while x-country skiing or biking, in case I crash and it decides to open up even a little bit. I'm not so much worried about it randomly opening, more like if I take a fall or it gets jostled a lot.

The green looks so good to me, I should have gotten that and anodized the spacer or bought an aftermarket one.
 
I just got my first 940-1 and it's perfect. No play, perfect action and center.
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I had one with cpm 20cv that is an exclusive from an online dealer.
The blade was way off center and was about the most flippy floppy knife I've ever held, but there really wasn't much blade play at all. Almost none.
My opinion is that its pretty much a legendary knife and definitely legit, but it just wasn't nearly as good of a cutter as other knives I own and use.
I used my 940 exclusively for a couple few months and I liked it plenty well. Hard to beat as far as handle to blade ratio and total weight.
I sold mine. The new owner is happy, happy, happy and so am I.
The 710 fits my needs far more than the 940.
Hope you find what you like.
 
940s are great I upraded from the stock green on to an exclusive and a 943. My favorite overall knife design. There is one in my pocket as we speak.
 
Interestingly, my 943 was the best out of the box. It's as centered as a non-centered blade can be and the action and blade play is as good as can be.

The -2, however, took awhile to get under control and my newest regular 940 is fighting me tooth and nail, but I'll tame her yet.
 
Can anyone speak to the super thick tip and whether that’s even realistically useful? From the side profile the blade looks awesome, but whenever I get around to almost ordering one I find a top down picture and it makes no sense to me. I mean, who is using a sub 3oz folder as a prybar anyway?

In three Nick Shabazz videos on 940s he finally gets around to saying that tip is ridiculous by the 940-1702 video, but then is talking about how great the grind is by the end of the same video.

Im in this mode of considering one again this week and I usually end up repeating the whole process in 6 months... “I probably need a 940, oh god that grind looks awful for cutting and sharpening, maybe I need a 943...”
Lol
 
I had a 940-1 and the f&f was spot on as far as qc is concerned. However, my big gripe with it was the thumb stud position. The thumb studs are too close to the handle. I like being able to open the blade using the bottom of the stud not pressing against the side.
 
Coyja said:
Can anyone speak to the super thick tip and whether that’s even realistically useful? From the side profile the blade looks awesome, but whenever I get around to almost ordering one I find a top down picture and it makes no sense to me. I mean, who is using a sub 3oz folder as a prybar anyway?

In three Nick Shabazz videos on 940s he finally gets around to saying that tip is ridiculous by the 940-1702 video, but then is talking about how great the grind is by the end of the same video.

Im in this mode of considering one again this week and I usually end up repeating the whole process in 6 months... “I probably need a 940, oh god that grind looks awful for cutting and sharpening, maybe I need a 943...”
Lol
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Many people like the reverse tanto blade profile partly due to the added strength of the blade tip. I might be in the minority though.
 
Coyja said:
Can anyone speak to the super thick tip and whether that’s even realistically useful? From the side profile the blade looks awesome, but whenever I get around to almost ordering one I find a top down picture and it makes no sense to me. I mean, who is using a sub 3oz folder as a prybar anyway?

In three Nick Shabazz videos on 940s he finally gets around to saying that tip is ridiculous by the 940-1702 video, but then is talking about how great the grind is by the end of the same video.

Im in this mode of considering one again this week and I usually end up repeating the whole process in 6 months... “I probably need a 940, oh god that grind looks awful for cutting and sharpening, maybe I need a 943...”
Lol
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The tip is usually the one thing that gets damaged on my knives. I rarely pry anything with them but the tip still gets damaged sometimes so I like the more robust tip. It pokes through cardboard or potato chip bags just fine.
Is it right for your purposes? Only you can answer that one.
Shabazz is not the last word on knives. He will contradict himself sometimes. He’s vids are entertaining, enjoy.
You might very well like the 943 better. Never know until you try.
 
So, I do understand it still cuts and all... feedback that would be useful would be if comparison of cutting ability due to the fatter blade.
When cutting an apple with a 940, does it tend to break the apple or slice well (I'm juts assuming the 943 does this just fine).
When sharpening, is the 940 thicker behind the edge and/or harder to maintain?
 
My experience is probably the greatest slim EDC with a full size blade ever...bar none...hampered by slippery scales.
 
Bobchicken1201 said:
Thank you for all of your replies, I guess I'll pull the trigger on it soon and just take it apart and polish the internals for a smooth action.:):thumbsup:
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I'd suggest getting familiar with its action for a while and take it slow -- remember you can always polish the internals, but cannot undo it. :-)

I am not so picky on the action, and have always enjoyed the 940 series through the years. I found true joy in 943, primarily due to the blade shape, and continue to have one in the collection.
 
choombak said:
I'd suggest getting familiar with its action for a while and take it slow -- remember you can always polish the internals, but cannot undo it. :)

I am not so picky on the action, and have always enjoyed the 940 series through the years. I found true joy in 943, primarily due to the blade shape, and continue to have one in the collection.
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Yeah, of course I'm gonna give it a few weeks to break in before polishing the washers. I do wonder tho: What is the negative affect of polished washers? Thanks for your input!
 
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