Benchmade 940-1 CF S90V First Impressions: Yep, It's a 940! 

Thanks for the props, brother! And don't worry... you'll get 'em dull sooner or later :)

You, sir, are a fortunate man :)

Good to hear from you! May God bless you as well, brother!

I ordered a deep pocked clip from Blade4Sell that was marketed as a benchmade factory part. It took 3 months to get to me (they said it had to be manufactured) and It makes the knife almost 2mm wider than the factory clip. Plus it's painted and not oxidized or parkerized. So I sent an email to benchmade asking about factory options expecting (and fully willing) to pay and they're sending me THREE different options. Holy customer service batman!

Kershaw/ZT will do the same. Excellent warranties and customer service just like Benchmade.

@@JesseBlough there knives have quality control issues but the clips sure as hell dont

Deal with it, buddy :)

Thankd, Dean O!

I'm looking for one currently!

It is indeed!

Just buy a strop and some green compound. Barely takes a minute or two to touch up a blade, and barring any significant edge damage that's all that will be necessary. I saved myself some money and made a strop out of a belt I found cheap, but even buying everything shouldn't cost more than $30-$40. As for the knife, I'd say if you abuse your knives at all the S90V might be an issue, since it's even more chippy than S30V, which is slightly on the chippier side. So if you do get a strop, might be best to stick with something less prone to edge damage. That being said, have you checked out the Knifeworks exclusive 940? A bit flashy, but the blade steel (20CV) is like a slightly harder but easier to maintain S30V.

I think it's Ti, but it's pretty well-protected from damage and abrasion. If you want to see how it really wears, check out my Wranglerstar 940 vid -- that one shows its age :)

I'm glad I am not the only one who picked up on rule #9

Jonathan Kelly Unless you knew CF was an expensive material, it would feel cheaper because it's so light. The handle is about 3/32 thinner on the 940-1, which is why the liner screws protrude into the cavity. I prefer the original.

jumpSpinningHeelKick Oil really won't help much here. It's really a break-in issue. After you use it for awhile and the flanges of the Axis bar burnish the liners a bit and mate together, you'll see it smooth out nicely.

TheApostleP thanks for the quick response. You're the man!

TheApostleP one last question for you sir. These are parkerized clips on the 940-1? What's the difference between parkerized and black oxide or are they the same thing? Thanks in advance!

They're the same thing. "Parkerization" is a trade name for a black oxide process, and is sometimes spoken of kind of like "Kleenex" is used to refer to facial tissue.

TheApostleP thank you sir!

Black aluminum 940's were pretty early, and very few, although the black handles are still standard on the 943 clip point model. 154CM was replaced by S30V in the 940 series around 2007, and the 940-1 is the only model which features S90V.

Interesting. My 1st (the black one) was purchased around 04-05 and the green was around 08-09 (but it still has 154CM, interesting). I got the green handled one as I couldn't find any black ones. I guess one could buy the 943 and a 940 blade and swap them around. Considering the discount I get from BM, that might not be a bad idea. They have to be the best pocket knife I have ever owned and I can easily keep them stupid sharp.

Good eye, biguy... That's the same clip that comes stock on the Adamas and a couple other more recent Benchmades. It was an owner swap.

Benchmade will send a replacement clip at buyer's request. I think you can also order the knife with a different clip than the standard for the model. If I were ordering one, I would probably opt for the deep carry (Adamas -the mounting holes match) clip like Ninos (sp?) did.

Joshua Wiseman I'd go with the original 940.

All are manual

Wait so those on your video are the 940 and the 943 are those same knives but with the different blade style right?

+Marshall Jones-Paragon Fury The 940 is the green aluminum handles with a reverse tanto style blade. The 940-1 is the carbon fiber handles with the reverse tanto style blade. The 943 is the black aluminum handles with a drop point style blade. Hope that helps.

Michael SuperNewg Newgen NumberOne I would definitely have them take a crack at it. It might not be perfect, bur I'm sure they can improve it a lot.

If you haven't found out yet, but according to benchmade you have to be the original owner (and register your knife) to use their lifesharp program. Sorry but either way its a sweet deal. Try to add or remove a washer or two to see if that helps.

Thank for the kind words, my friend. I think the only issue I pointed out that really has a chance to be corrected is the length of the liner screws. The centering / grind issues are pretty standard 940 conditions, and just take a bit of tweaking on most knives. But those screws sticking into the cavity are pretty unsightly.

You're welcome, I enjoyed watching! I imagine the liner screws would be an easy fix? Have you noticed this problem on other open pillar Benchmades?

Nope. This one looks to be a pretty bad hardware buy by somebody. The scales are ever so slightly thicker than the aluminum, which probably requires a longer screw. But the next "off the shelf" size was obviously too long :(

Just call Benchmade. They'll ship you one for free :)

All the info is in the description of my sharpening service video. Let me know if you have trouble finding it.

Joshua Wiseman The original is still the only one I own 😉

TheApostleP thank you so much is it as wranglestar says that they just keep going I saw you had a wranglestar gauntlet challenge with the 940 haven't watched the vid yet it's a big investment in my opinion on a knife and I want something that will just keep lasting and not get loose do you think it's a good choice for an edc overall

Joshua Wiseman maybe the best there is.

+zleggitt1989 Search "plunge grinds" on my channel page. I have a video up that illustrates the problem this defect causes over the first inch or so of cutting edge when resharpening. It's really not nit-picking.

+TheApostleP i watched the video and you really didnt explain why it was important. the only thing i got out of it was for resharpening... am i missing something? im not trying at all to troll or undermine your intelligence in any way shape or form, im just trying to learn is all. ive personally never found a plunge grind to be obnoxious to work around so im just confused is to why its a big deal. again im not trying to offend you or troll you id just like a little more information is all on your views. keep up the good work i love your channel

zleggitt1989 Well, I suppose if you never planned to sharpen your knife, or if a sharp edge isn't important to you, especially in the rear section, then it really doesn't matter at all. But most of us like a knife that can be resharpened, especially since most factory edges pretty much suck. So, a blade designed and ground in such a manner that resharpening can be done properly is more desirable than one that cannot. Make sense?

+TheApostleP im not the absolute best knife sharpener by any means but my edges are good enough to shave with. i guess ive just never had a problem with plunge grinds thats why i was asking why it was important or if there was another reason why you were critical of them. you didnt have to be condescending. im sorry i wasted your time

I really didn't mean to condescend. But what a poorly executed plunge does to a cutting edge is pretty obvious when the time comes to resharpen, especially in the first 1/2-1" of edge. I'll bet if you go back and look at some of the knives you've sharpened, and focus on this area of the blade, you'll see that they aren't a sharp and consistent in that area as the rest of the edge. Let me know what you find.

Check out my video "TheApostleP Sharpening Service..." All my pricing, contact and shipping info are in the description. Thanks for the inquiry!

I can, and I do sharpen mine, but I haven't really considered doing that for customers, unless you're local to my area. I think the shipping might be cost-prohibitive.

TheApostleP understandable, i think im down south from you a bit but ive been doing axe restorations and a few of the swedish heads are crazy sharp worthy. I would just send the heads without handles.

I'd be happy to take a swing at it (pun intended). Figure $20 plus return shipping. Just include the same amount you used to get it to me in the box with the axe head. My shipping / contact info is in the description of my sharpening service video. Thanks for asking!

That was changed by the owner. It's a factory Benchmade clip, the same one that comes on the Adamas.

No, it's just looks that way because it's closer to the camera, that's why the green one looks the smallest.

spezz01 you can't even spell Chinese right, jackass. Even the Chinese can spell better than you.

Check out my video. If you go to my channel page, search "TheApostleP Sharpening Service." If should be there. All aspects of my service, along with shipping / contact info are there. Thanks for the inquiry!

You beat me to it :)

Aluminum I think.

Yes, I will, Joshua. I would say the reports you've heard are pretty accurate. I didn't have much trouble removing material with the lower grits, but S90V definitely doesn't like to take a good polish, especially on the secondary bevel (the one you see). It did come to a super keen cutting edge when I applied the micro bevel, but it doesn't like to take the most cosmetically appealing polished edge. As a sharpener / user, I much prefer S30/35, CTS XHP, D2 and ZDP 189. I'd put S90V in the same category as Elmax, with unnecessarily low grindability/sharpenability without edge retention significantly better than the steels I just mentioned. Even if cost were equal, I'd opt for any of those 4 over S90V or Elmax. Just to put it in perspective, 15 years ago ceramic knife blades were going to make steel obsolete. Then people dropped them and they broke in half. Then they chipped and got dull and nobody could sharpen them... and ceramic blades became a laughing stock in serious knife discussions. Now we're chasing the same ridiculous standard of edge retention in modern steel recipes, and it's beginning to get a bit ridiclous... again.

Point taken. However, to put it simply, which is about as good as it gets for me, if S35 is awesome times 5, and just plain awesome will do given relative ease of sharpening, then why do I need awesome times 10 if it makes sharpening a nightmare?

@s d Says the guy replying to a 2 year old comment...

Tyler Moser I don't think so I have the original 940 and it just says benchmade too. I think it just has to do with painted or pakarized pocket clips maybe.

Click on the video linked at about the 2 minute mark of any of my vids. It gives all the pertinent info in the description.

TheApostleP I have a griptillon that I have taken a part and cleaned and lubed thinking about send it for repair, but may see about sending it to you, but I can't figure out how to look up your info

MetroSkyscraper Never!!' Partially serrated folders are made to be sold at chain stores to people who don't know any better. "Hey, that looks cool! Benchmade makes good knives, right? I should probably get that."

+TheApostleP Whats the reason not to get serrated? Seems like it would be much more useful

MetroSkyscraper Fully serrated blades have their place, certainly, but a short run of serrations are always too short, and plain edge from belly to tip is too short and in the wrong place. The combo edge is the spork of the knife world -- a spoon that leaks and a fork with tines that are too short to do anything with. Trust me.

Yes, you're biased :)

I can't believe how hot this knife is! These are three of the five I have coming, all brand new in box! Somehow I must have become "The 940 Guy," LOL!

Did you even watch the video?

+Devon Spencer well "yes"

+TheApostleP so are you going to get the knifeworks exclusive 940-1501? Black and blue layered g10 with blue backspacers and CPM-20CV blade steel. Just got one and it's pretty nice

+Jon R I haven't decided yet. I'm not really a blue & black G10 guy, but I do like the blade steel.

Nishil Patel this is a very late response but yes he will, he runs a small knife sharpening business.

Not much help on that one, Jordan, but you're right!

Just use it! It's not like you're Jim Skelton, for goodness' sake!!!

I'm sorry Rob who is Jim Skelton?

Such a potentially perfect knife. For the price horrible QC. For this type of money, I expect a flawless product or at least flaws that are difficult to spot. Spyderco and many other imports are leaving Benchmade behind. I'd love to have this knife but not at that price and those flaws thrown in for free.

Mike Neil you're right, i like the idea of having lifesharp at all times. I realize i paid for their sharpening service when i originally purchased the knife & it helps justify the cost of the knife.

B4 freedomfighter i have the 940-1 and the Adamas. The Adamas is impractical, youre right about that. It was an impulse buy i but dont regret because it is a good knife. Next one in line from benchmade i want is the linited edition mini crooked river. In my experience customer support can be as important as the product itself. Good customer service is the american way ;)

You pay for the services. Blade replacement 25 bucks every knife, laser etch 5 bucks, pocket clip change free lifetime free sharpening, etc.

You have big weak hands then.

Gotta love it :(

TheApostleP They look nice and I collect clones so I'll get one. Don't look at me like that lol

$75 for a CLONE?

Chris Brooks check it out... steelreviews.blogspot.com/2016/12/new-folders-and-knives-on-aliexpress_21.html?m=1