Robert M
Largo, Florida

Aug 22, 2015

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Blade Material, Blade Sharpness

Cons: Pocket Clip

Benchmade 940-1 Folding Knife 3.4" S90V Stonewash Plain Blade

I now own two awesome Benchmade knives a 940-1 Osborne and 710-142 Gold Class. The 940-1 is currently my favorite EDC. It is ultralight and ergonomic with a smooth deployment and strong axis lockup of the blade. The contoured carbon fiber handle combined with the S90V, reverse tanto style blade makes this a quality knife and a best buy Benchmade product. The painted pocket clip will most likely be replacd with an oxidised, black split arrow, style clip to better match the slender handle.

Nick Jainschigg
Rhode Island

Jan 01, 2024

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Sheath, Weight

Cons: None

Just...delightful

A month or two ago I began learning wood-carving, and found that the first skill I needed to acquire was sharpening. I'm mostly working with FlexCut tools, but found that the skill was easily portable to the small collection of hobby knives I had, mostly purchased at hardware stores: Gerber, Schrade, etc. I got curious about what a *really* nice knife might be like, so I purchased a 940-1 Osborne. First impressions are that it's really different. It opens very easily, and the blade locks in position with amazing solidity, while still allowing for just as easy closing. It's open and closeable one handed with no effort, but it won't open accidentally. The handle feels warm and secure in the hand, with no uncomfortable shapes to cause irritation after long use. The knife feels light, but very solid, and the balance is perfectly between the blade and the handle, making it easy to use for push-cuts on wood while never feeling out of control. Out of the box, the blade was very sharp, but still needed a couple of strokes on hard Arkansas and some stropping to cut cleanly on basswood. The reverse Tanto shape also allows for good detail work with the tip while reducing the fear of breaking the end. The fatter reverse Tanto end also allows for applying pressure at the back of the tip without discomfort. The edge is ground with a pretty wide angle, which makes it great for overall use. The only modification I'm thinking of is to perhaps make the edge angle a tiny bit narrower to let it move through the wood with a little less pressure, but it's so nice as it is that I'm going to wait a few months to see if I just get used to it. Overall, if you're curious as I was about what a great pocket knife is and how it's different from a lower-tier knife, this is a great example to try since it just outperforms everything I've ever used before.

Alex
US

Nov 24, 2015

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Pocket Clip, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness

Cons: None

Excellent EDC!!!

An improved version of the wonderful BM940 with S90V steel and CF handle. Can't ask for more.

Gooddeal 215
N.E. PA.

May 21, 2018

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Pocket Clip, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness

Cons: None

Can't think of any improvements.

Drop the mike.

Jr
Kentucky

Feb 25, 2015

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Pocket Clip, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness

Cons: None

Ultimate EDC

Like Jeff said, it's the featherweight champion. This might be one of the best EDC knives out there. Slim profile, lightweight beautiful carbon fiber handles, superb blade steel, and just overall great build quality. This is my first axis lock and it's simply great. The ease of use with this thing is effortless.

Mei
San Jose

Feb 05, 2015

Pros: Weight, Handle Material, Pocket Clip, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness

Cons: None

great knife

This is a very light and beautiful knife. I used it as my daily carrying knife. The length is perfect for cutting things.

J.D
, Hawai'i

Apr 15, 2023

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness

Cons: None

Light, nimble, smooth.

Very high quality, lightweight and slim. Carbon has a matte like finish with a special feel and sound. S90 blade is a dream. Came a bit tight, simple pivot adjust for extra buttery action. Daily user and doesn't scare the neighbors (wife) !

Jeff

Feb 05, 2015

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Pocket Clip, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness

Cons: None

The featherweight champion

It's great, lightweight awesome steel and carbon fiber is pretty sweet to, that just adds to the cool factor. I typically just use mine as an EDC blade, which is what its intended for, it's stupid lightweight, and strong as hell. I love the original version, but this is so much lighter and has way better steel, but all in all the key word that describes this is, lightweight.

Clay
IL

Nov 05, 2025

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Weight

Cons: Pocket Clip, Sheath

Classic design

Love this knife, it’s lightweight and disappears in my pocket. It also can put in some work.

Raven
NY

Jun 18, 2014

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Pocket Clip, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness

Cons: None

Practically perfect!!

I've been collecting knives for over 10 years; Accumulating microtechs, protechs & other high quality blades. This knife just became my favorite piece of my collection; reasonably priced for what you're getting. It feels perfect in your palm: the weight of the blade makes opening & closing with one hand a breeze, while the (super sexy) carbon fiber scales keep the weight/mass of the entire piece down so it feels natural & comfortable when clipped on the waistband/pocket. Invest in one today; you will NOT regret it!!

Carl
Frederick, Md

Mar 15, 2018

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness

Cons: Pocket Clip

Amazing tool and work of art

I needed a blade to replace my lost NRA special. I use it daily as a general cutting tool, opening feed bags, boxes and cutting cord. I’ve never owned a high quality knife so I decided to take the plunge. After researching for a couple days I settled on Benchmade. I first opted for an assisted model with 154 steel. I got a serrated blade and right away I realized it was not going to work for me. Also, I didn’t like the feel in my hand. The blade did deploy nicely but I quickly decided I wanted something more. Back to the browser and after another few days I made the decision to purchase the 940 with s90v steel and carbon fiber body. Since it arrived yesterday, I have had trouble putting it down. After removing the clip and slightly lessening the screw that provides the tension on the blade/body junction, I now have a tool that feel amazing in my hand, opens with the depression of the lock button and the flick of the wrist, and most importantly slices like true hot steel through butter. The balance, light weight, and amazing cutting performance will hopefully only be enhanced by the edge retention and the reduced need to sharpen. If it meets this final expectation, which time will tell, as my usage is real, I will be more than happy to have spent what I did on this blade. It is truly a work of functional art showcasing a high quality American made with pride.

Daniel F
Chicago, Il

Dec 23, 2016

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness

Cons: Pocket Clip

Very Impressed - Lives Up To The Hype

Having read so many glowing reviews about this knife, I was worried it would not meet my expectations. It does. One really cannot fully appreciate this knife until holding it and using it. It is as much a work of art as a fantastic EDC. For example, the swedge lines up perfectly with the bottom of the handle when the blade is closed and creates a unity with the scalloped shape of the scales. The unusual "reverse tanto" conforms with the shape of the butt when the knife is closed, allowing the tip of the blade to extend almost to the very end of the handle, while still conforming to the bottom of the scales so that a large portion of the blade does not stick out above the handle. These design elements allow what is a fairly sizable blade to fit into a positively tiny package. It is shocking how small and light the folded knife is. The quality of the hardware is also exceptional, even by Benchmade standards. It is hard to fault their Axis lock, and this one is superb. The blade swing is excellent. The scales are incredibly strong with metal inserts under the carbon scales. The scales themselves are not simply flat pieces of glossy CF, but machined blocks that replicate the aluminum or G-10 shape of the other knives in this series. They still have that distinctive 3D effect when examined as light plays off of the weave in the fabric. Unlike the other 940s, the 940-1 does not use a back spacer. Instead, there are two blue anodized stand-offs. This offers the advantage of being able to attach a lanyard around the rear stand-off (Chris Reeve style) since none of the 940s has a lanyard hole. The only thing I changed on this knife is the pocket clip. The original painted metal clip is just fine, but if you search on line, you will find companies selling an exact duplicate of this three-hole clip made of carbon fiber! Various weave patterns and even colors of carbon fiber cloth are available. I put on a black carbon clip with a twill weave. The perfect compliment to a perfect knife.

Mike H
Orlando FL

Jul 14, 2015

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Pocket Clip, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness

Cons: None

I have several Benchmade Access lock knives.

As I have some of these Access lock knives, they are the easiest open and close knives made. With one hand! Sharp as a razor. Weigh less than my other Benchmade, all of them. I would like to do a video of the opening and closing method.

Melvin
Saint Louis, MO

Mar 30, 2020

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Pocket Clip, Blade Material, Overall Quality

Cons: None

Benchmade 940-1 Carbon- Two Year Review.

I have a collection of all types of knives, including a few Benchmades. I try to rotate my EDC items, but I can't help gravitating back to the Osborne. I am a healthcare professional who wears scrubs daily. I find that when I hang the 940 on the pocket loops inside the scrub pockets, it is so light that I barely know the knife is there. The pocket clip has never let me down. I love the Axis system for one-handed slinging of the blade open and closed. The blade design of the Osborne is great for eating food (I can actually spread butter with this knife), cutting boxes at work, and general outdoor use. I have had it sharpened only once. The store I bought it from did not have a regular blade and so I had to buy the serrated rear edge. I usually never buy serrated knives, but I have really grown to love it. The blade is long enough that I never seem snag the blade when I am not using the serrate. The knife is as tight as the day I bought it, and it still looks new. My only possible complaint would be that it doesn't look like most other blade designs, but then again, that is why it works so well. This one is not cheap, so if you tend to lose knives this may not be the one for you. I would definitely buy it again and recommend it for EDC.

Fred
California

Jun 09, 2014

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Blade Material, Overall Quality

Cons: None

The best just got better!

My first high end EDC was the 940 Osbourne. Just a great do everything EDC. Well when I heard about the 940-1 I was interested in seeing if BM could top their classic. You know how sequels go, epically in movies. So I ordered one from KC. This knife far exceeded my expectations. It is lighter, the colors of the pillars and that carbon fiber just blows away all my other knives. No pictures any where on the web do this knife justice. I love Osbourne's blade design and to have this in S90V is just fantastic.The F/F of the knife is Gold Class. The only down side to this knife is a knock against Benchmade's factory sharpening, not the 940-1. (Come on BM it is such an irony that your out the door blade edge is so hit and miss!) I just love this knife!!! Get it!

Knifemaker-
Central Texas

Mar 27, 2022

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Pocket Clip, Blade Material

Cons: None

Quick follow up on 940-1 90V blade

I have now had a chance to really test the edge holding of the 940-1 out here on the property. I am somewhat amazed at the edge holding of the steel. It has outlasted cpm 20cv, M390, and far better than CPM 154 and D-2 I sent an hour in the woods clearing small branches to make walking the trail easier for both myself and My Wife. the wood is tough and full of silica due to the soil in this arid area. I cut many branches, both live and very hard dead branches, Before the work, I cut apx. 100 feet of cardboard and when returning, I cut another 100 feet. I pulled out my diamond hones and strop as a blade always needs a touch up after such use. Before touching up, I tried the edge on yellow phone book paper and shaving, along with plucked hair form my beard. Woha! It was as keen as it was before any use at all.(I had reset the angle to a finer edge and honed the blade as soon as it arrived as it was not sharp too my standards. Never have I seen this kind of edge holding. Ever! Evan cutting the very tough dead branches, the edge never rolled or chipped, although I have it a very thin edge. Impressed!!! The only issue is the very light CF handle scales are a bit too light for my hands as being a diabetic, I have less feeling in my finger tips than most folks. Something that is my issue, and no fault of the very nice CF Scales.. The action has smoothed up to the point that it drops into place or closed with gravity only. Very nice and smooth. I didn't realize the blade was dark stoned washed until I rec'd it. Doesn't look to be in the pic's. I must have missed it in the description. Makes for a much less expensive and refined looking knife Not a fan on this particular model . Before setting the new new angle, using a gobert file to check the hardness, (haven't hand the chance to take it to a Rockwell tester yet), The file very lightly was able to bite the steel. At 61 HRc and higher the files will skip on the steel with no bite at all. At 59060, they will barely be able to lightly bit and skip at the same time, while lower than 59 will bite cleanly. This blade appears to be in the 60 range. Now before anyone tells me that you can't tell with a file, I have been doing this on blades after heat threat, both straight out of the oven and after temper as well, and when checking against a Rockwell tester, I am usually pretty much dead on, but can't check over 61 RC. (I have been doing this for over 47 years on the knives I make and other knives as well, so I have developed a feel for the testing). KnifeMaker

Frustrated Engineer
Missouri

Oct 14, 2015

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Pocket Clip, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness

Cons: None

WOW!

As my email handle implies, I'm often frustrated by designs that immediately upon purchasing I find some way to modify to make it more comfortable or to work better. This knife needs none of that. Secure in the hand, extremely well designed lock, tight, light, and cuts like a laser. I don't think anyone will go wrong choosing a 940-1 as an ever day carrier. I've been carrying a pocket knife for about 60 years now. As for functionality, this is the best I've owned. Did I mention it's SHARP!

Strider Fan
northern va

Oct 03, 2023

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Sheath, Weight

Cons: None

...........One of my top 3

I have a first production, of this knife. I have worked with his knife for years, and have too many great stories to tell... How ever now i am ,,,,, MEDFORD KNIFE & TOOL ... 4 ever

Simpson

Nov 30, 2015

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Pocket Clip, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness

Cons: None

Beautiful knife

My new EDC. Finish is perfect, of course it is dangerously sharp out of the box and very light.

Yourguessisasgoodasmine
Planet Earth

Jun 01, 2024

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Sheath, Weight

Cons: None

Fantastic Knife

I don’t often leave reviews, but this tool warrants it. I’ve owned the knife for about 6 months now. Using it everyday for work. Cutting branding, opening boxes, breaking down cardboard, stripping cable jacket, prying small parts open, opening mail, etc. In that time I’ve taken it to stone only once. I stopped at 300 grit. I prefer a knife that stays useful to one that you can shave with, but will get dull quickly. The blade holds its edge for a LONG time. By far my favorite thing about this knife is the retention of the blade. We’re in the process of moving at the moment, and all my sharpening tools are packed up. I’ve been pretty hard on the knife recently, even dinging asphalt a few times breaking down cardboard recently. The blade was starting to catch in places. I was getting ready to sub it out for another knife for EDC until I was able to sharpen it again. Just for kicks, I thought I’d strop it with some cardboard as I was braking down boxes today. I was expecting much with such a robust steel, but I’ll be damned if it didn’t get the knife back to breaking down cardboard without any snags. Clean cuts all the at through every box. Incredible that 30 seconds on cardboard brought this tool back to full functionality. I’m hard on my knives. They’re tools, and I’ll use them for any task they can possibly preform without causing obvious damage. This knife has taken the abuse and asked for more. Still no blade play. Dead centered in the frame. The butterfly tax is a very real thing, and this knife was more than I was wanting to spend. But if I lost this thing tomorrow, there’d be another on its way to my house before my head hit the pillow.

Mat B
Mississippi

Jan 19, 2014

Pros: Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Pocket Clip, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness

Cons: None

Tough Knife

This knife was a bit larger than I expected, but it's handiness quickly won me over. I should preface this by saying my knife is the 940 Osborne, I've had it a few years. It has a reverse tanto blade, and everyone I've shown it to wants it. It will hold an edge long after you are worn out, and a few strokes on my diamond stone set it is ready to shave. You don't put a price on your life do you? This Benchmade, along with all the others I own, are built to last. And they have a no bs warranty. Did I mention that they build them in the USA? Get yourself one, see how long it takes you to want another one.

Scott G
Oklahoma

Mar 31, 2015

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Pocket Clip, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness

Cons: None

Great EDC

I think the combination of attributes on this knife makes it one of the best Benchmades ever produced. Ultra light with the carbon fiber scales, and slender for inconspicuous carry. The blade design fulfills a wide variety of utility needs while maintaining good strength. The steel is also a fine match. From my own blade testing S90V maintains the keen edge properties of S30V, only it lasts much longer. It isn't as chip and shock resistant as S30V, but much more durable than M390 which chips badly. However, for a knife that is a light cutter, S90V is a perfect match for this knife design. I use it for cutting all kinds of materials, wood carving, and wood shaving for firesteel. I love this knife, but just be aware that S90V is pretty tough to sharpen on anything other than diamond stones.

Daniel W
North Florida

Apr 15, 2017

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Pocket Clip, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness

Cons: None

BM 940-1 is the knife of knives.

Too all the fisherman,hunters, electricians or any men out there that does man stuff I'll start this off by saying I'm a true knife lover. I not only collect knives I use everyone I buy. I'm an industrial Electrician and I enjoy fishing and camping. I own Benchmade, Spyderho, Case, Oldtimer(USA only), Hen &Rooster, Gerber, just to name some. I actually have a BM 940 that I love and used too carry everyday until I bought the 940-1 after seeing it and feeling how different it felt in the hand. Not only is it a beautiful work of art but it is so light and balanced perfectly. The S90V is the absolutely best blade steel I've ever used or seen. I do sharpen it using a paper wheel and recommend getting a paper wheel or something comparable if you purchase one since the steel is too hard to sharpen on a regular stone. I can get it sharp enough to shave with, without hardly any pressure within 5 minutes and it will keep that edge day in and out for 3-4 weeks of hard use at work stripping 600mcm copper wire or for just slicing threw cardboard like butter. It's so light in my pocket I have too double check that it's in my pocket. Also of course I have to say the axis lock is the best lock out there on a knife and makes for easy deployment of the blade. As soon as my 940-1 comes out of my pocket the blade is flicked open one handed quick and easy. I've had this knife now for over a year with no issues at all. I'm not one too usually write reviews but this knife deserves it. I promise if you get this knife you will see it has no competition and it will live up too all expectations and it's worth every penny. I could say more but I think I've made my point so best regards and good luck looking for another knife that would come close to this one. It's still fun buying new knives but I know going into it that it can't compare all around too the one in my pocket. (Also benchmade Blue Lube works great for lubricant on all knives).

Knifemaker-
Central Texas

Mar 24, 2022

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Pocket Clip, Blade Material

Cons: None

940-1 newly acquired this week.

This knife was purchased from Knife Center by my Brother and sent to me as a gift. I use a knife daily here on the property in Central Tx. some of the work is hard on edges. So far, the only steels I have personally found and have on hand that work well due to the harsh environment are M-390 and CMP-20cv, along with the old stand buy's M4 and the original version of Cru-Wear, which was originally Vasco-Wear. Even trimming small branches is hard on edges as this is a rather arid climate and the trees seem to contain a lot of silica due to the type of terrain they grown in. A low, or non vanadium steel simply cannot hold an edge long enough to really get any work done. Even high HRc D2 struggles at the task. This is my first knife made of CPM 90v and so far, it is showing its superior edge holding in a fine fashion. I have become rather attached to the Axis Lock and don't plan on carrying any of the liner or frame locks on my person here on the property as it is just so much easier to use one handed while working, especially while wearing gloves. I will update further once I have a bit of time with the newly arrived 940-1. Sadly, the new, out of the box knife was not what I would consider sharp. But that has been quickly taken care of. Contrary to often stated issues, 90V is not hard to sharpen at all if suing quality diamond stones. In fact, it has a very good feel on the stones. A pleasure to sharpen! Finish on the blade for such an expensive folder is lack luster. Far below what a fine knife should be. Nothing but an as milled finish on the glade it's self, and the spine is finished with what looks to be a 120 to no finer than 220 belt. Such course finishes lead to stress risers. Worst finish I've seen on a spine of a knife regardless of price. No excuse for such poor workmanship at any price. Blade action both opening and closing are on the other hand, Stellar!. so far in testing, the 90v is holding a very good long lasting edge. But then again, this is due to the quality of Crucibles 90v and not the knife brand. As soon as I am able, i will Rockwell test the blade to see how the Benchmade heat treat came out. KnifeMaker-

Ian M
Oklahoma City, Ok

May 05, 2016

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Blade Material

Cons: None

Very Nice, But

I recently received the amicus blade (also in s90v) and decided to write this review. Both s90v knives came from the factory with the edges ever so slightly bent over, a burr. If you look at the blade in just the right light you'll notice an area that has the edge folded over. If you have an expensive sharpening rig, this is not much of a problem. I took my 940-1 to a 17/17 mirror edge, which has a larger bevel than the factory edge. But it's a beautiful look, and mirror polished. Bottom line, this knife is amazing, especially with the axis closure. But I was a little disappointed to have a burred edge on a premium priced knife.