Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Pocket Clip, Blade Material, Overall Quality
Cons: None
Excellent Practical EDC
The first Benchmade knife I ever bought was the 940SBK. The aesthetics and style of the knife admittedly took a little getting used to at first. I think part of this is because the knife market nowadays is so flooded with the same cookie-cutter design/style of folding knives that anything significantly different stands out. However I didn't choose it initially because of its looks. I wanted practical performance. And for me to spend $150+ on a knife that doesn't immediately please my eye requires very high hopes of potential. I ordered the knife based on the quality of materials and construction as well as the fact that the design appeared great as an EDC knife. The 940SBK definitely lived up to my hopes/expectations, and then some. The incredible quality and feel of this knife is something one must see in person to fully appreciate. The BK1 coating resists scratching well and is about as close to rust-proof as possible. The blade takes a wicked edge that lasts for a LONG time. I am a bit rough on my knives, and it held the edge very well. I can only imagine how long it would take for light, basic knife use to dull the blade. To be honest S30V is not the easiest steel to sharpen, but for someone without a proper quality sharpening system there is the free Benchmade LifeSharp service (which, by the way, is just one reason out of MANY that BM famously has one of the best customer service out of any company in the industry). I have to note that I was not sold on the look of the "modified reverse-tanto" at first but I am now a believer. It provides tanto-like tip strength (which is a significant weakness in the structure of it's brother, the 943) while retaining a curved belly that is easier to slice with and sharpen. The handle is aluminum but the anodization process used for coloring seems to have left the handle surface with a very, very fine grip texture. Perhaps the handle was just designed like that. Regardless, it works even while wet, and although not providing as strong a grip as molded grip patterns it works for all but the hardest of forces exerted on it. The 6061 aluminum on the 940 has the benefits of aluminum (strength, feel, stability) without the super-slick grip (or lack thereof) typically associated with aluminum/steel handles. The design and material selection of the knife provides for a blade long and strong enough for light/medium "utility" work while maintaining the slim (and legal) profile desirable in an EDC. Despite my aforementioned reservations at the start about the look of this knife, I grew to love its remarkable toughness hidden under an unassuming frame that easily sits in - and allows the use of - a front jean pocket, for instance. Combined with support from a crazy-dedicated warranty/customer service department that clearly cares about its customers' satisfaction, Benchmade's 940 is a no-question buy for anyone looking for a slim EDC with performance beyond what its size suggests. Is it more expensive than most name-brand knives in its class on the market today? Yes. Is the price worth it? Absolutely. After the 940SBK I won't ever go back to cheaper knives, and my Benchmade collection (now 9 knives strong) exists solely as a result of my immense satisfaction with this interesting little 940 I bought.
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