Benchmade940 EDC Manual Open Folding, Made in USA, Reverse Tanto Blade Knife

I'm not one to say a certain knife is better than the rest, but this can really hold its own. I'm not even joking here; this knife is amazing. First of all, this knife is Benchmade, so you know this knife is of high quality (for a production knife). For its very slim profile and lightweight design, the knife packs a pretty long blade (3.4 inches). Benchmade introduces the modified reverse tanto blade that boasts a S30V steel. The handle is an anodized green aluminum handle with steel liners. The spine has a jeweled, purple titanium back spacer which accents the knife beautifully.BLADE:-The blade shape is a modified reverse tanto blade. This blade shape has a long belly that is great for slicing. The tip has a modified tanto shape that allows piercing potential. The functionality of the blade shape is vast. The blade steel is S30V steel which is high quality steel. It retains its sharpness for a long time. Sharpening the knife isn't impossible, but take a little longer than say 154 cm steel. The knife is ambidextrous with dual thumb studs.AXIS LOCK:-The trademark axis lock of the Benchmade is one of the best locks around. It keeps the knife deadlocked and it's going to take a lot of force to break that lock. Benchmade has been doing lock-testing videos on YouTube lately, and you can see the performance tests on there. As for deployment, the knife whips open with speed and ferocity when flicked open.HANDLE:-The handle is green anodized aluminum. My biggest complaint on this knife would be here. First of all, the green handle looks mediocre. WHY GREEN!?!?! Why not blue? Red? Black? Something better? Now, I'm saying this subjectively and reviewing it on my personal basis, so that's why I'm not representing it on the final score. Not only that, but the color doesn't really affect the performance of the knife. Note, I do own the carbon fiber version, along with the black version, so those are magnificent pieces of work. Another issue is with the aluminum. The aluminum chips, scratches, and mars way too easily!!! It shows fingernail marks, rubs, and abrasions like no tomorrow. Unless you are super careful with the knife or don't even carry it around, you will have a couple marks by the first week. The knife also feels a little chalky in the first couple weeks, but over time, it begins to smooth out, depending on how frequently you abuse and use your knife. Also, the knife does have tip up carry only, and can be changed to either side.The knife is GREAT, and I love it as being my top 3 knives. Besides the minor aesthetic negatives, the functionality and fit and finish is amazing. This knife is amazing and everyone should own one.PROS:-Great blade shape (modified reverse tanto)-Great blade steel (S30V steel)-Slim profile with a long blade (3.4 inches)-One handed opening-Extremely smooth opening-blade opens with speed-Ambidextrous functionality-Tip up carry (either side)CONS:-Green color?-Aluminum chips and scratches easily

I don't want to collect knives, even though this one is in that Production Knives category of collectability for sure. I wanted an EDC knife that fit the following desires:- Slim and light: The 940-1 is narrow in both width, and height; the latter because the blade design has a low profile. It is so light, that it feels like the combination of craftsmanship and technology that it is.- A blade shape that lends itself to most uses: The reverse tanto design leaves a broad, useable belly to the cutting edge, yet retains strength all the way out to the tip for piercing and prying.- A blade material that holds a useable edge as long as possible. (Still be able to open an envelope without snagging.): The S90V's edge retention is extremely good for heavier use. It can be a bear to sharpen due to it's hardness and metallurgic properties, but mine came with a good edge, and Benchmark will sharpen it for you for free, for life.- A level of "this is a tool, not something to baby" that will let me use the heck out of it for anything at all without feeling like I'm abusing a piece of art: I looked at "finer" brands, but decided that the resultant spending of over $400 on an EDC knife would make me more hesitant to use it to it's fullest, thus defeating the purpose of having it. The 940-1 has enough of a 'common' factor to it that it seems more no nonsense when it comes to employing it for whatever comes along.- An overall uniqueness that will make me pay more attention to not misplacing the thing, and making it one of the few things that I keep forever: The 940 with the aluminum scales (handle material) and S30V blade is a beautiful piece of cutlery and would more than suffice for my needs over the years, but the uniqueness of the 940-1 satisfies my desire to have something just a bit more special.- An overall design aesthetic that appeals to my personal tastes: I personally like the long, slim overall look of the knife, and I very much like the reverse tanto blade design as it look more durable and "capable" than a traditional drop-point or clip-point. (As a coincidental bonus, the dark, carbon fiber scales and stonewash blade finish perfectly compliment my EDC S&W stainless revolver with black, Hogue grips.) It also satisfies my wanting for something that is simply fun to handle ... the smoothness of the pivot and locking mechanism, the feel of the materials, the overall design, all make the 940-1 a wonderful 'toy' in those regards.- A good warranty: Lifetime warranty, serviced in Oregon (a bordering state for me), an extremely good reputation for service, an exceptional blade replacement policy if the blade is broken from misuse or abuse (only $30 to replace the blade on this $250+ knife!), and the free, lifetime sharpening service.I'm no expert or aficionado (firearms are more my forte), but after spending many hours pouring over reviews, forum threads, and the specifications of several brands, I feel extremely satisfied with my decision.

I received my Benchmade 940-2 yesterday, 8-11-16. It was purchased through Ikon Goods and was Prime eligible.WOW! This knife is amazing! I have always had a few pocket knifes and multiple fixed blade knifes in my inventory, but I have only once spent the kind of money for a knife as I did for this one. After carrying my Kershaw Blur for the past 6 years, I had the itch to get a quality American-made knife, and I am so happy I purchased this Benchmade. My knife arrived and had some initial lock stick, and the blade was not free swinging. Blade centering is near perfect, and the grinds on the reverse tanto blade are pretty even. The lock stick quickly smoothed out with some repeated opening and closing, along with the use of a few q-tips to clean the blade stop and pivot, as well as the various surfaces of the blade and lock up interface. After lightly oiling the lock and other moving parts, and playing with the wonderfully smooth action and suprisingly pleasing axis lock, the blade and lock are as smooth as silk, with no gritty feel or any hint of lock stick. The blade drops freely when the axis lock release is engaged. =This 940-2 is the sharpest factory produced folding knife I have ever had the pleasure of owning. Benchmade Customer Service was also outstanding. I called them and requested a deep carry pocket clip, and they are sending 2 out free of charge, one black oxide, one silver. I am truly impressed with the $$ I spent. The blade disappears in the pocket, at the weight of only 2.6 ounces, I had to check my pocket multiple times, thinking I had left it somewhere, but no, it was still securely riding in my pocket. My previous carry knife did weigh 5.5 ounces, so the fact that the 940-2 is less than 1/2 the weight is incredible. I've found a knife I plan to carry forever.