Benchmade - 940 EDC Manual Open Folding, Made in USA, Reverse Tanto Blade Knife

Ok, first things first. This is a helluva neat knife and I give it 5 stars. It has a cool hoops that it jumps through (locking mechanism, blade steel design, materials, fit and finish). I expected to see and feel differences in any knife over $100. And, I do with the 940. I really like this knife (a lot); it's unique in several ways, and that is what I paid for. So, I have found the following:Love:Unique design - I've never played as much with a knife after getting it - ever..Blade shape - reverse tanto, and S30V steel - awesome, awesome.. and awesome.Solid feel; perfect EDC weight; smooth in the pocket and doesn't hang up when pulling it out.Super, silky and fluid open/close mechanics (thumbstuds are not needed to deploy the blade with a touch of practice with the Axis lock)Blade shape is long and thick, but, not tall, for a pocket folding knife; a stealthy design.A great marriage in a heavy duty blade, with a EDC handle (makes for a great EDC, tactical, utility knife).That, this knife grows on you, .. .and quickly.Best described as an EDC knife on steroids..Purple titanium back-spacer gives the knife some personality.That, this is a knife that I'd buy another of (can't say that about many knifes).This is a custom knife which sells at 1/3 of a normal custom with such niceties.I originally gave this knife 4.5 stars, but after a while, it's become the best overall knife I own. For me, just right in every facet.Like:Blade markings; annodized aluminum frame is strong and super-light; handsomely etched.Lifetime warranty.Sharpening for only $5 at factory (just ship it to them)- but, I hone my own.. .Good lock up with only slight blade-play; slim profile overall, but has a thick a** blade.Blade came pretty sharp out of box; but needs some touch up on a crock sticks..Packaging is very good; knife can be stored in it's box and still look cool on the shelf; came with carrying sack, and a decent owner's manual. You feel like you're in a special club when you buy this knife and you should for $130.This may sound wierd, but this knife even smells good.. I'm not certain but I think they put a hint of sent in the paint..Neutral:Green color looks better than advertised, but, not a preference for some buyers at this price point. I would rather have had red, or black. The green looks cool; especially in lighted conditions.Jimping on top/bottom is fair to good, but could be a bit better.The factory edge bevels on this knife seem to be 50 degrees included; I prefer 40 degrees included or less for an EDC knife. So, I've reprofiled mine accordingly (with crock sticks).Pocket-clip is a bit bulky on this knife. I would like a wire/titanium version on this knife (not the general clip they've got on this one). This is perhaps, my only slight complaint on this knife.Dislikes/Hates: NoneOverall:This is a moderately priced, and solid EDC, mid-duty folder. It has a long/lanky blade which is also thick and sturdy. It's easy to fall in love with the appearance and the open/close mechanics of this knife design. The handle has some texture and offers a nice feel for every day use; the profile is slim, but with a thick blade (love). I would not go as far to say this is a heavy-duty knife, only because of the handle design might render slippage during hard, or wet conditions cutting usage; however, the blade is heavier duty itself, and is an outstanding design/use of steel crafting. I will say this knife's handle is shorter, therefore, large hands might feel a touch left out. However, for the everyday knife carrier this is unique and a very cool knife. It's also stealthy, in that it won't look too GI JOE when you pull it out in front of folks. This knife also looks good when closed (another pet-peave of mine). If this knife were $200, or $300, I'd still give it 5 stars +. So, if you have $130, I highly recommend for your collection and carry. So, for those who want a well-built, and stealthy-ish, tactical, EDC, folder, this would be a fine choice - it will grow on you. I've got plenty of awesome knives, which I've carefully studied and reviewed. This one seems to have all things covered for my tastes, carry, appeal, utility etc. There are bigger, lighter, heavier, pricier knives - there are also some very apt cheaper knives too (love my Kershaw's and my Boker plus Exskelibur, Spyderco Mili etc. This knife is the morph of all those knives for an EDC semi-tactical carrier. You get what I would definitely call, a custom knife for a fraction of the cost. For $140 this knife is a steal. I love it and it's my favorite overall knife to carry and my favorite in my current collection. I will buy others of this design (when they come available).

Excellent quality. Classic 940 perfection. Really sharp, strong and lightweight.

.....10-2-13...the review below was written over a year ago and i just want to add an update. i like my knives for many reasons, i like this knife for most of them. after a year it's become my daily carry knife and i think will stay that way until something new comes out to replace it, i can't imagine it now, but who knows? when i'm in the woods or just doing something that i know will require a larger/stronger blade, i take the bigger blade along with the 940. it's just become a part of my daily living. knife people know what i mean, when you find that special blade you stick with it.i purchased a chris reeve small sebenza about 6 months ago and while it's a work of art and solid utility knife at the same time, i like the 940 better as a carry knife. i have 8 benchmades now and they are the cream of the american made pocket knife industry in my opinion. if you can do better for under $200.00 i don't know how. i'm getting another one soon and just storing it until the day i can't find this one or it gets ripped off. i like it that much. i could have bought three 940's for what i paid for the sebenza......ok, end of the update...enjoy what you carry...isn't that what you do when you take a medicine that's good for you but tastes icky? that's how i bought this osborne 940, knowing it was a 'benchmade' but not loving the looks of it - on paper anyway. i still would be happier with a black or at least darker handle but that's all water under the bridge now. others that have seen and handled this knife love the dynamics and looks of the thing, i'm getting there. it's like scotch, it's an acquired taste, but once you "get it" there's nothing else quite like it. the 940 strikes me that way.(without the hangover)i own quite a few 'benchmade' folders and consider them the best in my collection of 60 or so folders. nothing too expensive but quite a few over the $100.00 mark. after owning this model i doubt i'll carry anything else as an e.d.c. blade. i have a griptillian i carry in the woods and when i know a tough job is in store for me, and a mini grip in my truck, but for daily use i can't think of a knife i own that i'd trade for this beauty. i live in a part of the country (northern mn) where carrying or pulling one out in public to do a chore is not considered anything to be concerned about by the general public. i could, carry the grip and use it for daily carry but it's wide and bulky, the 940 has all the utility of the grip without the feeling you're carrying a hunting knife with you all day. it came razor sharp and after a couple of weeks of using it for household/yard tasks has stayed that way without even a stropping. it's so light and narrow that you really forget you're carrying it. don't let that lightness fool you though, this is a tough tool.i've read many reviews about the pivot screw coming loose or being too tight. i really think 'benchmade' ships them this way so the owner can set the tightness and apply a drop of 'lock tight' to set it to their individual needs. if they came already tightened to some factory spec. and pre-glued, i'll bet there would be more complaints of not being able to adjust the tightness to the owners desire. it took me a minute to do this as well as lock tight the clip screws. it almost opens on it's own when held down and closes just as fast. the 'axis' system is the best out there and with a little care and lubricant, will last a long time.i know i've been all over the place in this review but my main point (no pun) was to look beyond the photo color and reverse tanto design (i prefer a drop point but this works very well) and buy this knife before it's out of production. it will be some day, and you'll have missed out on one of the best, non-custom folders out there for a great price.

Sharpe doesn’t even come close to this blade. With the fine craftsmanship and exotic metals, making it one of the finest blades made in the USA. I don’t think you could find a better night.