My first Benchmades
Recently decided to start a small collection of EDC knives and decided I liked Benchmade the best, so out of 4 knives (the other is a Quietcarry IQ with elmax blade) these are the three I chose from Benchmade. The last one I got was the 940-1 after initially deciding on the 565-1 instead which was my first purchase. So far, honestly, the 940-1 is my favorite. Light, slim, easy to pocket, useful multipurpose blade design, feels the best out of the three to hold to me anyway. Just thought I’d share a pic of them side by side.
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Welcome Mike
That looks like a great start! I'm a big fan of Benchmades S90V, also a big Elmax fan. How does the IQ in Elmax compare to the S90V?
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Mike just remember that there is no cure for "Knife Addiction"!
There will most likely be more BMKs in your future!
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/|\ Welcome Mike. I bought the mini- Freek too for carry when laws require under 3” blade. Normally my EDC is a 94X.
Above are my normal EDC’s ( including a 941D2CF, 940sCF REI special & a 940-1). Also pictured is the 810 Forum Knife ( the big sister to the 940-1). Your description of why you like the 940-1, I agree!
Hope we see a lot of you post in the future.
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Great start Mike.
I mostly own BM’s. They’re very diversified and you can find a great knife for every adventure or activity from beach to a wedding.
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94X also my first choice for EDC at work and around town. Checks many boxes, great generalist edc blade. Elmax is also one of my fav steels. Have a few convex fixed blades in Elmax. Convex edge and elmax is a great combo, all you really need in the outdoors.
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I don’t have enough experience to say anything of substance between the s90v or elmax other than comparisons of the higher end steels I’ve seen online. I think bladehq has a great chart that rates the steels in four categories of edge retention, toughness, corrosion resistance, and difficulty to sharpen. If I recall the elmax rates almost identical to s90v but is a little tougher. That said my quietcarry IQ is a very very thin flat grind blade so just by design I don’t think it’s going to take a lot of abuse. I believe they are both considered more difficult to sharpen but I don’t have a good sharpening system (yet) other than a work sharp field sharpener. Also with elmax I think it depends on the heat treatment when formed which can be difficult. I don’t know if the source of the steel quiet carry used has any issues or not. I’m not using that small knife for more than opening letters or cutting stuff like an apple though.
I chose the knives I had so far just to have a variety of blade shapes, edges and some other technology. Visually they all really appealed to me as well. I also really enjoy the fidget factor of the axis lock.
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/|\ Mike, on sharpening lots of guys here say Wicked Edge is best sharpening system. I take their word for it. It’s an expensive system takes time to set up ( unless you’ve a workshop to leave it up 24/7). I don’t have a dedicated space & I am satisfied with results of the Spyderco Sharpmaker. I leave it in a kitchen draw & it sets up in seconds on kitchen counter top. Easy to use for unskilled (= me). So you may want to get one first ( it won’t cost you your left n_t to buy).
I’ve 940’s in 154cm; D2, S30v; M390 &S90v. So Sharpmaker alone does a good enough job on 154cm & D2( nice toothy edge). I discovered a leather on a 4” by 8” board strop back a couple of years ago. Use green paste ( least abrasive) takes the 154cm & D2 up a notch. The strop becomes a critical sharpening tool for the other steels.
As respects S30v it knocks off the wire edge that remained after the Sharpmaker.For M390 & especially for S90v Re-sharpening on Sharpmaker is a really thought time consuming ordeal. That is where the strop shines with the S90v. I don’t let the S90v get dull enough that it needs sharpening (5 to 10 passes each side on the strop). Other nice thing about stropping is it removes less steal off your blades, so they should last longer.
PS The 950 Rift & 810 Contego are being discontinued if you can pick them up on inventory blowout sale before they disappear, I’d recommend grabbing those models.
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I was looking at wicked edge systems as well as KME. Seems KME is more budget friendly and may even work a little better on one of my knives that has a small choil but not big enough to allow the lip on the wicked edge stones to work the end of the blade. I think KME stones go all the way to the edge which would be better on that particular knife. Plus it’s less expensive but still appears to get great reviews.
On the other hand, at least two of my benchmades I could send in for free sharpening, the other which is an automatic, I’d have to find an authorized dealer to send in since benchmade wouldn’t return it if I sent it to them directly even though I can legally own it in my state. Then of course, I have the non-benchmade I recently bought.
I think there’d be a lot of enjoyment in sharpening my own blades and taking the time to get it as perfect as I could which is why I think my next purchase is going to be some type of sharpening system and practicing on the old buck type cheap knife I’ve had since a teenager. It’ll either be the KME system or one of the wicked edge systems. Their wicked edge go system seems reasonable but I’m not sure if it would work as well as their larger models.
The field sharpener I have will sharpen but it’s too easy to screw it up. Not meant for precision work obviously.
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I didn’t initially post a picture of my Quietcarry IQ since it’s not a Benchmade but since you asked about the elmax I thought why not post one, so sorry if this is frowned upon but here it is. I did damage the tip of the blade while cutting through an apple on a porcelain bread plate where the blade slipped through and I guess hit the plate a little too hard on the tip and caused the edge to roll a bit. I used my work sharp field sharpener to try and fix it as best I could without messing the rest of the edge up. It’s not perfect but it’s pretty close. Perhaps if I do decide to get a better sharpening system I can work on this a little more. Since the blade is so thin and narrow, I’m not sure if the KME system or the wicked edge system will even work on it to be honest.
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As for the knife “addiction”, I would agree. I meant to buy just one EDC knife and within 30 days I now own 4. I am literally trying to think of projects around the house that require cutting now.
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I've been more partial to the Ken Onion Work Sharp lately. You can get a sharp & toothy edge like Benchmade or you can get a sharp & polished edge. With quick change belts it only takes minutes per knife
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In regards to my 940-1. Sure seems like the blade is stone washed not satin as Benchmade’s website describes it. Especially compared to the 565-1 which they say is also satin. Can satin finish vary that much? Don’t get me wrong, I like both but just not sure why the 940-1 wouldn’t be better described as stone washed.
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Took a few more photos side by side of my 565-1, 940-1, and 8551SBK just for kicks. Thought it would be helpful to have a few more side by side if anyone is interested in seeing how they compare. Sort of wish I could have found the 8551 in a no serrated blade but I got it for $200 which was a great price so not complaining.
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Serrated blades have their uses. Their downfall is once they get dull and lose the top points they’re very hard to get back to new. BKC won’t sharpen them.
Most of us here don’t like serrated nor BM black coating unless it’s DLC.
But sometimes ya just gotta go black because the particular knife begs for it and/or the scales are begging too!
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[@mention:589599268366270695] posted:
Serrated blades have their uses. Their downfall is once they get dull and loose the top points they’re very hard to get back to new. BKC won’t sharpen them.
Most of us here don’t like serrated nor BM black coating unless it’s DLC.
+1
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/|\ +2 on strong preference for no serrations & non-coated blades.
I carried REI exclusive 940s with carbon fiber clamshell handles, carried it for years, and not once used or found a need to use serrations.
I’ve non-glare ( coated ) blades as I see a practical use for them at times. I know guys who look at well used scratched up / marred blades as a badge of honor ( e.g. “chicks dig scares” ). I just find non-coated easier to use hard , & clear up so they look closer to new when finished.1 -
If I could have gotten the plain edge 8551 I would have, especially at the price I got the CE at. Anyway, I do have a work sharp field sharpener that has ceramic rods for the serrated portion but since it’s s90v not sure they’d work well anyway. Eventually I may get a better sharpening system, like KME and they have a diamond rod if I’m not mistaken that should do the job. I doubt I’ll use the 8551 much, it was more of a “just nice to have an automatic” type purchase. The axis lock is way more fun to fidget with now that I have both.
I did find the CE helpful in cutting down some stubborn sapling type weeds in my back yard. I wasn’t sure if it’d scratch the cerakote coating or not. Didn’t but eventually I’m sure it probably would. BM told me that cerakote will eventually scratch from cardboard. Too bad this 8551 didn’t have DLC coating like the new 940-2003 is going to have, that would be sweet.
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[@mention:646324604467407966] posted:
If I could have gotten the full blade 8551 I would have, especially at the price I got the serrated at. Anyway, I do have a work sharp field sharpener that has ceramic rods for the serrated portion but since it’s s90v not sure they’d work well anyway. Eventually I may get a better sharpening system, like KME and they have a diamond rod if I’m not mistaken that should do the job. I doubt I’ll use the 8551 much, it was more of a “just nice to have an automatic” type purchase.
One of my first knives was a Spyderco Rescue with full serrations.
I bought the rods and they worked. But it was never as sharp as it was brand new.
I don’t usually sell my knives but I have a beauty custom 2750 Adamas I might part with.
Let me now if you’re interested
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Thanks, I’m pretty set for now as my “I just want to get one nice EDC” to ”wait how did this turn into 4 knives already?” is still having me scratch my head. So much for self control.
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[@mention:646324604467407966] posted:
Thanks, I’m pretty set for now as my “I just want to get one nice EDC” to ”wait how did this turn into 4 knives already?” is still having me scratch my head. So much for self control.
Well welcome to the club.
I have around 40. Only one safe Queen!
Multiple Grips from cheap to somewhat expensive , a few 940/943’s and 530/535’s and the rest are varied for what ever that day presents itself. All of them are in rotation and used if needed.
Watch the classified’s here. I would say that this is the safest place to buy, with the best prices and shipping.
Just make sure it’s from an established / longtime member.
Ebay is full of clones so beware.
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[@mention:646324604467407966] posted:
Thanks, I’m pretty set for now as my “I just want to get one nice EDC” to ”wait how did this turn into 4 knives already?” is still having me scratch my head. So much for self control.
When it comes to the part of the brain that controls the purchase of knives you'll find that it isn't governed by the part of the brain that manages self control Mike! 🤪
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After having these for a while I’m pretty frustrated with the 565-1 trying to get it to be smooth enough to drop shut but have the pivot tight enough to eliminate side to side play. I took the blade out cleaned the washers, tang, blade, etc etc. But still can’t get it right. It’s either loose enough to fall shut but with play or tight enough not to fall shut but less play.
I used nano oil on the washers, just a little, and have been using a little tuff glide on the blade (not that this has anything to do with anything) which I’m told helps with corrosion resistance.
I think at this point I need to get some fine grit sandpaper and try sanding the washers a bit to see if that helps. It’s more noticeable since I got the 940 which is perfect in that sense.
Update: that seemed to do the trick pretty close to free falling and no side to side movement and still centered.
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I am a fan of serrations on certain blades. I also pretty much only like the serrations that BM does - not a fan of others. I find serrations can increase the cutting power of smaller blades and for me at least, the usefulness of smaller blades. Others will disagree - but to each his own. I also prefer non-coated blades. I like to see the steel, but this is again preference.
Try sanding your washers on a very flat piece of wood - sometimes just making circular motions on a nice flat piece of wood is enough to smooth/flatten them. Also, green chromium oxide used for stropping can be abrasive enough to sand washers. Try putting some green paste on cardboard, and making circular motions with the washers. I have had some luck with both of these techniques.
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Well, 5 Benchmade’s later, just ordered my 6th and waiting for it to arrive in the next few days. Adding the 560BK-1 to my collection. I was kind of hoping they’d do the carbon fiber treatment to the 560 like the 565 since I have a proclivity for carbon, obviously. Maybe they will and that will be something I’d definitely consider. I’d also love to swap out the mediator with a non-combo blade but anyway, it was what was available that I could find. Not easy to buy an automatic regardless.
The only non-benchmade in my collection is the quietcarry IQ which I just really liked when I saw it and especially once they changed the steal to elmax.
This is how I spent my spare time during COVID lockdown, starting a knife collection.
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[@mention:646324604467407966] posted:
Well, 5 Benchmade’s later, just ordered my 6th and waiting for it to arrive in the next few days. Adding the 560BK-1 to my collection. I was kind of hoping they’d do the carbon fiber treatment to the 560 like the 565 since I have a proclivity for carbon, obviously. Maybe they will and that will be something I’d definitely consider. I’d also love to swap out the mediator with a non-combo blade but anyway, it was what was available that I could find. Not easy to buy an automatic regardless.
The only non-benchmade in my collection is the quietcarry IQ which I just really liked when I saw it and especially once they changed the steal to elmax.
This is how I spent my spare time during COVID lockdown, starting a knife collection.
You do seem to have a thing for CF & S90V. Sometimes they come perfect, sometimes they need several weeks to break in. I would suggest fidgeting with it for at least a week longer.
Before you sand your washers, something I've never had to do, try the Axis bar. The inside flat area that slides on the liner.
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[@mention:646324604467407966] posted:
Well, 5 Benchmade’s later, just ordered my 6th and waiting for it to arrive in the next few days. Adding the 560BK-1 to my collection. I was kind of hoping they’d do the carbon fiber treatment to the 560 like the 565 since I have a proclivity for carbon, obviously. Maybe they will and that will be something I’d definitely consider. I’d also love to swap out the mediator with a non-combo blade but anyway, it was what was available that I could find. Not easy to buy an automatic regardless.
The only non-benchmade in my collection is the quietcarry IQ which I just really liked when I saw it and especially once they changed the steal to elmax.
This is how I spent my spare time during COVID lockdown, starting a knife collection.
Mike G go look at Aramis Akhmedov Designs on the bay if you want to customize a 560 with Carbon Fiber Scales. A 560BK-1 or 560BK-1801 (both in M4) would look pretty sweet wearing them. You could do up a standard 560 or 560BK in S30V but they wouldn't be half as cool! lol
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My newest Benchmade just arrived. Very happy that it has a perfect grind on the edges, it’s centered and the action is already near perfect. Doubt I’ll need to do any adjustments at all other than a little lubrication.
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[@mention:646324604467407966] posted:
My newest Benchmade just arrived. Very happy that it has a perfect grind on the edges, it’s centered and the action is already near perfect. Doubt I’ll need to do any adjustments at all other than a little lubrication.
Love mine
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Great choice Mike G! Love mine!
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Having just added a spyderco to my collection with the awesome deep carry wire clip, it’s the one thing I really wish benchmade would adopt. Their clips always scratch and gouge the heck out of the steering wheel in my car if I’m not continually careful or even remove it from my pocket before getting in and out of the car. It’s a real annoyance to be honest.
The spyderco clip nailed it in that regard and I really wish benchmade would come up with better clips like that. I should be getting my new quietcarry drift today which also has a wire clip on it. Sorry to say these may replace my benchmades as my favorites to carry all the time simply because of the damage their clips cause for me.
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