Benchmade 940-1 Osborne AXIS Lock Knife Review

The Benchmade 940-1 Osborne AXIS lock knife is a classic Every Day Carry knife built with the knife aficionado in mind.  Newly released, the 940-1 adds CPM-S90V and carbon fiber handle scales to an already great daily carry knife.

The reverse tanto S90V blade on this fantastic knife opens smooth and locks up via the AXIS lock.  CPM-S90V is made by Crucible Metallurgy.  This martensitic stainless steel has an extra high volume of vanadium which gives it exceptional wear resistance–exceeding that of D2 and other tool steels.  The corrosion resistance of this steel is also extremely high. The CPM® process gives the steel a more fine and a more uniform carbide distribution throughout the metal.  This gives it high toughness and allows for a more uniform grind.  All of this means that with this blade steel you have a knife blade that is going to wear extremely well, take and hold a fantastic edge, as well as afford you high corrosion resistance.  With appropriate blade care this blade will last for several generations.

The reverse tanto shape of the blade gives you all the strength and durability of a tanto blade while maintaining a longer blade edge for extra “cutting” real estate.  The blade on the 940-1 opens easily with the ambidextrous thumb studs.  Lock up is with the AXIS locking system.  This extremely durable and dependable system keeps your blade open when you want it that way.  I personally think it is one of the very best locking mechanisms available.

The handle consists of carbon fiber scales atop stainless steel liners.  The liners give the knife extra rigidity as well as strength.  Both liners have mild jimping near the blade on both the spine and inside edge that allows your finger and thumb to get a more secure purchase when bearing down on cuts.  The jimping doesn’t extend into the carbon fiber which makes it less noticeable and a bit less aggressive.  The open frame handle is supported by two blue anodized aluminum barrel spacers.  These give it an understated grace and dignity.  In my mind, the combination of the carbon fiber and the blue barrel spacers make this knife an upscale daily carry knife that sits well in a pair of jeans down by the wharf or in a three piece suit on Madison Avenue.

The handle shape is all comfortable curves and bends.  The spine has a mild humpback shape that keeps your hand positioned in the perfect spot.  The inside edge, or handle belly, is mostly a straight line with a significant bend into a modified finger groove near the blade.  There, the handle flares out into a front quillion that keeps your hand off the blade.  The spine flares as well, but not quite as much as the inside edge.  The butt of the handle curves comfortably into a short flat knife butt.  The tip up pocket clip is right/left reversible.

Looking for a classically styled Every Day Carry knife that is built from the very best materials?  The Benchmade 940-1 is built here in the USA from top notch materials that combine with a design that captures all the essence of  a folder in a comfortable, upscale design.  Sure to be passed down through generations, the Benchmade 940-1 is ready for heavy daily use.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Blade Length: 3.40″
• Blade Thickness: 0.115″
• Blade Material: S90V Premium Steel
• Blade Hardness: 59-61HRC
• Blade Style: Modified Reverse Tanto; Ambidextrous Dual Thumb-Studs
• Weight: 2.90oz.
• Pocket Clip: Black, Reversible, Tip-Up
• Lock Mechanism: AXIS
• Overall Length: 7.87″
• Closed Length: 4.47″
• Sheath Material: Sold Separately
• Class: Blue