940/users or safe queens

J

jec88

Joined
Mar 6, 2012
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I picked up a 940 about 3 weeks ago and have been carrying it everyday. I've read around on these knives and it seems like a lot of people use them as safe queens because they are worried about carrying it because the green is easy to scratch. I think this knife would look even better with age and wear..........but then again, it is the most I have ever spent on a knife so before mine starts to show some wear, I thought I would ask. Is this more of a collectors piece or a user? Is there a market for old 940s, or is what I paid about what it will be worth 10 years from now if it were still in new condition.
Thanks.
 
For most people, regular production knives are users. The 940 is a brilliant EDC design that begs to be used IMO. Your 940, assuming it is a normal production version, will never be worth as much as it was when it was new on a shelf. When they go out of production, or especially gold class version, those can appreciate and there's good reason to keep them as safe queens. Personally I'd use a 940DM if I had one, and was in the market for one for a few months but never got my hands on one. I really don't agree with the safe queen mentality, but I respect it in other people. To each their own.

EDIT: Forgot to mention, I agree pocket wear is always fantastic. The first few scratches suck because they really stick out, but once it takes on an overall "worn" and "well loved" look I find it much more attractive than new condition. The only thing I don't like are well used Benchmade black coated blades. They tend to get completely worn off except for near the thumbstuds and that looks funny. I prefer satin or acid-stonewashed blades for that reason.
 
I have two 940s that I carry/use regularly. Each has been along as my only knife for prolonged travels, used for all knife tasks, in pockets with keys, coins, etc. They have both proved extremely durable tools and, imo, the finish look of the knives has only improved with use. The 940 is :thumbup:

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Interesting, I've never carried my 943 because it seemed scratchable (and a hair long for the office). I did get a couple of the Adamas clips....so I might be tempted.
 
I find that although anodized aluminum knives do get small dents & scratches easily, they are more durable and have less flex, and seem to do better in/be less responsive to hotter and colder than normal temps. So one aspect of the finish on the aluminum is that it will show small signs of wear more readily, but aluminum is on the whole more sturdy where it counts.
 
I just picked up a 940-1. How does the carbon fiber take getting bounced around with car keys and such? Anyone EDC'd one for awhile?
 
zachariusdominus said:
I just picked up a 940-1. How does the carbon fiber take getting bounced around with car keys and such? Anyone EDC'd one for awhile?
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I just got my 940-1 yesterday but a buddy has been carrying one since they were released and he actually dropped it on my asphalt driveway by accident last weekend and it still looks good. I've carried the 484-1 for a couple weeks now and I'm really digging the CF handles, so much that I'm ordering CF for my 551 Griptilian.
 
The 940-1 has an open back, so don't carry it with coins or keys. They can bump the micro edge.
 
The 940 has a type 2 anodize layer on it. Its harder than the aluminum its layered on. I see plenty of them at my shop. In fact, most the "scratches" we see are actually from the owner's ring wearing off on the anodizing. We thought we wore off my buddies coating thanks to his copper rivet on his Levi's, but under further investigation it was the *rivet* wearing off on the anodizing lol. Its pretty damn strong stuff.
 
Please, please use the thing. :)
While they ARE really nice knives, they make them every day, so it's not as if it's a 1 of 20 run of something.
A knife like that shines when used, in my opinion. PLUS, I agree that it'll look cool after it's been on duty for a year or two.
It's a shame for a production knife like that to be hoarded away like a one-off Rexford just because it's expensive. Use that puppy!
 
My philosophy for my carry knives is kinda like pitchers in a bullpen:
I've got my "starters" that get regularly rotated in depending on mood/attire/etc, then I have some that are more "special purpose" kinda like a closer, which I will carry but only when the situation calls for it.

That being said, my 940-1 is definitely for special occasions. Dressed up in khakis or better for it. The regular 940 is kind of in the middle. I don't carry it all that often, and it can fit both roles. I personally feel that it's too nice to be a beater, but not so nice that I won't carry it in an everyday scenario.

As far as the wear on the coating, I find the green wears nicely and gives the knife character.
 
My 940 is my primary EDC and my original scales are fine with minimal scratches at 3 years carry before I coughed up the cash for custom G-10 scales from DOAT here on the forum, many colors and materials available I think it's a great $100 bucks if you like\use the knife. You can get a custom look and feel with some custom scales and have a one of a kind to your own liking. Enjoy your 940 it's one of Benchmades best.
 

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Mine gets no special treatment, I just try to grab a different one from the pile each day. Only have 6 total, so none of them collect dust.
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The finish on mine has been way more durable than I anticipated, which is cool. I almost wish it looked a bit more 'used' though, lol. In due time I suppose.
 
vanslem6 said:
Mine gets no special treatment, I just try to grab a different one from the pile each day. Only have 6 total, so none of them collect dust.
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The finish on mine has been way more durable than I anticipated, which is cool. I almost wish it looked a bit more 'used' though, lol. In due time I suppose.
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Gotta love the tape on the para 2!I use 100% Isopropyl alcohol to strip tape residue off my 530.
 
Ah, I've not tried that. I just use a little WD40 and some elbow grease. I generally do them all at the same time, so sometimes they're all a bit sticky. :D
 
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