Advice on sending back a Benchmade 940-1501

Z

zddat1234

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May 24, 2018
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I'm a bit of a newbie to knife collecting. I've bought quite a few over the years but nothing particularly expensive. I thought I'd finally buy something decent for around $200 and settled on the Knifeworks Benchmade 940-1501.

There are a few minor (or not?) problems, and I was hoping for the input of people more knowledgeable on this subject regarding whether this is normal or not and whether I should send it back to KW for a complete replacement or to BM for a new blade or whatever repairs they want to do.

First, the blade is not centered when closed.

X14UkHj.jpg


Second, the bevel is not the same width throughout on either side:

jzDrCBY.jpg

^ width of bevel near tip is wider than at belly

TGHV9cF.jpg

^ width of bevel at tip is wider than most of the rest, and there is a narrowing near the heel

Third: This is my first knife of a higher quality steel, in this case CPM 20CV. The blade finish on both sides looks kind of like someone rubbed some very small wool steel over it. It's hard to get a photo of this because of angles and light and me being bad at photography, but you can kind of see it in the previous photos as well as here if you zoom in:

B0f7qfY.jpg



Anyways, what do you think? Am I being too critical or are these real issues?

Thanks
 
I don’t think you are being unreasonable. Your issues are covered under warranty, contact Benchmade Customer Service by phone or email, they will send you a warranty form and shipping label.
 
That sucks. IMHO opinion, when you buy a knife that's over $150, it should be basically flawless.
I'd give Benchmade a call and see if they are willing to make it right.
 
I would return it to Knifeworks and ask if they can hand pick a good one for replacement
 
Id think the main issue would be the centering, check the benchmade centering thread on bm forum. You can center it yourself very easy and works. I personally wouldn’t worry over grinds as long as ur gonna use it and it cuts well. Just my opinion! Good luck
 
Agree with Dallas T. The off centering is an issue that you the OP may or may not be able to correct. The uneven bevels actually look normal to me for a production knife at this price point. I cannot see the third issue. Anyway, if it bothers you, just ask kw for a replacement.
 
The only real issue is the centering. As Dallas said, you can possibly center it yourself using one of the techniques for BM centering that are described on BF. The stonewashed finish looks normal to me, even with the short, shiny marks in it. The bevels? These are made to be users so you're probably gonna be sharpening it anyway. I'd be happy with them if it was my knife.

Sending it back to BM for bevels and centering may or may not get you what you want. If you like the knife enough to keep it and you're really upset by the bevels, I'd send it to an aftermarket shop like Razor Edge Knives. Josh can fix the bevels for you to whatever angle you specify and they'll be even. He can also take care of the centering, most likely. He'll charge for it but you'll get it back the way you want it to be.
 
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I have seen a lot of these "what should I do" threads, and for me, I don't always understand the response. As a craftsman myself, I don't want any errors in my work, but accept that I am not perfect. To see one of my cabinets with more than one flaw, maybe two if minor is vexing, and I won't accept that kind of work from myself. But transferring my philosophy to this particular knife, there is more than one issue. The blade isn't centered, the finish looks like it was redone by hand (or not...) and the edge bevels are poor. So one solution, is to send it out to spend another $100 or so on it to make it live up to the Benchmade promise of quality. I would be humiliated if someone bought a piece from me, then felt that they had to "send it out" to get the kind of quality, fit and finish they thought they were getting. From Benchmade's website:

With a rich history dating back over 30 years, Benchmade is the product of many dedicated employees, a never-quit demand for excellence and the de Asis family’s vision and total commitment to culture, service and innovation. This is the story of Benchmade.

Doesn't seem to me that this knife has visited the "never-quit demand for excellence" department. I am surprised to see a $200 knife dismissed as a "knife at this price point". Why? Because there are a tremendous amount of knives that are about 1/2 that price that have great fit and finish. I own a couple and have handled many more. Benchmade isn't what it was, and may never be again. I am disgusted, literally, that the standards people have are so low that at $200 they think they are buying a kit knife, a knife that is to be reworked and refined by the owner to get it to the standards Benchmade used to have, even at the possible cost of having a knife maker do it. And ESPECIALLY considering when you read that hot, steaming pile of baloney I copied from their website...

I buy a lot of consumables and tools in my business on a regular basis and I make the makers/vendors toe the line. Surprisingly, when I give them a chance to do the right thing when I have received a poor performing or defective tool, they almost always do the right thing. I would give your vendor and Benchmade a chance to do the right thing on this one... send it to you vendor and let him have a look. But I wouldn't let anyone off the hook, either. If I didn't get what I wanted in the end I would ask for a refund and start my search over away from Benchmade. What if this had been a "super gift" for a loved one that didn't have a T6 wrench, a T8 wrench, didn't have a particularly good set of dexterity skills, and didn't have the right equipment to rebevel then resharpen C20 steel? Anyone here have a grandfather or older uncle?

I have bought a couple of knives from your vendor, and they are top notch. They will shoot it to you straight. If you are expecting too much from Benchmade, they will tell you and hopefully send you to another knife maker. If you are being reasonable, then no doubt they will assist you in finding a solution.

Robert
 
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I've had a similar thing happen and I wasn't happy either.

Now when I buy a knife I ask in the notes for them to check the centering and bevels. Some people it doesn't bother so send them the un-centered knife. Lol

Agree the centering is the only problem I see.

The grinds look pretty normal for a knife belt sharpened by hand.

And I think the finish is supposed to look like that.

Call KW and see what they say.
 
Looking at your knife pics, OP, the only thing I see "wrong" with your knife is the centering.

The "uneven" edge grinds are probably a product of a consistent bevel angle making for a broader grind width as the blade is thicker toward the spine, "increasing" through the belly and toward the tip. I wouldn't give that a second thought myself, as the knife will need to be resharpened with use anyway.

Your blade finish is normal for stonewashed. Stonewashing is meant to be wear-hiding, and many makers add some metal media to the tumbler, or put the blade through a second tumbling with metal media, in order to add those "scratches". I find that quite attractive and would consider it a plus down the road as the knife becomes marked with use.

As to the centering, if it was my knife, I would carefully try to re-center it myself. Here's the link to the Centering a Benchmade Blade sticky at the Benchmade Manufacturer's Forum. There's another link there to a previous centering thread along with references to our resident Benchmade engineer @Benchmade Jimmy's alternative method. I would counsel you to use good tools if loosening your scale screws and to protect your blade if clamping in a vise, as any obvious disassembly or damage would compromise your ability to return the knife if you choose to do so. I'd try Jimmy's method first and mine second, and I'm guessing the first would likely solve the issue. You could also protect the blade, clamp the knife in a vise, and push the handle in the appropriate direction without loosening the body screws. That often works too.

If you don't feel confident attempting re-centering the blade and it bothers you, you should definitely get in touch with the dealer and return the knife. For my part, I buy knives that can be disassembled or adjusted so that I can do just that--re-centering, tweaking the action, polishing washers, etc. Most dealers are good about returns, though, and BMK's customer service is excellent, so you've got plenty of options there.
 
Perfect blade centering is great but it is an internet thing but it is a thing that can usually be adjusted back to center in most cases. The grind lines and finish look good. As far as the factory edge goes that an be fixed also by a little work on a stone. You will never find the perfect knife, custom or production.
 
IMO, send it back and have the seller hand pick one that doesn't have these issues (I'm assuming you purchased from one of the forum sponsored dealers, as many of them will check the knife for issues that you specify to look for in the comments section on their order form). You could also ask Benchmade if this is covered under their warranty.

I can't see the finish pictures, but know what you are talking about on the bevel. I've noticed uneven bevels like this on different brands, but usually correct it myself or leave it if it's not too bad as further sharpening might eliminate it or it might not impact the function at all. I understand that modifying or learning these things on a somewhat expensive knife with hard steel might be intimidating and/or require more abrasive sharpening media... or even a risk to further damage (BM blade replacement for user error is around $30 +shipping).

User centering on these knives also requires a certain level of skill and tools. Although I am a BM fan, I firmly believe on being satisfied with your purchase. Hence, I would suggest the easiest option (as mentioned above) is to send it back to the seller for a replacement, while asking the seller to inspect the second knife for specific issues.

Although I have experienced a certain level of inconsistency with BM over the years (IIRC I have around 15 of them), I usually reach for them when I walk out of the door. I have competing brands in price ranges from $30-300 with tighter fit and finish, but they don't have the handle contours that I prefer.

As a side note, the brand that often competes with BM for my pocket time is Buck, and it has significantly worse fit and finish issues. However in use, some of these issues are not noticable, and other characteristics (such as handle design) are.
 
Just let you know Ganzo can make it center with 15 buck included international shipping.
And a 199 Buck cant make it? is that reasonable?

Not trying to compare the chinese quality but Ganzo can really do it.
Btw my 940-1501 is prefectly centered.
 
Reitwagen said:
That looks like a typical Benchmade knife to me.
Click to expand...
This made me laugh. I thought the same thing.

As mentioned above, the issues are all easily corrected so I wouldn't bother returning it personally. Though you are certainly entitled to.
 
I would contact knifeworks and return the knife to them. They are good folks and have been very easy to work with in my experience
 
Send it back. When buying a benchmade always buy in person so you can pick the best of the lot. Else ask the online retailer if they inspect them and can pick you the best example. I've yet to receive a good Benchmade otherwise. My friend on the other hand has gotten a few perfect samples. I wish there was a way they could manufacture there knives to limit the common issues that they are known for.
 
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