Broken Benchmade 940, Again!??

Hey guys, back with a quick update on my benchmade 940 with another unfortunate failure of the omega springs.

[@tonymaciel7687]

I had my springs break on my 940 & replaced them with some eBay ones and never had a issue. Even added a little tension to the lock. Sold my 940 and I regret it so much I just ordered another one yesterday. Gave up on Benchmade a long time ago except for the 940. Can’t live without one.

[@Niran333]

Omega springs breaking is a routine way of life for those who have benchmades with axis locks and loves fidgeting.

[@jimyocum9556]

I've had much better luck with the Amazon replacement springs and they were also thicker and made the action better

[@Jingling-MelO]

I was debating between a spyderco paramilitary 2 and the Benchmade 940. After 2 years, I'm happy I chose the PM2. Having said that, I still want a 940 to know why so many consider it their top knife or daily knife. One of the reasons I chose the PM2 over the 940 was the locking mechanism, so this confirms the PM2 wins in that category

[@Cooldibs]

Nice! I personally own a pm2 and don’t really like it for me. But it definitely wins in the reliability category. I love the 940 because you get such a sleek lightweight knife with good steel and strong construction. The blade is long yet slender so it’s not bulky and the tip is very strong👍 thanks for watching!

[@Jingling-MelO]

@@Cooldibs again, I haven't owned the 940 to give a fair assessment, but I can say the PM2 does have a rather fragile tip. This comes down to how well one takes care of their equipment, but mistakes can happen too. I haven't had any problems with the tip, but that's with the awareness that it can be damaged fairly easily. One of the main reasons I don't hand my knife to anyone else anymore. I've had close calls having to prevent a friend from attempting to cut something over a rock, cement, etc.

[@stevenwhite1781]

I went for the pm3 because of this issue but I still plan on snagging a 940 just to see for the same reason. People swear by this knife so I want to see the hype

[@jameshilverda1814]

I have both the pm2 and the 940, and I prefer the 940.

[@elusivellama]

Imagine having a knife where you can't use it nor fidget / play with it more than a set number of times because the springs keep breaking. That's all of Benchmade and their Axis lock lineup, except the Anthem which uses a coil spring. The PM2 is by far the better knife. Spyderco's back locks are also a great choice, able to be opened almost as quickly as flicking a compression lock, and can be closed 1H.

[@willemtecumseh2019]

Without either spring you can still lock open/closed these with a stick jammed behind the bar. Easy to make them from music wire too if you want an endless supply. I fidget to my heart's content. Total non issue for any practical user.

[@NJP1234567890]

I carried a griptilian for probably 10 years. It has had its fare share of light use and heavy use but I’ve never had a spring break. I just got a 940 a month ago as a replacement so we’ll see if I have this issue. Idk if bench made used to use different springs.

[@Joseph_yy]

Any update on your 940?

[@9thchamber499]

I have a theory that the factory Benchmade springs are breaking for ppl that might not always be applying equal pressure to each side when they use the axis lock. I wouldnt say this is user error though. The springs and the design should be able to hold up. Its not like this is some crazy amount of abuse. Benchmade needs to figure out wth is going on and just fix this issue already.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

That shouldn't make any difference. Demonstrated by the fact the superior springs don't break.

[@9thchamber499]

@@edwardfletcher7790 Or maybe those springs are just so much stronger they won't break no matter what. Idk why else they keep breaking for some ppl while others never break a single spring after years of use.

[@b-rj1171]

8th or 9th spring broken on this knife? There is probably something wrong with your knife, not with the springs. I own my 940 for about 18 years now. And I have really been beating the crap out of it. Never did I have spring fail.

[@Cooldibs]

I’m glad you’ve had better luck with your springs. My only guess, being that you’ve had your 940 for 18 years is that they’ve changed supplier or quality of springs. All I’m doing is sharing my experience with my knife. Thanks for watching

[@b-rj1171]

@@Cooldibs Yeah I know mate. But I really think there is something wrong with the knife itself. Especially when you say the springs always breaks at the same spot. You should contact Benchmade and claim a new knife since this is not okay.. Good chance they will send you one.

[@tizben]

@@b-rj1171 I'm sure he just likes to figet with his knives. He should buy a thicker spring on etsy

[@edwardfletcher7790]

Perhaps yours had a different spring from new ? This seems like a cost saving measure to me.

[@ilovesoftwhispers]

@@tizben he did

[@pattrass7692]

I put these in my 940 stronger tension on the springs but haven’t broke in over 3 years now.

[@christophersmeltser6564]

Great idea replacing it yourself. You’ll make a springs or decently cheap for a pack and sure beats paying for shipping and insurance to send it back every time. Eventually you will have paid over the price of the knife just to send it in for repair.

[@sputumtube]

I've had to send my 940 back to Benchmade twice in less than a year of very light, infrequent use. The warranty was flawless of course but I'm reluctant to use it now in case it happens again. The Achilles heel in the axis lock for sure. Bought a similarly sized Civivi Imperium with Nitro V steel at a fraction of the price and it's better in every measurable way.

[@Cooldibs]

Yep, buying these springs have been money well spent. Haven’t had any issues yet

[@mike94560]

I just slice those stupid plastic bags open. I have wasted too many hours trying to get them to open. Nice video.

[@Cooldibs]

Thank you!

[@lenzielenski3276]

A little grease on the springs goes a long way toward eliminating the problem. I wonder if the springs used in the Hogue Deka are compatible. I have heard these are make by Wolf, who makes quality springs for many purposes, and are probably of superior quality and without the added spring tension. I've never had a failure in a Hogue. Can't say the same about the Benchmades.

[@elusivellama]

Nah, I won't put up with Benchmade and omega springs. I don't need my knife's locking mechanisms to require replacement at unpredictable intervals.

[@_Fug]

I thought Benchmade axis lock will be perfect for me because i love fidgeting with my knives, ohh boi i was wrong, not even a full month and one spring got broken, sent it back to warranty they fixed it and after a month of fidgeting one of the springs broke again lol, currently i'm selling it and buying spyderco smock, done with benchmade forever

[@cameronchicken8439]

so i got the m4 version and it felt really gritty right out of the box and had a lot of lock stick so to took it apart and noticed a lot that could be better. the liners/housing for the axis lock has a rough surface so the edges of all of the holes are sharp to the touch and the rough surface adds to this almost like serrations so i polished the flat surfaces with a strop and inside the where the axis lock rides i had the perfect aluminum oxide 5000 grit sharper for sharpening blade serrations whic fit perfectly so i smoothed that out. i think with how rough that whole area is what causes these springs to wear out. but that wasn’t the worst of it. the hole for the pivot was so sharp and jagged that it was destroying my washers and the surface of the blade tang behind the washers had super aggressive machining lines but beyond that it was also very pitted. the surface that the other side of the washer rests against was also rough and the entire surface of the tang that the lock rides against was pitted and rough and the lock bar itself was rough. also the pivot itself is “D” shaped and the shoulders of the flat part of the “D” shape was rough because of machining lines. i polished all of that out and now it’s much smoother and zero lock stick…. i have two budget chinese axis style knives each cost exactly $50 and neither have any of those issues but my american made $200 benchmade had zero quality control.

[@rommelthedesertfox3089]

With lock stick all u have to do is keep using it and it’ll free up

[@JJ-gd7gf]

Have you offered this feedback to Benchmade? It would be interesting to know if they would use feedback like this on knives they receive for maintenance and sharpening, and in their build process going forward.

[@diezelvh4133]

Think you got a cheap clone bro. What your saying is not even possible with benchmades machining.

[@badhombre8383]

My 940 brand new didn’t make it 2 weeks 😂. Off to benchmade it goes.

[@ivanhamlyn]

Just tried to replace my springs in my 940 and I stripped one of the screws , not use what to do now 😢

[@pattrass7692]

By the way great review and you earned a subscriber

[@Cooldibs]

Thanks for the sub!

[@Hunter-ei6ps]

I just got one of these knives but its almost as its stiff and doesnt want to freefal lwhen i puilback on the axis lock. Is there anything i can do or you recommend?

[@Cooldibs]

The pivot screw adjusts the tension for the blade. Loosen it till you get it where you like it.

[@richardrivard487]

I think you have a fake 940

[@MTVMusicInc.666]

The colour seems off mines a lot darker green I think you’re right

[@pattrass7692]

Or if your crafty just get some music wire and you can make your own pretty simple process for the most part.

[@cheaperthanyouthink2646]

Do you have the link for those springs?

[@trevorthomas1030]

If they break guess what send it back to benchmade and theyll put in brand new ones. No worries.

[@Cooldibs]

Yea, that gets annoying after 6 times….

[@trevorthomas1030]

@Cooldibs , If you're rocking your knife that hard, I highly recommend you get a Benchmade shootout because it's made to retract and doesn't have those Omega springs in it. I think the Benchmade Shootout is more of a knife for your heavy fidgeting and / or opening constantly needs.

[@Cooldibs]

@@trevorthomas1030 nah. Got some Etsy springs and haven’t had a problem since. Love the knife!

[@trevorthomas1030]

@Cooldibs , Can you do me a favor and let me know the link so I can pick up some of these awesome springs? Please and Thank You!

[@fumotorocks8615]

The springs of my bugout break every 6 to 12 month.

[@Cooldibs]

I believe it

[@edwardfletcher7790]

Not great for long term ownership then, it's a serious design flaw. I'll stick with frame or liner locks...

[@diezelvh4133]

It's not a design flaw. He's got a bumb knife. I've had both mine edc for over 16yrs. Zero problems.

[@k9teamzagrebskolazapse149]

I have 2,5 ares 940 and first omegas he'd gone in 3 month now I hawe neve and I have no problem with them for 1are and no problem, but it works lite one Omega bur I haw 2 pairs so I'm in no wory

[@iamfuckingyourwaifuandther2743]

My benchmade springs broke about 5 days after I got the knife.

[@ilovesoftwhispers]

So have the new aftermarket springs been good?

[@richardrivard487]

Is it a clone

[@Cooldibs]

No

[@JJ-gd7gf]

The incremental cost for titanium spring steel can't be that much more.... Hey Benchmade? This is your Icon knife, right? A $2 upgrade would certainly improve your reputation here. I have six of the 94xx model and I don't need six times the trouble that these guys are experiencing over time.

[@rommelthedesertfox3089]

The benchmade 940 is considered to be the best edc ever made

[@richardrivard487]

I think you have a clone

[@tizben]

Was the etsy company pacific sons?

[@Cooldibs]

So it turns out I had bought them from eBay. The seller is called topbuy219👍👍👍

[@JAMESGREGORYKULP1985]

I would never trust a pocket knife with Omega springs. The best pocket knife for hard work use is a lockback pocket knife.

[@Cooldibs]

I don’t rely on my 940 to save my life😂 I carry a gun for that…. And I also carry a multi tool that also has a knife blade. It’s not the end of the world😂

[@eileensalimbene4264]

Hint: don't fidget. 😊

[@DrStfuFool]

Counter: don’t breathe. 😊

[@mrobert3128]

it still can be used with broken springs ?

[@Cooldibs]

Not very safely. Also didn’t pay almost $200 to use a knife with broken springs👍

[@mrobert3128]

@@Cooldibs thanks

[@brandonrobbins946]

Snap your fingers over the ziplock bag easy open 😂

[@gynn4622]

I bought the auto because mine kept breaking

[@Cooldibs]

Great purchase!

[@TarmanTheChampion]

Not everything from China is terrible quality

[@Cooldibs]

True, but nothing from china is good for the American economy.