How to disassemble and maintain the Benchmade 945 Pocketknife

Today, we'll take a look inside a shrunken down version of a great knife, the Benchmade 945.

[@Thedrewshow559]

I love that you said “Grodey”. I thought I was the only one to use this word.

[@macgyverbryan1377]

"guntion" can be applied also.

[@nathannettik685]

At least it wasn't "to the max"...

[@beng1994]

Nick, you have to do a video about your favorite lock mechanisms. I would love to hear your input on the topic.

[@HaesslichG]

7:27 - "This is going to prevent things from coming out-" Benchmade: *Is that a challenge?*

[@mannycano4599]

Haha so I tore it down. Cleaned everything up. I just used the alcohol and once everything was dry got it all back together the hardest part was those damn washers 😉😆 so yeah, the trick is putting in the female side of the pivot first just enough So that first washer will hang on it. Oh and of course using your fingers to hold open the axis. Those washers sure can fly 😆

[@The_Great_Whodini]

Weird feeling to see the knife in my pocket right now, also be on my phone screen... The perks of being a patron with poor impulse control I guess

[@andreigolovik3047]

Still don't get why Nick insists on putting the blade and washers back in at the same time. Just slide each part onto the pivot one at a time. It's so much easier...

[@markrpatterson9717]

I've actually seen him do that, and I've been doing it that way ever since. I agree, it's easier and much less frustrating.

[@mrsw916]

Out of curiosity, while you're inserting the washer, blade, washer individually, are you pushing the pivot in from one side simultaneously to align everything correctly?

[@andreigolovik3047]

Yes. I keep the pivot pushed in part way, enough so that each piece is held in place so I can insert the next one. I use paper and a watch spring bar tool to push in and adjust the washers. This also makes lubrication a little easier since you don't have to handle the washers+blade as much.

[@mrg1969]

What’s the blue stuff your dipping those screws in ?

[@Orcinus1967]

Loctite or some form or another of adhesive. Designed to keep the screws and fasteners from coming undone. While allowing them to become undone. This from Loctite: Prevent vibration loosening, prevent leaks, protect threaded components from corrosion and increase the reliability of mechanical fasteners by using a LOCTITE® anaerobic threadlocker adhesive.

[@beaurex4756]

Nick - how centered was the blade when you finished?

[@Orcinus1967]

@Nick Shabazz , thanks so much for the demonstration. I like that you used tools that the average person might have on hand, versus specialized tools someone is unlikely to buy, i.e. for the pivot. I also appreciate that you did not edit the video for perfection in technique on the first go around. Thus we the audience don't feel like we are inept when we attempt this on our own. We know exactly what we can expect throughout the process. I am now a subscriber to your channel! Kudos.

[@tomlevasseur8550]

Three years later. $260 with burnt copper aluminum scales in MagnaCut.

[@harryhoudini66]

Nick Shabazz thank you so much for making all these wonderful videos. I am wanting to change the blue lining and spacers to red. Do you think that would be possible?

[@Vlada1911]

Have you tried to do it? Black and red would be my preferred combo, too. I'm thinking Rit dye would not work since the blue is not light enough.

[@harryhoudini66]

@@Vlada1911 I did try it and it did not work. I then purchased some grey scales and dyed them but it would not be dark enough. As of right now, I am getting the scales, AXIS lock and barrel spacers cerakoted black. I already have a red thumb stud.

[@Vlada1911]

@@harryhoudini66 im not sure that ceracoting the axis bar is a good idea. Might create some grittiness in action and lock stick. There are black axis bars available on the market. Maybe try to add some black to red Rit dye to make it darker

[@harryhoudini66]

@Vlada 1911 I tried to find black Axis bars but could not find any. If you have leads, let me know. If the cerakote does not work, the plan was to black it with a torch and some wd40.

[@harryhoudini66]

@@Vlada1911 Got done. Worked perfect. No issues with the Cerakote.

[@Satanthony]

You’re going to have to take this and other BMs apart. Those omega springs will snap eventually.

[@Phaminator525]

ive had my 940 for over 10 years and never had it break. I was also a kid when i got it so i used to abuse the shit out of it opening it thousands of times.

[@mrsw916]

@@Phaminator525 not every Omega spring will break, but some will ship faulty and/or break over minimal use. Kind of a shake of the dice

[@Case16710]

I’ve had 2 Ritter Grips (a regular and a mini) since 2008 and never had to take them apart. I don’t think I’ve ever even adjusted the pivots. I just oil them occasionally and they are still as drop shut smooth as ever.

[@HatchBackLove27]

Any particular reason as to why you use oil instead of a grease on the washers?? I used a small amount of grease on my 940 and had great success with the action. Just wondering if there is an advantage to oil?

[@allfather885]

Thanks as always, Nick. Just got a gently-used 945 that wasn't opening/closing very well, and your video helped me to get it cleaned up and back to drop-shutting status!

[@matthuck378]

If it were about $100 (which it should be, IMO) I wouldn't care about things like slightly too long screws and slightly off center blade...But for about $175, nope.

[@BigT962]

I want to do this to my 940 but I’m afraid to disassemble because I don’t want to void my warranty.

[@mannycano4599]

My Benchmade mini Freek is a bit gummed up .....thanks for the video

[@mannycano4599]

I used one of my little pics and that's also what I used to push the female side of the pivot back in

[@Phlfwlr]

What loctite is that? Lockthreader glue stick?

[@mannycano4599]

PS. It's drop shutty

[@charlesdudek7713]

Nick, I know your preference is an uncoated blade but when you are choosing a knife with a black coated blade, do you prefer DLC or PVD? Effectively do you feel one is significantly better?

[@NickShabazz]

I don't think I can tell a difference between the two practically. But both tend to be better than outright painted blades.

[@charlesdudek7713]

@@NickShabazz Thanks Nick! I enjoy your channel.

[@jojojeep1]

Nick, they punch a hole through those washers. One side were blanks push through is flat and the other side has kind of a round edge going around the center hole thats the part you want touching your blade or otherwise it will bind, Not bad for a beginner huh huh

[@nyccolm]

Screws too long? And the money Benchmade charges for some of their knives? That’s crazy. I won’t be buying another Benchmade. I just spent $300 on the Fact and I am not thrilled. Likely it’s just the whole Axis Lock idea that makes getting a perfectly centered and smooth functioning blade so seemingly difficult. It shouldn’t be a problem on a $300 CAD knife. Crazy. And Benchmade had better be careful with companies like WE emerging- I picked up the Miscreant and the construction is like a Swiss watch- virtually perfect. So much for American manufacturing.

[@johnniewalker3134]

Disassemble the Spyderco Autonomy 2

[@timhuisman321]

Could you please review a Lionsteel Kur knife? Please! Its my favorite knife

[@clintonlewis1261]

I like the blue!

[@jlsouth7337]

Broke first omega spring recently. Had to send knife in because they wouldn't send me a replacement spring. I won't see the knife for a while, if ever again. I have a few benchmades. I now question each one. If I use it too much will I have to send it back too?

[@evanoldhoff4904]

You can easily make your own omega springs out of music wire. Readily available at hobby stores. I no longer worry about springs, or sending knives back to benchmade and waiting months. A quick google search will teach you how

[@erhon5]

Yes! The whole thing about the screws poking out from the inside of the scales has bothered me about both the regular g10 940 and the 945 I don’t get how that knife has been out for soo long and they can’t just order slightly shorter screws

[@PlantDaddy1991]

It's their way of having a higher parts interchangeability between models. Cost effective for them, but also makes them appear lazy. Depending on the knife, it may make them appear downright incompetent. Just my opinion, but still.

[@mrsw916]

Not just the 940 line, I had purchased a super freak in CF and the body screws stuck so far through the liners I was concerned about the blade contacting them. Especially due to the fact that the one I bought had a faulty omega spring and there was really bad vertical and horizontal blade play