Review: Benchmade 940-1 carbon fibre clone *PIC HEAVY*

I am posting a brief review on a knife that I just received from Ali. I do not have any experience with an authentic BM 940 so I am strictly providing this review based on its overall quality in general.

Link to the Ali Store:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/32782122008/32782122008.html

Blade centering: The knife came with absolute perfect blade centering
Blade-play and lockup: There is minimal blade-play, and lockup is firm. This example of a clone axis lock system is very nice on my sample.
Blade sharpness: This is perhaps the only place that I can scrounge up some sort of criticism. I have a number of knives, ranging from budget to high-ish end, including authentic benchmades. In comparison, this knife definitely did not come ‘hair popping sharp’. I usually go straight to a paper cut test, and a shave-test (which is why I constantly have strange bald patches on my arms). I am able to cut paper with relative ease, but the blade is unable to ‘pop the hairs off of my arm’. Overall, I can’t be too hard on the knife. Perhaps other samples may have that razor edge I was hoping for.
Scales: The carbon fibre scales are ultralight, and very high quality on my sample. It is hard to nit-pick any issues. All edges are smooth, and real carbon fibre is just hotness :heart_eyes: Ganzo CF is no comparison compared to this. The knife is capable of left or right hand tip-up carry.

The seller claimed the blade to be authentic S90V steel when I sent them a message. They insisted that I even test, but how many people really test for Rockwell Hardness? Well, I did. This doesn’t prove anything really, but I wanted to take them up on their claims of 60HRC.

The results? I measured the blade to be 60.5 HRC. Whether the steel is authentic S90V or not is another story. Take it for what you will, but the blade is made of quite a hard steel. I have a video of the measurement taking place that I may post later.

For now, I will provide you with a number of photos of the knife as well as comparisons to other knives in size and weight.

update: my deep carry authentic benchmade clip works on this clone.


Don’t mind the tiny indentation just above the Osborne logo. That is the result of the Rockwell Hardness test.


The threaded inserts in the CF for the pocket clip are a nice touch.


Did I mention that this knife is super light weight?

Thanks for taking the time to do this review!

I have this exact Benchmade this was cloned after. Without pulling it out of the drawer and meticulously comparing them, this clone looks spot on.

Edit: I couldn’t resist checking my knife. Looks like the clone got basically everything right except the pocket clip says “Benchmade U.S.A.” instead of just “Benchmade.” Also the pocket clip is shaped slightly different. Anyway, close enough for horseshoes and hand grenades.

I have a deep carry benchmade clip that I want to try installing on this clone. Just waiting to find my torx screw driver set that seems to be missing at the moment. That would really have me loving this knife even more!

Thanks for checking! I had actually noticed that as well while watching reviews of the authentic version but forgot to mention it.

Actually, maybe you could confirm this: the standoffs on my version are a dark blue (difficult to tell in the photos). I believe the authentic has lighter blue standoffs?

It looks sweet, any link to the store?

Link has been posted. Cheers!

Thanks for the review, looks like a nice well made knife. :+1:

What knife model is this ZT knife? Is it a clone, if so where you got it from? I Like it a lot! Thanks!

excellent, thanks.

It is indeed a clone and it is still my favourite overall. It has stellar reviews, the quality is outstanding and I love the sinkevich design.

The seller I purchased it from on Ali no longer has it listed and I actually can’t find it listed anywhere other than on DH gate now which I never use. Search ‘zt0542cf’ and it comes up.

Highly recommended!

I’m sorry but am I the only one who is disgusted by this? Your a Chinese company making a direct copy of somebody else’s design and you put their name on it!? It’s bullshit! Sorry for the language but I’m so damn mad about this stuff. I like ganzos and other copy cat brands but they put their name on it. Like knockoffs hell love em but HATE and I mean HATE a fake.

I just wanted to add that if they removed the bench made logo I would have one in the mail now it does look nice.

Thanks for the review and the excellent comparative pics! :+1:

+1 … :+1:
No, your not alone…not by a long shot. It is pathetic……… :rage: … Just outright criminal. Surely nothing to brag about…… :person_facepalming:
Just outright robbery…………… :expressionless:

I have the real one and it looks identical :person_facepalming: :rage:

Will upload some pictures to see if there’s any difference, they even replicated the stonewashed blade finish and the little blue anodized nut/spacer, impressive.

Edit:

I spotted some key differences:

BENCHMADE U.S.A

The nuts underneath the CF are black

The BM logo is light grey not black, and it’s not because of wear, this is a shelf queen.

Same with the osborne logo

But without getting up close they look pretty much identical

If they start making fake Case knives so help me.

:wink:

Why all the hate? Maybe its made by the company that is contracted to make Benchmade knives? So its basically an overseas Benchmade model?

Since 2010 all genuine benchmades have been produced in the U.S. They did the right thing and brought jobs back home. They pay their workers a living wage ,and spend money in R&D to create original designs. Without a doubt their profit margin took a hit so why would they do these things? It’s called patriotism. It’s putting made in the U.S.A on your product so that when your fellow countrymen look at, buy, or use your product they know they’re supporting fellow Americans. Made in the U.S.A comes at the cost of fair wages to citizen of my country; if you didn’t pay it don’t put it on your product.

Like I said make a copy like this one. Make it as exact as you can for half the price or less I’ll buy it with a smile. But don’t put benchmade on it, and for damn sure don’t put made in the U.S.A.