I've carried these for about 5 years now. I neglect the hell out of it and only sharpen it when I think about it, however, a buddy got a new knife sharpener off the tool truck the other day and it really got it back to a factory edge. I have talked to Benchmade and for 25 bucks, they'll put a new blade in them. For 5 bucks, they'll sharpen it and send it back to you! That's part of their Life Sharp program. I've never had a problem with the lock letting the blade close either, a big plus to me. I've almost lost a finger before from a crappy blade lock.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Benchmade-550SBKHG-Pardue-Griptilian-Serrated-Edge-Black-Coated-/171050296604?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo=SIC&its=I&itu=UCI%2BIA%2BUA%2BFICS%2BUFI&otn=21&pmod=171063173290&ps=54
