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When you spend time in the wilderness, you must have an assortment of quality knives. Knives serve several purposes in the backcountry. We use our knives to prepare food, make kindling for the fire, cut rope, clean fish, and even for protection against rogue critters! Today, we offer our review of the Benchmade Osborne 940 series.
The Benchmade Osbourne 940 is a high-quality knife that can easily slip into your pocket or backpack. Personally, I like having the Osbourne in my pocket or clipped to my belt, ready to perform quick tasks. Its durability and blade strength means that the Osborne can be used for some jobs typically reserved for larger knives.
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Who is Benchmade?
Benchmade is an innovative company that pairs precision parts with skilled assemblers. Machined components are inspected and assembled by hand on a bench. Benchmade is the bridge between handmade knives and factory-made knives. This process ensures quality and accuracy. They have been creating knives since 1988 in Oregon, USA!
Benchmade has a loyal customer following. Benchmade users often hold onto their knives forever. Every knife comes with lifetime sharpening. You just pay for shipping, and Benchmade will oil and sharpen your knife for you and send it back at no cost.
Benchmade Osborne 940 Series Overview
There are essentially 4 options to choose from in the Osborne 940 series: 940, 940-1, 940-2, 940BK. The four iterations look pretty similar, and all are made with high-quality materials. However, there are some distinctive differences in each model.
Every 940 includes the Axis easy opening mechanism. The blade opens smoothly and remains in place once locked. I own a 940 and 940-1 and abuse them daily, and they still hold up very well. After using the 940 for some time, the blade still has no play and feels stable when cutting. Overall, Benchmade knives are steadfast and reliable.
Table could not be displayed.Benchmade Osborne 940-1 Review
I know, I know it seems that we are going out of order, but I decided we should start with the best Osbourne money can buy. The 940-1 is the crown jewel of the Osborne series. The handle is constructed with premium carbon fiber, making it extremely light.
The blade features the highest quality steel in the series: S90V. It offers incredible edge retention. However, it isn’t easy to sharpen in the field. Smaller knifemakers don’t like working with the S90v because it eats up grinding stones fast. The 940-1 is best for those who want their knives to remain sharp and don’t mind sending it to Benchmade every few years for a resharpen.
Quick Stats:
| Brand | Benchmade |
| Model Name | 940-1 |
| Handle Material | Carbon Fiber Handle |
| Color | Black Carbon Fiber Handle/Satin Finish |
| Style | Osborne |
| Blade Length | 3.4 Inches |
| Product Dimensions | 7.87 x 2 x 0.41 inches; 2.4 Ounces |
| Blade Shape | Reverse Tanto |
| Blade Edge | Satin Finish |
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Benchmade Osborne 940 Review
The Benchmade 940 is an excellent option for those that don’t want to spend the extra $100 (give or take) on the 940-1. The blade is forged with S30V steel. It offers the best balance between edge retention, strength, and the ability to sharpen in the field.
It will hold up better if you plan on doing any type of prying activity, but why would anyone do that with such a nice knife! While the S90v offers the best edge retention, it is slightly more brittle under impact than S30V steel.
I prefer the 940-1 for tasks requiring more precision and the standard 940 for everyday and higher-impact tasks. The 940 handle is constructed with an aluminum alloy. It is slightly heavier than the 940-1 but is rarely noticeable when using the knife. The knife may be available in different colors in the future, but the standard model features a green handle and an unstained blade. The 940 design is as sharp as its blade (pun intended).
Quick Stats:
| Brand | Benchmade |
| Model Name | 940 |
| Handle Material | 6061-T6 Aluminum Handle, 6061-T6 Aluminum Handle |
| Color | Green 6061-T6 Aluminum Handle/Satin Finish |
| Blade Material | Stainless Steel |
| Item Weight | 0.08 Kilograms |
| Blade Shape | Reverse Tanto |
| Blade Edge | Satin Finish |
Benchmade Osborne 940-2 Review
The 940-2 features a striking design for a smaller price tag. The blade is forged with the same S30V steel as the standard 940. Like the 940, you can sharpen this one in the field if you have the right gear. However, this knife still offers excellent edge retention.
The main distinguishing factor in the 940-2 is the handle. The handle is built with G10 precision 3D printed plastic. Many Benchmade knives are offered in this premium plastic now. I prefer the carbon fiber design of the 940-1 handle, but the 940-2 feels good in the hand nonetheless. The most attractive feature of the 940-2 is that the price tag is approximately 30% less than the flagship 940-1.
Quick Stats:
| Brand | Benchmade |
| Model Name | Osborne Knife, G10 Handle |
| Handle Material | G10 Handle, G10 Handle |
| Color | Black G10 Handle/Satin Finish |
| Product Dimensions | 7 x 4 x 4 inches; 8 Ounces |
| Blade Shape | Reverse Tanto |
| Blade Edge | Satin Finish |
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Benchmade Osborne 940BK
The 940BK is my favorite design in the series, aesthetically. The 940 BK offers the same green adonized aluminum handle as the standard 940. However, the blade is coated black. The black coating seems to endure even after prolonged use.
The downside to having a coated blade is that the coating can wear off during sharpening. If you plan to keep your edge well manicured, you might consider the standard 940. However, this knife is really meant to be used, not set on a shelf for display. Although, I must admit I have a hard time using my more expensive 940-1.
Quick Stats:
| Brand | Benchmade |
| Model Name | 940BK |
| Handle Material | 6061-T6 Aluminum Handle, 6061-T6 Aluminum Handle |
| Color | Green 6061-T6 Aluminum Handle/Coated Finish |
| Blade Material | S30V Premium Steel |
| Blade Length | 3.4 Inches |
| Product Care Instructions | Hand Wash |
| Product Dimensions | 8 x 4 x 2 inches; 2.89 Ounces |
| Blade Edge | Coated Finish |
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Benchmade Osborne 940 940S Combo Edge
The Benchmade website does not mention this as an available option. However, after poking around Moosejaw.com yesterday, I spotted a 940 with a combo blade featuring both a straight and serrated section. According to Benchmade, this is a discontinued product.
Have any of you seen this option on a new 940? Moosejaw is a trusted retailer committed to only selling genuine products. Perhaps, this is a holdover from the 943? Now, I have found yet another Benchmade product that I need (I mean want, I guess).
In either case, this 940 combo blade is available on Moosejaw, at least for now. It features the same S30V steel that you can find with the 940 and 940-2. The handle is designed with green anodized aluminum. If you want this, you should grab it fast because it is hard to find, and I am thinking about ordering a couple myself.
Quick Stats:
| Brand | Benchmade |
| Model Name | 940 |
| Handle Material | 6061-T6 Aluminum Handle, 6061-T6 Aluminum Handle |
| Color | Green 6061-T6 Aluminum Handle/Satin Finish |
| Blade Material | Stainless Steel |
| Item Weight | 0.08 Kilograms |
| Blade Shape | Reverse Tanto |
| Blade Edge | Satin Finish |
Benchmade 945 Mini Osborne Review
Ok, a quick bonus knife. If you like the Osborne but think the profile might be too large or if you need a knife in a place where the standard Osborne is too large for regulation, meet the mini Osborne. The blade comes in at just under 3 inches.
The mini Osborne comes in two options: Black G10 and Green Andonized Aluminum Handle. Both variations feature the high-quality S30V steel with the Lifesharp(TM) guarantee. The Black version features a Black coated blade, while the green comes with the standard stain-resistant S30V.
This knife should perform just as well as the standard 940. Both models feature the patented Axis locking mechanism like their older brother, the 940. The primary difference here is the shorter blade and handle length. The purchasing options for these two are somewhat limited. Bass Pro Shops carries both models, while Moosejaw only has the green one. The Benchmade Shop on Amazon does not sell either one at this time.
Check Price on Bass Pro Shops – Green Handle Check Price on Bass Pro Shops – Black Handle
Benchmade Osborne 943 Review (Discontinued)
The 943 is a retired version of the Osborne. It featured several options, but its flagship design was an anodized aluminum handle and an S30V blade. The knife was slightly more elongated in shape compared to the modern 940. Do you have one of these, let us know! We want one. 🙂 Some of the 943s offered serrated combos as well.
S90v Vs. S30v Steel: Is S90V steel better?
We mentioned the subtle differences in S30V and S90V steel throughout the article. But you might be asking, is S90V steel better than S30V steel?
The answer is that it depends on the user and the purpose of the knife. Both of these steels are stain-resistant. With or without a coating, these knives shouldn’t rust or wear. Both steels include Vanadium, Chromium, Carbon, and manganese.
S90V will hold its edge for an incredibly long time. The edge retention is excellent, but as we mentioned, it means a novice knife sharpener will struggle to get a good edge on this knife.
That said, if you plan to sharpen your knife frequently, you may be better off grabbing a knife with an S30v steel handle. If you prefer to have a blade that stands the test of time in edge retention, grab an S90v. Even the S30v takes some practice to sharpen well.
If you plan to use your knife frequently and worry about edge retention, grab two knives. They will hold their value, and you can send them off to be professionally sharpened at Benchmade. Many Benchmade dealers will also be happy to sharpen your knife for you onsite.
Lastly, better edge retention and hardness is a tradeoff for toughness. The S90v is incredibly tough and resilient when it comes to edge retention and cutting. The S30v is more resilient if you plan to pry or perform jobs that involve a higher impact.
I would recommend choosing a secondary, lower-quality knife for high-impact tasks. Use the right tool for the right job, and your gear will last forever. Remember, both S30v and S90v are expensive metals, and you wouldn’t want to replace them more than necessary.
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