Help! Benchmade Osborne 940-1 CF or Spyderco Sage 1

D

dkblade

Joined
Nov 7, 2014
Messages
880
My collection is slowly growing and currently contains: Large Sebenza 21 Insingo w/double thumb lugs, Black Spydero CM2 w/Satin Blade, Coyote Brown Ontario Rat 1 with Satin Blade, Buck Taclite Mini in G10 (first knife), and a Case Sodbuster in Yellow w/CV Blade. I'm going to buy a new knife in the next 2-3 weeks, and I've narrowed it down to the Benchmade 940-1 Carbon Fiber or the Spyderco Sage 1. One huge obvious difference is price, with the BM retailing at $260 NIB, and the Sage 1 at $120 - $130.

My specific uses involve cutting open boxes, cutting boxes to pieces, cutting zip ties, and other light/medium duty tasks.

C123CF_L.jpg

Perceived pros for Sage 1
-rock solid build
-reliability
-looks
-good steel
-PRICE

Cons
-wideness in pocket
-similar to PM2 (which I already own)
-Carbon fiber is only a veneer

111.jpg

Perceived pros for BM 940-1
-looks
-never owned a benchmade
-all carbon fiber scales
-axis lock
-great steel

Cons
-PRICE
-blade centering issues for many people
-blade play when open and closed for many people
-cheap plastic pocket clip screw holes in scales

Obviously the Benchmade is more expensive to manufacture being made entirely of CF and in the USA, but it is truly a beautiful knife and I think visually would be an excellent addition to my collection, but I have leaned more towards the Sage 1 for price point. Please post some pictures of the two and let me know your thoughts and experiences with the two if you can, and if anybody owns both I would greatly appreciate a size comparison! Thank you so much!

DKB
 
I've had them both and Id suggest the 940-1. I'm actually a huge Spyderco fan and far from a Benchmade fan. The 940-1 is actually the only benchmade Id buy again and that says something having had almost all of them. Having said that you can't go wrong with the sage 1 either, it was my first Spyderco and I edc'd it for months. It wasn't until I got a few other knives that I realized the sage series wasn't for me having such a wide footprint and edge eating choil.

We all know you'll have both eventually so just pick one first!
 
Last edited:
wtlj said:
I've had them both and Id suggest the 940-1. I'm actually a huge Spyderco fan and far from a Benchmade fan. The 940-1 is actually the only benchmade Id buy again and that says something having had almost all of them. Having said that you can't go wrong with the sage 1 either, it was my first Spyderco and I edc'd it for months. It wasn't until I got a few other knives that I realized the sage series wasn't for me having such a wide footprint and edge eating choil.

We all know you'll have both eventually so just pick one first!
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. And you're right, but I'll have to wait months before I'm allowed to buy another! Do you notice blade play with the 940-1? And if there's any way you could post a comparison picture that would be awesome, but I know that's a lot to ask.
 
As you know, they are both good, but VERY different knives. The Sage in S30V will last you just fine and do a good job. The 940-1 has S90V which is a top-rated steel and will last a long time between sharpenings. It is also slim, but the blade may be much longer than you need or want. I would suggest that you make your decision based on: DO YOU want/need a 3" blade or a longer blade, longer grip? And do you want to pay twice as much for that extra length and better steel?
 
Last edited:
dkblade said:
Thanks for that. And you're right, but I'll have to wait months before I'm allowed to buy another! Do you notice blade play with the 940-1? And if there's any way you could post a comparison picture that would be awesome, but I know that's a lot to ask.
Click to expand...

It's not a lot to ask at all...if I still had them that is. I sold all of my production knives when I discovered CRK. I had 3 sage 1's and 4 940-1's. Overall the F&F was better on the sages as 3/4 of my 940-1's had centering or blade play issues. The issues were subtle but worth mentioning however Benchmade has outstanding customer service should the need arise. I'm sure someone will come along soon with comparison pictures for you.
May I ask what sharpening system your currently using? The S90V will hold an edge longer if that's what your looking for but could pose a challenge if your not setup to maintain it.
Id also recommend searching/watching the exchange here on BF as both of those knives come up often for decent prices.
 
Last edited:
I have the sage 1 and I love it. The carbon fiber on it is a overlay on top of g-10 i think. It is very durable. I used mines every day for 2 years when I worked on a dock for fedex and the handle has zero scratches. I recently got to hold a 940-1 at my local shop a couple weeks ago. It is a very, and I mean very, nice knife. If you never had a knife with the axis lock I would suggest trying it. They are very easy to flick open quickly, use your knife, and close in no time. The blue back spacer is very nice in person and the whole knife is very light. I see you already have a sebenza so you have purchased an expensive knife before. I would say get the 940-1 just to have a bm in your collection. Or maybe even the regular 940?..
 
Sonnydaze said:
As you know, they are both good, but VERY different knives. The Sage in S-30V will last you just fine and do a good job. The 940-1 has S90V which is a top-rated steel and will last a long time between sharpenings. It is also slim, but the blade may be much longer than you need or want. I would suggest that you make your decision based on: DO YOU want/need a 3" blade or a longer blade, longer grip? And do you want to pay twice as much for that extra length and better steel?
Click to expand...

One significant difference I neglected was weight...the 940-1 weighs 2.4 oz and the Sage 3.2 oz. both are light weight but it sounds like the 940 just disappears in your pocket. Also real carbon fiber vs. a veneer over G10 is pretty substantial, I'm guessing these points and country of origin are the real deciding factors in price. So does this blade play happen when opened and closed, or is it more just an issue that arises and can then be dialed out by tightening the pivot screws? Again this would be my first Benchmade so u have no experience with their customer service. Thanks for the advice!!!
 
Interesting thread for me..I own/use/love my Sage3, and I'm getting a 940-01 from a trade here next week.
I've never owned a BM folder so I'm looking forward to checking it out.
 
I absolutely love the 940-1 design over every Spyderco I've ever held or owned. However, I no longer own a 940 because, as great of a design as it is, it simply is not as good of a knife. Its relatively thick blade and partial flat grind is acceptable at best, and is outshone by even the thickest of Spyderco's FFG blades. If you're willing to make compromises on cutting performance in exchange for overall design, go for it. If you're not, get the Sage.
 
I own both. The Sage 1 was my first Spyderco. At the time I already owned a handful of BM's, a few Griptilians and an original 940. The Sage has led me to end up buying another 30+ Spyderco's. Needless to say I was impressed. I picked up a Benchmade 940-1 a couple of months ago, and though I love the design, I can confidently say that the BM quality control is nowhere near as good as Spyderco's. Out of the box, mine needed a new edge ground in....it was a butterknife. And I'm not the only one...many BF members have had the same experience. Overall it was just kinda rough. After a couple of hours of work, I was able to get the Benchmade up to snuff, but I really wish I could buy Benchmades with the same confidence in quality I can with Spydercos. S90V is not my favorite steel to sharpen. :fatigue: Yes, they have excellent customer service/warranty, but that's usually something I prefer to never have to use. Can't go wrong with a Taichung Spyderco. All that said, I now carry the 940-1 more than the Sage but only because I improved it myself. In all the 940-1 is the better knife--it should be for twice the price. But it just sucks that you're rolling the dice when you order one. Solution...find one locally and inspect it before buying.
 
wtlj said:
It's not a lot to ask at all...if I still had them that is. I sold all of my production knives when I discovered CRK. I had 3 sage 1's and 4 940-1's. Overall the F&F was better on the sages as 3/4 of my 940-1's had centering or blade play issues. The issues were subtle but worth mentioning however Benchmade has outstanding customer service should the need arise. I'm sure someone will come along soon with comparison pictures for you.
May I ask what sharpening system your currently using? The S90V will hold an edge longer if that's what your looking for but could pose a challenge if your not setup to maintain it.
Id also recommend searching/watching the exchange here on BF as both of those knives come up often for decent prices.
Click to expand...

Great advice! I will probably take your advice when I'm ready to buy! Right now I have smiths 3 stone kit and a leather strop with green compound. I want to get either the edge pro or the spyderco sharp maker, but I usually just strop them until they're sharp.
 
Spydercos and Benchmades are my two most commonly owned knives. Based on my purchases of these in the last few years, quality control on the Spydercos is much better. Throw in the price and the decision for me has become a no brainer. More than half of my Benchmades bought in the last three years have had to be returned to the factory for adjustment. I personally am going to refrain from buying another Benchmade for a while.
 
Spinny said:
pics


20150726_154858_1.jpg



20150726_154920_1.jpg



20150726_155014_1.jpg
Click to expand...

Sweet!!! Thank you for the pictures! I think these will come in handy for a lot of people including myself. That Benchmade sure is a nice looking knife...but it looks like the spyderco is the more functional of the two in most ways including clip height in pocket. Is the carbon fiber veneer on the Sage hard to the touch or soft if you were to scratch it with your nail?
 
RamZar said:
Both are every nice but a huge price difference. 940-1 has a very narrow profile. If you like something with a 3" blade but with the narrow profile of 940-1 and S30V/CF try the excellent EnZo Birk 75.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...o-Sage-1-(both-FFG-S30V-amp-CF-G-10-laminate)
Click to expand...

How much did you pay for your Enzo birk? Do they have customer support in the states? Don't know much about the company. How's the action fit and finish and use of locking mechanism? Only thing visually I don't find appealing is the way the blade tang sticks up when closed...do you find that annoying at all?
 
I would go with the 940-1. I love it, an EDC dream. Light, small, very capable, and beautiful. Funny, you can say that about the Sage too... If you're gonna go with one get the 940. You will NOT regret it.

Regarding cost, they regularly go on the exchange for $220 LNIB. I actually got mine from a local dealer for $215. It's one of only two Benchmades I have purchased since MAP enforcement.

Sage is def worth a try down the road though.
 
Out of 10 Benchmades I own including the 940 absolutely ZERO of them have blade wobble or any other issues...I think this is an exaggerated claim against Benchmade from Fanboys of other knives....I wanna see pics of sloppy Benchmades...oh one last thought the Benchmade will have the better warranty...

Edit to include pics...

11750676_852384911484120_3450662275541854269_n.jpg


11800043_852385011484110_173293337397673461_n.jpg


11745394_852385058150772_1678263976043789331_n.jpg


11796226_852385101484101_1403076639313982547_n.jpg


No centering issues...but they are all fantastic knives. My presence here is only to set to rest claims of defects in craftmanship or Manufacturing..all these here are 2015 production except the Ruckus and Infidels.....
 
Last edited:
dkblade said:
How much did you pay for your Enzo birk? Do they have customer support in the states? Don't know much about the company. How's the action fit and finish and use of locking mechanism? Only thing visually I don't find appealing is the way the blade tang sticks up when closed...do you find that annoying at all?
Click to expand...

I can't give you pricing due to your membership level on BF but you can search for it. I have not had a need for service. It's a liner lock and very similar to the Sage 1 CF with as good a fit and finish. I've had no issues at all. See that old thread.
 
I have the Sage 1, and it's a great knife.
If they were the same price I would go with the 940-1, but at their given price I think the Sage 1 is the better buy(IMO).

It really depends on which YOU like the best, and if you're willing to pay much more for one over the other.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top