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

[Seneca18]

I never had the 940-1, but I did own the standard 940 (slight blade play). It was a nice knife that carried well, but for my needs a Sage 1, or 2 or 3 for that matter, performed better for my needs, ended up trading it for a Sage II. The 940-1 is a tempting knife though, definitely a looker.

 

[dkblade]

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.

I'm sure I'll have both of them eventually. I'm willing to pay both prices, just not sure which one I want next up, and what usually happens is that I want one knife next, but then discover a different knife I want even more! I wanted to buy a Small Sebenza CF from Knifeart next, but then the sage 1 came onto my radar and I thought THAT'S my next knife. And I had my mind made up, but then I noticed the 940-1 last night and watched a couple videos and did a little research and thought THAT could be my next knife. Then I thought to ask you kind folks about their merits since I have never handled either of them, and now here we are. Thank you all for the reviews and pictures....I have a couple weeks to decide so I'll let you all know soon as I make up my mind.

 

[dkblade]

I never had the 940-1, but I did own the standard 940 (slight blade play). It was a nice knife that carried well, but for my needs a Sage 1, or 2 or 3 for that matter, performed better for my needs, ended up trading it for a Sage II. The 940-1 is a tempting knife though, definitely a looker.

Is the slight blade play a common problem on Benchmade knives? I know it's not going to affect overall performance or longevity, but my PM2, Sebenza and even my Rat 1 have absolutely zero side to side or up and down play, and I really like that feeling of solidity and strength while performing tasks. It's not going to be the end of the world if there is a little play but I would prefer not.

 

[Firestrike]

http://bladereviews.com/benchmade-940-review/

http://bladereviews.com/spyderco-sage-i-review/

Both have glowing reviews from here

 

[Firestrike]

Is the slight blade play a common problem on Benchmade knives? I know it's not going to affect overall performance or longevity, but my PM2, Sebenza and even my Rat 1 have absolutely zero side to side or up and down play, and I really like that feeling of solidity and strength while performing tasks. It's not going to be the end of the world if there is a little play but I would prefer not.

None have slight bladeplay that i own...I frankly do not understand how it is possible...the axis locks slide up the knives tang locking it in a way that does not allow for up or down play....as in ZERO up and down play....as for side to side play, sure it can happen if i back out my pivot screw...but when set to where they the swing easily open and closed there is also ZERO side to side play....Most Benchmades have steel liners and PB bushings allowing for them to open and close ultra smooth while keeping the pivot tight enough to not allow play...In fact I have more play in my Endura 4 and Manix 2 than any other knife i own including the well hated Mantis knives..

Yesterday I was in Sportsmans warehouse out in Portland where they had a super great selection of Benchmades, Spyderco, ZT, Pirana, Cold Steel...I was handeling all the knives I have not been able to handle, no bladeplay in any of his Benchmades or centering issues, did not notice any in the Spydercos either, but you cannot go wrong with either knife, the sage was very nice just IMHO it does not have the Axis lock and therefor would not be as strong of a lock....

I do not want to try and push one over the other, I am just saying I wanna see pics of these so called sloppy Benchmades, cause too many people are trashing without any proof.

 

[dkblade]

None have slight bladeplay that i own...I frankly do not understand how it is possible...the axis locks slide up the knives tang locking it in a way that does not allow for up or down play....as in ZERO up and down play....as for side to side play, sure it can happen if i back out my pivot screw...but when set to where they the swing easily open and closed there is also ZERO side to side play....Most Benchmades have steel liners and PB bushings allowing for them to open and close ultra smooth while keeping the pivot tight enough to not allow play...In fact I have more play in my Endura 4 and Manix 2 than any other knife i own including the well hated Mantis knives..

That's good to know! Thanks for the positive BM review. I'm not into fanboy mentality...I love all my knives, and adding a Benchmade to my collection would be awesome. When I first got into knives I started a thread whether I should buy a Delica 4 or a Mini Grip. I went for the Delica 4 in ZDP and really liked the knife, but ended up giving it away to a friend. It wasn't until your post that I remembered I already had a thread of Spyderco vs. Benchmade for my next purchase. I've owned 2 spydercos, but I have owned zero Benchmades. I think for the purpose of broadening my horizons that I will go for the Benchmade, but that could change again in the next 2 weeks...the mind of a knife addict

 

[Firestrike]

That's good to know! Thanks for the positive BM review. I'm not into fanboy mentality...I love all my knives, and adding a Benchmade to my collection would be awesome. When I first got into knives I started a thread whether I should buy a Delica 4 or a Mini Grip. I went for the Delica 4 in ZDP and really liked the knife, but ended up giving it away to a friend. It wasn't until your post that I remembered I already had a thread of Spyderco vs. Benchmade for my next purchase. I've owned 2 spydercos, but I have owned zero Benchmades. I think for the purpose of broadening my horizons that I will go for the Benchmade, but that could change again in the next 2 weeks...the mind of a knife addict

I hear you....I started with Bud K years ago, then worked my way through Buck, Gerber, CRKT, Kershaw, Spyderco, and personally have settled on Becnhmade for now, my next step is likely a Sebenza, Microtech, or Protech...As I've said I am not trying to trash one over the other, Im just tired of reading (not seeing) quality issues on Benchmade....Best of luck on your purchases, if you read/watched the reviews I linked earlier, that guy seems to have given the nod to the Sage for best EDC...Can tell you that the regular 940 is a sweet knife though, carries so well and has a massive blade length for its compact size and light weight.

 

[Seneca18]

Is the slight blade play a common problem on Benchmade knives? I know it's not going to affect overall performance or longevity, but my PM2, Sebenza and even my Rat 1 have absolutely zero side to side or up and down play, and I really like that feeling of solidity and strength while performing tasks. It's not going to be the end of the world if there is a little play but I would prefer not.

Believe me I am not trying to bash on BM at all, I still own 8 BM knives. The blade play on my 940 was side to side and taken care of by tightening the pivot. It is a trade off though, no blade play but not as easy to flip open or closed with the axis lock.

 

[dkblade]

I hear you....I started with Bud K years ago, then worked my way through Buck, Gerber, CRKT, Kershaw, Spyderco, and personally have settled on Becnhmade for now, my next step is likely a Sebenza, Microtech, or Protech...As I've said I am not trying to trash one over the other, Im just tired of reading (not seeing) quality issues on Benchmade....Best of luck on your purchases, if you read/watched the reviews I linked earlier, that guy seems to have given the nod to the Sage for best EDC...Can tell you that the regular 940 is a sweet knife though, carries so well and has a massive blade length for its compact size and light weight.

If I can recommend a Sebenza I definitely will. Not sure if you've held one, but when that thing is in the open position it feels like a fixed blade, side to side or up/down blade play is not just non-existent in the confines of the pivot, but also the handle scales and the blade itself. Perfect centering (after sending it back to CRK soon as I received it--they don't all come perfect), easy opening, excellent detent, perfect lock position, easy to unlock, one hand use, all of the above make it a freaking excellent knife.

 

[dkblade]

Believe me I am not trying to bash on BM at all, I still own 8 BM knives. The blade play on my 940 was side to side and taken care of by tightening the pivot. It is a trade off though, no blade play but not as easy to flip open or closed with the axis lock.

No worries--didn't think you were! Which other BM knives do you have? And I wonder if after tightening pivot to eliminate blade play if the knife would be worked in over time to be easier to open but still not have any blade play...

 

[Seneca18]

No worries--didn't think you were! Which other BM knives do you have? And I wonder if after tightening pivot to eliminate blade play if the knife would be worked in over time to be easier to open but still not have any blade play...

The 940 was my first journey outside of the Girptilian/Barrage realm. I have 4 Mini Grips, 2 Griptilians, 1 Mini Barrage, and 1 Barrage. The Barrage, and 2 Mini Grips are from BMs custom shop and they were flawless. I should add too, the axis lock is hard to beat for convenience and ease of use.

 

[dkblade]

The 940 was my first journey outside of the Girptilian/Barrage realm. I have 4 Mini Grips, 2 Griptilians, 1 Mini Barrage, and 1 Barrage. The Barrage, and 2 Mini Grips are from BMs custom shop and they were flawless. I should add too, the axis lock is hard to beat for convenience and ease of use.

Cool! From what I have read the Axis lock is kind of the quickest and easiest lock out there. If it's anywhere near as fun as my PM2 compression lock, I'm sure I'll really appreciate it. Compression lock on my PM2 has developed pretty substantial lock, it isn't bad enough to hinder use, but it happens every time I use the knife. I think it needs to pay a visit back to Spyderco for a tuneup.

One question, you seem to know BM knives pretty well, is there a different Carbon Fiber knife from Benchmade that you would recommend for less than $250.00, or even under $300? I guess this question goes for everyone else too. As you can see I am on a bit of a carbon fiber kick--I don't own any CF knives yet and I really want to add one to the collection.

 

[Firestrike]

484-1 Nakamura Axis has cpm s90v carbon fiber...blue anodized pivot bushing and barrel spacers...pretty sexy...3.08" blade drop point, 3.52 oz..

 

[henkh]

I have several Benchmade axis lock knives. Some of them came with some bladeplay. But on all of them i could adjust the pivot very slight to get them lock solid without any play. And yet free action. I think the 940 in general is one of the best EDC knives overall, considering all the variables like weight, capability, dimensions, lock safety, playing fun et cetera. The carbon fiber model adds the smooth looks. It's sexy!
All of my Benchmades are well centered. Only some mini griptillians are slightly off centered. All the other models, from small to very big blades, are 100% centered.

The sage is a very good affordable edc knife.

 

[Spinny]

Is the carbon fiber veneer on the Sage hard to the touch or soft if you were to scratch it with your nail?

I suppose it's softer than the BM's but I definitely couldn't scratch it with my nail. It's essentially one layer of CF that's exposed on top of the G10 whereas the BM's is a cross section of CF that's 3D milled, so inherently the BM should hold up better cosmetically. Both are plenty strong functionally.

I wanna see pics of sloppy Benchmades

In the last pic of my post you can see that the grind on the spine is uneven. What should be a horizontal line slopes to the right. A significant percentage of 940-1's have this. Looks like your 940 is no different, too. I agree with your comments on centering. None of mine have centering issues. And the action on all are excellent. Axis lock alone is worth buying a BM if for no other reason. I just think most of the issues people talk about could be solved with a bit more skill behind the people grinding their blades these days. My 10 year old Benchmades' blade finishes are far superior to any of my modern ones. Benchmade makes great knives, and they charge more for them than many of their competitors, so I just think that their customers at least deserve the quality they're paying for.

Here's a pic of the factory edge on my 940-1 the day I took it out of the box. Absolutely horrible, inconsistent, wavy, and dull. Couldn't cut paper.

 

[dkblade]

I suppose it's softer than the BM's but I definitely couldn't scratch it with my nail. It's essentially one layer of CF that's exposed on top of the G10 whereas the BM's is a cross section of CF that's 3D milled, so inherently the BM should hold up better cosmetically. Both are plenty strong functionally.



In the last pic of my post you can see that the grind on the spine is uneven. What should be a horizontal line slopes to the right. A significant percentage of 940-1's have this. Looks like your 940 is no different, too. I agree with your comments on centering. None of mine have centering issues. And the action on all are excellent. Axis lock alone is worth buying a BM if for no other reason. I just think most of the issues people talk about could be solved with a bit more skill behind the people grinding their blades these days. My 10 year old Benchmades' blade finishes are far superior to any of my modern ones. Benchmade makes great knives, and they charge more for them than many of their competitors, so I just think that their customers at least deserve the quality they're paying for.

Here's a pic of the factory edge on my 940-1 the day I took it out of the box. Absolutely horrible, inconsistent, wavy, and dull. Couldn't cut paper.

Wow that is a pretty crappy grind. You should send that back if you haven't already. I understand Benchmade has to charge more for a knife made of CF especially domestically but that's pretty bad. I won't let that reflect upon my decision though, others have great experiences. If anything, however, it makes me trust that if I buy a knife from spyderco it's more likely to come flawless from the factory. All that said, my $450 sebenza came with a very difficult detent and an off center blade, had to be sent back for 2 months of fine tuning, then came back flawless. Goes to show you these things happen at any price point. That 940-1 really does look like a nice knife though...tough decision!

 

[archieblue]

940-1 no contest. Personally I wouldn't even consider the sage.

 

[Spinny]

...if I buy a knife from spyderco it's more likely to come flawless from the factory.

Sums it up. And I knew this before making the purchase, I just wanted the 940-1 badly enough that I was willing to take my chances. No regrets. Didn't bother sending it back. Instead, I took care of the edge myself, but like I said S90V is a bi*ch to regrind. In all, it's a knife that has very little competition considering blade length, ease of carry, weight, and premium materials/design.

 

[dkblade]

940-1 no contest. Personally I wouldn't even consider the sage.

Do you mind elaborating? Did you have a negative experience with a member of the Sage family? Keep in mind I've never held or used one so any advice is useful to me. Most every review I've seen of the Sage is positive, if not a bold statement of "best edc ever!". One person earlier mentioned that the 50/50 choil makes the handle less useable?

 

[dkblade]

Sums it up. And I knew this before making the purchase, I just wanted the 940-1 badly enough that I was willing to take my chances. No regrets. Didn't bother sending it back. Instead, I took care of the edge myself, but like I said S90V is a bi*ch to regrind. In all, it's a knife that has very little competition considering blade length, ease of carry, weight, and premium materials/design.

I'm not into regrinding. I think if I buy one and it comes flawed I'll be sending it back to BM for warranty work pronto. I think you're right though...I haven't seen a knife this size, with axis lock, carbon fiber, over 3", but also only 2.4 oz...that's pretty damn impressive!