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

[Firestrike]

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!

Tis a bad grind...fixable so not a deal breaker...my big issue is where all the people are saying off center, and up and down blade play...side to side I understand how it can happen usually just pivot too lose...as far as the spine grind on my 940, it is symetrical on both sides of the blade.

 

[Firestrike]

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.

Not refering to you specifically bro...just been around here awhile and have seen the BM's are trash everytime threads and comments, and see very little evidence to support it as fact...as far as my expierence goes, micro turns on the pivot is the difference to smooth deployment and zero wobble...some knives its 1/4 making the difference...new BM's I get always have the pivot removed a lil lock tight added and then adjusted to where I like the action, some I like stiffer than others...

 

[dkblade]

Not refering to you specifically bro...just been around here awhile and have seen the BM's are trash everytime threads and comments, and see very little evidence to support it as fact...as far as my expierence goes, micro turns on the pivot is the difference to smooth deployment and zero wobble...some knives its 1/4 making the difference...new BM's I get always have the pivot removed a lil lock tight added and then adjusted to where I like the action, some I like stiffer than others...

So your point, Senecas insightful and useful comments aside (and others who have been helpful), is that there are some people on the forums who will rip on BM for specifically the purpose of stopping other people from buying their products, rather than showing pictures or discussing physical evidence of quality control issues. Allow me to get philosophical for a minute; I'm not interested in supporting any one brand over any other for purpose of brand loyalty. I'm very fond of my Sebenza, but I like my PM2 equally as much, I respect Sal Glesser and Chris Reeve the same; as awesome entrepreneurs and knife makers who have done an amazing job creating some of the best knives money can buy. When I first started on this forum I didn't even know CRK existed, I thought Benchmade was the best of the best and the company whose knives collectors and fanatics aspired to own, then I realized there is a whole community that relishes discussions like the one we've been having on this thread, and THAT is what I really appreciate about this community--that we can all discuss the positives and negatives of the knives we enjoy owning in such depth.

I've heard a lot of discussion about the Benchmade 940-1 but not much about the Sage 1. I guess pretty much anything that can be said about the Sage 1 has been discussed a thousand times, but does anybody else have anything they want to add to the Sage column that might push me towards it over the 940-1?

 

[Boozoo Chavis]

I absolutely love my Spydies but the Benchmade Osborne 940-1 CF is one of my all-time favorite edc's. Very lightweight, great steel, and an awesome looking knife.

 

[Stays Sharp]

I absolutely love my Spydies but the Benchmade Osborne 940-1 CF is one of my all-time favorite edc's. Very lightweight, great steel, and an awesome looking knife.

That's what I'm sayin. The standard model will do but the 940-1 adds pride to ownership.

 

[Sonnydaze]

does anybody else have anything they want to add to the Sage column that might push me towards it over the 940-1?

No, but I'll add this to push you over to the Spyderco. I've not had a Sage 1, but many Sage 2's, and both "colors" of the Sage 3.
My favorite 3" blade is the Sage 2...or perhaps the Caly 3 in ZDP for a slim office-carry.
I love the SAGE 2's so much that I had four NIB...the all titanium grips always feel great in my hand, whether I'm carrying a Sage 2, a CRK Sebbie or Zaan, or a Brad Southard AVO.
Certain Benchmade models are very nice. I have carried a folder for several yrs long ago, but the 154cm steel was terrible, and even Benchmade couldn't get it sharp for me. The 940 with the s90v steel should stay sharp for a VERY long time, but you might prefer diamonds to re-sharpen it again...
I really do NOT like a light knife, and much prefer 3.5 - 5.0 ounces in a folder.
No such worries about Spyderco...I suppose I'm a fanboy...but they earned it.

 

[dkblade]

No, but I'll add this to push you over to the Spyderco. I've not had a Sage 1, but many Sage 2's, and both "colors" of the Sage 3.
My favorite 3" blade is the Sage 2...or perhaps the Caly 3 in ZDP for a slim office-carry.
I love the SAGE 2's so much that I had four NIB...the all titanium grips always feel great in my hand, whether I'm carrying a Sage 2, a CRK Sebbie or Zaan, or a Brad Southard AVO.
Certain Benchmade models are very nice. I have carried a folder for several yrs long ago, but the 154cm steel was terrible, and even Benchmade couldn't get it sharp for me. The 940 with the s90v steel should stay sharp for a VERY long time, but you might prefer diamonds to re-sharpen it again...
I really do NOT like a light knife, and much prefer 3.5 - 5.0 ounces in a folder.
No such worries about Spyderco...I suppose I'm a fanboy...but they earned it.

I'm still up in the air on it...I may wait an extra few weeks to afford myself the Benchmade and then ask for Sage 1 for Xmas, but not 100% on that yet. You say you prefer a heavier weight knife, would you mind elaborating why by chance? No worries being a fanboy...Spyderco is possibly the best all around knife company in the world. That's awesome that you had 4 NIB!! Do you find that the Sage 3 locking mechanism is on par with the Axis lock? Mind explaining a few noticeable differences?

 

[BluegrassBrian]

Just got my 940-1 today. (Traded a Brous ssf flipper for it/ LNIB).

Gorgeous knife, super lightweight, absolutely no play in any direction and it is centered dead middle.
Stropped it on 1 micron spray and it's slicing wonderfully.
The Axis lock is similar to my Sage 3, but it seems to operate smoother and with less force, which is nice.
I still love my Sage 3 of course, but I'm going to be carrying this BM for a while.

 

[Firestrike]

Just got my 940-1 today. (Traded a Brous ssf flipper for it/ LNIB).

Gorgeous knife, super lightweight, absolutely no play in any direction and it is centered dead middle.
Stropped it on 1 micron spray and it's slicing wonderfully.
The Axis lock is similar to my Sage 3, but it seems to operate smoother and with less force, which is nice.
I still love my Sage 3 of course, but I'm going to be carrying this BM for a while.

Nice Score!!!

I am amazed at how smooth my axis locks still work after being carried and used at a sawmill...I'm not kidding when I say my knives get packed with fine saw dust...

 

[dkblade]

Just got my 940-1 today. (Traded a Brous ssf flipper for it/ LNIB).

Gorgeous knife, super lightweight, absolutely no play in any direction and it is centered dead middle.
Stropped it on 1 micron spray and it's slicing wonderfully.
The Axis lock is similar to my Sage 3, but it seems to operate smoother and with less force, which is nice.
I still love my Sage 3 of course, but I'm going to be carrying this BM for a while.

Nice! Any more pics are appreciated

 

[BluegrassBrian]

Of the BM, or both?

 

[dkblade]

Of the BM, or both?

Both would be awesome if you can!

 

[BluegrassBrian]

Sure. I'll post some when I get home.

 

[BluegrassBrian]

 

[dkblade]

Great pics Brian thank you very much! Were you surprised at all with the size of the Benchmade when you received it? It looks pretty small, especially when set next to the sage which isn't exactly a large knife. How is the deployment and axis lock compared to the sage 3?

 

[jakesam7]

Don't get me wrong, my 940-1 is one of my absolute favorite knives. I carry it all the time and the action on it is flawless. The axis lock is tons of fun to use and it locks up like a tank. However, there does seem to be a pretty prominent amount of them coming out with QC issues. My 940-1 had a small amount of blade play but that was easily fixed with a little bit of blue loctite on the pivot. It's solid as a rock and it's stayed that way. My issue comes with the centering. While it doesn't effect performance at all, it is still very annoying to see. I just think that if my $30 China-made Emerson can come perfectly centered out of the box 9 times out of ten, then my $250+ American-made benchmade should be able to also. That being said, it's still a fantastic knife and I would highly recommend it!

 

[dkblade]

Don't get me wrong, my 940-1 is one of my absolute favorite knives. I carry it all the time and the action on it is flawless. The axis lock is tons of fun to use and it locks up like a tank. However, there does seem to be a pretty prominent amount of them coming out with QC issues. My 940-1 had a small amount of blade play but that was easily fixed with a little bit of blue loctite on the pivot. It's solid as a rock and it's stayed that way. My issue comes with the centering. While it doesn't effect performance at all, it is still very annoying to see. I just think that if my $30 China-made Emerson can come perfectly centered out of the box 9 times out of ten, then my $250+ American-made benchmade should be able to also. That being said, it's still a fantastic knife and I would highly recommend it!

My Rat 1 came perfectly centered and has zero blade play with no need for loctite. I hope Benchmade remedies this QC issue or it WILL start to effect sales, especially for those who are on the fence. Taichung seems to have a great grasp of quality control, maybe they should send a rep over!

 

[jakesam7]

My Rat 1 came perfectly centered and has zero blade play with no need for loctite. I hope Benchmade remedies this QC issue or it WILL start to effect sales, especially for those who are on the fence. Taichung seems to have a great grasp of quality control, maybe they should send a rep over!

I hope they do too! They're putting out too good of a product (functionally) to have it brought down by some easy-to-fix QC issues. But as far as the Sage 1 goes, I haven't had any experience with that particular Spyderco, but I have both a Delica 4 and a Yojimbo 2. Both are fantastic. You can't go wrong either way. It's really up to what your personal preference is. Hope this helped!

 

[BluegrassBrian]

Great pics Brian thank you very much! Were you surprised at all with the size of the Benchmade when you received it? It looks pretty small, especially when set next to the sage which isn't exactly a large knife. How is the deployment and axis lock compared to the sage 3?

I think the sizes are deceptive (handle and blade shapes are completely different ) in regards to how they feel in hand.
While the Sage feels stout in hand, it has plenty of reach. The 940 is slim BUT it doesn't feel insubstantial. A good example of there being more than one way to skin a cat.

As far as deployment goes the sage feels like a $125 Spydie. No problems at all. It flicks fast but it lacks bells and a whistle or two.
The actual movement of the 940 is great, but I hate thumbstuds. I've never been good at opening them quickly..maybe I just need more practice.

The bolt action of the sage is rock solid.
The Axis lock is easier to deploy and feels better on the thumb. A minor difference..both work perfectly.

I'm sorry to see so many people have QC issues with their 940s. Mine is perfect..it's even centered.

Edit: The 940 is very different than what I typically look for and buy. I think due to that I'm actually more prone to carry it for a little while.

 

[dkblade]

Pulled the trigger on a very lightly used Sage 1. Should be here in a week or so, will post pics when it arrives. Already saving up for the 940-1! Thanks for all the help, I strayed away from the Sage quite a few times but eventually decided it's gotta be next on my list and the price I am getting it for is [emoji106]