Recommendation? How to spend $300

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xxxceo

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Oct 21, 2023
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Hi everyone, I just signed up and wanted to introduce myself. Ok, so I actually wanted some advice. I bought an Osborn 940-1 which arrived today and saying it’s dull would be generous. Thankfully the dealer I purchased it from is reputable and one we all use, so I can return it for a replacement, refund, or a credit. I don’t blame BM or the dealer, I just got a bad one (these things happen).

So my question for you guys is should I just sharpen what I have even though the S90V will never be a razor (or am I wrong about that?) or should I send it back and use a $300+ credit to purchase something else? And if so, what would you get with a $300 credit?

I know it’s a vague question so I’ll try to help out a bit as to what I’m looking for:

I purchased it because I wanted a new daily driver edc. I want it to be tough, sharp, and also on the classy side. I considered a PM3 but that lacked a bit in the class dept.

I own a Stryker 912 which is pretty much perfect for me as far as toughness goes. I don’t need something like that these days and while I love how it performs I’d like my new knife to look a little better. Something to impress the lady sitting in the passenger seat on occasion.
I really like my CRKT CEO when I want something classier. It’s not expensive but I dig the chrome and “carbon fiber” look. I also have a Damascus civivi chronic with actual carbon fiber that looks the part.
My M16-12, and Microtechs can whittle a hair. I’m decent enough at sharpening and can get a mirror edge.

…but none of these do all 3 great which is why I purchased the 940-1. I’m considering maybe purchasing a 940-2 with the S30V and buying carbon fiber scales to slap on but that’s when I realized I may be able to do better with $300 and decided to ask the experts :)

(of course just sharpening the 940-1 and keeping it is an easy option too but I read it will never truly be razor sharp which sucks because it really would be perfect otherwise)

So what would you do? Thanks and I’m looking forward to meeting you guys.
 
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There are a bunch of other options out there, but returning a knife due to the factory edge seems kind of ridiculous IMO. That's going to be irrelevant in the long term. Why do you think you can't get an S90V 940 sharp? I sharpened mine and it's as sharp as any other knife that I've sharpened.
 
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Tsujigiri said:
There are a bunch of other options out there, but returning a knife due to the factory edge seems kind of ridiculous IMO. That's going to be irrelevant in the long term. Why do you think you can't get an S90V 940 sharp? I sharpened mine and it's as sharp as any other knife that I've sharpened.
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Tbh I think I let myself get paranoid from reading other posts on different websites knocking that steel, then when I got mine it just seemed to verify what I’ve read.
 
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I had a 940-1 and sold it. The knife is slim, lightweight, and relatively long but pretty thick behind the edge. I think Benchmade 535-3 is a much better choice, which is my EDC for the past two years or so. If you want a beefier folder, I suggest you take a look at Benchmade super Freek.
 
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xxxceo said:
Hi everyone, I just signed up and wanted to introduce myself. Ok, so I actually wanted some advice. I bought an Osborn 940-1 which arrived today and saying it’s dull would be generous. Thankfully the dealer I purchased it from is reputable and one we all use, so I can return it for a replacement, refund, or a credit. I don’t blame BM or the dealer, I just got a bad one (these things happen).

So my question for you guys is should I just sharpen what I have even though the S90V will never be a razor (or am I wrong about that?) or should I send it back and use a $300+ credit to purchase something else? And if so, what would you get with a $300 credit?
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S90V can be razor sharp.
I have a Manly City in S90V and it is as sharp as any knife I've ever handled. Now if you object to receiving a new knife that needs to be sharpened I understand your frustration and encourage you to exchange it.

xxxceo said:
I know it’s a vague question so I’ll try to help out a bit as to what I’m looking for:

I purchased it because I wanted a new daily driver edc. I want it to be tough, sharp, and also on the classy side. I considered a PM3 but that lacked a bit in the class dept.

I own a Stryker 912 which is pretty much perfect for me as far as toughness goes. I don’t need something like that these days and while I love how it performs I’d like my new knife to look a little better. Something to impress the lady sitting in the passenger seat on occasion.
I really like my CRKT CEO when I want something classier. It’s not expensive but I dig the chrome and “carbon fiber” look. I also have a Damascus civivi chronic with actual carbon fiber that looks the part.
My M16-12, and Microtechs can whittle a hair. I’m decent enough at sharpening and can get a mirror edge.

…but none of these do all 3 great which is why I purchased the 940-1. I’m considering maybe purchasing a 940-2 with the S30V and buying carbon fiber scales to slap on but that’s when I realized I may be able to do better with $300 and decided to ask the experts :)

(of course just sharpening the 940-1 and keeping it is an easy option too but I read it will never truly be razor sharp which sucks because it really would be perfect otherwise)

So what would you do? Thanks and I’m looking forward to meeting you guys.
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I think you should get what you originally wanted. Benchmade 940's are an absolute classic and they check all your boxes.

There are lots of ZT's that offer Ti and CF in your price range if that interests you. I recently picked up an 0562cf and it's a hell of a knife, but it's a beast and that's not really what you're after.
 
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xxxceo said:
Tbh I think I let myself get paranoid from reading other posts on different websites knocking that steel, then when I got mine it just seemed to verify what I’ve read.
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What are you reading about the steel? S90V is a great steel, but everyone heat treats it differently. I think Benchmade gets shit for not treating their S90V hard enough to get the full edge holding potential out of the steel, but that shouldn't affect how sharp the knife can get.
 
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Tsujigiri said:
What are you reading about the steel? S90V is a great steel, but everyone heat treats it differently. I think Benchmade gets shit for not treating their S90V hard enough to get the full edge holding potential out of the steel, but that shouldn't affect how sharp the knife can get.
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Most of what I read said it’s a great steel but won’t ever get razor sharp. Others said while it will get razor sharp, it won’t stay that way and is meant to be more of a toothy working edge. I’m not saying any of that is true as I’ve only experienced that steel for less than a day now, but that’s what made me second guess myself. I know I can sharpen it, but I hesitated in case I decide to return it.
 
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Spillproof said:
S90V can be razor sharp.
I have a Manly City in S90V and it is as sharp as any knife I've ever handled. Now if you object to receiving a new knife that needs to be sharpened I understand your frustration and encourage you to exchange it.


I think you should get what you originally wanted. Benchmade 940's are an absolute classic and they check all your boxes.

There are lots of ZT's that offer Ti and CF in your price range if that interests you. I recently picked up an 0562cf and it's a hell of a knife, but it's a beast and that's not really what you're after.
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ZT 0452cf looks awesome but I like your advice about the 940. Your 0562cf looks like it can take care of anything in its way.
 
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X xxxceo - Welcome to blade forums. I’d go with your gut feeling. If I spent $300 on a knife and felt less than satisfied.. I’d probably return it. S90V can be a little more challenging to sharpen than many other steels. Are you planning to use it ? If it was an intended to be a user and you really like the knife, send it to Benchmade - they will 100% sharpen it ( though their definition of sharp leaves many unsatisfied ). You have many options in that price range - do whatever you think will make you happy.

*Post pics !!
 
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My new daily driver is a civivi elementum wharncliffe. Which is definitely sharp and seems to be staying that way.

I think it is a classy knife with a really easy to hit flipper.

I have the nitro v. But for extra classy it does come in Damascus.

And because the brand is so big. You can aftermarket almost every handle scale you could think up.

 
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luethge said:
X xxxceo - Welcome to blade forums
https://flic.kr/p/2paNwqj
. I’d go with your gut feeling. If I spent $300 on a knife and felt less than satisfied.. I’d probably return it. S90V can be a little more challenging to sharpen than many other steels. Are you planning to use it ? If it was an intended to be a user and you really like the knife, send it to Benchmade - they will 100% sharpen it ( though their definition of sharp leaves many unsatisfied ). You have many options in that price range - do whatever you think will make you happy.

*Post pics
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Thanks! I’m confident I can sharpen it and would probably rather do that than send it in. Now that you made me take pics I remembered why I bought it 😂

https://flic.kr/p/2paN9dx
https://flic.kr/p/2paG8Xi
 
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Drop bear said:
My new daily driver is a civivi elementum wharncliffe. Which is definitely sharp and seems to be staying that way.

I think it is a classy knife with a really easy to hit flipper.

I have the nitro v. But for extra classy it does come in Damascus.

And because the brand is so big. You can aftermarket almost every handle scale you could think up.

Click to expand...
I only have one Civivi so far but I love it
 
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sharp_edge said:
I had a 940-1 and sold it. The knife is slim, lightweight, and relatively long but pretty thick behind the edge. I think Benchmade 535-3 is a much better choice, which is my EDC for the past two years or so. If you want a beefier folder, I suggest you take a look at Benchmade super Freek.
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That’s such a great color combo and looks awesome on the 535
 
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Just an update everyone… well, you know how it is, I’m sharpening it now lol. I couldn’t resist. It’s creating a nice burr and sharpening up really nice. I guess I just needed that push. Thanks everyone for the replies; I was really torn on the 535-3 mentioned above and may actually pick that up next (or the Crkt ceo in bronze & cf…probably both lol). Anyway I just wanted to thank you all for giving me your opinions and I’d still love to hear about some of your favorites. I’m looking forward to participating in this community more and getting to know all of you. 🍻
 
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s90v will get plenty sharp and hold the edge longer than most steels. I guess you already made your choice, but I would have recommended a Spyderco Manix 2. One of the best all-arounders out there and it comes in many configurations. You can presently get one in s110v with G10 scales for $220 and it will be a better cutter than the 940 due to superior geometry.
 
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Blade Lab said:
s90v will get plenty sharp and hold the edge longer than most steels. I guess you already made your choice, but I would have recommended a Spyderco Manix 2. One of the best all-arounders out there and it comes in many configurations. You can presently get one in s110v with G10 scales for $220 and it will be a better cutter than the 940 due to superior geometry.
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I heard a lot of positives about the Manix and Shaman. It led me to eventually consider a PM2 and then the PM3. TBH I never really liked the look of Spyderco except for the Centofante but I know they’re about as top shelf as you can get.
 
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