I just acquired a BenchMade 921 SwitchBack folder

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FullerH

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Nov 25, 1998
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I just this past weekend acquired a BenchMade 921 SwitchBack folder, the Warren Osborne design with the 3 1/4" S30V modified Wharncliffe main blade with an Apex LOck, cobalt blue anodized aluminum scales, and a 2 1/16" Wharncliffe pen-knife blade f 440C steel in the back. It has a friction lock. Please go here for a look:http://www.knifeworks.com/product.asp?3=2902

The main blade is a nice size and design for a light utility blade, which sets the tone for the entire knife. While S30V is a tough steel, the blade is not up to use as a tactical knife, nor are the scales adaptable to that use, being made of anodized aluminum and rather too smooth for wet work. But, with that caveat, it is a very nice knife, very nice indeed, lacking only a "Hole" and, perhaps, "Tip-Down" carry for perfection in its niche. The scales are a deep cobalt blue with a slight metallic sheen to them, while the Axis Lock is both solid and easy to use. I really like this knife. It both intrigues and attracts me.
 
I think that you have a winner. I consider the 921 a nice utility or large gents knife. I love it's thinness and lightness. It is so light that it can almost be forgotten when I carry it in my pocket. I think that the 921 is a great EDC for many environments where a one does not have to be real careful about carrying a slightly larger knife. The fact that it comes with two blade really increases its usefulness because the little slipjoint can be used forr many things that a small penknife would used for doing like opening mail or cutting thread.
 
Nice choice! :D

The 921 is most certainly not a tactical knife, but it makes a great utility knife and the pretty blue color souldn't raise too many eyebrows.

Now Benchmade needs to make an S30V AFCK or 710! :D
 
Good choice!:) The 921 certainly does not seem to have been designed as a tactical knife, but it is a gem as an EDC utility piece. Great design and materials and very easy to carry. Good luck with it.:D
 
Even with a good price, the 921 shouldn't be used as a 'tactical' knife lest it be placed and 'lost' in an evidence locker.
 
The 921 is very well designed EDC, I didnt care for the S30V on it though mine tended to chip some what and had it replaced then traded the replacment off but the LTD editions with the D2 steel blades and the pewter colored handles rock!

bm_921pew2.jpg
 
That's it! Thank you, Anthony, the 921 is just exactly that, a "large gent's knife", and switchable to left-handed carry in the bargain!

NGK, I am sorry about your experience with the S30V. Am I correct in my understanding that this is basically the old CPM440V steel? If so, I wonder if BenchMade hardened yours a bit too much? Spyderco takes their CPM440V knives to what, Rc 57-59, I think, while some of the other companies took it to 61-63 a few years back and did have chipping problems. I should think that the word would be out by now on that issue. I hope that the S30V in my knife does better.
 
Originally posted by FullerH


NGK, I am sorry about your experience with the S30V. Am I correct in my understanding that this is basically the old CPM440V steel?
Click to expand...

S30V is a totally new steel, though it is made by the some company as 440V (now called S60V). The manufacturer is Crucible Particle Metalurgy, located in Syracuse, NY.

S30V is the first steel designed specifically for use as a blade steel. I'm sorry you experienced problems. Maybe the heat treatment was not the greatest with the batch your knife came from.

BTW, that D2 version of the 921 looks sweet. :cool:
 
I wish I had a 921 Switchback. But I do have experience with the 923 Taurus switchback (the reverse tanto version from Taurus). I had a lot of hard time finding it. It is a very nice utility knife, very much like the 921. I also found that the second blade is a very useful tool, especially when trying to get to smaller areas.
 
I've ben trying to find some feedback on the main blade on this knife.
A few years back I bought a Switchback as I liked the feel and layout. I found the S30V blade to be a disappointment however. I was using it to cut plastic strapping and found it noticeably dull after 6-8 cuts. I re-sharpened with an Arkansas soft stone and had the same results. I just figured the metal was not ideal for my uses and put it aside as my 440C Benchmade blades seemed to have no trouble. Within the last couple of months I have purchased S30V blades from Microtech and Chris Reeve and was surprised at how well they perform the same tasks the Switchback could not. Did I get a bad blade or do others feel the same way?
 
Judging by mine, I'd say you got a bad blade. The main blades held up quite well on mine. The small blade is too delicate to be much more than a decoration, though. I snapped one of those off using edge-on pressure and had to finish the job with a Case penknife.
 
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