Opinions on the BM 921 Switchback

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WildBillCichlid

Joined
Dec 17, 2003
Messages
13
Hello all,

I'm new to the site, been reading up on past threads and lurking...figured it was time to post something! lol... :)

Anyone have opinions / experiences with the 921? I order one that will be in tomorrow and am anxiously awaiting it's arrival.

I couldn't decide between the 940 and the 921, so I ordered one of each, one for me, one for my boss. Figure I will give him the 940 as his xmas present.

I currently have a BM 551 (traded in my crosslock for it), Gerber Gator, a few Bucks, & multitude of leathermans.

Also I just ordered a SOG Twitch II and Blink to play around with, figured the Blink would be a bit different than the Twitch I.

Anyway, I appreciate the info here, looks to be a good resource and group of knifenuts. :)
 
Large blade : good knife, pretty comfortable handle (although can be improved)

Small blade : kinda useless, because when holding the knife to use the small blade, the grip is not comfortable. Making it feel awkward.
 
I bet ThomBrogan will chime in here. He has been tinkering with one for some time now, changing the profile and such. I think you will love the 921. They look/feel awesome in person. Love the S30V steel too.

Robb
 
Welcome to the forums, WildBillCichlid!

My guess is that you'll love your 921. The ones without the black coating have the best out-of-box fit, finish, lockup, and sharpness I have experienced from Benchmade. The handle might scare you at first. It is as smooth as a Cassanova pickup line, and yet its shape keeps your fingers off of the blade and your hand firmly on the handle.

The modified wharncliffe blade is a very aggressive cutter. Before trying to significantly thin out the edge (don't try this at home, S30V is a very tough steel!), it was the best slicer I owned.

Also, don't go around thinking it's some namby-pamby gentleman folder meant for light tasks and babying. It's made for cutting high-guage (thin) sheet metal, leather, wire, aluminum cans, cardboard, wood, sheetrock, and even wrapping paper (tis the season, you know).

The harder you use your 921, the more you'll appreciate it. It will spoil you so much, that, if you still have that accursed knife-getting madness, you'll be looking for knives that outdo the 921 in ruggedness or slicing ability. When you get there, it will usually be on ruggedness and a much higher pricetag. Ironically, the knife I found to slice almost as good out-of-box was the Spyderco Delica which costs so much less. Now if only Spyderco, Extrema Ratio, and Strider could collaborate on a knife...

edit to add
<edit>The Spyderco Salsa, with AUS-8A, is tougher, sharper out of box, and less expensive. With its broad blade, it may not be as nimble, but it's still a great buy.</edit>

It's not for everyone. Some folks find the blade too large, too small, or too thick (.12" ?! Hence my quest to thin out that edge). Others don't trust the handle. The first models' pocketclips liked eating dungaree pockets. Still, it's a great, great knife and I expect that you'll be pleased.

Originally posted by Phalanx7.62
I bet ThomBrogan will chime in here.
Click to expand...

In MXDan, president of the 921 Fanclub, we trust!
 
I have one of the numbered ones I really liked it. The second blade helps to cut small tags and such off at work but thats about it.
 
I really liked the one I had and regret getting rid of it. But it made a good enough impression that I am going to get another.
 
Thanks for all the feedback, yes I did order the satin finish blade and not the BT2 coating as well. I prefer satin over the coated as it wears better IMO (at least for looks).

It was a hard choice between the 940 and the 921, I haven't gotten to play around with a 921 yet, but was able to handle a 940 at a Bass Pro Shop and loved it...very smooth action, almost like SOG assist feel.

I could tell right away it was alot quicker than my BM 551, although I haven't adjusted the 551 from the factory settings.

So how do I go about signing up for the 921 fan club? :p
 
Originally posted by WildBillCichlid
So how do I go about signing up for the 921 fan club? :p
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Wise choice on the satin finish. The action on the BT2 model is always smooth, whereas the satin models are slick, but in a non-politician way.

The 921 Fan Club exists within our hearts. There are no cool t-shirts, tattoos, or signature SUV's like the Cold Steel Medium Tanto-point 50/50 Edge Voyager Fan Club have. At the most, are goofy 921 Fanclub graphics that may placed on your server to link to your signature.
 
Sweet looks like it will be my new EDC...now all I have to do is wait for UPS to hurry up...it's on the truck as we speak!

I have to say, I do like BM knives, they are very dependable and hold their edge alot longer than other knives I've had in the past like Kershaw for instance.
 
Benchmades can be really great. That axis lock is amazing. Let us know how much you love or hate your new 921.
 
Ok, just got the package an hour ago! WooHoo... :)

Here's what we got, courtesy of Spoon River Cutlery:

BM 921 (for myself)
BM 940 (for my Boss)
2 BM 690 (for client gifts)
2 BM 690BC1 (for client gifts)
SureFire E1-BK (for myself)
2 SureFire E1E-HA (for client gifts)

After playing with both the 921 and 940, I can say I like both equally. The second blade on the 921 will probably not get used much unless I force myself to remember it's there.

As far as holding goes, the 921 feels comfortable enough even with pressure on the hand, I don't see the second blade causing any discomfort.

I do wish it was tip down carry though. I know it's personal preference, but I'm used to tip down with my other knives and unconsciously roll the knife in my hand when I pull it from my pocket. This will take some getting used to.

The 940's reverse tanto blade is pretty nice, a little different than most commonly seen EDCs (at least to the common user). I wonder how it compares usefulness wise to the modified Wharncliffe on the 921.

Now I can't wait til the Twitch II and Blink come in next week! ;)
 
Originally posted by WildBillCichlid
BM 940 (for my Boss)
2 BM 690 (for client gifts)
2 BM 690BC1 (for client gifts)
2 SureFire E1E-HA (for client gifts)
Click to expand...

Makes you wish you were self-employed, don't it? ;)
 
No kidding! lol... :)

Actually I'm wishing I'd gotten an E2 instead of the E1, 4x the light output and not that much longer in size. I guess I know what I'll be looking for next. ;)
 
I just picked up a 921 last night. The local sporting goods store had the display model on sale for $79.99. The wife kinda rolled her eyes at me, but at that price, I had to pick it up right? I'm not sure if I'm going to EDC it or not though. It's too pretty to get banged up in my pocket.
 
Originally posted by GlockMonkey
I'm not sure if I'm going to EDC it or not though. It's too pretty to get banged up in my pocket.
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It's a lot tougher than you think. It's not Strider tough or Extrema Ratio tough, but it will severe beatings without flinching and still look dainty and cut like a lightsaber.

What a great price, too!
 
I got a 921 last summer and it nowe rivals my much beloved Terzuola/Spyderco StarMate as my off-work EDC (I work in a federal agency where carry of a blade over 2.5" is illegal). I have found the second blade to be perfect for the picky little tasks such as removing splinters and picking out stitches from leatherwork. I also love the blue color of the scales on mine, since I have the standard model with the blue anodized scales and satin finished blades.
 
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