The Benchmade Osborne folding knife, the Model 940, arrives here with a 3.4 inch S30V satin plain blade and a green aluminum handle, and it is one of the genuinely iconic modern folders. Designer Warren Osborne built the 940 around function and quality, and the result is a knife whose form and purpose match completely. Two decades on, it is still the benchmark others get compared to.
Some knives are collected. This one gets carried.
What Makes the Benchmade Osborne Folding Knife Special
The heart of the Benchmade Osborne folding knife is the reverse tanto blade shape, machined from S30V stainless steel. A modified reverse tanto gives you a strong, acute point for detail work while keeping a long usable belly for slicing, which is an unusually versatile combination in a knife this slim. Dual thumb studs open it from either side, so left handed users get the same access as right handed users.
The AXIS locking mechanism, Benchmade’s exclusive crossbar system, is what makes the knife feel the way it does. It is fully ambidextrous, it disengages without putting a finger in the blade path, and it produces the smooth drop shut action the 940 is famous for. Everyday carry users, outdoorsmen, tradespeople, and collectors all end up with one for the same reason: it works.
Key Features
- 3.4 inch modified reverse tanto blade in S30V stainless with a satin plain edge finish
- AXIS crossbar locking mechanism for smooth, fully ambidextrous operation
- Dual thumb studs allowing safe and easy opening with either hand
- Machined aluminum handle scales, deep color anodized in rich green
- Color anodized titanium back spacer that accents the handle and adds rigidity
- Reversible stainless steel carry clip for true left or right side pocket carry
Materials and Geometry in Detail
S30V is a premium powder metallurgy stainless steel that balances edge retention, corrosion resistance, and sharpenability better than most alternatives at its price. It holds a working edge through long cutting sessions and comes back with a few passes on a ceramic rod or a diamond plate. The satin finish is practical as well as attractive, since it hides light use marks that would show plainly on a mirror polish.
The handle is where the Benchmade Osborne folding knife design really shows. It is slender, with a slight curvature and recessed contours that lock the hand in place without hot spots. Machined aluminum keeps weight down while staying rigid, and the deep anodizing gives the green its depth rather than sitting on top as a coating. The liners provide the solid foundation the AXIS lock requires and carry subtle finger treads for added blade control during precise cuts.
At 3.4 inches, the blade is long enough for real work and short enough to stay legal and socially acceptable in most everyday settings. Check local blade length rules before carrying anywhere new.
Carry, Care, and Sharpening
The stainless carry clip moves to either handle side, which makes the Benchmade Osborne folding knife a completely ambidextrous cutting tool rather than a right handed knife with a token nod to lefties. It carries tip up, riding deep enough in the pocket to stay discreet.
Maintenance is straightforward. Rinse and dry the blade after cutting anything acidic or salty, put a drop of light oil on the AXIS omega springs and pivot every few months, and blow pocket lint out of the lock channel. Do not disassemble it unless you have a reason, since the lock is easy to reassemble incorrectly. Round out your carry setup with sheaths, lights, and tools from the apparel and gear collection.
Sharpen at the factory angle with a guided system or a ceramic rod, taking light passes rather than aggressive grinding. S30V rewards patience and punishes heat. Benchmade also backs the design with its long standing service program, which is part of why these knives stay in circulation for decades.
Contemporary design, innovative function, and a higher standard of manufacturing make this a knife you buy once. Ships direct to your door, no FFL required.
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