Mini Osborne - first Benchmade

Danny Linguini

Danny Linguini

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May 24, 2022
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Just arrived in the mail, my first Benchmade, a Mini Osborne, from the exchange. What a sweet little knife. Size, weight, blade shape are just perfect. Everything is tight, no wobbles, no squeaks. My only concern was, from the pictures, I thought the scales might be too micarta-like, but they are not at all. The texture that shows up in images is barely detectable to the touch, in fact you really can’t feel it at all, which is exactly what I was hoping. Just a great looking, great feeling piece. And majorly fidget-worthy. Y’all have a new fan.

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I think I’ve decided my next knife is going to be an Osborne 940-2. I love the Mini, but there are some tasks, like shredding up really think cardboard, that kinda need a little more heft in the hand. I did such a task with my Kershaw Blur S30V the other day, which is the exact purpose I bought that knife for awhile back, and let’s say I was less than blown away. My SAK Cadet actually sliced through similar stuff much more easily, but I’m not sure how much of that a SAK blade will tolerate. I would expect S30V to hold up much better. So that’s my latest excuse to go back to the hunt. I love love love that reverse tanto blade, and the shape and feel of the handle, so I’m really itching to get my hands on
Mini’s big brother.
 
Be careful fidgeting the Mini. With the blade so short, the tip gets close to my palm when doing the Open/close flick. I end up using my Presidio II mini more than my 940-1. The Presido is a big chunky, but seems to be a more general knife. And can be found at reasonable prices.

If I was looking for smaller blade a slicer (to replace the mini), I would either go with a bugout with sturdy scales or find a Valet, but the mini is nice.
 
gentleman_edc said:
Be careful fidgeting the Mini. With the blade so short, the tip gets close to my palm when doing the Open/close flick. I end up using my Presidio II mini more than my 940-1. The Presido is a big chunky, but seems to be a more general knife. And can be found at reasonable prices.

If I was looking for smaller blade a slicer (to replace the mini), I would either go with a bugout with sturdy scales or find a Valet, but the mini is nice.
Click to expand...
Oh no, I don’t want to replace the Mini. I love it for lighter-duty stuff. I’m actually looking to replace the Blur for the heavier stuff. I might make a run to REI and see if I can fondle a 940 in person (it’s supposedly in stock at the local store).

I haven’t had any issues with the tip fidgeting the Mini, but I have on occasion pinched some skin between the thumb stud and the handle when closing it. It’s still my second favorite fidgeter.
 
The only 940 I have is the 940-1. I don't feel comfortable banging it around. It's not a safe queen, but it is a pretty knife. Of the Benchmade's I have, the Presidio II mini (still a big knife) is the most rugged.

I also would consider a Hogue Deka as a just as capable competitor (clone) of the 940.

Do try and handle a 940. I love it in concept, but just don't carry it as much as I expected to.
 
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