Benchmade 940BK-03 Osborne

The Benchmade 940BK-03 Osborne is a mid-size folding knife for everyday carry, outdoor trips and work in the field. The blade is 86.4 mm long in a reverse tanto profile, the knife weighs 82 g, and the handle is only 10.4 mm thick, so it lies flat in the pocket and still gives a full grip in use.

The 940 Osborne is designed by Warren Osborne and has been a fixed part of Benchmade's range for many years. The reverse tanto blade combines a long, straight edge for draw cuts with a low, reinforced tip – practical for piercing packaging and precise work. The 940BK-03 is the version with a CPM-MagnaCut blade in black DLC Battlewash finish and handle scales in Burnt Copper anodised 6061-T6 aluminium.

Osborne with MagnaCut and AXIS lock

The technical basis of the 940BK-03:

• CPM-MagnaCut: Powder steel developed by Larrin Thomas, hardened to 60-62 HRC. The steel is formulated to combine high corrosion resistance with good toughness – a combination that is usually a compromise in older stainless steels such as S30V.
• DLC Battlewash finish: Diamond-Like Carbon coating with a tumbled surface that protects the blade and hides use marks better than a polished finish.
• Reverse tanto, 2.92 mm: The spine drops towards the tip, making the tip strong, while the straight edge is easy to sharpen and cuts evenly all the way.
• AXIS lock: A spring-loaded bar that locks the blade open and works the same from both sides. The knife is therefore Ambidextrous and closes without your fingers in the blade's path.
• Split-Arrow clip: Black-oxide clip that lets the knife ride deep and discreetly in the pocket without reflecting light.

Maintenance and safety

• Dry the knife after use, and give the pivot and AXIS lock a drop of knife oil when the action feels sluggish.
• MagnaCut is relatively easy to sharpen for a high-performance steel. Fine stones and a consistent angle give the best edge.
• The reinforced tip takes more than a classic drop point, but the knife is still a folder – do not use it as a pry bar.
• Folding knives with one-hand opening and a locking blade are covered by knife laws in many EU countries. Check the rules in your country before carrying the knife in public, and otherwise transport it safely packed away.