Benchmade 940 Osborne and 3350 Mini-Infidel

A Tale of Two Benchmades'

My EDC 940 Osborne and the 3350 Mini-Infidel

We'll start by discussing my 940 Osborne Axis Folder, I've had it for almost 8 years and it has been in my pockets from the shores of Thailand to the mountains of North Carolina. It's seen use almost every day for any task imaginable... to include minor surgery... (I'll spare the details, but suffice to say that it's sharp enough to get the job done)

The stainless blade has cut more apples than I care to remember, and as a single bladed pocket knife it has been worth every penny over the last few years. I find that a slim smaller knife that excels at mundane tasks is of more importance to me than a large hefty tactical knife. I don't doubt that I could use the 940 for self defense, but I have had much more opportunity to cut boxes rather than defend myself from roving gangs of knife wielding bandits, besides I like to adhere to the old adage of "bringing a gun to a knife fight". 

The Axis Lock is a very nice design, most locking folding knives need a total of 3 contact points to remain solid, the Axis system uses 2 and still maintains a rock steady lock. I find the lock smooth and fast to operate with one hand. 

I like a smooth blade rather than serrated. The thinking goes thus: A dull serrated blade is better than a dull straight blade, but a sharp straight blade is equal or better than a sharp serrated blade and I keep my blade sharp. I can sharpen a straight blade on any whetstone, but I would need special tools to sharpen a serrated blade. A straight blade is better at delicate work, carving, slicing, and scraping, where a serrated blade is best at quick rough work. sawing and slashing. If you plan to cut seat belts or rope all the time serrated works well, but I don't suggest you use the serrated blade for filleting fish, or slicing vegetables. I tend to use my knife for a lot of mundane everyday tasks, if you fast rope out of helicopters for a living your choice may vary. 

The drop point design is handy and I like a knife with a little bit of belly before the tip. I like the crisp edges on the back of the knife blade, they work great as a scraper, and while it may scar up the titanium scales on the sides, the back of the knife opens a bottle with no issue. 

The only thing I don't like about this knife is that it won't wear out, I'm at 8 years of daily use and it still keeps cutting. I would like to try some shiny new designs... but I can't as long as this knife is still so serviceable. With the addition of the Mini-Infidel OTF knife to my daily use I won't be retiring my 940 anytime soon, but I may regulate it's use to at work and keep the Infidel for those more dressy occasions. 

The Mini-Infidel is an OTF knife (Out the Front), it is double bladed and features the same bomb proof titanium side scales as my 940. This is my first OTF knife and I can't really compare it to any of the other OTF knife makers, but you can rest assured that this knife carries that impeccable Benchmade quality standard. 

I like the push button out and push button in, I think I had a blister on my finger the first week from popping it in and out so many times. It's a new concept to get used to and you'll be tempted to rely on old muscle memory and fold the blade the way you would a traditional folding knife, don't make that mistake! The dagger blade is soul cutting sharp.

This blade is D2 rather than stainless, so ensure that you keep it oiled regularly, I'm a bit more carefree with my 940, but I make sure that the Infidel is clean before returning it to my pocket. I don't find this knife very useful in my daily tasks, IE. cutting my apple for lunch or carving a stick to roast a marshmallow, but I also don't carry this knife everywhere I go, I reserve it's use for special occasions when I'll likely be in a more gentlemanly role... you get the idea.

This knife is a serious piece of kit, it's scary fast in and out and I'd say it would hold it's own in a knife fight, if you're so inclined to those types of encounters, and I like the slick understated appearance. This knife means business and is a real tool rather than a display piece. This knife is more Steve McQueen rather than Stone Cold Steve Austin. I won't use this knife in daily carry but just like a tuxedo, or fine watch, this knife has its place. 

The blade is solid with very little play or wiggle, I am enthralled by the ability to pop it in and out and I have so far resisted the urge to disassemble this knife and see what makes it tick. Some would say "It's just a knife!" and I'd say "Jealous much!"