940-2003 First Impressions
Hot off the milling machine comes the Osbourne 940-2003. This one is very much like the 940-2001 in many respects. This model also leaves behind the artistic flair that Warren set forth in the original 940 with no "Wavy V Groove" in the forward area of the scales. Obviously this turns off many of the 940 purists but also offers new simple and smooth design and it appears that it may be seen on other future 940 series knives. Both models have Titanium handles, the 2003's in a really nice DLC coating. The Blue Sapphire PVD-coated hardware is a really good look, setting off with the color of the handles. The 2003 comes with a black Axis Bar which I think is a good choice over satin but I do wonder why a Blue Sapphire PVD-coated Axis Bar wasn't used. Blade wise it uses S90V like the 2001 but comes with a really nice black DLC coating. All rounded out with a DLC-coated mini deep-carry pocket clip. End result the 940-2003 is a cookie cuttered 940-2001 with different colors.
I noticed that the specs on the 2003 a slightly different than the 2001. The weight of the 2001 being 3.38oz where the 2003 comes in at 3.42oz. This is most likely due to the fact that the 2001 has a handle thickness of 0.42" vs the 2003's 0.44” and possibly the use of some aluminum hardware vs steel hardware. Maybe the coatings add an ever so slight bit of weight too.
Looking at the quality, again it's excellent. Mine came dead center with no side to side or up and down blade play. The edge on the S90V blade is even down the entire length of the blade and it is sharp enough to remove the hair from my forearm in a single pass. The DLC coating is the standard Benchmade DLC in a heavy black. It is a numbered Limited Edition knife and is etched as such. Mine came a little tight in the pivot and I'll be breaking it in prior to any adjustments just to see how it will fair. It's going to make it into my EDC rotation and like the 2001 I think I'll like it more and more as I carry it once I can take it home from my Benchmade Dealer.
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Nice man... nice.
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/|\ Tim, thanks for your review.
It raises questions for Jason, notably why the difference in handle thickness between the 940-2001 and the 940-2003.
Second question on the 940-2003 why didn’t BKC use blue anodized Ti? Won’t the PVD coating on the screws chip away when folks put a T6 to them to maintain or change clips etc?
Third, I’ve seen gulling & sticking when moving parts (e.g. axis bar) get coated.
Lastly, for Tim sounds like you went to your dealer to visit & take pics of your new knives before you get to take them home - like visiting a new born in hospital nursery before mom & baby come home. You buy them on a lay-away plan?😉
PS For those new to Benchmade & to shame those at Benchmade for the creation of the 940-2001 & 940-2003, I’ve enclosed the above pic.
The knife on right has Ti handles, compared to its elegance the 940-2001 & 940-2003 look like something made in Russia. They look rugged & functional but none of the flare of Osborne’s design thus a poor 20th anniversary tribute to the man & his design.
Again BKC you could have done so much better on a 20th anniversary tribute knife ( sure for 25th you’ll will do better)
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I think there are too many different variations. They are out of "good" ideal.
They just try to make it different than previous models.
They need to hire an iphone design engineer.
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Yeah Bill I try to keep my dealer out of trouble. So a visit for some pictures was necessary. I stopped by and picked it up last night and its presently residing in the safe as I'm carrying something else today.
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And like the 940-2001 the 940-2003 took absolutely no time to sell out!
The Benchmade website shows "Out of Stock" this morning so if your looking for one you better hit up your nearest Authorized Dealer!
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I agree I miss the V
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Well I decided to swap some parts and pieces to make me better like the 2001 and 2003
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[@mention:589599268365971944] posted:
Well I decided to swap some parts and pieces to make me better like the 2001 and 2003
/|\ Better!
Wulff did you anodized the 940-2001’s handle blue then swap handles?
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Yes and all hardware
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I like the swap.
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Wulff those polished -2001 scales with the blue hardware and DLC blade are smokin’ good looking.
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If anybody has a line on one of the -2003’s Please let me know.
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I know of a few. 450 each
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We , go with Matt's find. They're hitting almost the $600 mark on the bay!
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[@mention:589599268365971944] posted:
Well I decided to swap some parts and pieces to make me better like the 2001 and 2003
I think they look better than both originals Wulff!
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I’m selling the top one. If anyone is interested
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I was very disappointed when I received my -2003. Black thumbstuds instead of blue. Pivot was in backwards. Small scratch in the DLC coating. I reversed the pivot and the knife literally will not open so obviously someone thought reversing the pivot was an acceptable solution. It's on its way back to Benchmade.
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[@mention:589599268366285754] posted:I was very disappointed when I received my -2003. Black thumbstuds instead of blue. Pivot was in backwards. Small scratch in the DLC coating. I reversed the pivot and the knife literally will not open so obviously someone thought revering the pivot was an acceptable solution. It's on its way back to Benchmade. I just hope we don't have another send it back three times before they fix it fiasco.
I've never had this happen. Sorry to hear your knife was so disappointing. Another in a long line of 2020 disappointments
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I've never seen this happen either Tu. I was baffled upon opening this one. Apparently several of the ones that came from DLT trading had black thumbstuds.
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/|\ Funny thing just read in the “which models with be dropped in 2021” thread a post by another longtime forum member who questioned BKC pricing in comparison to the rise in quality competition. He hung the possible difference on quality of warranty.
But before you get there the quality of shipped product has to be there.
At the price of the 940bk-2003 they should all be perfect going out the door.
Between price, quality & abundance of clones of BKC models, I’m really glad I stocked up on the ones I like a few years ago.
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[@mention:589599268366227375] posted:
/|\ Funny thing just read in the “which models with be dropped in 2021” thread a post by another longtime forum member who questioned BKC pricing in comparison to the rise in quality competition. He hung the possible difference on quality of warranty.
But before you get there the quality of shipped product has to be there.
At the price of the 940bk-2003 they should all be perfect going out the door.
Between price, quality & abundance of clones of BKC models, I’m really glad I stocked up on the ones I like a few years ago.
I agree Bill. At Chris Reeve prices you'd expect better craftsmanship from one of the best knife companies on the planet. I understand stuff happens and that's what the warranty is for but the person who assembled this knife had to know it wasn't right but sent it out anyway.
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[@mention:589599268366285754] posted:
I've never seen this happen either Tu. I was baffled upon opening this one. Apparently several of the ones that came from DLT trading had black thumbstuds.
I am waiting for mine. I will report it Thursday or Friday.
Are you able to get it changed to blue thumb studs?
I just remember I had a 15085-201 missing a pouch and they won't send me one. That was clearly a QA mistake since the box was sealed when I received.
Damn...
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[@mention:589599268366326498] posted:
I am waiting for mine. I will report it Thursday or Friday.
Are you able to get it changed to blue thumb studs?
I just remember I had a 15085-201 missing a pouch and they won't send me one. That was clearly a QA mistake since the box was sealed when I received.
Damn...
I'm sure they would send out the studs. Lots of guys have already contacted benchmade and have the correct studs on the way. My issue is with the pivot not working right in the correct orientation. The blade hits both scales when closed and then gets so tight around 90° that the knife can't be opened all the way. With the pivot backwards as they sent it, the pivot screw sticks out instead of being nested in the scales and looks like a pretty girl with her teeth knocked out. I hope everything works out with yours.
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Take it complete apart and start from beginning. Leave liners losse. Tighten pivot then liners.
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[@mention:589599268365971944] posted:
Take it complete apart and start from beginning. Leave liners losse. Tighten pivot then liners.
Already tried that. Everything looks correct but the knife only operates correctly when the pivot is reversed.
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[@mention:589599268365971944] posted:
Take it complete apart and start from beginning. Leave liners losse. Tighten pivot then liners.
I believe I am very handy. I definitely can do that.
BUT, The issue is not we can fix it. The issue is BKC taking advantage of us. We "trust" that BKC are making good quality knives. Once there is a new model out we just go out grab them without any doubt. When we receive it and the problem shows up. These is only 2000 limited production. People say CCC is not good, at least they price them reasonably.
Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
Maybe I should blame myself to blindly trust BKC product too much.
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/|\ Boinkman, I find problem interesting, not your stress or dismay I feel for you brother, but the engineering of it. Re-assembling many 94X’s I’ve mistakenly put the pivot in from “wrong side “ seemed ambidextrous. With the “D” shape to female part hard to it going in wrong regardless of side.
I guess you’ve take it apart & cleaned out any old gunky blue lube etc. Is it possible on of the washers are bent, & you put the back on same side.
Just such an odd case, please post solution when you solve the problem.
PS Being the 940bk-2003 is same width as a 940-1 ( &940-2) have you tried pivot & washers from a 94X that is perfect.
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[@mention:589599268366227375] posted:
/|\ Boinkman, I find problem interesting, not your stress or dismay I feel for you brother, but the engineering of it. Re-assembling many 94X’s I’ve mistakenly put the pivot in from “wrong side “ seemed ambidextrous. With the “D” shape to female part hard to it going in wrong regardless of side.
I guess you’ve take it apart & cleaned out any old gunky blue lube etc. Is it possible on of the washers are bent, & you put the back on same side.
Just such an odd case, please post solution when you solve the problem.
PS Being the 940bk-2003 is same width as a 940-1 ( &940-2) have you tried pivot & washers from a 94X that is perfect.
It is an interesting problem but the tolerances appear to be off when the pivot is in the correct orientation. With the scales already being scratched on arrival I didn't want to do any major problem solving.
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[@mention:589599268366285754] posted:I was very disappointed when I received my -2003. Black thumbstuds instead of blue. Pivot was in backwards. Small scratch in the DLC coating. I reversed the pivot and the knife literally will not open so obviously someone thought reversing the pivot was an acceptable solution. It's on its way back to Benchmade.
I'm sorry that left the factory that way. No excuses, we'll make it right. PM incoming.
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[@mention:589599268366326498] posted:
I am waiting for mine. I will report it Thursday or Friday.
Are you able to get it changed to blue thumb studs?
I just remember I had a 15085-201 missing a pouch and they won't send me one. That was clearly a QA mistake since the box was sealed when I received.
Damn...
This doesn't sound like it was handled properly. PM incoming!
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