A 25-Year-Old Benchmade Workhorse EDC Knife Just Got Better (and Better-Looking) Than Ever

The iconic design endures, while upgraded blade and handle ingredients take this burly Bugout alternative to another level.

By Steve Mazzucchi

Published August 12, 2025

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Thanks to the most memorable scene in 1986’s surprise hit Crocodile Dundee, the first Australian most people think of when it comes to knives is Paul Hogan.

However, the actor is by no means the most influential Aussie when it comes to actual knife design. That distinction belongs to the great Warren Osborne.

benchmade-osborne-gear-patrol-1 — The new Osborne and Mini Osborne share materials and design. The latter is just a bit smaller and lower priced.

A native of Waratah, Australia who lived most of his life in Waxahachie, Texas, the renowned custom knife maker penned outstanding individual designs and fantastic brand collaborations for literally decades.

Though Osborne passed away in 2016 at the age of 64, his legacy lives on in the many blades that bear his name and boomerang logo, most notably Benchmade’s Osborne, which, as GP noted in a review last year, might be even better than the beloved Bugout.

The combination of M390 super steel and a conversation-starting handle uniquely textured for superior grip makes this new edition arguably the best workaday option now available.

That’s even more true in the case of its latest iteration. Coming 25 years after the original, the new 940-04 Osborne and 945-04 Mini boast blade and handle materials that can hardly be beat.

Blue jean baby

The most noticeable update with the new knives is undoubtedly the handle, which gets a beautiful dark denim micarta treatment.

This particular aesthetic is fitting in the sense that the Osborne began life as a ranch knife — and remains a favorite of folks who live and work in blue jeans.

benchmade-osborne-gear-patrol-4 — Thanks to its textured finish, the denim micarta handle is not only gorgeous but also grippable.

Benchmade itself calls the styling “our nod to those who like to get their hands dirty and boots dusty, just like us.”

That said, this knife’s biggest functional boost only becomes apparent once you actually deploy the blade.

While the Osborne typically features S30V stainless steel, here it gets upgraded to M390, a super steel prized for its exceptional edge retention, corrosion resistance and toughness.

benchmade-osborne-gear-patrol-2 — The blade’s offside neatly displays both its super steel quality and Osborne’s legendary logo.

It’s worth noting that beyond the standard Osborne blade, you can already shell out for options with high-end super steels such as S90V and MagnaCut.

However, the combination of M390 and a conversation-starting handle uniquely textured for superior grip makes this new edition arguably the best workaday option now available.

Enduring design

Regardless of whether you agree on that last point, there’s no debating that the Osborne’s architecture is top-notch.

The eye-popping and versatile reverse tanto blade measures a generous 3.4 inches (2.92 inches for the Mini), more than enough steel for rugged EDC tasks.

Like so many other pitch-perfect Benchmade knives, this Osborne deploys smoothly via ambidextrous thumb studs and stays put thanks to the brand’s patented Axis lock.

benchmade-osborne-gear-patrol-3 — The patented Axis lock and reversible pocket clip ensure the knife deploys firmly and stores securely.

The handle scales are not only textured but classically contoured for an ergonomic four-fingered grip, and the knife will stay in your pocket just as reliably as in your hand courtesy of the reversible tip-up clip.

Despite the robust feature set, this Osborne tips the scales at 2.423 ounces (1.96 for the Mini), ensuring it carries just a bit lighter than Mick Dundee’s famous fixed blade might.

The new Benchmade Osborne is available now for $290. The new Mini Osborne costs $280.

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.