Osborne Auto 9400 - Anyone purchased? Your thoughts?

Smooth Bone

Smooth Bone

Joined
Oct 31, 1999
Messages
392
I've always liked the blade shape of the Osborne 940. Handled it many times at Blade Atlanta but never bought one. Due to cervical spinal stenosis I've lost some fine motor control in my dominant right hand so an auto would be a big help. With introduction of the auto version of the Osborne, the 9400, I'm ready to buy.

I'd like to hear from those who have purchased.

I'm wondering about the lock-up? Vertical or horizontal play?

Overall quality?

Thanks!
 
I carry a 940 SBT and love it. I contacted Benchmade to see if the new auto would have the option for a serrated blade. They said not at this time. My current knife is a work knife so I really want a serrated blade. I'll probably hold off on the auto for now.
 
Mine is fine, I can't remember ever having an issue with a side opening BM auto. All of my OTF's had tremendous blade wobble and about a third of the manual openers that I have gone through over the years had issues but the side openers have all been good...maybe not Protech snappy but good nonetheless.

I no longer buy their OTF's at all and will not buy a manual w/o checking it out in person first but I don't hesitate to buy a regular auto at the right price.
 
My feelings about the 940 aside, I have to say I've found Benchmade's (axis release) autos a bit disappointing. It's not a quality thing - the few I've had have been reliable - it's that, after using Microtech and Protech autos, the Benchmades' action is noticeably slower. Honestly, they open like their assisted knives... maybe a little slower, because they aren't getting getting the initial opening force from the thumbstuds.
At one point, I mentioned that here; and a few respondents said that they'd had similar experiences... but loosening the pivot improved the opening. I hemmed & hawed, a bit reluctant to screw with it; but finally decided to tweak it. Before I noticed any appreciable improvement, I induced blade play. Tightened it back up, just til the blade play was resolved; and, for some time after, found that the knife failed to open on the first attempt. All I had to do was press the blade down & release it again, then it was fine for the rest of the day. Next day, same thing. I tried adjusting the pivot screw without improvement. I have no idea why; but it did eventually sort itself out, and it hasn't been a problem since. (Maybe a little thread sealant dislodged with the initial adjustment, and was gumming things up?)

I'm not anti-benchmade, by any stretch - I still carry/use my Presidio (the one referenced above), probably more frequently than any other autos.
 
I just looked at the 9400, and was surprised to see it isn't an axis release. I've got no experience with Benchmade's button release autos; so I'd be interested in people's impressions of the action.
 
I tried out a BM Axis-Auto (I forget which one) yesterday at a local gun store. It was larger than I wanted but very snappy with no wobble when the blade was deployed. Had no problem with the Axis but want to try the 9400 button.
 
Benchmade did a great job on these! I really like mine.

It is just like a regular 940, but auto. Of course, there is the difference in locking mechanisms.

I have had nothing but excellent service out of all of my many, many Benchmade autos since the early 90's. The only one that I don't care for is the Infidel. I just don't like it.
 
I'm quite late to the party but I bought one a month ago and love everything about it! I put it next to my first production 940 in green and satin and marvel that they made an auto without increasing the size of the knife at all!
Spinal Stenosis here too, Brother...sidelined me from a career as a Union Carpenter in Chicago...Sucks!! All the best and reduced pain to you, Sir!!
 
I can relate Brother. I am a union carpenter from Cleveland. I have the same back issues.
Jeff
 
I've been saving up and I have one set aside for me in Black.

I have always loved the 940 but I never loved the axis lock that much. I've had amazing results with benchmades plunge lock.

And ever since my wife got me the Kershaw launch 1 for Christmas I'm realizing how much I love carrying side open autos.

One of the biggest reasons I like Benchmade is they put the adjustable stop pin on the knife for future wear and tear and a great slide safety on the spine where I prefer it.
 
BellaBlades said:
I've been saving up and I have one set aside for me in Black.
Click to expand...

You'll like it!

Finally dropped the buck$ at a Jacksonville, FL gun store. I'm very satisfied. Sharp blade, tight lock-up and snappy opening. Like having the lock on the back of the scales and the purple anodized strip along the back. Nice touch!

A 9400 with black scales and blue anodized back strip as a limited edition law enforcement version would be cool!

And now I wish BM would make an auto Mini-Osborne!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top