I bought a Mediator back in February when they first came out and was instantly blown away. What a sexy knife! From the milled pattern G10 scales, the open frame design that doesn't collect a bunch of pocket crud, the very snappy blacked out S90V blade. It totally was at the time an "auto 940", the aesthetics of the Mediator totally pay homage to the 940, but with just enough of its own character, which is why I had to have it. Just a smidge smaller which I love... added full size deep carry clip for better purchase when opening, now I can grab the clip with three fingers when opening... It's a great knife to carry daily. Let me put it like this, when I pull out this knife everyone wants to have a look. Would like to add just a tiny bit of color though some nice anodized barrel spacers would really make it a beauty, but I don't really dare to take it apart.
I've really enjoyed my Mediator and I'm sure I'll love the 9400 when it arrives. For me I think Benchmade is totally killing it lately. Please Benchmade add the 940 & 9400 to the custom shop 🙏
Awesome video Zack... very nice comparison.... I think it’s freakin cool they made an auto 940... some of my friends said “why does that even exist “ I say... “why not!”
Picked up the Mediator today. I've had the manual version of the 9400. My preference is for a G10 handle. Benchmade's anno aluminum handles never felt that good to me. Thanks for the review! 👍🔪👍
The mediator is definitely a super awesome knife and I plan to snag one eventually. But that 9400 is slickkkkk. Hopefully I'll have both one day :) Keep up the great content!
This knife looks like a knife from Chronicles of Riddick. A mix between Riddick and the suits worn by the Harkkonen in the movie dune. Sting would love this knife! Buy it!
These two are similar but I think I’d still go with the 9400 because I love the feel of the 940. Nothing against the Mediator but I feel like it’d be more comfortable
I love my 940 I have had for over half a decade and I just got a 9400 yesterday. Very happy. I think the blade shape, the weight and size is perfect for EDC, especially for me. I'm going to send my 9:40 back to Benchmade to have them do a little TLC. I take good care of my knives but I figure I will be okay without it for a little bit. I've also got a protech tr5 coming tomorrow and I'm quite excited. I probably do a little comparison video since I was having a hard time choosing and so I ended up buying both. I've used a few Benchmade autos CLA folding auto and they feel good but the 940 has a great snap to it.
I love the Osborne, but I wanted an s90v Blade. So I got the mediator. Plus I like a black knife. Idk. They’re both awesome tho. I’ll probably buy a 9400 in the future. I have a Bugout as well. Can’t beat a good Benchmade.
The 9400 with a super steel will be the best option, I'll get one then, if I can get it into Australia. Who am I kidding, I'll just dream about owning one. :-(
I would buy one of these in a heart beat but in good ol’ Minnesota these r a big no no...opted for an assisted barrage today. I carry a vector 496 now, excited for options now in my edc. Great content as always man!
Great comparison, I definitely agree if benchmade put the mediator scale on the 9400 it would be awesome. Just make it a blue scale with a black blade as well and they probably wouldn’t be able to ever keep them in stock
Haven't handled either so hard to say what i'd prefer. I do agree with you on the scale idea, making the Mediator pattern for the 9400 would be a true winner.
Haven't had either one in hand and, to me, they look like twin sons of different mother's. (For those of you too young to be aware, "Twin Sons Of Different Mothers" was the title of an album by Dan Fogelberg and Tim Weisberg released in 1978...pretty good album, but I digress 😂) As to which knife I like better and would rather have, either one would suit me just fine.
Great stuff, Zach! I'm still thinking about getting the manual 940 since, so far, I only have the 940-1. So, I'd go with the Mediator. For me, an auto 9400 kinda defeats the purpose of why I like the action on the 940 series so much. But, I love your idea of scales like the Mediator to fit the 9400. I would buy that in a heartbeat! You're always going to Benchmade so often, they should put you on their payroll. Convince them to do that!!!. Yes, yes, PLEASE! Btw, I agree with Chad, below. The safety on autos should always be on the spine (so there's no confusion).
Between those two I would probably go for the 9400 for the more recessed button and better safety placement, but I would really love to see a 9400-1 some day.
I believe the 940 would be my favorite benchmade for edc. Looks like it would be so good in pocket plus the length and weight is great too that mediator looks like a sweet knife too 🤩🤩🤩
Marketing & designing for the perceived market fascinate me. Probably because I don't know a damned thing about it. For example- look at whoever came up with the idea of making a 4 door Jeep...My god, you can't throw a ball down any road without hitting 4 of them! I think it will be the same with the 9400. Take one of (if not THE) most popular designs- make it an auto and take my damn money!! This knife will be a staple for many years to come! RIP Mr. Osborne, and thank you!!!😀👍
love the look of the 9400 so I grabbed it. There was just something off that didn't click with me on the mediator. also like the cleaner look of the 9400 with the safety along the spine
Just got home from the sportsman warehouse and my Wife picked me out a 484-1 Nokomora . So sick ! I didn't even know this knife existed until my wife said she thought it looked nice . Do you have one ? Maybe compare to the mini freak and mini grip .
I like the mediator better. That being said if I was going 2 pay that much I would go for a protech or even a microtech ludt. That is of course my opinion. I do like Benchmade , but for the price and for what I like there are better options for the money. I do love the Osborne designs and the pardue designs allot
I have two ultratechs and a Kalashnikov, 100% rather play with my bugout, idk i used to like spring assist and side open autos but a good axis lock or flipper is so much more fun to play with.
Has anyone with a 9400 had a problem with the safety. On mine if you engage the safety and press the release button, the action sort of jams up and you have to press on the blade as in closing the knife to get the release button to pop out into its normal position. If you release the blade and engage the safety, then depress the release button it retains the blade but almost releases it and sort of jams up as it does from the closed position. It would seem that it is just a bit tight and needs some break in and a drop of oil, but I fear as it is used the safety will fail to retain the blade in either position. Any suggestions?
The 9400 should a AXIS auto in my opinion. If it was that would be my choice. I love my 940's. However I have been loving the Mediator blade. Push button on a 940 seems weird to me after years of carrying a regular 940.
Other than looking tactical the mediator just seems kind of pointless now. That said I do have one and love it and I'm looking forward to picking up the 9400.
The profile lines when closed are a big deal for me. The Mediator leaves a gap between the blade and handle. The 9400 has a seamless contour around the entire profile.
If I were in the market for an OTS it would have to be the Mediator for one reason - S90V. Otherwise from a design perspective they’re darn near six of one, half dozen of another in my opinion. 🤷♂️ Now, if they came out with a 9400-1 it would be a much harder decision and I’d most likely favor the Osborne design. 😉
Exactly why I went with the Mediator. If I could’ve gotten the 9400 in s90v that’s what I would’ve done, but I couldn’t. So I didn’t lol. They need to just add the 9400 to the Custom page and be done with it.
I bought a Mediator back in February when they first came out and was instantly blown away. What a sexy knife! From the milled pattern G10 scales, the open frame design that doesn't collect a bunch of pocket crud, the very snappy blacked out S90V blade. It totally was at the time an "auto 940", the aesthetics of the Mediator totally pay homage to the 940, but with just enough of its own character, which is why I had to have it. Just a smidge smaller which I love... added full size deep carry clip for better purchase when opening, now I can grab the clip with three fingers when opening... It's a great knife to carry daily. Let me put it like this, when I pull out this knife everyone wants to have a look. Would like to add just a tiny bit of color though some nice anodized barrel spacers would really make it a beauty, but I don't really dare to take it apart.
Yeah...I could really see a set of red barrel spacers (like the ones on the super freek) dressing that Mediator UP!!
If Batman and Joker were Benchmade knives.
Both terrific looking knives for sure!! Thanks for the comparison Zach!!
I’m a big fan of the 940 but that mediator is just downright sexy.
Thanks for the video Zach!
I've really enjoyed my Mediator and I'm sure I'll love the 9400 when it arrives. For me I think Benchmade is totally killing it lately. Please Benchmade add the 940 & 9400 to the custom shop 🙏
Amen. I dunno why they don't. I would love to get an aluminum 940 in other colors.
Amen. I wish I could’ve gotten a 9400 in a different color with an s90v blade. I went with the Mediator but I’ll end up buying a 9400 eventually.
Awesome video Zack... very nice comparison.... I think it’s freakin cool they made an auto 940... some of my friends said “why does that even exist “ I say... “why not!”
Just ordered a 4300 CLA and Mediator, wish they woulda put a back spacer on the Mediator
I have a 940-1, so the 9400 seems like a step back. I purchased a Mediator today.
Awesome comparison video! I would go for the 9400 as well, i love the way they. Have completed that package! Awesome and keep up the videos!!!!
Picked up the Mediator today. I've had the manual version of the 9400. My preference is for a G10 handle. Benchmade's anno aluminum handles never felt that good to me.
Thanks for the review! 👍🔪👍
The mediator is definitely a super awesome knife and I plan to snag one eventually. But that 9400 is slickkkkk. Hopefully I'll have both one day :) Keep up the great content!
This knife looks like a knife from Chronicles of Riddick. A mix between Riddick and the suits worn by the Harkkonen in the movie dune. Sting would love this knife! Buy it!
It sounds like Greg Medford's speaking on a couple o' Benchmade automatics here d:
These two are similar but I think I’d still go with the 9400 because I love the feel of the 940. Nothing against the Mediator but I feel like it’d be more comfortable
I have the 9400, it is great how every would be happy with either 👍👍
I love my 940 I have had for over half a decade and I just got a 9400 yesterday. Very happy. I think the blade shape, the weight and size is perfect for EDC, especially for me. I'm going to send my 9:40 back to Benchmade to have them do a little TLC. I take good care of my knives but I figure I will be okay without it for a little bit.
I've also got a protech tr5 coming tomorrow and I'm quite excited.
I probably do a little comparison video since I was having a hard time choosing and so I ended up buying both. I've used a few Benchmade autos CLA folding auto and they feel good but the 940 has a great snap to it.
Ordering BOTH👍👍
Groovy! Great choice!
Just got my mediator today and have the new hidden canyon on preorder! So looking forward to the new upgrades to the hunt series.
Cool Caleb! Posting some updates on my members first this week!
I love the Osborne, but I wanted an s90v Blade. So I got the mediator. Plus I like a black knife. Idk. They’re both awesome tho. I’ll probably buy a 9400 in the future. I have a Bugout as well. Can’t beat a good Benchmade.
Very helpful thanks Zach!
9400 for sure! Really confused why they brought both to market. Do like the scales on the Mediator though.
The 9400 with a super steel will be the best option, I'll get one then, if I can get it into Australia. Who am I kidding, I'll just dream about owning one. :-(
These are both very nice but I think I would like the Mediator more.
I would buy one of these in a heart beat but in good ol’ Minnesota these r a big no no...opted for an assisted barrage today. I carry a vector 496 now, excited for options now in my edc. Great content as always man!
Brothers from the same mothers. Flip a coin. Both are beautiful
Great comparison, I definitely agree if benchmade put the mediator scale on the 9400 it would be awesome. Just make it a blue scale with a black blade as well and they probably wouldn’t be able to ever keep them in stock
Haven't handled either so hard to say what i'd prefer. I do agree with you on the scale idea, making the Mediator pattern for the 9400 would be a true winner.
Put that purple back spacer on the Mediator
I have a Benchmade auto from 1998 it has always been snappy
Haven't had either one in hand and, to me, they look like twin sons of different mother's. (For those of you too young to be aware, "Twin Sons Of Different Mothers" was the title of an album by Dan Fogelberg and Tim Weisberg released in 1978...pretty good album, but I digress 😂) As to which knife I like better and would rather have, either one would suit me just fine.
Great stuff, Zach! I'm still thinking about getting the manual 940 since, so far, I only have the 940-1. So, I'd go with the Mediator. For me, an auto 9400 kinda defeats the purpose of why I like the action on the 940 series so much. But, I love your idea of scales like the Mediator to fit the 9400. I would buy that in a heartbeat! You're always going to Benchmade so often, they should put you on their payroll. Convince them to do that!!!. Yes, yes, PLEASE! Btw, I agree with Chad, below. The safety on autos should always be on the spine (so there's no confusion).
Between those two I would probably go for the 9400 for the more recessed button and better safety placement, but I would really love to see a 9400-1 some day.
I believe the 940 would be my favorite benchmade for edc. Looks like it would be so good in pocket plus the length and weight is great too that mediator looks like a sweet knife too 🤩🤩🤩
Marketing & designing for the perceived market fascinate me.
Probably because I don't know a damned thing about it.
For example- look at whoever came up with the idea of making a 4 door Jeep...My god, you can't throw a ball down any road without hitting 4 of them! I think it will be the same with the 9400. Take one of (if not THE) most popular designs- make it an auto and take my damn money!!
This knife will be a staple for many years to come! RIP Mr. Osborne, and thank you!!!😀👍
Mediator for me. Don't have one YET!
love the look of the 9400 so I grabbed it. There was just something off that didn't click with me on the mediator. also like the cleaner look of the 9400 with the safety along the spine
Never held either of them NY make them off limit! But like the look of the 9400
Yo Zach too killer pieces there..... I love putting them side by side!!!!!!!!! Talk to you out there in TH-cam land
*two = 2
I like em both. Awesome video thanks.
Just got home from the sportsman warehouse and my Wife picked me out a 484-1 Nokomora . So sick ! I didn't even know this knife existed until my wife said she thought it looked nice . Do you have one ? Maybe compare to the mini freak and mini grip .
The 9400 is nice but I wouldn't mind having one of either
The shape of the mediator looks like a hybrid between a 940 and a bugout.
A fun hybrid mix indeed!!
Mediator with od green scales like the 940 would be sick
Oh yes I totally agree!!!
Love these knives great video
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing 👍 😊
I like the mediator better. That being said if I was going 2 pay that much I would go for a protech or even a microtech ludt. That is of course my opinion. I do like Benchmade , but for the price and for what I like there are better options for the money. I do love the Osborne designs and the pardue designs allot
I have two ultratechs and a Kalashnikov, 100% rather play with my bugout, idk i used to like spring assist and side open autos but a good axis lock or flipper is so much more fun to play with.
Just bought a 9400 as my first auto. Is it normal for the button to feel gritty/sticky when deploying the blade?
It might need some break in to smooth out the metal/metal. Maybe a burr on the button or scale?
Has anyone with a 9400 had a problem with the safety. On mine if you engage the safety and press the release button, the action sort of jams up and you have to press on the blade as in closing the knife to get the release button to pop out into its normal position. If you release the blade and engage the safety, then depress the release button it retains the blade but almost releases it and sort of jams up as it does from the closed position. It would seem that it is just a bit tight and needs some break in and a drop of oil, but I fear as it is used the safety will fail to retain the blade in either position. Any suggestions?
The 9400 should a AXIS auto in my opinion. If it was that would be my choice. I love my 940's. However I have been loving the Mediator blade. Push button on a 940 seems weird to me after years of carrying a regular 940.
Other than looking tactical the mediator just seems kind of pointless now. That said I do have one and love it and I'm looking forward to picking up the 9400.
The profile lines when closed are a big deal for me. The Mediator leaves a gap between the blade and handle. The 9400 has a seamless contour around the entire profile.
Not a tanto guy, but both are nice.
I would go with the 9400. It's just like the classic.
I would go 9400 for sure
If I were in the market for an OTS it would have to be the Mediator for one reason - S90V. Otherwise from a design perspective they’re darn near six of one, half dozen of another in my opinion. 🤷♂️
Now, if they came out with a 9400-1 it would be a much harder decision and I’d most likely favor the Osborne design. 😉
Exactly why I went with the Mediator. If I could’ve gotten the 9400 in s90v that’s what I would’ve done, but I couldn’t. So I didn’t lol. They need to just add the 9400 to the Custom page and be done with it.
I don’t understand why they don’t just use the mini deep clip on every knife lol I know they’re free and Easy swap but heck
I'll take 2
Groovy! 🤙🏼
On a custom crooked river would you recommend full size or mini? For more of a show piece?
Show piece....go big!
Any idea who could make a set of custom micarta cales for the 9400?
Check out Death Grip Scales on Instagram. He makes them already for the 940!! Custom work is awesome!
Mediator is $206 at GPKnives.
I think I would go mediator because you can’t get another with that blade. The 9400 is just an auto 940. I do like the 9400 safety better.
I like the Mediator
Groovy! Thanks CK!
I kinda like the mediator better for an auto.
The 9400 wins with the classic look
0 dislikes
[Everyone liked that]
Tough choice
That.... name...
Or CLA
940 bro
Cool👍🇺🇸