AFCK/TSEK - Let's See 'Em & Talk About 'Em

I put together a list of all the models I could find and posted it to the Benchmade home forum (HERE). There's a few limited versions, but most of them were smaller runs and a few that were only available outside of the US, so they're hard to come by at a reasonable price.


Steve, I've got a satin plain edge 800. I'm not ready to let go of it just yet, but if I change my mind you'll be the first to know.
 
ChazzyP said:
As far as I'm concerned, a new run wouldn't have to be M390 or have blue/black handles or have any bling. In fact, I'd just prefer plain-old-plain-old just like they used to make 'em. Probably no chance of that, though, nor little of any re-release at all.
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I'm with you 100% on that.

I'll take a plain Jane Black G10 scaled 440C,154CM, D2, S30V bladed version anyday of the week. Liner or AXIS lock. No need for anything fancy.

I wouldn't give up hope, BM seems to put out a version every few years or so. Just hoping ones coming soon. I think we're well overdue.
 
@ Cory,

I saw the list you made. Great job! and thanks for all the hard work you put into it.

Putting all that history together is a fantastic resource.

Like I said, great job and thanks!
 
pbcg said:
@ Cory,

I saw the list you made. Great job! and thanks for all the hard work you put into it.

Putting all that history together is a fantastic resource.

Like I said, great job and thanks!
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What he said, Corey. I knew you were working on it from following your posts over there. I'm sure it took more than a little digging and used up a lot of your time. Great resource and thanks for putting that all together, my friend!
Steve
 
-Corey- said:
Steve, I've got a satin plain edge 800. I'm not ready to let go of it just yet, but if I change my mind you'll be the first to know.
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You're so kind to think of me as first in line for your knife, man. Here's hoping I find a beauty somewhere else first. That way I'll have one, you'll still have yours, and if you do decide to let yours go I'll take it and you can buy it back anytime. I'm so pleased to own your former TSEK and EDC it a lot. Every time I use it I feel both happy to have it and a little guilty too. :confused:
 
Thought you guys might find these comparison shots interesting. The top one is my Shirogorov 111 in CF and M390. Below is the seller's shot of the 806 I picked up recently. Lots of Russian knives have handles akin to the AFCK/TSEK grips and the arc across the top of the knife from tip to butt is similar as well. The blade shapes aren't that far off either, the grinds and downward angle of the AFCK notwithstanding. Wonder where our Ruski brethren got some of their design concepts?

fVaZJic.jpg


OdsynlH.jpg
 
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sre1 said:
Like a copyrighted Axis-Lock? Yeah, I wonder...
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I thought the design similarity between the knives was interesting and wasn't looking to cast aspersions on Shirogorov or Russian knife makers. "Wonder where our Ruski brethren got some of their design concepts?", was an idle closing comment. Lots of designs are inspired by previous iterations without malice or infringement.

As to the AXIS thing, the lock is not copyrighted. AXIS is a registered trademark of Benchmade. The patent is owned by McHenry and Williams and licensed to Benchmade. There are differing opinions as to whether or not Shirogorov has obtained license to copy the patent or use the trademark. It is also unclear as to whether or not Shirogorov uses the name AXIS or if this is simply referenced by dealers, sellers. etc.
 
ChazzyP said:
....an idle closing comment...
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I know that. And Shiro has apparently discontinued using that locking mechanism. Not to mention, they obviously make some very fine knives.

The first thing I think of, though, when I think of that brand is that, at one point, they ripped off McHenry and Williams' patent. Do I know this for certain? No, but that Shiro model simply looks like a BM 805 copy or close enough to it. And that's always bugged me.
 
Here's the last one I got, the 806BK-1101. Surprise gift from my wife. I really lucked out as I didn't have the money to buy one when they first came out. One of the better birthday gifts I ever received!

l94PfUO.jpg

dSPH5b1.jpg
 
PBCG,
As redundant as I find coated, stainless blades, that is one good-looking knife. In fact, come to think of it, I've never met an AFCK/TSEK I didn't like!
 
sre1 said:
PBCG,
As redundant as I find coated, stainless blades, that is one good-looking knife. In fact, come to think of it, I've never met an AFCK/TSEK I didn't like!
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That is indeed a fine looking knife, PBCG, and agree that AFCK/TSEKs are just outstanding! I've looked at 806-1101s and have been tempted, but the asking prices one finds on places like the Big Auction Site are just stupidly high. Of course, considering the inflated prices guys like me pay for Shiros (though I try to buy 'em right), I could come away with two like yours for the price of an F3.

Not to fan the flames, but I believe that Shirogorov has re-introduced their version of the "AXIS" in their newer model 110. It would be nice to know for sure about licensure and the (presumed) use of the AXIS name, but the Shirogorov site is all in Russian and Benchmade is never very forthcoming about these sort of things. Patent law leaves the onus on the holder to sue for infringement and it's likely not worth the trouble of wrangling across international borders if indeed the name or mechanism has been poached. Of course, they could have an agreement or permission too. Who knows.

I do know I like Benchmades and have a bunch and I like Shiros and have very few. Both companies make damn good knives.

You must be one helluva guy to deserve a wife who would buy you such a fine present, PBCG! You must share your secret sometime....
 
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ChazzyP said:
I've looked at 806-1101s and have been tempted, but the asking prices one finds on places like the Big Auction Site are just stupidly high.
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Offensively high! I get someone bumping up the price a bit to make a buck but tripling it? after only a few years, outrageous!. Some of the prices are so high I wouldn't by them even if I had the money, just on Principle.

I know it's the same all over and not just knives but it really is a shame what these flippers do. True enthusiasts end up taking a real hit.

Keep an eye out though. I do see these models come up from time to time at a decent price.

As far as the wife, all I can say is maybe it isn't a bad thing when they keep looking over your shoulder when you're on-line to see what you're looking at LOL....
 
pbcg said:
Offensively high! I get someone bumping up the price a bit to make a buck but tripling it? after only a few years, outrageous!. Some of the prices are so high I wouldn't by them even if I had the money, just on Principle.

As far as the wife, all I can say is maybe it isn't a bad thing when they keep looking over your shoulder when you're on-line to see what you're looking at LOL....
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I agree about not buying on principle. One doesn't want to feel like a sap, either. I don't mind guys trying to make a profit--I'm all for capitalism and entrepreneurship--but gouging is gouging. It's rude if nothing else.

As far as wives looking over one's shoulder, there is stuff guys look at online that no wife would ever buy her husband :eek:
 
Kind of disappointing to see a fairly decent 812 ats-34 sit on the exchange with no takers. Price was $130.
With that kind of interest, I'd be very surprised if they ever made another run.
 
jpm2 said:
Kind of disappointing to see a fairly decent 812 ats-34 sit on the exchange with no takers. Price was $130.
With that kind of interest, I'd be very surprised if they ever made another run.
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I looked at that one and gave it some thought. I've actually been thinking lately of moving out some of my smaller knives as my old carpenter's mitts have a hard time grasping them, so I figured I'd pass. Also, I'm not really into serrations, though I keep a few combos for work beaters or woods knives.

How about you buy that one to keep the flames burning, jpm2, and I promise to buy the next 800 plain edge that comes along? :D

Actually, I haven't seen many linger long at all and have just missed a few that I really would have liked to buy.
 
ChazzyP said:
I looked at that one and gave it some thought. I've actually been thinking lately of moving out some of my smaller knives as my old carpenter's mitts have a hard time grasping them, so I figured I'd pass. Also, I'm not really into serrations, though I keep a few combos for work beaters or woods knives.

How about you buy that one to keep the flames burning, jpm2, and I promise to buy the next 800 plain edge that comes along? :D

Actually, I haven't seen many linger long at all and have just missed a few that I really would have liked to buy.
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I know what you mean about combo serrations, they are always less desirable. I was just thinking of those who said they'd like to own an afck.
I already have an 800, two 812s, and an 814. That's 3 more than I need. I'm waiting for an 812hs to surface, and hell to freeze over. :D
 
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man I have always wanted an AFCK but whenever I find one its $250+ even if its beat up. The blue/black ones? Forget about it $325+. One day.
 
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