AFCK vs. MILITARY vs. ???????????

Comrade Chang said:
Weird, I always thought thicker washers were better because the blade would need to wobble more in order to scrape the liners under opening pressure from the thumb. That seems to a big problem with many other knives.... there isn't enough space between the liners and the blade and so when you push it, it slides and scrapes against the liners. Very disturbing little sound and very ugly for the finish.
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If the blade wobbles in the handle, then yes, thick washers will give you some distance to cover before the blade makes contact with the inside of the handle. On the other hand, if the blade is properly supported by the handle, as is the case with the Military, the blade won't move to the side when you apply pressure with your thumb to open the knife. With a well designed knife you don't need the slop factor to prevent the thing damaging itself in normal operation.

David Rock

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AKTI Member # A000846
Stop when you get to bone.
 
Hey, what about a BM large Stryker??? This is a hella nice knife. I carry mine every day, its very comfortable cuz the handle is almost the same as the blade, no extra length burden. And the blade just gorgeous, modified tanto, very strong piercing power, also very smooth action. Military definity gets my 2nd vote, very well rounded knife, nuff said. Still like Stryker for daily utility, what do u guys think???
 
If REKAT's new D2-M steel pans out like they're hinting it will, you'll have good edgeholding, toughness and stain resistance. That in the Carnivore would get you excellent combat ergonomics, a fairly "politically correct" blade size (3.75") for daily utility, a killer lock and above-average performance out of the blade steel.

Sounds like a good candidate for a "daily hard-use blue-collar utility knife that can fight in a pinch"...which what we seem to be talking about.

My utility needs are light enough to be met by a multi-tool so I buy "real knives" purely as defense...so at present, I'm not interested in this class at all.

I realize the size and importance of the market though, and I'd like to see it advance beyond linerlocks on all but the lower end. As nice as the military's blade steel and ergos are, hanging a linerlock on something that nice borders on "abomination". Just my opinion, and I realize it's controversial. I also don't consider the Sebenza-type lock anywhere near as bad, because it's supported by whatever grip strength you feed it...in a fight, your grip goes solid as heck, the knife goes solid too. Very cool.

Jim
 
Rdangerer, I have practically the same liking: BM AFCK and SPYDERCO Starmate are my strong favorites for daily urban carry. They are closely followed with Military but I use it for home and outdoors carry. In my opinion Military is a bit too big for urban concealed carry. This is not comfort issue, I'm rather medium-sized man (178 cm x 78 kg) and Military sits pretty comfortably in my rear pocket. I'm avoiding to carry Military in urban environment mostly because of it's appearance. "Wow, what's the machete!" is quite common reaction when I open this knife. Probably, some deal of truth here is, this strong and light (as to it's dimensions) knife is big but it looks even bigger than it really is.

David is right about Military handle, this no-pull-away shape is very comfortable for extensive cutting. This and ideally flat ground blade make Military my favorite kitchen knife. Try to shred some kilograms of cabbage and you will see what I mean
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As to blade to handle (or to overall knife length) ratio, I must disagree with you. Military has exactly the same blade to overall length ratio as AFCK and only minimally (1%) less than Starmate. This time I'm working on writing entitled "Folding knife size efficiency", when I'll finish I'll publish it here, on Blade Discussion Forum.

As to Axis Lock, I can't to imagine how hard should you clog your Axis Lock equipped knife to cause lock failure. Please reach here and here for more info.
You are right, pocket debris and dust are causing somewhat unpleasant sound and feel opening knife. However this is not Axis Lock but tip-up carry design issue. Put your AFCK or Starmate in the same position in your pocket and you will obtain the same effects. Additionally, Liner Lock is far more prone to fail being clogged than Axis Lock.

 
M2 not enough of a performance edge to justify the corrosion factor?

Thick washers not as good as thin washers?

I still don't get how the handles support the blade when they do not (should not) touch it. The way I see it, the handles support the washers which, in turn, support the blade.

Nobody has mentioned customer service as yet. Isn't CS a "feature" of a knife that affects the purchase decision?

Let's light this flame.
 
Ahhh, what the heck?

For anyone who has ever called me a "flamer" here's cause!
 
Hey, we've been debating this one for 5 years, but it has been awhile since I've seen a thread on it.

M-2 AFCK!!!!! Tougher steel, stronger, more size efficient handle.
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But those knives are both getting dated. The debate should be between the Starmate and the 710 Axis lock these days.
 
I second Sharpedge's suggestion of the large BM Stryker. It's cool. My 910BT is my daily carry. Sometimes I carry a UDT, but only when I don't plan to be anywhere near the pigs.

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Chang and the Rebels of the East!
Southern Taiwan Will Rise Again!
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Hrmm... I have to check out that military!

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Chang the Asian Janitorial Apparatus
 
You guys really owe it to yourselves to check out the AlMar Sere 2000. I just got mine and it is awesome.

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Confusion to the Enemy
 
Well,lets see, I have a Military in CPM 440V and a couple of AFCKs. The Military keeps a good edge but the blade wobbles left & right and also back & fwd. the AFCKs...all of them, are still rock solid and ever though they are ATS 34, they still keep a very good edge. Seems that I never leave home without my mini AFCK M2 black blade. For some reason to me the Military just doesn't fell a stout as the AFCKs or the CQC-7s.

that's my 2 cents worth.

Freedom is not a spectators sport!

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Ron,
Now Thets-A-Noif Shop
Bremerton, Washington
 
muzzleup, I would suggest you send your Military to Spyderco. I've heard nothing but good about their CS, and the Military has an eccentric pivot pin that can be factory-adjusted to set the liner up perfectly. Sounds like you have a dud, as my Military locks up nice and tight. I personally prefer the Military to the AFCK, due to its blade geometry, which I feel is better for generally utility cutting, and the fact that Spyderco generally puts a much better edge on knives than Benchmade. I've also found Benchmade's heat-treat, at least with ATS-34, to be very inconsistent. I have no experience with their M-2, so I can't comment on that.
 
I've always loved the AFCK, I prefer it over most all my knives, including the Military. It has the more comfortable handle, a smoother opening, the linerlock has remained extremely solid over the last two years, and it cuts competently enough.
 
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