Benchmade 806 or Camillus CUDA Maxx 5.5?

I dont have a benchmade, but I do have a 7" Blade cuda maxx- The handle has excellent grip, so I can only assume that you havent handled one.
The assisted opening is completely unnecessary on the Cuda Maxx's, they can be easily "waved" open, flipped open with the guard or with a simple flick of the wrist.

I havent handled the 806, but I had a mini ascent II with a similar opening hole. It can be opened with one hand quite easily, but will never be as fast as a Maxx.

Black coating is unimportant IMO, just something to make you feel more tactical.
 
thanks for your input. I've handled the benchmades but now the camillus, but from what i've heard, the handle isn't very grippy. I'm still deciding on which knife to get.
 
The 806d2 is easily opened with one hand in many different ways, either by pulling it out and flicking with the wrist, holding the lock back and flicking with the wrist, flicking with the index or middle finger, etc. And it can even be waved so that it comes out what you take it out of your pocket (I had mine that way for a while). If you do a search you can find much more about waving the 806d2.
 
I have an 806 and have played with a 5" Cuda Maxx. I like the Maxx but for me there is no comparison between the fighting grip you get with the 806 and that of the Maxx. For me the 806 is 1000% more secure and hand-filling. Plus you can Brownie-pop the blade open one-handed practically instantly. Not as fast as the Maxx on wave-out but pretty freaking fast! The 806 (originally AFCK) was designed for fighting by Chris Caracci, who has experience in the fighting arts. D Ralph designed the Maxx to be super-cool, which it is, but I would give up the Maxx's extra 1" of blade for the grip-security the 806 offers.
 
Just a thought here, if you are carrying this knife for self defense, check the laws in your municipality on legal carry limits. There is a reason for the 806 being 3.93 inches long. Many areas use the under 4 inch blade rule to cover a limit on what you can carry for a folder. The 5 inch Cuda might seem inviting and might cause you a little heartache with your local authorities. There are threads you can search here which can give you the knife laws in your area. Your best bet is a quick question to a local police officer.

710BMFAN
 
jinuineasn said:
I currently have two S&W folders and I'm looking to buy either a benchmade 806 or the cuda maxx. The main purpose for buying one of these knives would be for self defense only. So which knife would you recommend strictly for self defense purposes? And would partially serrated or a plain blade be better? I've heard many different sides to both, but it looks like i'm going to stick with a plain edge blade. WHAt OTHER KNIVES WOULD YOUR RECOMMEND OVER THESE TWO WITHIN THE SAME PRICE RANGE?

Benchmade 806:
Pros: All black (stealthier), the handle has good grip
Cons: 4 inch blade, no quick flix
How hard would it be to flick out the 806 with my wrist? Or do I have to use both hands to open it?

CUDA Maxx:
Pros: 5.5 inch blade, looks stunning, quick flix for immediate deployment
Cons: Silver blade, quick flix might go off in pocket, handle doesn't have good grip
Click to expand...


Go with the 806. I EDC in my left pocket (weak hand) a 5.5 and love it. But for self defense, the BM is the way to go IMO.

Better fit in the hand and grip. Will flick out easily with a little oil (Some coming from the factory already have the smoothness of a broken in model) and a wrist snap. Not the full arm fling.

As for blade, in self defense, and I could be wrong, but I would prefer a non coated blade for night time considering light will reflect better and draw it to attention. Then again, too many circumstances, etc. The BM also has a black clip so is a bit more descrete and has a 4 point carry option. :thumbup:
 
If you've narrowed it down to those two i would also suggest the 806. I think you'll find that there a million uses for a knife other than self defense, and the 806 will be better for most of those tasks than the cuda maxx. Even if you think you only want it for SD, once you have a knife permanently clipped in your pocket, you'll use it for so many different things, and you'll probably forget that you originally bought it for SD.

And just a small piece of advice from an officer, be very careful about when you pull that knife out for SD. If you get into a bar fight, or someone makes a rude comment to your girl, etc and you pull out a blade just to scare them, you have a good chance of getting booked for ADW w/a knife. And if someone puts a gun to your head on the street and asks for your wallet... just give em the wallet.

Good luck with your purchase!
 
Funny you should post this. I was looking at an 806 two days ago at the local dealers shop. It was 154CM he said, slightly used, and I was actually thinking of it for myself. I think it was under $100 if you're interested I'll be going back Tuesday to take pics of a Severtech. I can send you pics of the Benchmade if you like. kevin
 
I carry a Benchmade 805 as one of my pair of EDC's, and I wouldn't carry anyother folder as my "fighting folder". BTW...The 805 is pretty much the 806, but with a different (wider, SLIGHTLY shorter) blade, and dual thumb-studs, rather than a thumb-hole.
 
Hi Guys
I have both knives, the 806 gets carried and used all the time while the Maxx is taken out to be shown off.
Phil
 
If you really want a knife to carry for self defense you should also consider the Benchmade 630 Skirmish. It is one of the most intimidating pocket knives that i have seen. Its a little on the large size, but you dont really notice when carrying it.
 
More intimidating looking than a CUDA MAXX? I've gotta' have a look at this.I'll be back.............................
 
I have a Cuda Maxx 5.5 with the stiletto blade. I like it alot, but its not a practical knife to EDC. If you have the cash I would look into Darrel's custom Maxx's, alot of them seem to have taken care of the grip issue. If you are going for the production model, however go with the 806. My only gripe with the 806 was the handle, it didnt sit comfortably in my hands, I much prefer the 420. I would think it would make an excellent SD knife if the 806 doesnt fit. If deployability is an issue I would talk to STR, he has and is able to wave this model. Hope you find something that works well for you.

Cheers,
Patrick.
 
Scary-looking indeed.But that blade shape and the MAXX has an inch and a quarter more stilleto or bowie blade steel pointing at ya'.Scariest looking and the MAXX wins hands down,IMO,sorry for getting off the point.
 
yeah the maxx is lots bigger than the skirmish, personally i would carry the 806 more but the maxx is fine for edc also, have carried one quite a bit. just depends on what ya want.
 
These are two of my favorite designs. I personally would go with the Maxx for the intended purpose. Two reasons, Maxx gives you better range and I prefer a frame lock over the axis. I know there are many who would disagree, but here is my reason.

While I know it probably doesn't happen a lot, I did have the axis lock disengage on me while I was moving my hand on the handle of the 806 I had at the time. Until they redsign the button so my thumb can't make this type of contact, I won't use this knife. Just my personal view and experience. I would love to see a frame lock AFCK.

I would add to the advice of checking your local laws by asking if you have any level of training to use a folder in a self defense situation? Knowledge is afterall, the most valuable weapon.
 
Dirk said:
These are two of my favorite designs. I personally would go with the Maxx for the intended purpose. Two reasons, Maxx gives you better range and I prefer a frame lock over the axis. I know there are many who would disagree, but here is my reason.

While I know it probably doesn't happen a lot, I did have the axis lock disengage on me while I was moving my hand on the handle of the 806 I had at the time. Until they redsign the button so my thumb can't make this type of contact, I won't use this knife. Just my personal view and experience. I would love to see a frame lock AFCK.
Click to expand...

Well that is a first. I have never heard anyone prefer a framelock to an axis. I would think this is an isolated incident, especially considering that it is widely thought that framelocks are less sturdy and/or more prone to accidental disengage.

In regards to the framelock AFCK, if I recall correctly they make a smaller version that uses a linerlock. Not postive on this, if anyone knows can you throw up a line or model number atleast.
 
Well then have a second.I also prefer a framelock to an axis.They will both disengage.I prefer a lockback.Actually,I can't quite believe how this axis lock,framelock tactical carp has caught on.

.
 
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