Benchmade AFCK AXIS (806D2)

Bobby B

Bobby B

No more Mr. Knife-guy
Joined
May 18, 2001
Messages
3,053
Does anybody have any experience with this knife?
I keep hearing people rave about the AFCK, and wouldn't mind trying out a D2 knife...
Opinions?
Thanks,
Rob
 
I don't know about the new ones but I have a well used older round hole model that I bought about 1 month ago. It has developed a nice little recurve towards the back of the blade due to sharpening over the years. The action is extremely smooth almost like oil on glass if you can imagine. This is ATS34 and it is scary sharp. Seems to take a good polish to the edge but yet still maintain a very good bite to it. You know very grabby but the hair just pops straight up when I shave my arm with it and if not careful it will bite into ones skin. The lock of the liner is probably the best I have seen on a knife outside of my SERE 2K. It is very ergonomic too as for the grip with the blade sitting just about even with the center line of the hand. I can imagine with an Axis lock and D2 properly heat treated it would have to be outstanding. I would wait awhile though to pick one up as you may see prices drop in a month or two. I don't think you would be disappointed at all Keep'em sharp and Happy Holidays.
 
Look at this thread.

I like it a lot. It is damn near my ideal knife. The only thing I don't like about it is the BT2 :barf:
 
Thanks, I missed that thread.
What can anyone tell me about D2, that I missed on AG Russell and Joe Talmadge's article?
Apparently it rusts easily? How well does the (dreaded?) BT2 help?
Thanks,
Rob
 
D2 just barely misses being stainless. It is just shy of it. ATS-34 is just the other side of stainless from D2. It will rust if you aren't careful, but I have never had any trouble with it. I have several knives in D2 and think they perform very well.

The BT2 will help significantly with rust resistance, but looks like $hit in no time flat. I would much prefer they went with Boron Carbide.
 
Can anyone post a pic of their knife. I've seen the artistic pics for advertising, but would like to see some close-up pics of an actual knife that's in the field.
 
I don't have a pic, but I was just playing with one in a shop. Looks just like an AFCK but with oval hole, tip-up carry, and axis lock. Nice knife, although really big, as all AFCKs are - same blade length as a 710 but the AFCK handle is at least 1/2-3/4" longer. It just feels bulkier. But the one I handled, the blade was bank-vault tight when open - NO trace of play in any direction, rock solid. And very sharp!

Interestingly, they also had an axis-lock TSEK, the one with the clip-point blade and thumbstub - also a nice knife, although I prefer a hole to a stud (shameless pun). BUT - blade is 440C?!?!?!? Why would they do that??
 
Originally posted by fishface5
Interestingly, they also had an axis-lock TSEK, the one with the clip-point blade and thumbstub - also a nice knife, although I prefer a hole to a stud (shameless pun). BUT - blade is 440C?!?!?!? Why would they do that??
Click to expand...

I have an 805 on the way. I have an 806 but HATE the BT2 coating :barf: The 805 is the only option I have to get a satin finish. I prefer a hole as well, but think I like the shape of the 805's blade better.

The original TSEK was a low cost alternative to the AFCK. It used GIN1 steel and stainless liners. Benchmade is now using 440C in all their lower cost blades. I believe the 805 is supposed to be a lower cost alternative to the 806. I would prefer to have seen them use 154CM but I have no problem with 440C. It is a serviceable steel that is somewhat under rated.
 
The Axis AFCK was born of direct consumer input, from the Axis mech to the cry for superior blade steel.

One of BM's current designers who's also a custom maker (most of them are) makes pieces in D2 and has had a number of them returned because of rust problems, despite his best efforts to educate on blade care. It is this same person who pushed for a coating.

Face it; we're the knife-buying elite minority, and the average schmo is gonna find a way of oxidizing the slam hell outta D2, ESPECIALLY in hard-to-clean areas such as the pivot, etc.

Professor.
 
I gotta laugh at all the folks that say D-2 is almost stainless. Yeah right. If you get a D-2 blade wet, you can find specks of rust on the blade in less than 20 minutes. When I go hunting and use a D-2 blade, I wipe off the blood and tallow right away with those little alcohol wipes, and then dry them carefully on the spot and oil them. If any water remained on the blade, and I did not oil them right then and there, they would rust before I could walk back up to the house =20 minutes. So I can see exactly why the general public would end up with a knife rusting. D-2 is not a wet weather knife if you ask me, unless you carry WD-40 in your pocket along with it. P.s. blood will stain it quickly as well.

What will not happen is that rust and stains will not degrade the performance of the knife. Just make it look.......well rough.
 
I will concede the point about D2 being easier to rust and requiring more care to maintain. I still hate BT2 and would prefer a different steel to uncoated D2. If they wanted to use a superior bladesteel then why not BG42 or even VG-10, uncoated of course. ;)
 
I was interested in the new Benchmade 806 as well. What are they going for now? Is the Axis lock that much better than the liner lock?
 
The axis lock is really great. There is nothing wrong with a well done liner lock but the axis lock is strong and dependable. 1SKS shows them for $141. Pretty much expect to pay top $$$ for them until they have time to filter down to us lowly internet dealers. ;)
 
Thanks, Shootist16,

Since you have said there is nothing wrong with a well done liner lock, was the lock on the previous AFCK a good one? I've noticed the old model selling for reasonable prices now. Is the Axis lock worth the extra money, or would it be smarter to pick up the previous model for a good price ?
 
When I said that uncoated D-2 rusts easily, I of course meant when oil was not on it. Oiled it will not rust. Sounds easy just keep oil on it, but friction wears it off as well as when you cut anything, it takes the oil off the edge pretty quick. But your right about the coating. I wish they had used VG-10 or 154CM and left the blade uncoated as an option.
 
Originally posted by W.T. Beck
Thanks, Shootist16,

Since you have said there is nothing wrong with a well done liner lock, was the lock on the previous AFCK a good one? I've noticed the old model selling for reasonable prices now. Is the Axis lock worth the extra money, or would it be smarter to pick up the previous model for a good price ?
Click to expand...

The original AFCK had one of the best production liner locks available. I wouldn't hesitate to get one.
 
I carry a D2E(enhanced) REKAT Pikuni as a neck knife and I have not seen any hint of rust, but my AUS-6, 420HC, 154CM and CPM440V have all experienced tiny amounts of discoloration (no problems with VG-10 or BG-42)
 
440C is back, baby, but it never really went away. Holds a good edge that is easy to maintain, resists stains like a champ and takes a great finish. I understand it is easier to machine than the much praised CPM steels, so it lowers the cost of production in addition to lowering material costs. A much better choice than the AUS and GIN steels when looking to make an economic product.
 
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