Benchmade AFCK or Spyderco Military?

Does the AFCK have an axis lock? i've been drinking...

If so, i would say the Benchmade, i've been drooling over the both of them forever. Maybe a job would help me a tad bit...

Either way you'd be making a good choice. Maybe some more info on the intended use would bring up some better responses if you're trying to decide between the two. They both seem pretty tough though...

Hmm...
 
I love the military's ergonomics. It really just feels great for such a big knife. It's too big (for me) to EDC, definitely. I'm a little concerned with the liner lock on the military. It's very easy to push over, which is nice, but I'm also not sure how much effort it would take to accidentally disengage.
 
Depends on what you want to do with it. AFCK is designed primarily as a defensive weapon, the Mil is a heavy duty workhorse.
 
The BM AFCK is the fastest knife on the planet to draw and open.
It's what I carry when I think there could be trouble.

For doing work with a knife, I'd prefer the Military.

.
 
fulloflead said:
The BM AFCK is the fastest knife on the planet to draw and open.
It's what I carry when I think there could be trouble.

For doing work with a knife, I'd prefer the Military.

.
Click to expand...

Oh C'MON!!! That's just sillyness. Too many variables to say that. Wait, what planet are you living on? :D

I vote BM as well. I keep trying to figure out the Military. It's big, but I just don't get that "tough" impression when handling it. I have no doubt that it can hold it's own, but it just doesn't grab me. I do like the blade shape better than the AFCK.

I would choose the Axis lock over a liner lock any day of the week.
 
I had to check the date on this thread, it could be as old as BFC is :D

That both designs are still being produced in the fickle world of "tac knives" is a tribute to the design elements they share, and their intertwined history. I was an AFCK guy back in the day, liked the heft of the dual liners, but admit the Military's higher, thinner grind made a better cutter.
 
kbog said:
Oh C'MON!!! That's just sillyness. Too many variables to say that.
Click to expand...

Seriously. Tip-up. Oval hole. Just the right spot. Use your right index finger in the hole and flip it up as you draw. With practise - when I'm in practise- I can draw, open, close, and return to pocket in about 1.5 seconds.



kbog said:
Oh C'MON!!! That's just sillyness. Too many variables to say that. Wait, what planet are you living on? :D
Click to expand...

The flat one. :D

.
 
have had a few of both, both are good, prefer the AFCK though even if the AFCK is the liner lock version (ie 800 vs 806). with the axis its no contest imho.

do like the millie though, even with the thin liner ya dont hear about problems very often.
 
Thanks for the great feedback. Both seem very usable. The Benchmade AFCK #806 has a D2 steel blade and G10 scales and the Spyderco Military the CPM-S30V with G-10 scales. Both steels have great reputations for toughness. Size is almost identical. Similar price. They almost seem like twins to me.
 
Get each one in your hands, and they won't feel much like twins, or even cousins. Even though both use a thumb hole for opening, they feel quite different when opening. The AFCK has a short, fast arc (very easy to flick open with your thumb), while the Military has a rather broad, sweeping arc. The other big difference is the blade shape. The Military has a broad, fully flat ground leaf blade, where the AFCK has a flat sabre ground blade. Even though the Military has a thicker blade, the primary bevel is much, much more acute on the Military. This makes it a better slicer by far. The AFCK is a better stabber of course, but that's the style of knife it is. The Military is a workhorse utility blade, the Advanced Folding Combat Knife is made more as a fighting blade (especially with the handle). Then of course there's the different locks. Give me an AXIS lock any day. Easy as hell to open and close 1 handed without ever touching the blade.

The 710 is a much better comparison to the Military than the AFCK is.
 
Get the benchmade. Better customer service/warranty. Better overall quality construction.
 
If you can tolerate a liner lock as opposed to an axis lock (hard to do even for me) I will recommend the Military. You just can't beat the ergonomics, and I personally like how it looks a lot more. You can grip it the standard way or choke up on that top choil.

I'm not sure how much confidence I have in that particular liner lock though. It slides over pretty easily.
 
brownshoe said:
Get the benchmade. Better customer service/warranty. Better overall quality construction.
Click to expand...

I think Spyderco's customer service is pretty hard to beat as well..... ;)

Anyway, I have both and here are my $0.02. The 806 G10 is textured differently and is not as grippy as the Milie. It's not slick, just not the same. 806 is drilled for left/right tip up/down clip placement and totally ambidexterous (sp?) with opening and unlocking. I love the Axis lock on it; fast and also fun to play with and cycle open/closed :D . With tip-down clip placement, the 806 rides extremely low in the pocket and completely disappears if carried IWB (especially if you're wearing a belt). Closed, it presents a somewhat slimmer package than the Milie. It might just be my sharpening prowess (or lack of), but I can't get the 806 quite as sharp as the Milie. It is very functionally sharp, just not "scary sharp."

The Military is ~20 gm lighter than the 806. The handle is grippier and feels a little more substantial than the 806. It's been a lot sharper for me and slices much better. The more open design makes it easier to clean out dirt, lint, etc. I know some people are wary of liner locks, but mine has had no problem in the 2 months I've had it.

It may seem like I favor the 806, but I've had if for 5 months to the Milie's 2. They are actually fairly different knives in my opinion, with their own specific strengths and weaknesses. It's hard for me to recommend one over the over. Just look at each of their attributes and try to pick that which suits you best. Of course, you'll probably end up like me eventually and get both... :p :D
 
I've owned both, love the AXIS-lock, but for general utility I greatly prefer the Military. Full-flat ground drop-point blade in S30V, very lightweight, very easy to open with the oversized hole, thumbramp in the right place, a versatile oversized handle with nicely textured thick G-10, easy to clean, etc etc. For prolonged use there's no question I would choose the Military. Additionally, almost every BM I've owned has come with a ridiculously obtuse edge that I've had to thin out (more of an annoyance than anything).

I like the AFCK design (review on it somewhere in the Reviews forum), and it's a cool knife, but the design doesn't suit my needs anywhere near as well as the Military. I like the 710HS better than the AFCK for more general tasks.
 
Spyderco lists the Militarys blade length at 4". The blade on mine is actually over that (appx 4.18), technically making it "illegal" to carry in my state. My 806 D2 is definately under 4". I dont know if all the Spydercos are like this, but I'd keep it in mind, depending where you live. Both are good knives, but I think I like the Benchmade a little better.
 
Both are great knives, but all things considered, I think the AFCK is the better choice (with Axis-lock and dual liners).

Allen.
 
That's interesting. The sharpened portion on my Military is 3.75" and just at 4" if you measure from the handle.
 
IMHO, no self respecting knife nut should be without either of them. Get BOTH! :)
 
Danbo said:
IMHO, no self respecting knife nut should be without either of them. Get BOTH! :)
Click to expand...
That is a very true statement. Both represent the best in crafstmanship and design from two fine companies.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top