Benchmade AFCK: Thoughts?

M

Manix07

Joined
Jan 5, 2007
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My apologies if similar threads exists; came across one like this on the 710 and wanted to hear your opinions on this knife. Was given a D2 axis version recently as a gift and am going through that "new toy honeymoon" phase, meaning in my (current) opinion its perfect :D. As Walt Kowalski would say "ain't she sweet".

That being said, I'm interested to hear from people who've carried it and used it for a bit. Does the size and weight become an issue over time in considering it as an edc option? Thanks!
 
I had an older liner lock AFCK that I had bought back around '95, '96 and it was my favorite EDC. I bought it at a gun show back then and I paid less than $100 for it.

To me...it was perfect in size and weight and I never left home without it. I ended up losing that knife about 6 years ago and I would love to be able to get another one.
 
I think it's one of the best production folders out there. I've been using the AFCK since the 800 first came out back in the day. Currently carry a pair of 806-901 plain edges. I like large folding knives and don't have any problems with the size/weight of the AFCK. I carry mine primarily for defense/backup to a firearm, but they work just fine for any and all normal EDC type work as well. Benchmade is releasing some limited runs of the 806 these days, so hopefully it will be around for a long while, even if it is only in limited production.
 
8oo series is my favorite Benchmade and the old linerlock version has been in my EDC rotation for many years. I've got a couple NIB as backups, but my old original still locks
up tight after thousands of filps and comes up scary sharp off the Tri-Angle. I believe ATS-34 to be one of the best steels of all time and I love the design of the AFCK. Size
and weight have never been an issue for me.
 
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I've wanted a d2 AFCK for years since they've been discontinued. I can't track one down that's LNIB. The ones I do find carry a hefty premium to the point where I lose my taste for it. We're talking 400+ on the bay. At that point I consider customs.
 
Between my 800 and 812, both PE satin, I wouldn't want to carry anything else. They've been to Benchmade for stop pins, lock replacements and new clips more than once but they keep going. As for EDC use, they're easy to carry, and the 800 in particular has a beautiful balance point between the handles and blade. I have a much later Axis-based LE 806-901 that barely gets used over my two ATS-34 favorites.
 
jkarp_53 said:
Between my 800 and 812, both PE satin, I wouldn't want to carry anything else. They've been to Benchmade for stop pins, lock replacements and new clips more than once but they keep going. As for EDC use, they're easy to carry, and the 800 in particular has a beautiful balance point between the handles and blade. I have a much later Axis-based LE 806-901 that barely gets used over my two ATS-34 favorites.
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Have to agree with that. I have a D2 Axis version as well and it is larger and heavier that my 800s. Not to the point where it's uncomfortable to carry; I've
just gotten used to my old favorite.
 
These days I am much more into traditional slipjoints; however the afck's that I have will stay with me along with a few other select tacticals, the rest are going to get liquidated. The ones i keep are not because of their collectability but because of their utility. The afck is, IMO, one of the all time greats as far as production knives are concerned.
 
I traded my 800 away and now regret it, but I did at least come out well on the trade. It was smooth as silk, but I slightly prefer a carbon fiber military or a sebenza for a larger folder. The 800 was the smoothest of the bunch, and is a better looking design IMO, but the Sebbie and millie feel better in my hand.

I still have my 812 in ats-34, but haven't carried it in years. Think I'll go get it out of the safe today and work it back in the rotation.

These are the knives that turned me, and others, into a liner lock fan, and are a true classic. I still love my slipjoints, but these are the one's that opened my eyes to knives other than slipjoints and lockbacks.
 
The AFCK is a legitimate classic. I tend to like flat grind of the Military better, and I like Spyderco's M4 better than Benchmade's. However, Benchmade does a great job with M390 (and D2). My favorite knives are the AFCK/TSEK, Military and original Manix.
 
I really like the AFCK model 804 the best of all! I like the oval hole and it came in 154cm. You cant go wrong with an AFCK! Kevin :thumbup::D
 
I actually preferred the 805, but the 806 I had was a fine piece and deserving of the "classic" title.
 
I got an old mini AFCK with the liner lock at a gun show for $30. Very useful EDC blade, and I love the way the ergos and serrations grip your hand so well.
 
Just great knives, no doubt about it! I have got 4 knives from these series, 3 of them 805 and one 800. Still want more! Just excellent handle shape, nice blade size and form... Just love them!
 
I saw an AFCK at a gunshop yesterday that I went to knife browse. It was more than I could afford so I didn't buy it, but I'm seriously thinking of going back over there and putting it on layaway. It may take a couple/few weeks to pay it off, but at least I will have another AFCK.

I think I'll make the phone call...LOL!!!

[edit]

SCORE!! they're going to hold it for me so I can go in there tomorrow and make it happen.

...my name is Johnny, and I'm a knife-aholic. LMAO.
 
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The whole theme here of it being a classic is dead-on. I owned an original AFCK half a lifetime ago & presently have a D2 axis & a sprint-run TSEK & am waiting on the new sprint-run AFCK. Everyone has their own particular tastes in knife features & the AFCK pushed all my buttons. I seem to like longer blades with a banana-like curve to them & big index choils.

I lost my original one & none of the many knives I owned felt as good in my hand for many years, until I got the Spyderco Police 3. I like bigger folders so the size & weight never became an issue but that's definitely a matter of taste. The AFCK has a streamlined profile that slides in & out of your pocket easily & carries unobtrusively, especially for it's size. There's not much out there with smoother action either.
 
I had two of the AFCK models in D2 with holes in the blade, 806 marked IIRC. Sold them both at a profit to some guy in the Netherlands a few years back. I got myself two BM 610 RUKUS models instead, now also disco'd.

BM is a strange/stupid company when it comes to what they discontinue.

The AFCK was too pointy for my tastes as an EDC.
 
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