Benchmade axis TSEK and AFCK comparison (pic)

shootist16

shootist16

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Here is a comparison shot of the new axis TSEK and AFCK. The TSEK has been marketed as a more "utilitarian" design. I don't know what makes it more "utility" and the AFCK more "defensive". I would like to get your opinion on this.

I am actually more excited about the TSEK than the AFCK. It doesn't have a hole, and it isn't D2 but it does have a SATIN finish.

BT2 :barf:
 

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I didn't know there was going to be an axis TSEK. Cool. Question, what the heck does TSEK stand for?
 
dick I think they are using 440c on the tsek like on the (550,551,555,556)to keep cost down.
 
The AfCK is my favorite design, other than the TNT and Mission MPF folders. I dont like the way it looks with the new hole. It looks cheezy IMO, I would prefer a thumb-stud on the afck blade. When will the TSEK be available. Oh good 440c, something I will be able to sharpen hair-popping without spending an hour.

JC
 
I don't know how it translates to the axis TSEK, but the liner-locking TSEK on the Benchmade website says GIN-1. Not that THAT would stop me from buying it anyway, IF that is actually what it is made of. If it IS 440C, then all that much better.

BTW, Dennis, I found the answer to your defensive vs. utility question: the AFCK is 3.96 inches long, versus the TSEK's 3.9 inches. You get a whole extra 0.06 (that is six-hundredths) inch of reach out of the AFCK.

Man, I'm almost starting to wish I had held out for the TSEK! :( :mad: But I really love D2, and I actually really like the oval hole. Especially better than studs; starting to get tired of those.
 
The 805 TSEK is 440C.

I have never had a problem with 440C and I much prefer a satin finish. Looks like the 805 will see more carry time than the Axis AFCK.
 
Forgot to say that the 805's are available now. They haven't filtered down to us lowly internet dealers yet. :( The good news is that suggested retail on the 805 axis TSEK while it is $169 for the 806 AFCK.

I had to buy mine from a brick and mortar store. I did see a serrated 805 on ebay for $80 but noone bid on it. I would have bought it if it were plainedge.
 
Looks like the guy relisted the TSEK on ebay at a lower price. If anyone is looking for a partially serrated version. :D
 
Oh, don't get me wrong, I have no problem with 440C either. In fact, in the only applications that I have seen with 440C, I like it better than ATS-34 and 154CM. I would have never believed it if I hadn't tried it myself. I can't exactly say that it will hold its edge longer than ATS/154 (remains to be seen), I like the edge that it takes much more. And it certainly holds an edge long enough. Heck, the 551 is my favorite large folder right now (haven't received my 806D2 yet). And as far as the 806 price, I ordered mine for MUCH less than $169.

Nevertheless... (dangit Dennis).... I think I have an 805 bug up my ... now. Thanks a lot! :mad: I'll old off until I see how I like the 806 handle, though. I have never used an AFCK, so it is entirely possible I'll be one of those (few?) guys that don't like that handle.

:D
 
The Axis TSEK is THE knife I want for 2002. I handled a plain edged one at a mall B&M shop and I liked it much more than the Axis AFCK right next to it. I also much prefer the satin/stone washed finished 440C steel. Benchmade does an excellent job with the 440C, and this knife just felt "right" in the hand and looks great. I hope it becomes as popular as, IMO, it deserves.
Jim
 
I like the blade grind on the TSEK better than the AFCK, just like I like the 710 blade grind better.

TSEK with an Axis now? Pure shame it isn't offered in D2 or S30V or M2 or ...

I putzed around with a couple oval hole BM's at the knife store a few days ago. I figured it would be about the same as the circle. It isn't. It's worse. Not a lot worse, mind you, just not an improvement. It doesn't "pivot" and smoothly rotate with your thumb as your thumb goes through the arc...it wants to bind a bit. Kinda subtle, not a big deal, but not an improvement. I suspect people with really big fat thumbs (a fat-finger type of guy) might find it a slight improvement.

Ergo, I like the thumb stud better also.

Did I mention I'd like to see good steel on the TSEK?
 
440C? That sounds good. It will certainly hold an edge better than the A or B alloys.

rdangerer: I guess BM just got tired of paying royalties to Spyderco so they changed the "geometry".
 
i dont like how the thumb ramp looks, its differnt than the linner lock version, it is a shorter ramp, looks like an afterthought
 
I don't like the looks of the thumb ramp on the TSEK either, but it looks quite a bit like the 551's. In fact, the more I look at it, the more it looks like the 551 with better handle scales (maybe). Well, other than the obvious shape difference. OK, the knife is quite a bit different, :rolleyes: but with a very similar blade.

After playing with a semi-serrated 806D2 at the Timonium show, I definitely like the oval hole better than the stud. I'm wondering, though, if one could remove the stud from the TSEK and use a drill press to drill your own hole in the blade. Since the handle is the same shape as the AFCK, which had a hole, I would think you could make it work. Probably have to use a drill press to do it, though, because it appears you'd definitely have to offset the thumb hole from the stud hole (not using the stud hole as a pilot hole). That might make it tricky. But, dang it, it certainly would be worth the work.
 
Got the 805 in today. :D I really like it. I wish it had a better steel, but I have had excellent service from my 551, which also has 440C.

I generally prefer a hole, but find that the AFCK's sits a little too low for me. If the AFCK had a thumb ramp like the TSEK the hole could set a little higher and would suit me better.

The thumb ramp on the 805 is a little shorter than the original TSEK. I am not sure why except that maybe the axis lock necessitates this.

Anyway I am quite happy with it. Until Benchmade offers an axis AFCK with a SATIN finish I predict it will see more carry time than my axis AFCK.

BT2 :barf:
 
Originally posted by rockspyder
After playing with a semi-serrated 806D2 at the Timonium show, I definitely like the oval hole better than the stud. I'm wondering, though, if one could remove the stud from the TSEK and use a drill press to drill your own hole in the blade. Since the handle is the same shape as the AFCK, which had a hole, I would think you could make it work. Probably have to use a drill press to do it, though, because it appears you'd definitely have to offset the thumb hole from the stud hole (not using the stud hole as a pilot hole). That might make it tricky. But, dang it, it certainly would be worth the work.
Click to expand...
Just on the off chance that you might have a friend who knows a dude that has a big-hearted machinist in the family, you can put ANY SHAPE hole you like, any place you want, with very professional looking results through the use of an EDM (electrode discharge machine). Same procedure as used when porting the barrel of a rifle or handgun. Of course, you could just take your knife to any good machine shop (job shop) that is so equipped, and pay the man for the work, though they don't work cheap(!). Btw, this procedure will not affect the heat treat of the blade. Just a thought, fwiw. :)
 
Phlatinum, you sound like you may have experience with that sort of stuff, so I have a question: Do you think just drilling the round hole with the drill press would affect the heat treat, provided you took it slowly and kept the blade cool (water? oil?)? Since I have no place around here with an EDM.
 
rockspyder,

If the blade is kept cool, you won't affect the heat treat. I have never attempted to DRILL through hardened steel, however. You may need a carbide or cobalt drill bit to get it done. In any case, be damned sure that you have the blade clamped securely to something substantial if you do try to do any drilling ... flying knives are scary. :eek:

Personally, I think I would rather attack that project with a carbide burr in a Dremel tool, and finish up with a small round file, a grinding wheel in the Dremel, and some fine emery cloth, maybe some J&B compound or whatever, taking my time with it. Good luck, and I hope this is of some help.
 
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