Benchmade Quality - an epilogue

C

Corduroy

Joined
Apr 15, 1999
Messages
1,442
I wanted to finish my sad tale of the unchamfered AFCK and my other Benchmade experiences by reporting that I received a package today, just 12 days after I mailed the knife back to Oregon. Considering half of that time was spent in postage, that's fantastic!

Inside the package was apparently the "same" M-2 plain-edged AFCK and a note explaining that they had replaced the blade and "liner lock." Indeed, this blade had a hole chamfered on both sides! The bevel was still a bit sloppy on the right (clip) side, but I know from ecperience that it's hard to get a bevel perfect on both sides unless you're ambidextrous or well-practiced. After loosening the pivot a tad and applying my own lubricant, the action proved to be fairly nice with very little play. The liner does come alarmingly over slightly past halfway and will likely go a tad farther when it stops galling, but having carried an AFCK over four years without noticeable shift in the liner, I'm not terribly concerned.

All in all, it's not the best of the wide range of AFCKs I've seen, but it's easily acceptable and a great improvement over the original. And in record time! Thanks to the folks at Benchmade.

Maybe they just need to move some folks from customer service into quality control?

------------------

-Corduroy
(Why else would a bear want a pocket?)
 
Hmmm . . . I wasn't following the original thread. An AFCK with an unchamfered blade hole? I've been wanting one like that! Firmer grip for a drop-handle opening! Can't please everybody!
wink.gif



------------------
- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
 
Cord,
What is the problem with a liner that goes over too much after galling? I mean, isn't that better than the liner slipping and the blade closing. Or is there a potential of not being able to disengage the lock or does it increase the chance of a lock failure?

Thanks,

------------------
~Greg~


 
Mr. Mattis,

The knife I had originally received had its hole unchamfered on the left (non-clip) side. It took me less than a minute to spot this, yet it had not only passed through BM quality control but also through the hands of whomever put it in for its BT2 coating.

If it's a good grip that you want, I'm sure the tiny jagged metal bits sticking up around the hole would have done nicely
wink.gif

(and for the record an unchamfered hole also runs the risk of developing tiny cracks in heat-treatment). Seriously, I have spent plenty of time with the deeply chamfered AFCK and many only lightly chamfered Spydies and never felt any functional difference in my grip for the drop.

Greg,

Folks are concerned by a linerlock that goes too far over because they feel as it wears it may travel over completely to touch the opposite liner. This means it is not fully supporting the blade anymore, and up-down play can develop. Also, if the knife has thick washers that make a substantial gap above the blade (as Benchmades do), there is a fear that it might wedge into this space under stress, jamming and also forcing the handles apart. Basically a liner that is far over is not a problem, but may be a sign of problems to come. In my experience I have seen very little of the supposed wear of linerlocks with use (especially Ti ones) but I do not discount what others have said.

------------------

-Corduroy
(Why else would a bear want a pocket?)
 
Ah! The tiny little bits of metal! Not good. I think it was Sal Glesser who mentioned in a thread somewhere around here that every opening hole needs to be chamfered at least a little bit, because a truly crisp right angle would cut the thumb. I like the hole in my Spyderco Military, and in the Benchmade Eclipse/Ascent models I've met. My 800SBT has a countersink on both sides of the hole that I can see as well as feel, and the tefflon is slippery, so I'm afraid I'll drop the knife if I do a drop-handle opening. A blade hole that's too sharp or rough can be cured with a bit of wet&dry arounf the corner.

And yes, they should have seen that in QC.


------------------
- JKM
www.chaicutlery.com
 
agree completely with the liner lock perception....they should be made so they just engage when brand new...AND DO NOT SLIP OFF.....both of this points are critical... for long wear on a knife that costs money... the other thing......i have to say is a matter of taste...i mill an slot in my folder blades and i really like it crisp... but i work for a living and i have callouses and rough hands....some people dont like this...i really like the bite....its sooo positive.....to each his own.... http://www.mayoknives.com
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top