CQC or AFCK?

Q

Quigs

Joined
Sep 26, 2002
Messages
9
I've been carrying around a Benchmade min AFCK for several years now, and I'm thinking about getting a new folder that's just a bit bigger. How are the production Emerson CQC spear-points? I was also looking at the new full-sized AFCK axis. Anyone had experience with either of these knives? I am concerned with blade strenght, tight tolerances, and overall quality.
 
Well, I just bought the AFCK due to the high recommendations of the forumites here.;) I feel the right choice was made.
 
I just recieved a CQC7-B in a trade and it's quite a knife. I don't understand why some people don't like them. I'd say go handle both knives and get the one you feel better about. just remember. If you take apart your Benchmade you get no service after that! Emerson tells you to take there knives apart. Emerson will send you a screw or thumb disk if you lose one. Benchmade will make you send it in for repair. You did remember not to take apart your benchmade didn't you?
 
You should think about what you are looking for in this purchase. I am a huge fan of the AFCK! At the same time, Emerson makes a great knife as well. There are several reasons I like the AFCK, one is the ergonomic handle. It fits my hand perfectly. There is also the finger notch. After I did major damage to my finger when my hand slipped off a knife handle, it is one of the features I look for.

As far as warranty...I've never had a reason to send a Benchmade back.
 
well, myself, i would take the AFCK over the CQC7, because of better ergos (i love the AFCK handle/blade/etc, fits me perfectly) a better lock (the axis is the bomb imho) and i think probably for the majority of people a better grind on the blade, a std 'V' grind on the AFCK vs a chisel grind on the EKI spearpoint, which is harder to sharpen for the avge person imho.

imho its very hard to beat the AFCK in either the liner OR axis versions. a great knife.

check out the EKI SOCFK from www.tacticaledge.com a great knife, a combo of the spec war handle w/a CQC7 blade and the wave, for about $140 from the above listed source. a great knife, on par w/the AFCK and MUCH better than a CQC7 due to the fact its waved, better handle ergos and some collector value. i would go w/the SOCFK myself, followed by the AFCK closely. but honestly, i dont know why anyone would want a CQC7 w/the SOCFK available, at about the same price, imho one of the best looking knives around is a SOCFK w/a green G10 handle and black tanto blade, a GREAT combo imho, i just like it lots better. but, all 3 are good too, so whatever ya like i guess,

good luck!!

greg
 
Thanks for the imput all. I didn't realize that the spear point had one of those chisel-ground blades. Yeah, that does look like a pain to sharpen!
 
I've always thought that the double bevel/chisel edge configuration of the CQC-7A was an idiotic setup for a spear-point knife if you ask me, and smacks of a production shortcut. That said, I really love the way my CQCs feel in the hand, plus being able to take 'em apart is a good thing too, since many of them suffer from blade centering issues brought on by the secondary detent placing too much pressure on one side of the blade. (This occured on one of my CQC-7Bs <b>and</b> my P-SARK, resulting in <i>edge chipping</i> on the latter when the blade hit the liner up near the tip.) Although this should have been caught at the factory, I was able to disassemble both knives and correct the problem myself which saved me having to send them back across the border for repair. Try that with a Benchmade...

It would probably not be too difficult to reprofile the edge bevels on the 7A to a more proper shape with a sharpmaker and maybe a diamond hone laid against the ceramic sticks to speed up the process, but I don't have a 7A at this time. When I want a spear point I just carry my Spyderco Starmate.

PM
 
I have a CQC7A. I hardly ever carry it. The fit and finish of the G-10 handle is
nice but the blade with double bevel/chisel edge configuration just doesn't do the
utility work that I want a knife to do. Don't get me wrong, it cuts
boxes and ropes just fine but I feel I need to use more strength to do that
comparing with my CS voyager, Spyderco Delica etc.
The blade tend to go off course because of the Chisel edge configuration
and that bothers me alot. ( Maybe not for others)
I also had bad luck sharpening the knife.
If CQC7A was waved + the blade profile was conventional
I know it will be a winner.
 
Does any one know of an online retailer that has a low price on a hard chrome finish CQC7B? Thanks in advance.
 
There's always plenty of critism on the CQC's grinds and/or edges.
However, for me, if I'm getting an AFCK, it better have a round hole in it. I've tried a griptillian with the oval hole and it's definately not up to the stuff IMO.
I guess you really have to try them out in person to know what's better for you.
As for the chisel edge regular bevel, you could always try to tilt the knife a little bit to try and make cuts without it going off....
 
Sorry for the echo but you really should check out the Emerson SOCFK if you like the CQC blade style but aren't crazy about the handle. I own 2 CQC's but kept putting them on the shelf due to the handle ergo's. Problem solved with the SOCFK. It's lke butter...but better!
 
just wanted to chip in:

actually, chisel ground edges are easier to sharpen imo, but the problem I have with my CQC7wave is that it is ground on the left side, and I'm a righty.

the handle of my CQC7 is very, very ergonomic.

apart from the left-side chisel grind, my only other complaint is the loose pivot screw (I used the tape method and now it's fixed!) and the fact that I should've gotten the satin finish instead of the BT finish (now it's scratched ugly!)....
 
Only Benchmade I've ever had to send to the factory was a 970ST for a resharpen. Hey, 970, who designed those again... :D
 
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