Got my 806D2 today!

A

AlphalphaPB

Joined
Apr 29, 2002
Messages
1,273
After a week of waiting, I finally have the much-talked-about 806D2 here in my hands.

Contrary to many, many other people here at BF, I'm not too impressed by it. That's my opinion, don't get offended :) But I think it's important for me to state what I've experienced, so buyers can take it into consideration.

What I don't like about the 806D2:

1. Finger notch area is too deep, makes the index finger feel awkward. I might just be used to knives with smaller notches, like my Buck-Strider and my CRKT Mirage. I know it makes the knife secure, but it just doesn't feel right to me.

2. Nasty, nasty, nasty black. :) It's not the fact that it's any kind of black, it's the fact that it's *that* black. The dullish-black color makes the blade look like it's plastic. Hey, it looks like one of those black plastic kitchen spatulas.

3. Overall, the knife is very big, so the thumb hole has to travel a long distance to get to the open position. My smaller hands have to shift slightly to get it open. The thumb hole is really big, which is good for gloved hands, but mine are never gloved.

4. The G10 is less grippy than I thought it would be. However, this is coming from a person that thinks the Buck-Strider's G10 could be more grippy. I also don't like the pattern in the G10.

5. The flickability. The axis lock doesn't have a loud sound to it when you're flicking, which means less fun :) Of course, that's me being really really picky, but flipping my M16 is way funner than playing with the axis lock. On closing and opening, there's only a dull "blap" sound, where I always thought it would be "SNAP!" I also have to let go of the axis lock button before the blade hits the stop pin, or it will bounce back.

6. The knife handle is too thin (both depth and width-wise) for me to comfortably close the axis lock one-handed, I have to keep checking to see if my fingers are in the blade path.

7. Blade to handle ratio is too big. I knew about this before I ordered, but the overall feel of the knife isn't monstrous enough to justify the large handle. I think the Buck Strider wins out here. :)

What I like about the 806D2:

1. Tip-up/tip-down. Choice is good. I like tip-down.

2. Lock feels very strong.

I haven't cut anything with it yet, I might be selling it off to get a 710HS instead. I think the thumbstud and the shorter handle will suit me better.

edited to add:

I think the Buck-Strider's "ergonomics" feel better than the AFCK's. Probably because I've already torn the skin on my hand to shreds on the BS, now handling the AFCK feels like handling a wet bar of soap :)
 
I can't believe you don't like it. Hell, I love mine, its a very well made knife! If you want you can mail it to me:D
 
You know I think this must be the first account I can recall of someone not liking it.

Thanks for your review and opinion :)
 
I would hold onto it for a while before you sell it. It may start to grow on you. Most folks consider it to be one of BM's best designs. Just keep it in mint condition so you can get top price for if you go for the 710HS.:)

Bottom line: Individual tastes are very varied. That's why there are so many knives out there (and more coming out all the time:rolleyes: ).
 
Yes, I'm holding on to it for a while, but I don't think I'll cut anything with it, for the time being. I still don't really feel it's the knife.

For some odd reason, the shape and feel of the knife reminds me of a Gerber EZ-Out. I know that's not a good thing. :)

I feel kind of let down, I thought that my search for the one knife to rule them all would end with the AFCK. Kind of like how my quest for the EDC flashlight ended with my Surefire E2e. Now I feel directionless. Time to start looking at more knives! Woohoo!
 
I agree with you on the handle being a bit skinny. If the g-10 is the same on the afck axis as in the tsek then I also agree with you on that it could be a little more grippier. The grip may not be up to my standards either but it is adequate.


As for the rest of the knife's faults, I am going to have to play with mine when it gets here.


Does anyone know what the logo on the afck's are made of? They seem like stickers to me.
 
I don't like the g10 pattern on the BM... at least not as much as the G10 pattern on spydies. I've handled jjcoolay's mili and that's definately grippy. the G10 on the TSEK (and therefore assumed AFCK) doesn't seem to be as grippy.
As to flicking, ThinkOfTheChildren's page describes of ways to actually opening the knife without holding down the Axis Lock, and it does snap open when you do that.
PS: TOTC, you should link to that flicking page on your main page.
 
The flickability. The axis lock doesn't have a loud sound to it when you're flicking, which means less fun Of course, that's me being really really picky, but flipping my M16 is way funner than playing with the axis lock
Click to expand...
My mom always told me if you have nothing nice to say dont say anything at all, so I wont say anything about the M16. If you want flickabilty(is that a word?) you should've got the old school AFCK ATS-34 eith the round hole, HELLA flick, I mean I flick that thing like shooting a marble, I would definitely gone with the 806, If I didnt already have an older version of the same knife.
 
Ah, thanks Calyth, I'd previously figured out the non-axis button flicking method, but it really jams the lock, and the hand motion required is a little too flashy for me.

3rdWound, if I ever see a low priced AFCK linerlock, I just might get it to see how it feels.

jjcoolay, I think the label should be something like a screen print. Probably not very durable, though I'm going to have this sucker sandblasted and coated with boron carbide, so it doesn't matter.

I'm getting used to my knife, and I think I'm starting to like it a little more. :) The 806D2 that I anticipated was just different from what came, so I felt a little let down.

Let me revise my gripes:

1. Finger notch: still a little weird feeling, but I'll probably get used to it.

2. Nasty black color: still looks like crap. I'm going to Bodycote this one.

3. Thumb hole: still awkward, just too much travel for a small hand.

4. G10: due to the presence of the deep finger choil, the grippiness of the G10 is not a concern for grip safety, but I still think it could be grippier.

5. Flickability: I'm learning the right timing for releasing the axis lock. Since my thumb is getting a callus, it hurts less now, but still not a flick-all-day knife.

6. Knife handle: I think it's a little thin, but I'll get used to it.

7. Blade-handle ratio: oh well. The extra half an inch sticking out the back doesn't really matter. The knife fits in all my pockets, so it's alright by me.

Another thing I've noticed about the knife is the forward raking of the blade relative to the handle. Makes the knife feel like a wicked extension to the hand. I like. :)
 
It's funny how different people can be. Basically every reason you gave for not liking the 806D2 are the reasons I love it!

Sorry it didn't work out for you.

I do have to agree about the BT coating though. I wish BM offered it in satin.
 
latchless---I am with you on that. I don't see the need for the black coating on a D2 blade. It's so close to being stainless, that just reasonable care should result in a rust-free blade.
 
This knife is designed as a fighter. If you choke back on the handle so the first finger holds the deep finger notch then the blade has an extra inch of reach, making a 4" into a 5"( seems design to get around the 4" rule ). Plus the hold would also be more secure. Try it and see.
 
kevtan, doesn't everybody hold it like that? I'd assume that this is the natural way to hold it... :)

The longer handle also allows for more power to be brought into play, since the axis of motion is greater when the hand is further back. On some cutting tasks, it is just this little bit of extra oomph that lets you muscle through the material.

But I do like knives that allow you to choke up for a greater degree of control for those little tasks, in effect turning it into a smaller knife. The AFCK does well in this aspect, since there's a little area at the front of the handle where you can put the index finger.
 
Maybe this should be its own thread but I think we should start an e-mail blitz to get Benchmade to offer the 806 in satin.
 
Maybe this should be its own thread but I think we should start an e-mail blitz to get Benchmade to offer the 806 in satin.
Click to expand...

That's what I'm waiting for before buying one. I like the design a lot but not the idea that the blade will start looking bad after a while. My own preference would be S30V steel, but I'd happily take a D2 satin.

Johnny
 
I love my 806D2 but hated the black coating :barf: :barf: :barf:

I like the handle a lot, but could do with a little less length at the butt. I've even thought about grinding some off. Why not? It's my knife and I already voided the warranty by taking it apart to strip and polish the blade.
 
I dunno. My expereince with bt2 coating has so far been pretty good. I have the mel pardue 350 and I have had no problems with it. Mind you I only use that knife for light cutting jobs.
 
must admit BM coaqtings suck, my wife has a coated stryker and opens only envelopes/small light boxes, w/it, and the coating already is getting scratched up.....WAYYY too quick, imho, my cammilus cuda maxx w/the D2 blade will get some lite rust on the top of the uncoated blade if ya aint carefull though, and its the ONLY knife i EVER have had corrosion probs with - makes me think the coating might be good on some particular steels, though....just like BM says....

makes me glad i only pais $60 for it lol

i cant believe that anyone wouldnt like the 806S-D2 though, i LOVE the AFCK line and love the axis AFCK the most of all.......

diff strokes/diff folks i guess........


greg
 
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