Help! BM AFCK vs. Spydie Starmate?

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GC

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Gentlemen,
I am slowly building my knife collection. I will be buying a user knife for the following purposes, daily uniform carry (LEO), off duty carry, general utility, possibly for camping/hunting use. I had pretty much decided on the BM AFCK full size. But, I really like the look of the Spyderco Starmate. No knife dealers or stores in my area stock any of these type knives so my purchase will be from an internet dealer without the ability to actually get a hands on feel. I like the hole opening system, so have sorta ruled out any other (BM 710?). I have a mini AFCK and like it a great deal, also have a spydie Wegner and like it also. After reading the post about best quality, I'm kinda leaning toward the Starmate, whadda think guys?
 
I have both and IMO the Starmate shines brighter than the AFCK. This is just my personal preference as I think the design and choice of steel in the Starmate are beter. The AFCK is a fine piece and you should consider the M2 blade steel as it is a better performer than the ATS34 model.
Tough choice here. Good Luck on this one!
smile.gif


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So, what IS the speed of dark?

 
Also, do you think one design might be more or less trouble free than the other? I think the AFCK is a classic, the Starmate is new, but there seems to be a lot of talk about AFCK's blades rubbing liners, the liner locks walking across the tang, ect... Spyderco seems to be walking away from all others in the post I referred too about quality. Would you be leery of ordering a AFCK without the opportunity to examine it first?
Ergonomics are a personal thing, but I won't get to handle one before I buy, does one seem to handle better for the majority of users?
 
I have both and in my opinion, you won't go wrong with either. If you do choose the AFCK, definitely go with M2 steel. That is the version that I have and if forced, would give the nod to the AFCK just because of the toughness of the M2. M2 and CPM440V both take scary sharp edges and the CPM440V seems to hold it a little bit longer. I also prefer plain edge but that is a different discussion.
 
GC,
I've encountered no problems with the Starmate yet, but I have on the AFCK.
The Titanium liner has moved over to the right side of the blade tang after repeated use. Granted, it took a couple of years of use, but I've cycled my Military (same liner material setup as the Starmate) over a thousand times with no discernable movement of the liner lock. I don't know if this affects lock performance but it is a little disconcerting. Again, Good Luck!
smile.gif


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So, what IS the speed of dark?

 
I'm also an LEO. I prefer the Starmate it is more of an all around blade than the AFCK. IMO the AFCK is more for self defense, at least I think that was the reason for its design. I like the weight of the AFCK better, but I would get M2 steel as most of my BM ATS-34 blades have chipping problems. I really like the feel of the handle on the AFCK and to get the best feel from my Starmate I had to improve the finger groove a little. I think the Starmate quality and support may be better and if you don't sharpen serrations yourself, which most LEO's want and need, Spyderco will resharpen them and Benchmade absolutely will not. Their life sharp deal only covers straight blades.

If you do want more of a tactical knife I would go with the Spyderco Militery that is better compared to an AFCK.

It's all a matter of choice but I would give the Edge, hehehe, to the Starmate or military.

My absolute best and daily carry knife is the Emerson Commander. I love the wave feature you will not even need a hole or thumb stud with this beauty. Just pull and it is open. Yes I do own all of these knives and have no regrets with any of them.

Good Luck
 
I thought of the Military. I just don't like it's lines and it appears to be very large, much more so than either the AFCK or Starmate.
 
The Military is only slightly larger that the Starmate, and the ergonomics are great, unless you have small hands. It can be gripped in several different ways comfortably. I like my Military very much, and have compared it with a friend's Starmate side-by-side. I am very happy with my choice. I don't have any experience with the AFCK, however. I don't have an extensive collection (yet!), but I think you'll be happiest with a Spyderco in the long run.

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Chris Turner
Arkansas

"We Don't Rent Pigs" --Augustus McCrae

"I won't abide rude behavior in a man." -- Woodrow Call

 
GC:

If you like the AFCK, don't rule out the Military on account of handle size. I've carried both the AFCK and the Military as my primary daily carry knife, the length of the handle doesn't tell the whole story. You have to consider handle thickness, weight, and clip position as well. When clipped to my pocket, I like the Military better. The AFCK handle is a bit more comfy in the hand, but overall, I like the Military better. I own two Militaries and ony one AFCK. It's a tough call though. That's why I own both.

David Rock

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AKTI Member # A000846
Stop when you get to bone.
 
I think both the Starmate and AFCK would make an excellent choice and I'm sure you would be pleased with either. I have both and find the AFCK slightly more ergonomic, but the Starmate is constructed better. Have you considered the full size Wegner? I am a full time LEO and that is what I carry. Especially if you may use it for hunting. I dont think the blade on either the AFCK or Starmate lend themselves to skinning. The Wegner may be marketed as a hunter, but it is one of the best "tactical" knives around. Super ergonomic and great blade shape. Did you know that the Wegner was going to be the official Gunsite knife? Anyway, good luck and let us know what you decide.

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Dennis Bible
Knoxville, Tennessee


 
Starmate or AFCK...The Spyderco is a better all around knife in all catagories:
--440v steel
--Eccentric pivot
--nestled liner
--a true linerlock pivot the way Walker designed it, without those overly large washers the AFCK uses (these washers cause a majority of pivot problems)
--a badarse ball detent that SNAPS the blade home
--a perfect lockup
--Spyderco quality
--that little Terzuola medallion on the handle :-)

--dan
 
I forgot to mention that yes, I do have small hands. I do have a full size Wegner. I used this knife this year on a very successful deer hunt with complete satisfaction. I really love the ergonomics of the Wegner, and it's about as large a knife as is actually usuable in my hands. Is the Starmate comparable in size and feel to the Wegner (oh no, another option!)?
 
I prefer the M2 AFCK to the Starmate. (By a fairly wide margin.)

More comfortable in the hand, with no edges biting into my fingers. Way better ergonomics IMHO.

My AFCK is just as smooth operating as any Starmate I have handled, and the blade shape is great for utility as well as defensive applications. I've never had any problem whatever with its lockup or any other quality consideration.

I too am an LEO, though frankly, that never entered into the equation as far as choosing between them.

Actually, I prefer the Military to the Starmate as well. Guess that's why they make more than one "flavor".

Blues

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Live Free or Die


 
I'd give it to the Starmate. Better steel, better ergonomics, better quality. A little lighter and smaller, too (I think...).

I'd liken the Starmate to a Wegner blade on a straight (rather than the Wegner's humpback) handle.
 
Wow, this seems to be going in all directions. I realized this was a tough call for me, but didn't think there would be so many opinions that were as undecided as myself. Or perhaps it's just that these are both incrediably useful tools, and choosing isn't an option. Maybe, I should be trying to convince the wife that life is meaningless without BOTH! Oops, forgot her!
 
From the posts here, I should think that you would not want to buy a BM by internet as they have seem to have quality control matters. I have both the Military and the StarMate and I feel the StarMate is as clos to perfection as I have seen in a production knife. The Military is a bit bigger, but my hands are not that big and I find both knives very comfortable. I love the nested steel liners.

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Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller
Arlington, Virginia

 
I realize you don't want a confusion of options, but have you considered the Spyderco Police model? (I'm not kidding). I have carried this knife daily for the last two years and I believe that for solidity and fit and finish it is second to none. I have also used it daily for the last two years, never sharpened it, and it still cuts very aggresively (mine is serrated). It also has the largest blade as compared to its handle size, I believe. With the stainless handle it also looks very classy. Its very slim and slides in and out of the pocket very slick, something I really appreciate when compared to models that use G-10. It has a nice heft in the hand but you don't notice it in you pocket until you need it.

Another plus is that is a common model, therefore you can check it out in a store, unlike the Starmate.
 
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