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I like my AFCK, but...

F

Frangible

Joined
Jul 28, 2004
Messages
12
I like my 806D2 Benchmade AFCK; it's high quality, the grip is excellent as are the ergonomics, the AXIS lock is very nice, and the opener can be modded to function as a ghetto Wave type auto-opener.

But I really dislike the blade. My Kershaw Avalanche, with S60V steel is a vorpal blade to the 806D2's shovel edge. I just don't think you can put a good edge on D2, at least I can't, nor can Benchmade even after communicating this to them. Maybe due to the relative thickness of the blade? I'm not sure.

And well, the Avalanche isn't ideal either. Though it feels like it could cut through a collapsed neutron star, it lacks the AXIS lock.

Is there some sort of happy medium between the two?

Thanks.
 
I get mine sharpened at a local shop luckily (on a belt) and they always get it shavable. Sent one to bm once and it came back just a little sharper. Thing is once you get that d2 sharp it wants to stay that way. But I don't even use them that much anymore. They are my favorite knives.
 
That's a pretty common comment regarding Benchmade knives in general (the thick edge).

I reprofile them to approximately 15 degrees per side by hand or use the Sharpmaker. Better cutters that way IMO. Just takes some time.
 
I am not sure which BM knifes you are talking about. The most i have are just .5 to .6 mm thick above the edge bevel and feature an angle around 30°.

Exeptions are the 710 and the 806. I don´t know if the 910 folows the same tactical rule (thick).

Maybe the design indicates the edge and angle, maybe not. For example the very tactical Nimravus features an edge, .6 mm thick over the bevel, same counts on the 520.

I recommend:

1. Íf you buy a tactical knife expecially an AFCK, don´t be surprised, if the cutting abbility is a big step away from a razor edge. Guess, this is not new to the forums. The 710HS is oftenly recommended with the addition, to set the angle back.

2. If you can´t grind D2 yourself, ask a proffesional for it. I know have a convexed belvel on mine and found this to be the best solution for that fat edge. Strength and sharpness come together in a pleasing manner.

I like knifes with fat edges, not only but on some (if the 520 would have an edge like the 806 i wouldn´t mind it, but would convex it aswell).

If you really dislike them, choose a Griptilian.

For the edge quality of D2 most opinions go towards "terrible edge, that lasts forever!". But you can get it shaving, even in the factory grind of the 806.

But i would go for the convexed edge because that full 40° or + bevel is not that ideal.
 
I have the Grip and the Mini Grip, both in D2. I have never had any problem with putting a razor shaving edge on them. I did reprofile them to about 12 degrees per side with a coarse waterstone. I then put a 15 degree primary polished edge on them with my Edge Pro.

An occassional strop on my leather strop is about all I need to do to them.
 
Thanks for the response. I'll try practicing with my Sharpmaker on cheaper blades and see if I can't reprofile the 806's edge as suggested. Razor sharpness would be nice indeed.
 
Good luck and have a nice day with both, your SM and the 806.

Reprofiling with the SM is a pain in whatever.

It is nice, for some others great, for usual maintance but to set an angel back from 40° to 30° is a hard hard work, where all the advantages of the V - type sharpener dissapear over the hours.

Really consider a visit at a well known professional. Take some blades from your kitchen and ask him to sharpen them, you see how he or she is doing.

He will need a minute for your job. All you have to make sure is:

Does he understand what i want? Will he or she make it the way i like it?

Usually profesionals grind from the middle of the blade to the edge. So usually say good bye to the coating. If you can´t stand this, keep looking or buy some SiC stones with 200 grit.
 
You can put a wicked edge on BM's D2 knives with the sharpmaker, it just takes a little longer due to the properties of the steel. After getting my knives to the level of sharpness a like "sticky sharp", they are with out a doubt my favorite users. Good luck.
 
Well, I have 3 Bob Dozier knives of D2 and he gets them damn sharp? I also have a Ka-Bar D2 extreme and there is no way you can say it's not sharp. Even the "back cut" is like a razor.

I guess it's all in the expertice of the maker and having the right tools to do the job. Benchmade has the tools but maybe not quite the feel for putting an edge on D2.

FWIW
Ron
:thumbup:
 
So get yourself a nice coarse stone (Norton Crystolon or India), thin down the edge a little and it'll be a nice tough slicer..
 
Get yourself a Benchmade 805 TSEK (if you can find one)...Same handle as the 806, but a much "better" blade-style, and it's 440C steel.
 
The 805s are a great example of high performance sharpness from a large blade Benchmade.

I have several Benchmades that were scary sharp right out of the box ( 941,921,705,530,770,805,140) and a couple of their tanks (Ares, Sentinel ) that had to be reprofiled to 15' (Sharpmaker ) .

The D2 Benchmades that I have take as sharp an edge as their S30V, M2, 154CM and 440C blades and hold it for a long time.
 
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