is the TSEK really supposed to be the "affordable" AFCK?

allyourblood

allyourblood

Joined
Sep 3, 2003
Messages
2,432
i mean, after all, the sucker is still $125 MSRP, and "real life" prices hover around 85-90 dollars. AFCK is $175 MSRP and ends up around 100-115.

to me, that's not much of a price difference to justify making the TSEK with 440C instead of D2. it seems there's been some limited runs in other materials (or am i mistaken?) but they're just that: limited. and that equals price hikes. :barf:

i've read some thru some older threads and found people mentioning the TSEK as the lower-cost AFCK, and the choice of steel would seem to support this. however, all other aspects of the knives being the same, it seems silly to release a different blade-style in a "lesser" steel.

as far as i'm concerned, 440c is no slouch, i rather like it. but the fact remains that the TSEK deserves D2 or M2. is the TSEK's thumb-stud and blade shape not as popular as the AFCK and it's hole? if i had to wager a guess, i'd think it was the steel that leads most people to choose one over the other, myself included. i'm thinking of buying a TSEK now (love that thumb-stud!), but i feel compelled to wait for some nonexistent release in D2 or higher...

lastly, yeah, i caught that limited run they did in M2, but c'mon! combo-edge only??? and walnut inlays? (no offense to you "woodies" out there, i just think this doesn't have much place on a "tactical" design) -- IMHO, if BM wanted to really wow the fans, they'dve thrown together some aluminum scales (or just left the G10) and PE M2. BC instead of BT2 would be nice too, or maybe neither.

sorry for the stream-of-consciousness post -- it ended up more rant than legitimate question. anyone know about the above, and/or have an opinion of the TSEK?

abe m.
 
Abe,

Aside from the (same) handle, the 805 and 806 are pretty much two totally different knives...Dual thumb-studs, VS: "the hole"...A much different blade-shape (the 806 has a pointier, more slender blade)...D2 VS: 440C steel...The blade of the 806 is SLIGHTLY longer than the blade of the 805...The blade of the 806 is ONLY offered in "black".

Still, MY favorite is the 805.
 
Dann, i know that the two blades are very different, but wouldn't you say they at least fall in the same class? and the handles being identical means a lot of grips are going to be similar as well.

i'm not saying they're the same knife, i just can't see why 2 knives which do have some similarities between them, identical handles and both reside in BM's Black Class don't share the same steel options.

i see your point -- since the differences in blade styles are numerous, one might contend that they don't both necessitate similar steels. i like the 805's blade-style and looks, but confess that i have not handled one. perhaps after trying one on, i might find that the blade-style and cutting abilities do not beg for anything beyond 440c.

they look very much like siblings to me, though... i don't see how you can give one kid a lollipop, and the other a carrot, when they're both getting good grades.

... how's that for a piss-poor analogy??! it's late and i've got work early - cut me some slack! but cut it with D2 'cause that 440c's gonna lose its edge too soon.... UGH.. i'll stop. :p:confused:

oh, btw: the bellies on these two look very alike; how does their performance differ in everyday use?


abe m.
 
An 805, plain G10 - no fancy walnut inserts - with satin finish S30V blade - I would be reaching for my Credit Card now !!!! BM's heat treat on S30V is very, very good.
 
s30v, shoot, that'd do as well. but no LE runs, just straight up upgrade that thing. "if you build it, they will come."

abe m.
 
Could accept a LE run if they produced an 805 HS M2 without the blade coating ( rust is not an issue if you look after your tools with a little oil ) - this would be one sweet blade that I would have to own.
 
i personally think that the TSEK blade shape is more aesthetically pleasing than the 806, & i sure i'm not alone. BM is losing a bunch of sales by second-rating the availability of steel choice of the TSEK.
 
alan aragon said:
i personally think that the TSEK blade shape is more aesthetically pleasing than the 806, & i sure i'm not alone. BM is losing a bunch of sales by second-rating the availability of steel choice of the TSEK.
Click to expand...

well, i very much prefer the 806 and other traditional AFCK knives myself, though there is nothing wrong w/the TSEK, i just like the looks/feel of the 806 better.

and i'm not alone either lol.

the 2 are very similar, sometimes i wonder why BM makes both of them, as far as the steels thats weird too imho, BM doesnt even make many knives w/440 anymore, AFAIK the TSEK is the only one.

when i got my 806 a gun store was closing out knives and they had a prototype TSEK i was looking at, almost got it woulda been just std price, no premium, they had a 710 prototype, TSEK proto, and a 806 proto, i ended up w/the 710 and the 806, just didnt care for the TSEK enough to spring for it too, was gonna stop carrying my old AFCK an 800S/start carrying the 806, then got into custom stuff and have never even carried the 806 (or the 710), just added to the 'collection'.

imho every single one of the BM knives is a 'good one' though, i think they are probably the #1 maker in regards to quality/fit/finish/lotsa cool models/etc, even have an edge over spyderco imho, and they are all good also.
 
I found the LE offer yesterday and my heart started to run :D

Not that i am a fan of the TSEK, but in M2 it would have been great. OK, i wasn´t sure about the serrations, but without alternative....

But they are sold out.

I was wondering, why BM makes a small number of knives, anybody wants to have, but a large number of those which keep laying in stores.. :D :D

I guess, the TSEK came to have something in contrast to an AFCK, for the TSEK by name is a tool - knife and the AFCK by name is a weapon knife.

Nobody would agree as far as using goes. I found mine to be a great and wild looking cutting tool and weapon isn´t an option for me. But i guess there was a time when these things were of some importance. To have an alternative rescue tool to that combat knife.

For example in germany knifes are weapons by law if the manufacturer declares they are weapons, or if the intended use (daggers) is only weapon, or if it is an automatic (maybe one or two things lost).

BM themself found the TSEK to be an much underrated knife.

I personally prefer the hole - blade for the looks, the hole (it is easier to me to get it back into pocket) and the bladeshape is somehow stronger than the TSEK.

I would throw it aside if there would be an 808 M2.
 
"BM doesnt even make many knives w/440 anymore, AFAIK the TSEK is the only one."

except for the entire griptilian line :D
 
SIFU1A said:
BM doesnt even make many knives w/440 anymore, AFAIK the TSEK is the only one.
Click to expand...

As already stated by Sting, the Griptilian series is all 440C.

Also in 440C:

4501 Prestigedges Cutlery Set
175 CBK
Model 5 rescue hook
180 outbounder
190
192
42 balisong
530
160 tether knife
and the small blade of the 921
 
The TSEK name (Tactical SAFETY Equipment Knife) lends itself to legality and liability issues if you were ever to employ it in a self defense situation and then had to face questions about using a so called weapon against another living creature. You weren't carrying an "Advanced Folding COMBAT Knife", but you were carrying a SAFETY knife.

The TSEK is more like a sheeple / authority friendly AFCK in this sense. Otherwise...the two knives are more similar than not, IMHO.
 
I own the tsek in gin-1.

440C is not a bad blade steel at all. With the right heat treat it is (or can be) as good as any high end steel. 440c use to be the custom steel used in most custom knives for well over 30 years, it is still by many, myself included. Perhaps you might be thinking of 440a, or 440b, which is not much in comparison to 440c?
 
not i. like i mentioned, i own some knives in 440c and i like it very much, but from my experience with 440c and D2, the 440c does not last as long as the D2 in edge-holding. my 440c Mini-Grip is a fine knife and it's qualities are numerous. it is also quite a cut above 440a (actually, a large margin from my uses). i've never used 440b. never even seen it.

abe m.
 
while it used to be advanced folding combat knife its now advanced folding camping knife, as far as the 440 didnt realise they made that many in 440, some of those listed are pretty obscure though..........
 
i own both a mini tsek ce in 440c
and a mini afck ce in ats34.

i started carrying the tsek last may,
and just picked up the afck a month ago.
the afck is in my pocket for now.
from my experience i feel:

i actually prefer the thumbstud on the tsek,
i think it's easier to open.
with the hole it's harder for me to complete the motion, quickly,
with my finger still on the blade.
i need to wrist-flick it to get it out quickly,
and that's a little more menacing than i like.
although the hole does look better.

the slimmer profile of the afck's blade
makes penetrating much easier than with the broad tsek blade.

the slimmer blade also makes pocketing easier,
and the closed knife in hand more comfortable
if you need to use it as an impact weapon.

the notched ramp on the back of the afck's blade is also
more comfortable that the one on the tsek's blade.

the belly on the tsek is a little more useful, i feel.

and the broad blade of the tsek makes it easier
to choke up for any detail work you need to do.

in reverse-grip, edge out, the tsek's blade reaches out more,
which i like in that grip.

the handle on the afck...
wait, they're the same.
nevermind.

oh, i've had good experience with 440c, but i still prefer ats34.

that's all i can think of for now.
hope someone finds it useful.

in the end, i like having both available.

edit: oh and i bought them both for around $80(each).
 
I own both knives, and they really are quite different. The TSEK is obviously more heavy in the blade, and so it handles differently. Frankly, I like the TSEK better.
 
SIFU1A said:
while it used to be advanced folding combat knife its now advanced folding camping knife, as far as the 440 didnt realise they made that many in 440, some of those listed are pretty obscure though..........
Click to expand...

Actually most of them are pretty new. :)

The 160, 175, 190, 192, and 530 are all a year old or less. The 42 speaks for itself, the Griptilians are very well known, and the model 5 rescue hook is a handy little item. Granted, they aren't as well known as the newer designer knives, and most haven't been out for years, but they're all nice knives for thier purpose.
 
well, just because they are new dont mean they arent obscure, point being they are not at the top of the sales/popularity list for BM, while there is several threads on buying a 806/805/710 active now, i see nary a 1 about the 160, 175, 190, or 192. so to me they are obscure or not neccesarily a BM i have owned/seen(though to be honest just 'cuz i dont own one i dont guess that alone makes it obscure lol), am sure they are all fine knives though, never said 440 or gin wasnt ok, anyway perhaps i mispoke so to clear it up imho MOST of the more popular BMs are D2/154/etc not 440, & the only BM i am familiar with that has 440 is the TSEK, and at the present time all the BM's i am interested in are either S30V/154 or D2, and dont have zytel handles, although i might would like the ritter grip.....?
 
Call me silly, call me irresponsible, but I felt like jumping for one of these...
But I agree I would REALLY like one with PE, 154CM or S30, and BLACK aluminum handles. But, we do what we do...
 

Attachments

  • P2240014.JPG
    P2240014.JPG
    58.8 KB · Views: 63
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top