Last minutes questions before ordering a new knife!

A

ajnova

Joined
Jan 25, 2004
Messages
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Hey guys,

I'm going to order a new knife tonight and have a few last minutes questions before doing so.

I'm looking at the Benchmade 806 AFCK AXIS with D2 Steel. Or the Emerson Mini-Commander with Wave opening feature.

I love the concept of the Wave feature - however, I feel the 806 would probably be the better purchase right now. Thoughts? Especially, with reading a little of quality issues of Emerson knives here at Bladeforums.


I was also reading that some of you guys think, that the 806 is too big for EDC.... And some think it's not too big for EDC. Especially regarding how thick it is.

So could someone post a picture of the side of 806 so I can judge for myself? If you have like a Spyderco Native or SOG Tomcat II if you could put it in the picture as well. I have those two folders, and it even more helpful to judge the difference. Even better would be if you also have the Mini Commander to have it in the picture as well.


Finally, should I get the plain edge or the combo edge version? I think I want to get the combo version.

Thank you!
 
I have an 805, which I'm pretty sure is the same thickness. I think the TSEK and AFCK are the same except for the blade. I like big knives so I'm a biased. The 805 TSEK is usually what I carry in my RF pocket. Or I'll carry a manual Socom Elite. Both big knives. I don't think they're too big for EDC, big knives are better IMO because the larger handles give me more control, and the wider blades make much better slicers.

Smaller knives are cool too, sometimes I'll carry a smaller folder. I've never owned an Emerson knife, the wave feature does seem extremely cool. But I've heard bad things about their quality, someone probably knows much better then me what these issues are. And Emerson knives are IMO much overpriced.
 
Before anyone else can jump in with the anti serration snobbery ;) I'm going to tell you that I'm a big fan of combo edges in blades that size. If your going to be cutting anything in the nature of plastic water line, rope, cardboard etc. the serrations will make all the difference in the world. They aren't that hard to sharpen with the right tools, and in the given materials they will outcut a plain edge no matter how well somebody thinks they sharpened it, microserrations or not.

Other than that I can't help ya. I would like to see a picture of the spine/handle back of an 806D2 myself though.
 
Wish I could help, but I don't have both knives, just the 806D2. Being a lefty means paying full retail for EKI products. Being a cheap sonofa means not paying full retail unless I hafta.

The mini-Commander looks like a sweet design. Why not go with that? Both companies you've mentioned have had bad QC phases, but they've also had stellar ones. They both have much-praised service departments (I've praised Benchmade's service department and have read others doing the same for Emerson Knives), so if the knife isn't perfect, it will be very soon.
 
I don't have the Mini-Commander; but the full-size one has the same blade thickness, and I'd assume that the overall thickness would therefore be the same. Left to right: Native III, Tomcat II, Commander, 806D2. The Commander and 806 are of equal overall thickness, but the 806 can disappear in your pocket better due to the reversible clip.

Sorry for the horrid image -- still working on my digital photography.
 

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For a tactical knife I'll take an Axis lock over a liner lock any day of the week. That would decide the contest right there for me personally, but to each his own.
 
I don't have the Emerson, but based on what I've read I'd go with the BM806.

806d2.jpg
 
A big Thanks to arcanum and Wade for the pictures! Thank you!


I actually think I'm going to get the 710 with M2 steel instead. I think it be a better EDC for me.... I think I will still get the 806 sometime down the line - and the 705 as well.



Now it's just the question of: plain edge or combo edge? :confused: I was thinking like doing: 806 with combo edge, 710 plain edge, and 705 combo edge.:confused:

So hard to decide! I just can't wait to to get it!!!!
 
Originally posted by ajnova
A big Thanks to arcanum and Wade for the pictures! Thank you!


I actually think I'm going to get the 710 with M2 steel instead. I think it be a better EDC for me.... I think I will still get the 806 sometime down the line - and the 705 as well.



Now it's just the question of: plain edge or combo edge? :confused: I was thinking like doing: 806 with combo edge, 710 plain edge, and 705 combo edge.:confused:

So hard to decide! I just can't wait to to get it!!!!
Click to expand...
The Benchmade 710 is an EXCELLENT knife!...You'll be pleased with it. My EDC is a BM 710 and a BM 705, and both are plain-edge.
 
I've owned both and have to say that the Benchmade is an excellent knife and the 806D2 holds an incredible edge. One point on the Emerson is that it has a chisel grind on the blade edge, for some that is a detriment for other it's a non issue.

Cheers!
SK
 
ajnova,

First, a big thumbs-up for having done your homework. Your having researched this purchase is apparent by your citation of the problems you cite for EKIs.

:)

However, let me at the same time also encourage you to dig a little further. You see, when I decided to dive more seriously into the knife world just a bare 8 months ago, my research at the time found an inordinate amount of negative posts regarding the Q/C and assembly of Benchmade folders !

The truth is that if you dig hard enough, you'll find dirt on any brand-make/maker.

Both of your choices are excellent. In both terms of materials, assembly, mechanics, function and factory support/service you've got two winners.

I own and have both an 806D2 and a full-sized Commander in my EDC rotation.

I trust the AXIS lock more when my anticipated use includes twisting the knife along its long axis -- torque can make a linerlock, or even a frame/integral-lock fail more easily than an AXIS. The Wave on my Commander, as it is on any Waved EKI, is simply unbeatable for presentation speed and is a great "BTFU" threat that can ward-off unsavory individuals.

:)

Allen
aka DumboRAT
 
I think I'm going to go with the 710 M2 steel BT2 coating with Combo edge. I think that will be best... However, is there ANY reason besides the issue of sharpening, that combo may not be the best pick?

Thank you!


PS: If someone could humor me here.... What is the point of selling the 520 and the 943? Same price, 2 tens of inch difference blade length, etc. Seems like one of them could fill in for both... I dunno!

PSS: I have also decided to get the full size Emerson Commander sometime down the road. Sooner then later.
 
Alright finnnnnally ordered!

Benchmade 710 M2 BT2 coated - Plain edge from Bestknives.com



Thanks for all the help!
 
ugh

Well I e-mailed BestKnives (where I ordered my 710 M2) and got this reply:

"I am sorry to say We have not received any HS models from Benchmade for some
time. This includes the 710, 910, 140 series. I can only assume it is a
steel allocation problem. Please advise if you wish to cancel or leave on
backorder."

I checked New Graham before ordering and they were out of stock as well!

I don't know about ordering from Benchmade.com - $185 compared to $122? That's a big difference!

What should I do?!
 
I ordered my 806D2 from Spoon River cutlery. Quick check shows they 806D2 and 705BW Benchmades in stock - both D2 steel. Nothing in M2 steel.

Good prices and service with several purchases: http://spoonrivercutlery.com/

Hope this helps!
 
Between the 806D2 and the Commander I would definitely get the 806D2, it is a much nicer knife. Don't get me wrong, the Commander is a nice knife but I feel that the Benchmade is built a lot better. The 806D2 is very smooth opener, the AXIS lock is rock solid and the knife makes a good self defense weapon, should you ever need it.

Just my $0.02
 
Alright I plan tomorrow to call New Graham, and order a Benchmade 520 plain edge... And either also from NG or someplace else, back order a 710 HS.

I was considering the 520 vs 943.... I picked the 520, as I liked the blade style and handle better.

What's your guys opinions the 520? Wish it was a 5000! (the auto version)
 
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