I picked up an old AFCK with an M2 high-speed blade on the exchange just because I like that model and wanted to try out the steel. I had leapfrogged M2 in my knife evolution because of the off-repeated description of M4 as M2 on steroids. I thought, Why get M2 when there is so much M4 available? I did have one fixed blade from Raidops with M2, but I've never used it.
The AFCK was well used. It had a homemade black blade coating that was very well done by the previous owner, but I sanded it off just because I don't like blade coatings. The liner lock was failing, so I sent it off to Benchmade for repair. They replaced the lock and quickly sent the knife back with a free sharpening. Good customer service at Benchmade.
The AFCK came back sharp, but it was profiled about about 18/20 with a coarse grind. I prefer 15/15 with a finer edge. So I reprofiled it on my Wicked Sharp. At the same time, I resharpened my Military in M4 steel and my Rukus in S30V. Same technique on all three: (100/200/400/600/800 diamond stones, followed by 1200- and 1600-grit ceramic stones, then 5 micron and 3.5 micron diamond paste stropping) The Military and Rukus came out really sharp. The Wicked Edge gives a perfectly angled edge without much brain power or skill -- nicely suited for my personal skills profile.
To my surpise -- and the surprise of my poor, unsuspecting thumb -- the M2 AFCK came out noticeably sharper. Pretty hard stuff to reprofile, but the steel takes an extremely nice edge. The only other steel I've been able to get this sharp is 52100.
What a nice surprise. M2 is not just a poor cousin of M4. It's a great steel in its own right.
The AFCK was well used. It had a homemade black blade coating that was very well done by the previous owner, but I sanded it off just because I don't like blade coatings. The liner lock was failing, so I sent it off to Benchmade for repair. They replaced the lock and quickly sent the knife back with a free sharpening. Good customer service at Benchmade.
The AFCK came back sharp, but it was profiled about about 18/20 with a coarse grind. I prefer 15/15 with a finer edge. So I reprofiled it on my Wicked Sharp. At the same time, I resharpened my Military in M4 steel and my Rukus in S30V. Same technique on all three: (100/200/400/600/800 diamond stones, followed by 1200- and 1600-grit ceramic stones, then 5 micron and 3.5 micron diamond paste stropping) The Military and Rukus came out really sharp. The Wicked Edge gives a perfectly angled edge without much brain power or skill -- nicely suited for my personal skills profile.
To my surpise -- and the surprise of my poor, unsuspecting thumb -- the M2 AFCK came out noticeably sharper. Pretty hard stuff to reprofile, but the steel takes an extremely nice edge. The only other steel I've been able to get this sharp is 52100.
What a nice surprise. M2 is not just a poor cousin of M4. It's a great steel in its own right.
