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Spyderco Military or Benchmade AFCK

I like both, but I would go with the Military. It's a tough, user of a knife.

On my AFCK, the alignment of the blade, when closed, is off-center, and I went whole-hog and got the titanium liner model and everything! :rolleyes:

There is absolutely no defect in my Military. I just wish it had a milled-tang Compression lock like so many other fine Spydercos.

-Jeffrey
 
is there any way the military can be opened with a flick of the wrist? i've only held the spyderco police in person.
 
The Military carries in tip-down configuration. If you lift the knife out of your back pocket using thumb-and-forefinger on the blade hole, you can indeed swing the handle away from the blade and into your palm. This will result in a bit of a "choked-up" grip, but the knife will be open.

I have not really tried to flick the Military open, come to think of it. Not sure if that would work or not.

I hope this information helps answer your question.

-Jeffrey
 
If you want a knife for s.d. and it has to be a folder get a Chinook II, or a XLG clip point CS Voyager. Both are relatively inexpensive, very good examples of the prod. offered and big and sharp. keepem sharp
 
Jin -

In my very personal opinion, neither knife is good for self-defense without lots of training. Knives are not great defensive weapons.

I think you would be much better off getting your concealed weapons permit and buying something like a Beretta .22 cal "Bobcat" automatic, shooting high-speed hollow-point Stinger-type ammo. This is a very potent concealable firearm for those up-close and personal encounters. Some of the various secret services carry it as backup. Even though only .22 it is still very effective.

Here is some info about it.

http://www.handgunreview.com/make.asp?make=Beretta

http://www.snipercountrypx.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idproduct=3015



I think knives make lousy defensive weapons, unless just the sight of one is enough to scare off the attacker. In that case I'd just recommend something large that doesn't break the bank. Save the money for the Beretta and classes. I like the 10400sb (Black blade) Benchmade PIKA. I think it is a real steal for the money. Well hardened. Great handle. Lifetime warranty, etc.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=10400SB

I have a carbon-fiber Spyderco military model that I like but you are taking hundreds of dollars for that puppy. The Doug Ritter Grips are also great knives for EDC. Here is some info about them. The Griptilians have great handle designs and axis locks.

http://www.equipped.com/rsk_mk1.htm
 
without a doubt the best thing to bring to a knife fight is a gun. the beretta is a good gun but i've always been partial to the small frame .38's. s&w,taurus,ruger all make good offerings which will be much less sensitive to dirt and ammunition quality. as far as the knives of the 2 given i would say either one would fill the bill. Oddly enough i might lean a little toward the afck since i seem to remember it carried easier. your results may vary, ahgar

even further off topic, if you decide to carry a firearm you need to find a copy of massad ayoobs book in the gravest extreme good information in it regarding the subject. later, ahgar
 
For real self-defense, I wouldn't bother with a knife. Go out and get yourself a gun.

But if you just plan on scaring bad guys away, by simply waving your knife around, the Civilian may make more sense. That is one wickedly scary looking knife!!! :eek:

Then.... If you're like me.... A man who wants a very usable EDC knife for a large variety of tasks, who might some day have to wave around his knife like an idiot to scare a bad guy away, do the Military. The Military is functionally superior for basic utility work, IMHO.
 
I agree the best thing to bring to a knife fight is a gun ..... but if you're going to carry, by all means choose a serious caliber like .45 ACP, 9 Para if a .45's too much for you to handle, .357 if you prefer revolvers.

Your defensive blade then becomes part of your backups, probably no better than third string after a second firearm. Consider carrying as a hideout in the event you're main battery sidearm is taken away. This is a very grim situation but one IMO you need to prepare for if you decide to go armed .... read Wambaugh's "Onion Field" if you doubt the importance of a hideout.

Deterent value of a large handgun is very high, much more than a knife though psychologically many people fear getting cut more than being shot. Whatever you decide to do, if you choose to go armed be prepared to use lethal force if the situation arises. Again this is grim stuff but trying to only wound increases the risk to your person, and can leave you more open to legal problems than sending an assailant to the grave.

Now, which knife works better for you in this role only you can decide. Perhaps neither of the knives you've mentioned.
 
jinuineasn said:
i'm looking for a self defense folder and I was wondering which knife would be more suitable in situations i hope i never find myself in. All suggestions and insight are welcome. thanks in advance.


Both are very good knifes. The AFCK is primarily a defensive design but will perform utility tasks well. The military is primarily designed for utility work but will work well for defense.
Of the two, I would lean more towards the AFCK more options for carry.

Have you considered the Endura the best of both worlds but was primarily designed as a working knife it’s about half the cost.

If you have not received any formal training then I would do so. Getting a permit is not a bad thing if you can. But bear in mind that they’re many places you cannot carry a firearm or weapon even with a permit. However, you can carry a small knife. I personally have entered secure areas not permitting firearms presented my Endura, been wanded and told it was fine and went on about my business. Guns have there place but knifes can go more places. Entering a fight with either one is a messy proposition and should be avoided if possible.

Which ever knife you choose don’t forget to consider how a judge/jury might perceive the knife the more innocuous it looks the better.
 
While I'm not a 'knife waver', I have both the Spyderco Military and Benchmade 806D2 folders.

Full dual-liner construction of the 806D2 is more substantial, but construction of the Military is 'tough enough' for every task I've tackled with the Military for some years.

The Military 'flicks' much easier than the 806D2. The 806D2 pops open quickly with a strong 'Brownie pop', but not with a simple wrist-flick.

I occasionally carry the 806D2, but the Military is my favorite of the two:
- Lighter.
- Slimmer to carry clipped.
- Very ergonomic serrated thumb-ramp.
- Convenient forefinger-choil for excellent slicing control.

Hope this helps!
 
I currently own 2 afcks and I feel that they may be the most perfect defensive folding knife. I have yet to get a military but most likely will in the near future. The afck offers you a better lock, stronger tip and a more secure grip. It also offers you a multi possition clip. The military is liter and thiner which is good. As bors said, the afck is a fighting knife that can be used for utility, and the military is more of a utiliy knife that can be used for fighting.
I would just say that if you want a knife for defensive purposes, get the afck with out a doubt.
People like to disrespect and underestimate a knife as a defensive weapon, (just get a pistol). But if you would rather have a knife, for one reason or another, there are plenty to choose from that can be used quite effectivly in offering yourself adiquite protection in many different situations. -That's how I feel personally.
Other knives to consider in that price range would be the commander,cqc-13, chinook, civlilian, or a nice sized microtech. Still, I would, and do go for the afck as my #1 choice. But you would not be disopionted in the military either I don't think.
And hey, getting both might be a good idea if you can. Also, I know the waving of non-emerson knives seems to be falling out of favor lately, but I do keep a tip tie on my 806 and it works at least aswell as on any emerson Ive had. (something to consider)
I hate making choices like this myself too, but good luck with yours.
 
gud4u said:
The 806D2 pops open quickly with a strong 'Brownie pop', but not with a simple wrist-flick.

I've gotta ask... what's a strong 'Brownie pop'? :p
 
The 'Brownie pop' is a term used by a forumite named Brownie, to describe a method of 'popping' a folder - almost any folder- open quickly.

In the Brownie pop:
- The wrist remains rigid.
- The movement is a sudden start/stop movement, pivoting on the elbow.
- Knife travel is just a few inches.
- The speed of the knife movement is much greater than achieved by a wrist-flick, using the fulcrum of hand-to-elbow distance.
- The abrupt start, fast knife speed and abrupt stop are the key elements.

Warning: This is not a skill to be displayed among sheeple - you will be accused of carrying a switchbalde knife.

Hope this helps!
 
Cool, GUD4U! Thanks! I've certainly done it. I just didn't know what to call it.

Wasn't there a Friends or Seinfeld episode about getting a "move" named after you? Brownie, it sounds like you've done it!
 
My input on the Q as asked, not guns or fixed blades:

AFCK all the way. You're asking about a liner lock, versus an Axis, in a potentially SHTF situation? I'd take Yojimbo, or a Chinook, or a Police or an Endura - but a Military? Great ergos, wonderful blade, put a lock I can depend on in it and we'll talk.

I'm not talking about forum based linerlock bashing, I've have a number of liner locks, including a factory new Spydie and a well-worn BM, fail on me personally. I just don't trust them.

Now go buy a fast pair of shoes, some SD training, some pepper spray, and - if you decide you need a weapon - a gun or non-folding hand weapon, like a Ronin or a good hickory cane. :D
 
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