Two week review of Benchmade 806D2

[diletante]

First of all, I don't know how I got along without a decent folder for all these years.

The 806D2 had been in my right front pocket every day for almost six months now. Since my initial review it's been on a couple car-camping trips and a couple hikes.

I've been meaning to reprofile the edge, but I want to get an EdgePro Apex first. I have not sharpened the 806D2 since I bought it. All it has needed is occasional steelings to keep it shaving sharp. For example, yesterday I broke down some large boxed. For "fun" I cut them into 2' x 2' squares that stacked in the bottom of our recycling bin. When I was done, the edge seemed to be gone. I know this is a bad idea, but I could rub my thumb along the edge with a fair amount of pressure with no bite at all. I did not think I would be able to restore the edge by steeling, but I gave it 40 strokes on my new HandsAmerica steel anyway and guess what? When I was done I could shave the hair off my arm again. Points for both the knife and the steel. Points for Blade Forums for the great education I've gotten here.

 

[Geode]

Diletante,

Thanks for the review - you are making me want an AXIS AFCK in D2. If I recall correctly, there have been a few threads that mentioned D2 has a rather coarse grain, and this might contribute to the amount of "bite" you feel when cutting.

I just bought a Dozier in D2, and noticed that the edge is really grabby - starting cuts is really easy. The M2 edge on the 710HS I own feels sharper, IMO, than the D2. It will cut the tops off your arm hair when it is stropped to a keen edge.

I have not tested the D2 side by side with M2, but would have guessed they have equal edge holding power. Walt2 might be onto something with his comments though.

Please report back to us after you use the AFCK a while longer.