Hey guys,
I'm looking for a new large left-handed folder and think I have narrowed it down to these two knives. I like the idea of having a VG-10 Endura, but the benchmade and axis lock is still in the back of my mind. Does anyone know if the axis locks are similar in strength? Any advice?
Endura or Benchmade axis AFCK??
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shootist16
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- Location: Knoxville, Tennessee USA
The axis lock is one of the strongest most reliable production locks going. Have you looked at the Benchmade Griptilian? It is in the same price range as the Endura but has the axis lock. The Axis AFCK would be close to the perfect folder for me if they didn't offer it with only that crappy BT2 finish.
On the other hand VG-10 is one of my favorite steels. It really performs.
Don't you just hate these decisions?
http://www.theleadingedgeonline.com Your source for sport utility knives
On the other hand VG-10 is one of my favorite steels. It really performs.
Don't you just hate these decisions?
http://www.theleadingedgeonline.com Your source for sport utility knives
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Red Tornado
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- Location: Tornado Alley USA
- Contact:
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shootist16
- Member
- Posts: 337
- Joined: Fri Sep 24, 2004 10:33 am
- Location: Knoxville, Tennessee USA
Most of the customs in my collection are D2. It is an excellent steel. It is not stainless, but almost. I like the grain structure of VG-10 better, but D2 is no slouch. The brittleness issue has more to do with heat treat than anything else. I am not sure how hard Benchmade will make their D2.
http://www.theleadingedgeonline.com Your source for sport utility knives
http://www.theleadingedgeonline.com Your source for sport utility knives
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Joe Talmadge
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You've picked two of my fave knives in the world. I feel they occupy different niches, though.
The endura is a less-expensive, lightweight knife that's a joy to carry and use. Good lock, great edge geometry, ergonomic handle, and now VG-10 steel. It's one of my favorite folding knives. No matter what kind of expensive production or custom folders I get, I always end up carrying the delica/endura again at some point. The low price point means I can abuse it without wincing. The light weight means it's a joy to carry. And the performance is the icing on the cake. There's no excuse not to have one!
I haven't handled an Axis AFCK, but I've handled AFCKs and a number of axis knives. If Benchmade did a good job marrying the axis lock to the AFCK -- and all preliminary reports say that they did -- I would say that for me, this is the best production utility/defensive knife in the world, at any price, period. Great blade shape, with both sharp point and some belly, and the addition of a good amount of forward rake, makes this knife perform even better than you'd imagine. Very comfortable, secure, ergonomic handle adds even more to the performance due to its design -- this is a case where a good handle design enhances the blade's performance. The addition of a D-2 blade really makes this a killer knife. And add the axis lock into all this? Really, I don't think this knife has any competition at its price point, or even significantly above it.
The endura's carryability, both its light weight and its smaller form factor, is the advantage over the much bigger and heavier axis AFCK. The more expensive, heavier axis AFCK I look at as a more uncompromising utility/fighter.
For those asking about D-2 versus VG-10, since I haven't handled Benchmade's D-2 yet, I don't know what they've done with it. However, I expect D-2 to hold an edge better than VG-10, and be significantly tougher, so you could take the edge thinner for higher performance. I expect VG-10 to be more stain resistant. You are talking about one of the best stainless steels here, versus a sort-of semi-stainless tool steel.
Anyway, in short, I firmly believe the only correct answer is to get them both. I know a VG-10 endura will join my carry rotation, and so will an axis AFCK.
Joe
The endura is a less-expensive, lightweight knife that's a joy to carry and use. Good lock, great edge geometry, ergonomic handle, and now VG-10 steel. It's one of my favorite folding knives. No matter what kind of expensive production or custom folders I get, I always end up carrying the delica/endura again at some point. The low price point means I can abuse it without wincing. The light weight means it's a joy to carry. And the performance is the icing on the cake. There's no excuse not to have one!
I haven't handled an Axis AFCK, but I've handled AFCKs and a number of axis knives. If Benchmade did a good job marrying the axis lock to the AFCK -- and all preliminary reports say that they did -- I would say that for me, this is the best production utility/defensive knife in the world, at any price, period. Great blade shape, with both sharp point and some belly, and the addition of a good amount of forward rake, makes this knife perform even better than you'd imagine. Very comfortable, secure, ergonomic handle adds even more to the performance due to its design -- this is a case where a good handle design enhances the blade's performance. The addition of a D-2 blade really makes this a killer knife. And add the axis lock into all this? Really, I don't think this knife has any competition at its price point, or even significantly above it.
The endura's carryability, both its light weight and its smaller form factor, is the advantage over the much bigger and heavier axis AFCK. The more expensive, heavier axis AFCK I look at as a more uncompromising utility/fighter.
For those asking about D-2 versus VG-10, since I haven't handled Benchmade's D-2 yet, I don't know what they've done with it. However, I expect D-2 to hold an edge better than VG-10, and be significantly tougher, so you could take the edge thinner for higher performance. I expect VG-10 to be more stain resistant. You are talking about one of the best stainless steels here, versus a sort-of semi-stainless tool steel.
Anyway, in short, I firmly believe the only correct answer is to get them both. I know a VG-10 endura will join my carry rotation, and so will an axis AFCK.
Joe