AFCK=A Frickin' Cool Knife!

[Sir Galahad]

With your thumb over the spine of the handle and forefinger in the cutout, there is no way the axis button can be released accidently. In fact, I've also held the AFCK every way I can think of that is comfortable and have not seen one grip that can accidently release the axis button. That's why 15 seconds after getting this knife out of the box, I knew this was IT---the much sought after Every Day Carry. I knew it when I handled one at a knife shop some time prior to ordering my own from New Graham, but one has to feel one's own knife to really get the feel.

 

[Kevlarman]

Well you guys convinced me; I ordered the Axis AFCK from newgraham.com on Monday. It'll replace my Ascent as my EDC.

 

[mtnbkr]

Linerlocks can fail. Sorry, but it's true. The Axis is so much better it's not funny, and probably the best lock out there today.

While I personally don't like linerlocks on working knives (will accept them on gent's knives like the handmade Beverly linerlock I have with me today), comments by the AFCK's designer, Chris Caracci, stick in my mind. For the short period of time he moderated The Urban Jungle at Bladeforums, he stated more than once that the Axis lock was a bad idea for a fighting knife like the AFCK. Apparently, in certain situations and grips, it can come unlocked. He felt like the original, with the linerlock, was the better design for it's intended purpose. Bladeforums is currently down or I'd try to find one of his posts on the subject.

I miss REKAT. I have a Pioneer and a Savant with perfectly functioning locks. When the Rolling Lock works, it really works. It's a shame they couldn't get past their attitude and fix the problems others were having. I'm seriously considering another Savant just to have. It's about perfect for EDC.

Chris

 

[Sir Galahad]

As I recall, though, he never did prove HOW the Axis could come unlocked. Someone demonstrate how it can. Otherwise, it's speculation fueled because some well-known guy just "sez so".

 

[Boats]

Having both the liner lock AFCK and the axis and putting them through their paces, I am not anywhere near being convinced that the liner locked one somehow is a better "fighting knife." With each knife I have tried both saber and reverse grips in both hands with the clip in all four positions on the axis and removed, and I can not get the axis lock to fail by activating the release while stabbing and striking a doubled burlap sack filled with wheat.

I carry mine tip down left-handed. The clip being pivot mounted on the port side scale all but blocks the use of the left lock release stud in a casual manner. In a saber grip, the left thumb finds the liner and spine serrations and the blade remains indexed by touch. I can see how it is conceivable during some sort of mishap that the thumb could somehow ride the starboard stud back, releasing the lock, but this would be just as unlikely as accidentally releasing the liner lock through accidentally handling its release during a mishap. The thumb simply shouldn't be riding along the opposite scale in the first place and constant pressure should be applied to the indexing during a committed attack to prevent the thumb from coming into contact with the opposite side stud. Even were that to happen, the most likely pressure being applied by the errant thumb is forward, which will do nothing but remove some calluses if the momentum of the strike is halted by sinking into the target. In various reverse grip attitudes, nothing is even near the lock, and I appreciate the axis being tougher if a forceful overhand strike were made to the skull or something.

I am far from being a knife-fighting "expert," but I have handled/carried/wielded serious folding knives extensively for over twenty years now. I view the axis lock being accidentally released as a non-issue and I appreciate its more solid lock-up when compared to the liner lock AFCK. The cross pins keeping the axis' blade in place look and feel a lot more positive and failure-proof than seeing a small fraction of an inch of liner steel seperating the blade from lock-up failure and my fingers, though in fairness, the liner lock on the AFCK has never failed me. . .yet.

YMMV

 

[Jim March]

There IS a hold that is totally unsuited for the Axis, and shouldn't be used on a REKAT with the rolling lock either and probably most of the "Axisoids" like the SOG, Cold Steel and the Blackie Collins Bolt-Action (which is much older than the Axis).

In this hold, the knife grip is in a forward grip, "horizontal in the hand" with the thumb on the side of the pivot.

Dunno quite what it's called. It used to be more popular, before the various Asian-influenced techniques took over. It works OK with a double-edge blade but is a VERY bad idea on a single-edge because you can't shift direction "outwards". For a right-hander, this means you can cut right to left, but not left to right.

The advantage to this hold is that in a stab, the blade is horizontal where it's more likely to cut the majority of the body's arteries, which run up/down.

I'd be willing to bet this was the hold used to make an Axis fail. It puts the pad of the thumb too near the release.

 

[Griff]

When I was a youngster we had pocket knives. I guess they're called "slip joints" or something. No locks to push or poke, just didn't use your knife in such a way that it would close on you like you were taught before you got to carry it, or it'd get taken away from you until you learned how not to break stuff. (You big dummy, got what you deserve, huh? Now, get me the merthialate and some band-aids)
Then the Buck 110 came along and all of a sudden everything else wasn't safe anymore. This one locks open! Oooooh. Forget that we still had all of our fingers and toes, (mumbeltypeg) this new thing was MUCH better. Still, you didn't go around trying to cut steel with it, it was a knife, not a hammer, not a prybar.
Yes, everything mechanical breaks, and of course, in certain circumstances, you must use whatever's available, but do you see where I'm going with this?

Congratulations, and I hope you enjoy your new purchase, sir; just don't ever forget common sense.

 

[Sir Galahad]

Thanks for the admonition about common sense. However, I didn't get to be 36 years old, including a stint in mining, without common sense. But thanks for your concern. Slip joint knives? Yes, I had some too. They're less effective than a GOOD knapped flint blade hafted on a piece of antler. Mumblety-peg? We were too scared of our grandfather to be seen throwing knives into soil. Slip joints had their day. We have better things now. Like a Benchmade AFCK. The slip joint is to a Benchmade Axis lock what Australopithecus is to Homo Sapien Sapien. Sorry, but the slip joint is still dragging its knuckles on the ground (but just the knuckles; the fingers got cut off when the blade folded over.)

 

[Griff]

Good Sir Knight,

To die a thousand terrible deaths would be preferable to leaving an impression that one's judgment was in question, but I think you've missed my point.

With your kind indulgence I shall clarify.

It's not about one or the other being better. Different locks, different features, preferences, whatever. They're all good tools if used properly. To me the bottom line is that no matter what kind you have, you have to rely on yourself, not technology, to save your skin.

Regards

 

[Sir Galahad]

You are absolutely correct there. Been carrying and using knives since I was 13. That's how I know a good one when I see one. Because, over time, I've had some real nice ones that I still have and some POS that are no longer here. When I select a knife, it has to fit certain criteria for me. Most important, it has to "fit". There are knives out there that everyone raves about and feel like a lump of bituminous coal in my hand. The Axis feature I didn't believe in until I really sat down and studied it. Then it made perfect sense. With the feel of this knife plus the lock, it is a perfect fit.

 

[Jim March]

When the knife in question is primarily carried as a defensive weapon, I think there's great merit to making it a GOOD piece, one you trust and that feels right to you.

When the excrement hits the rotary air movement device, that extra bit of confidence (mindset) might make the difference between a goblin fleeing and a real fight breaking out.

I've chased goblins away at knifepoint, threatened to draw on others. Never needed to draw blood. I was also carrying *good* steel on all such occasions.

I don't carry knives I don't trust, or feel "wrong".

 

[45R]

AFCK is a great knife. I sold mine for the gun fund a while back. Now its time to pick up another one!!! You cant go wrong with a BM...esp with the axis lock!!!

 

[VaughnT]

Well, I just bought a BM Griptillian 550 and I really like that axis lock. I've had liner-locks fail on my (CRKT M16-13LE) and that hurts.

The only downside is that I like the blade and handle lines of the Emerson Mach 1, even without the wave feature, and seriously see this as my next purchase. What I loved about the Benchmade is that the plastic handle fit my hand perfectly and the clip was mountable on the portside so I could carry it opposite my duty holster.

Now that that position is filled, a right-handed blade seems to be needed and the Emersons, much as I dislike the company, have a nice heavy blade and seem durable. Just have to get my mind around the arrogance of those folks.

If the AFCK had a heavier blade, one thicker across the spine, I wouldn't mind getting that instead.

 

[George Hill]

I've been reading this thread since the start.
I was keeping my mouth shut out of fear of being thought of as less than educated on this matter.
I've at one point or another most ever major tactical folder out there.
The AFCK is one that I have always come back to and is one of my absolute favorite knives. The have never failed me, they have never given me anything but good solider service. And I have probably owned over a dozen of them of various sizes, finishes, and blade steels.

I've never owned one with an axis lock. To me honest, I can not see how the Axis lock is really an advantage.

Here is why. I've also owned a large number of other tactical folders that have all had liner locks... and I haven't had one of them fail either.

I've used them in Central America. I've used them in South America... everywhere. I've had them with my while I was in the service doing seriously unhappy duty there. They never failed me there, in the most extreme situations either.
This makes me think that if your doing something with a folder that makes you worried in the slightest about what kind of lock you have... you should really be using a fixed blade.
There are a number of good fixed blade knives out there the same size as your folder.

I like Liner Locks. I really am not all that impressed with the Axis, or similar type locks. I sell some knives that are cheap. They all have liners. I have purchases at my own expense one of each so I could thoroughly abuse them... and even these "cheap" liners have not failed. Regular use is a lot less stressful on the lock that throwing it into my wood fence and baching the back of the blade against a 2X4.

If you need really serious strength... just get a fixed blade. Either that or stop abusing your knife! Because your normal cutting chores really do not do anything that would cause your lock to fail and the knife to snap shut on your fingers.

 

[VaughnT]

George, my liner lock failed. The M16-13LE fit my hand perfectly and was probably more blade than I needed, but the liner lock would not positively engage...allowing the blade to close with only the slightest pressure on the tip. If you tried to flip it open, you could be assured that it would bounce right back and cut your fingers.

I guess that a lot has be be said for quality control and materials selection. My experience was, I'm sure, a fluke and CRKT was very good about replacing the knife (gave me a free D.O.G. that was about $50 more expensive but didn't fit my needs). Good people to deal with and I didn't hesitate to buy one of their Ryan Plan B fixed blades for my visor organizer. That's a really good knife!

Truthfully, my only problem with Emerson is their attitude. Their knives are touted as uber-tactical but they don't come tapped on both scales so you can mount the clip as you might need too. And when approached about this idea, they gave me the short shrift and told me it was an extra $25 to drill and tap the portside scale for left-handed carry.

Maybe my email to them wasn't worded correctly or was read as impolite or hostile, but what I got back wasn't exactly what I was looking for. That Commander is beautiful and the Mach 1 just appeals to me on a certain level, but their attitude keeps me away.

As for the axis lock, itself, it's at least as strong and reliable as a liner lock. The only downside is that it is a more complicated locking system and, as such, is more prone to failure simply because Murphy's Law stands ready at all times.

 

[Sir Galahad]

I can cite you an advantage, George. You can hold the axis button back and flick the knife open quicker than greased lightning. That gives you three methods of one-handed opening. Thumb hole, axis lock button hold and flick, and the Brownie pop. That's what I call versatility. The fact that the axis lock is stronger than the liner lock is the main point. The extra method of fast opening is just horseradish on the side of a great prime rib (served extra rare; run it through a warm room, that's me.)

 

[George Hill]

"horseradish on the side of a great prime rib (served extra rare"

Now that has got to be the best danged arguement for it or anything else I have ever heard!