Corpral_Agarn
Member
Everything I've read said the blade is 3.75 in.
I don't want to be that guy but I had to look it up...
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Benchmade-710D2-Axis-Lock--1725
![Screenshot_20230713_120237_Chrome.jpg Screenshot_20230713_120237_Chrome.jpg](https://www.thehighroad.org/data/attachments/1102/1102396-cac37e7227efe2bd58aace098097bce9.jpg)
Everything I've read said the blade is 3.75 in.
I don't want to be that guy but I had to look it up...
https://www.bladehq.com/item--Benchmade-710D2-Axis-Lock--1725
View attachment 1161640
Tactical post!I just ate my lunch on a tactical plate, using a tactical fork, and a tactical ....wait for it .... tactical knife. While sitting on my tactical chair in my tactical office. Puns intended. I simply think the term is way over used. As if something called tactical is somehow better.
Well, obviously, the Red Dot Sight and the bipodSo what does make a knife "Tactical"?
This is a problem with some knife laws that regulate blade length. They don't specify how to measure blade length.I measured the spine of the knife from the tip to the grip and I got 3.9 too. I assume that they meant the cutting edge?
This is a problem with some knife laws that regulate blade length. They don't specify how to measure blade length.
Is it measured along the cutting edge? Does that make a double-edged knife twice as long as an identical single-edged knife for legal purposes?
Is it the straight line length of the sharpened portion of the knife? (What constitutes sharpened--any beveling at all?)
Is it from the hilt to the tip? What constitutes the hilt in a folding knife?
Agree. Definitely the AFCKs are on the list of the first “tactical folders”I think among the first folders to use that description was the gorgeous Benchmade AFCK and the Mini-AFCK.
Nice! I appreciate the write up. I am familiar with Terzuola and Loveless but was unaware of his history.On a more historical note, Bob Terzuola is the father of "Tactical" folders. In 1979, Terzuola began making knives and joined the Knifemakers' Guild in 1981 on an endorsement from Bob Loveless. Terzuola's first knives were fixed blade designs made for soldiers in Guatemala. Later that year he moved to New Mexico and began making folding knives. He designed the ATCF as a hard use folding knife that could be carried discreetly featuring a 3.5- 4" blade of 154CM and ATS 34, black micarta for the scales, and bead-blasted titanium bolsters. He coined the term "Tactical Knife".
I think among the first folders to use that description was the gorgeous Benchmade AFCK and the Mini-AFCK.
Agree. Definitely the AFCKs are on the list of the first “tactical folders”
Emerson CQC7 is another from that period that comes to mind…
One must also view the Benchmade Advanced Folding Combat Knife (AFCK) through the prism/lenses/goggles of how Benchmade was positioning that knife in 1996-1997 or so when it was hot and brand new."…I went and looked at a picture of an AFCK and there was nothing about that knife that made me think 'that's a tactical knife'. More importantly, to me, there is nothing about that knife that would make me think, 'If I had to go to the field today I would wish I had that knife'…"
Edit to add: I *believe* a primary consideration of the AFCK design was that it be a fighting knife first and foremost and a utility knife secondly. Although in my experience, it was one of the most utilitarian designs I have ever EDC’d.I went and looked at a picture of an AFCK and there was nothing about that knife that made me think "that's a tactical knife". More importantly, to me, there is nothing about that knife that would make me think "If I had to go to the field today I would wish I had that knife".
Emerson knives on the other hand, were designed to be used by soldiers and Marines in the field. I remember reading somewhere that they're actually designed so that if you had no other option you could sharpen them on a rock. I would call that a tactical knife.
I like my 710. It has a special place in my heart because it was my first Benchmade and it was a gift but if I were suddenly recalled to active duty today, that's not the knife I'd take.
Out of everything I have (which isn't much) I would take my Buck 110, My Gerber Multiplier, or my Victorinox Trekker and my Gerber Strongarm if allowed.
I would seriously consider laying out for an Emerson.
One must also view the Benchmade Advanced Folding Combat Knife (AFCK) through the prism/lenses/goggles of how Benchmade was positioning that knife in 1996-1997 or so when it was hot and brand new.
Edit to add: I *believe* a primary consideration of the AFCK design was that it be a fighting knife first and foremost and a utility knife secondly. Although in my experience, it was one of the most utilitarian designs I have ever EDC’d.
The AFCK was designed by Chris Caracci, a Navy SEAL, with extensive experience in Law Enforcement and martial arts, including teaching defensive and combat training.
I assume some of that training went into the design of the AFCK. Quit a few of that model were indeed “carried into the field.”
As noted above by Blue Jays we are talking about an early 90s design and designs and materials have evolved since then. But back in it’s day it made quite an impact.
Agreed. My sense is because the shape of that old school ATS-34 blade had plenty of useful "belly" for everyday common tasks it offered tons of utilitarian capability. Loved the opening hole they licensed from Spyderco, too."…I *believe* a primary consideration of the AFCK design was that it be a fighting knife first and foremost and a utility knife secondly. Although in my experience, it was one of the most utilitarian designs I have ever EDC’d…"
Exactly, there is seemingly a feeling you just know when you heft the blade."…I think when you look at folding knives, there's a clear line. I don't know if the proper word for the category is 'tactical knife' but it's obviously a very different category than 'pocket knife'…"
Almost all "tactical" folders are going to have a locking blade.