AFO II or CLA?

Cheesehead_Slasher

Cheesehead_Slasher

Joined
Apr 21, 2016
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526
I am in the process of purchasing my first auto. I am interested in either the AFO II or the CLA by Benchmade. I currently have a Kershaw Skyline that I EDC as well as a Spyderco paramilitary 2. Both are awesome knives.

I am looking to add a kick @ss auto to my rotation. I am considering the AFO to add a tactical rugged knife to my collection. I am also considering the CLA but I am not sure if I want to spend $200 on a less rugged auto that is quite similar to my other two knives.

For those of you that have either the AFO or CLA please fill me in on your likes and dislikes of each. I am interested to hear from those of you who EDC your AFO II. The main reason I don't like the CLA is that the tang is visible and it looks cheap in my option. However, I like the position of the safety on the CLA over the AFO II.
 
I have the CLA and really like it. I have been rotating between that and a couple of different 710s lately. The CLA is on the smaller side but has a good size blade. I thought about getting an AFO but its blade is only a little longer than the CLA and the grip is a lot bigger which will make it harder to carry.


It really just depends on what you will be using the knife for. If you just want an EDC, the CLA works great and is easy to carry. I havn't had any trouble cutting anything with it. If you want a hard use knife you are going to abuse, get the AFO.
 
I fondled both at the factory and went with the AFO II. It's a much more stout knife, and offers better grip/locking mechanism/etc. I use it as my main rough-and-tumble folder, which means it gets routinely submerged in rivers, the ocean, blood from a myriad of animals, and all matter of earthen funk. Never once had an issue with a failure to lock, open, or unlock. Bonus: The glass breaker doubles as a fish brainer.

(old pics)





 
Way cool!! Looks like you use your knife to the fullest. I ordered the same knife you have. I placed the order today so I'm hoping to have it by the end of the week!
 
By the way, those are some nice fish. Being raised in Wisconsin I also fish quite a bit. I'm looking forward to using my knife like you do :-p
 
I'm sure you'll love it! As far as a fish thumper, close the knife, put the button lock on (if you want), hold the knife at the top by the pivot, and swing away. It works surprisingly well, even on more robust fish.

I keep my edge at 30º (inclusive) with medium diamond stones, which makes it a freakish slicer. The 154CM steel takes an amazing edge, holds it long enough, and only takes a few minutes to bring back to scary.
 
What do you use for a sharpening system? I have an Edge Pro (knockoff) that works well. I start with the 600 grit stone and then to the 1200 for finishing. What angle is the edge from the factory?
 
I use a Lansky diamond system. Benchmade edge angles are all over the place, and I've never had one less than 40º inclusive, with most being above 45º.
 
Dont know the CLA but I'm definitely a big fan of the AFO II. IMO this is one of the coolest knives to come out of Benchmade ever. I had the original AFO but the AFO II is an improvement in so many ways, primarily with regards to clip placement. The glass breaker is a nice bonus too. Great blade shape, ergos and dimensions are perfect. Every BM fan should own one...
 
I pulled the trigger and bought the AFO II. It will compliment my Kershaw Skyline and Spyderco PM 2 well. I decided on the 9051BK with a plain edge. It should be here tomorrow. Can't wait!!
 
Questions for those of you with the AFO II. I just received mine and noticed there is a little blade play side-to-side. Is that normal? The AFO II is my first auto so I am not sure if there is supposed to be any play or not. I would prefer there not to be. I am interested to hear the feedback from you who have them.
 
Cheesehead_Slasher said:
Questions for those of you with the AFO II. I just received mine and noticed there is a little blade play side-to-side. Is that normal? The AFO II is my first auto so I am not sure if there is supposed to be any play or not. I would prefer there not to be. I am interested to hear the feedback from you who have them.
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I sent my AFO in for service and it came back with a bit of side to side play that it didn't have when I shipped it to them. I was told it's normal for auto to have a bit of play so I'm good with it. If you feel it's too much send it back and see what they can do. It took five weeks from my APO and back which is more than acceptable IMHO
 
GermanyChris said:
I sent my AFO in for service and it came back with a bit of side to side play that it didn't have when I shipped it to them. I was told it's normal for auto to have a bit of play so I'm good with it. If you feel it's too much send it back and see what they can do. It took five weeks from my APO and back which is more than acceptable IMHO
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I called Benchmade and they said there should be a little play. They claimed if there is slight play it will be within their "standard." They offered for me to send it in for service but I think i am just going to use it for some time and see how it goes. if it gets worse I will send it back. The lockup and other aspects are tight as possible. i am very happy with it. I also have the deep carry pocket clip for it ate i installed upon arrival. Makes it SO much comfortable and convenient to carry.
 
Cheesehead_Slasher said:
I called Benchmade and they said there should be a little play. They claimed if there is slight play it will be within their "standard." They offered for me to send it in for service but I think i am just going to use it for some time and see how it goes. if it gets worse I will send it back. The lockup and other aspects are tight as possible. i am very happy with it. I also have the deep carry pocket clip for it ate i installed upon arrival. Makes it SO much comfortable and convenient to carry.
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That warranty service is why i just picked up Coastie's tanto combo AFOII and not a ProTech.

I'm sure I'll end up with all the combos of the AFO and AFOII but for now I just want a combo that is easy to deploy and works and I find that in the AFO's
 
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As far as blade play, mine has nearly none (now). There is absolutely zero reason to send a knife back for blade play. In my experience, most knife manufacturers send knives a bit loose, as they fire harder and it spends less time in production.

Grab a T-10 Torx driver and turn the pivot screw clockwise with the blade open. Make veeeery small adjustments at a time, like, 1/15th of a turn. When you feel like the blade has no play, close it and fire it open. If the blade seems slow, draggy, or doesn't open at all, loosen the pivot screw a tiny bit at a time until you feel that it isn't binding. At this point, this is the minimum amount of blade play your knife will have. When you start using it enough to wear the components in, you will probably be able to tighten the pivot a bit more to remove more play.

In all reality, it will take you longer to read the above paragraph than it will take to set your pivot tension. Takes me about 15 seconds with any Benchmade knife. Beats three weeks of waiting if you ship the knife off ;)
 
Cypress said:
As far as blade play, mine has nearly none (now). There is absolutely zero reason to send a knife back for blade play. In my experience, most knife manufacturers send knives a bit loose, as they fire harder and it spends less time in production.

Grab a T-10 Torx driver and turn the pivot screw clockwise with the blade open. Make veeeery small adjustments at a time, like, 1/15th of a turn. When you feel like the blade has no play, close it and fire it open. If the blade seems slow, draggy, or doesn't open at all, loosen the pivot screw a tiny bit at a time until you feel that it isn't binding. At this point, this is the minimum amount of blade play your knife will have. When you start using it enough to wear the components in, you will probably be able to tighten the pivot a bit more to remove more play.

In all reality, it will take you longer to read the above paragraph than it will take to set your pivot tension. Takes me about 15 seconds with any Benchmade knife. Beats three weeks of waiting if you ship the knife off ;)
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I appreciate your input. I will try your suggestion this evening. I am sure you are correct. I wasn't planning to send it back to BM. I'd prefer to fix it (or try to ) before sending it back to the factory.
 
AFO or CLA? Just buy both. I've had the CLA for almost a year now and like it but I stopped by my local shop today to handle the AFO again. I ordered an AFO 9051bk. The big selling point was the AFO is more comfortable in the hand when wearing gloves. I wear gloves at work and the CLA doesn't fit well for me when they are on. Basically it's an excuse to buy another knife, but it is annoying to take your glove off to use your knife when it's cold outside.
 
When you carry your AFO do you keep the safety on or off?

I feel more comfortable with the safety on while in my pocket. I am worried about the blade accidentally deploying while in my pocket.
 
I keep mine off. I've only ever had my 3550 deploy in my pocket, and it took another human being on top of me to make it happen. The AFO II has a fairly lengthly button push, and I've never been concerned about it opening.
 
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