Well the 806-901 is upon us...

Back in the mid-1990's, I was a knife fan like today. However back then I was into Gerber, Buck, Cold Steel, Spyderco, etc. The Benchmade of today was just a gleam in Les' eye. Along came the two tactical knives that made Benchmade what is is today. Sure there were knives before that were worthy of our attention. But it was the 800 and the 970 that caught my attention. Now, I went the 970 route in 1996. Still to this day, the Emerson CQC-7 is a defining knife for me, and I buy at least two a year it seems!!!

But I always lusted after an AFCK. But the near $100 price tag in those days was a bit out of my league for guy just starting out.

When I got back into knives in the early 2000's, I was able to get an 800, a 806, and an assortment of TSEK's.

However, somethings just stick with you. In my mind at least, the AFCK was what a "tactical knife" was all about. Way before the term became clique, it wore it with pride.

For me, the passing of the 806 was a moment of great significance. It was an icon, a legend.

Many months ago, I started a thread, as a lark. I really did not think much would come of it. However with the rolling out of M4 in regular production, it seemed an 806 was a natural for the steel. Heck the old 800 was one of the knives that was blessed with M2.

Many of you joined in, we all knew this knife had life. Some saw the "crusade" as a lark, a waste of space, and even an annoyance. Hey, it happens. But many of us believed that this knife could happen, and that it would be a hit. So we soldier on, the thread grew, the voices rose. And we got heard.

I was told, I was the reason this knife was made. On one hand that is like the coolest thing every!!! I mean I get to carry around a knife that happened because of me. But the reality is this, this is not "my knife" it is "OUR" knife. All of you who took the time to show support, to post in the thread, and who kept the faith. In the truest sense of the word, this is our forum knife. I could have started the thread, it could have died, and we could all be talking about something else right now. It was because of you, this is "your" knife too. Carry and use it with pride.

Thank you Benchmade for listening to us. Let it be heard now... Folks at Benchmade read this forum and consider what we have to say. Thank you for making this knife happen. Yes it could have been regular production or distributed another way... But understand. They gave us what we wanted, in the only way practical for them to do so. Thank you for delivering this knife and allow many Benchmade fans to experience a true classic.

So everyone enjoy YOUR knife, and I hope you all feel that in someway you were part of something special, a bit zany at times, but a true reflection of the fellowship and friendship we have on this forum.

Group hug over...

Thank you Mark! That was all very well said and a great way to pay tribute to a long awaited Knife.

thanks Mark. i look foward to getting mine in this week! im sure it will be worth the effort and the wait.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark G.:
Well the 806-901 is upon us...

Thank you Benchmade for listening to us. Let it be heard now... Folks at Benchmade read this forum and consider what we have to say. Thank you for making this knife happen. Yes it could have been regular production or distributed another way... But understand. They gave us what we wanted, in the only way practical for them to do so. Thank you for delivering this knife and allow many Benchmade fans to experience a true classic.

Well said, thanks Mark.

I needed that group hug! Been a long day.

Thanks Mark, well said.

Thanks Benchmade!

I may not have gotten one but I must say thanks to Benchmade. They really are a stand up company. Maybe that is why we are all here spending just a "little" money on their products.

Thanks and well said Mark.

Thanks Mark thanks Benchmade and all you other guys that made it happen.

Mark you said in another post that you are packing and moving and my guess is that in your line of work that means a new job as well and I hope the new knives are a good luck charm for you in whatever is next.

I am moving 20 miles up the road. Great town, good schools, good situation. It is a good move. Yes it is a new "job" at a new chuch. I will be on staff there.

These two knives will be the last two I will recieve at my current location. I have been here for almost a decade. Got a lot of Benchmade's while I was here.

Now once I move... There is a little shop that has a NIB 420 down the road... I hope to nab that.

806's and 420's... Good times.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark G.:
Now once I move... There is a little shop that has a NIB 420 down the road...

Uh, where did ya say that shop was???

Lol well if I can't have it I hope you nab it, it deserves a good home.. And would be a great way to start off your new place, good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by Mark G.:
So everyone enjoy YOUR knife

I'm still trying to find one!!!!!!
The "premium" dealers in my area don't want to order anything from Benchmade because as I was told: "We can't sell what's already in the store".
Nice.