Benchmade AFO II 9051SBK Auto Folding Knife 3.56″ Black Combo Blade – Black

The Benchmade AFO II 9051SBK auto folding knife with a 3.56 inch black combo blade is a genuine field tool rather than a pocket ornament, and it has the service record to prove it. The AFO is currently on active duty throughout the armed forces all around the globe, which is less a marketing line than a description of where these knives actually end up. If you need a knife that opens instantly and takes abuse, this is the category.

The Model 9051 AFO II is an improved version of the original AFO, and every improvement is functional. Wider blade, larger button, thicker handle, faster action, better handle shape.

What the Benchmade AFO II 9051SBK Is Built For

This is an automatic opening folding knife with a combo edge, meaning part plain and part serrated. It uses Benchmade’s time proven automatic opening system for effortless, rapid one hand deployment and closing, which is the entire point of an auto knife. When one hand is holding a rope, a door, or a casualty, the other hand needs to produce a working edge without a two handed ritual.

The intended user is professional or at least serious. This knife offers many useful features that make it superior to other knives for search and rescue or tactical applications, and it is aimed at military, first responder, and hard use civilian carriers. Utility in blade design combined with sizable blade strength are paramount in any field knife, especially in the extremes military troops can face.

Key Features

• Automatic opening system from Benchmade for effortless, rapid one hand deployment and closing.
• Larger, knurled button release that is suitable for gloved hand use, which is exactly when a small button fails you.
• Wider blade than the original AFO, adding cutting surface and strength where the work actually happens.
• Thicker, more robust handle with an improved shape that anchors the blade and improves grip security.
• Window breaker built into the back of the handle for vehicle extraction and emergency egress.
• Includes a tough poly ballistic nylon sheath for convenient carry and storage.

Blade, Handle, and Build Specifications

The blade runs 3.56 inches with a combo edge in black, a length that stays useful for real work without becoming unwieldy in a pocket or on a belt. The combo edge is a deliberate compromise: the plain section handles controlled slicing and detail cuts, while the serrated section tears through webbing, rope, and seatbelt material that a plain edge would skate over.

Handle design on the Model 9051 is where the AFO II separates itself from the original. A sturdy and formidable handle not only anchors the blade, it could also improvise as other tools in demanding situations, and the thicker profile of the Benchmade AFO II 9051SBK is what makes that possible. The window breaker at the rear turns the handle into a rescue tool in its own right.

Carry, Maintenance, and Compatibility

Carry the Benchmade AFO II 9051SBK in the included poly ballistic nylon sheath, or in a pocket where the button is protected from accidental contact. Automatic knives deploy fast, so build the habit of indexing your grip before you press the button and clearing your support hand from the blade path. That habit is worth practicing deliberately while the knife is still new to you.

Maintenance on the Benchmade AFO II 9051SBK is straightforward. Keep the pivot clean and lightly lubricated, rinse and dry the blade after exposure to salt or mud, and touch up the plain edge on a stone or rod before it gets truly dull. Serrations are best maintained with a tapered rod sized to the scallops. Wipe the black coating down rather than scrubbing it aggressively with abrasives.

Automatic knife laws vary considerably by state and locality, so confirm what applies where you live and where you travel before carrying one. Pair this knife with a good light and a solid belt from our apparel and gear collection. Ships direct to your door, no FFL required.