I’m in the send it back camp. I remember I was doing HVAC work in an old retirement home several years ago and having a horrible day when I was reaching around in the ceiling for a screwdriver and instead pulled out an old dusty Benchmade Emerson SpecWar. Completely made my day. I literally days earlier had made the decision to one day splurge on a Benchmade knife and then I found one. It was in great shape too and had probably been sitting in that ceiling for 15+years. It kicked off my love of Benchmade and knife collecting and it’s still my most prized knife. Nothing Iike the feeling of finding an old out of production Benchmade. I’m sure he will regret it despite knowing it’s in fantastic hands.

Send it back - just seems right. Nice find.

You're a decent person, and the way I see it is that you have two options here. 1) Send it back. 2) Send him something that would be an equitable trade, from your collection.

Clean it, sharpen it, oil it, send it back, you’ll have a friend for life. Knife guys helping nice guys

Great find, and deserves to be returned, would make the individual's knife experience worthy of being a collector. ..Great vid

Send it back to him. Don’t make him ask. You’re a good dude, you know this.

send him a shaman in return and make his dreams. bet that dude would go tell everyone he knows how awesome cutlery lover is.

Hey you should send it back to him he would probably feel rude asking you to send it back anyway great vid love you man

I would just send it back to him. He shouldn’t have to ask. He needs to have such a cool knife in his small collection. It might just be his life long hobby.

Dude, don’t make the student ask for it back....

There are a ton of variants of the AFO. Dalton, Almar, and Benchmade all made the same knife. Some are fully sterile, some have a few numbers on the blade. I currently own 3 different Dalton variants of the knife.

Yup mine has ATS-34 / U.S.A. and a steel insert on the thumb ramp with jimping. Looks to act as the blade stop when in the opened position.

You have so many knives, and I wouldn't blame you if you don't but a new collector, college student, can't afford many knives, and it's a super rare benchmade? If I was that college student, and you sent it back to me it would be the best feeling ever. It would instantly be my favorite knife I own and would likely be for a long time because cutlerylover had it in a video. Obviously it's your choice, but I would at least ask him if he wanted it back knowing that it's real. Edit: I posted this comment before getting to 9:00 in the video. I feel silly for even assuming that you wouldn't offer it back. I'm surprised at myself after watching your videos for years that I assumed that you didn't. Probably one of the most genuine youtube creators I've had the pleasure of watching for so many years.

Send it back. Don't wait for them to pm you. 💜

To the dude who send this knife! Absolutely ask it back! Some people would KILL for a Knife like this! Jeff is an awesome dude! But he has many knives! he can pass on this one! :P

My dad has one of these from the guard. I'm pretty sure completely sterile too. He had cord on it and sometimes when he was in helicopters he'd pull it out and drop it, then it's open since it has no safety. It'd get to the end of the cord when it dropped right and would open. They're very cool

I’m going to look for raggedy jackets on the beach

I’ve had an AFO 9050 for about 15 years. It certainly shows its age but still fires like the day it was made. Good to see them still kicking around.

WOW!! That’s Funny because I lost my jacket awhile back on the beach with my old beachmade in it...

another vote for send it back, as soon as you get the person's contact info

Yep, I had one of these very early sterile AFO's myself. For some reason I was talking to a Benchmade rep on the phone in the very early 90's, and he brought up this knife. I believe he said that they weren't being sold to the public (yet) but that he'd sell me one for about $185 or thereabouts and that I could send it back if I didn't like it. He then said "BUT it's completely sterile." No giveaway markings whatsoever because of military issue. I said 'no problem' and had the knife in just a few days since we're both in Oregon. Awesome knife. My first full-sized automatic. Surprised me how hard it snapped open lol. I may still have it around here somewhere. I don't remember selling it. Btw I went to high school with former Benchmade CEO Les DeAsis (R.I.P.) down in Salinas CA. He was a Senior when I was a Freshman and I first bought knives from them back when they were Pacific Cutlery where the butterfly logo originated. Thanks for the video sir..

Just send it back so he doesn’t have to ask or better yet if you want to keep the knife send him a cool knife for his collection. Seems like a good kid without a lot of money

I remember in the mid 90's seeing a gun magazine that had a full page back cover ad advertising a Benchmade knife. at that point in time I had never heard of Benchmade but the ad caught my attention. A dinner table with a T-bone steak on a big plate and a big fork holding down the steak. The knife had cut through the plate the fork and the T-bone in one clean surgical slice. I didn't have an in depth knowledge of knife blade metallurgy at the time but that ad really was an attention getter. I had to have one... I remember talking with a guy that ran a knife shop at a mall and he said that the blade steel was nicknamed the "Steel of the Gods" and took the knife I had on me and shaved the edge off of it with a Benchmade from the display case in the store. he laughed and I was a little pissed but it was not an expensive knife although, I cant recall the actual type of steel the Benchmade was. Sometime later as luck would have it back around 1996 I ran across a display case of Benchmades being sold in a pawn shop in Omaha. so I looked at them as he had a couple different types including an auto, I want to say it was an Elishewitz or emerson design but not 100% sure and actually was heavier and a little bigger than I was used to carrying but it was the "Steel of the Gods" and my knife was missing its edge so I convinced the proprietor to sell it to me being prior military (Benchmade has that rule about selling autos to civilians), spent way to much for it and the pawn shop guy says to me, you know this is a left handed knife? Well, I'm a lefty and thought WTF? is a left handed knife? Then he shows me, the blade was dull black with a single beveled edge and serrations on the RIGHT SIDE of the blade as was the release button but I cant recall the type of locking design …I want to say the handle was synthetic not metal. man there was no other like my left handed auto Benchmade "Steel of the Gods" knife and I carried that treasure with me for a dozen years before I lost it in the fire...spelt divorce... I've contacted Benchmade a few times over the years trying to procure another left handed blade but seems everyone that worked there in that time frame is no longer around and the people I did speak to told me I am mistaken as no such animal ever existed. I've been wrong a few times in my life but this is not one of those times. there are to many memory points and quite a few people that I showed a left handed knife to, for me to be wrong. I'm hoping someone somewhere can shed some light on that knife …I mean ...I'm not crazy and they had to make more than one ... thanx for your time...

The original AFO's were made for Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers. No markings, small button, no safety (early public production models had no safety) and no clip.

Emerson does sterile knives too. They come up on AKC now and then, also Benchmades like that. Nice gift if the kid doesn't want it back, it's a great collector piece.

Very respectful,to offer to send it back,now that the truth is revealed.

The kid seems like a really nice guy do him a solid and send it back he would be a fool not to want to have that he may not realize it now but when he is older he will appreciate what he has and how cool it was of you to return it have a great day

I have a knife that I have had for over a decade. It looks exactly like a 940, but it’s slightly larger. There is no safety and the spring is extremely powerful. Its very rugged and well made. However, it is sterile. The only thing on it is “440 stainless”. It has screw holes, but I can’t find anything on it. Under AFO, fakes, etc. nothing. Someone please help. I have emailed benchmade with pictures.

I have a mini barrage with a sterile blade but I know it's a real one because comparing it to the 154cm barrage and it matches

They were issued to Navy SEALS and/or Army Rangers or Special Forces. All of their kit is sterile. There are a lot of knife models made for the military and are special runs that never got issued. Some people are lucky enough to get ahold of one.

Who else thought Jeff was saying OMAR instead of AL MAR😕

This reminds me of a time when I drove my CO to a pistol range for his requalifying day. The range had a wiring problem with speakers and such so I fixed it, but in the process of trimming wiring pulled an auto from my back pocket that freaked my CO out. We were friends, but would he feel it was his duty to report me for carrying an auto. I hid it for 2 weeks just in case and we never discussed it. He was an eagle scout who had never carried a knife with less than 4 blades, it you want to call a bottle opener a blade.

I have the same exact knife, no safety, no clip , however it does have Benchmade butterfly

I have an issue sterile AFCK that I carried for years. The box had a NSN, but the knife is clean. We had a truck load of them for awhile.

I'd get in contact with him and let him know what you found out and offer it back or the Spyderco he wants.

I have an automatic Benchmade knife that is nearly identical to this one, however mine does have the Benchmade butterfly on the blade and the numbers "9050" not "9000" ..it also has a safety and the pocket clip. Believe it or not I actually did find mine in an old backpack I was given, the blade was shot, looked like someone used it to cut concrete. I sent it to Benchmade hoping for a new blade, but they just sharpened the crap out of it and sent it back. Not complaining, it's not the prettiest but it's sharp as hell.

Rather than go on doing all kinds of research, I would have just contacted Benchmade to get accurate information. Surely they would of been able to clear up any questions that you might have.

Mine is marked Benchmade with the logo and USA. No clip, no safety. Used it on the job for years.

Send the poor college kid a Shaman which is the knife he really wants. It would be an awesome gesture.

Yeah send it back to the dude , He will be stoked only a young bloke

Whoever owned the jacked it was found in deserves to get it back if they can be found. They earned it for their service in the military.

2:00 thats why I love this channel he's a honest-to-god genuine person and keeps things real with ZERO BS. If he doesn't contact you, u should try contacting him school can be pretty busy n very time-consuming. It would also be a awesome experience n feeling if you just sent it back with a little note/letter of authenticity that you made yourself and signed.

Jeff you should send im back whit out askin.this knife was made for cover op.Also CAN.JTF2.Thank You for your good videos.😁😎😁

I own a 940-2 with no branding on the blade. I bought it new from a benchmade dealer, I'm certain it's legit. It must have just slipped through the cracks in QC.

Those were made by the guy who's name escapes me now I am pretty sure in Fla. who developed that spring design, early on he sold some direct and to the military it is real. I had one years ago.

There is one kinda similar made by Ochs Enterprises, in the book you reviewed awhile back (pocket knives of the us military) page 103. Not the same, but same idea being unmarked for special forces.

Asking them if they want it back is the right thing to do.

Very cool information, and very nice of you to send it back to the guy if he wants it , great video

Be careful with that S110v PM2, homie (viewer). It's got some great properties, but ground that thin and pointy, it chips easily and the tip will disappear quickly.

Jeff, I have a 9000 also, but mine shows the Benchmade logo on it. When my uncle was working overseas for a private contracting firm for our government, they gave him one. Although, his shoes Benchmade on it. He gifted it to me awhile ago and was my first auto. I put it in a drawer because it didn't have a pocket clip. Later on after really getting into knives I found out what I had. Anyway, if you would like me to send it to you to compare/contrast let me know! 🍻👍

his signature still there

I have one just like it. Have had it for several years. Good video.

I love my AFO Tanto. Christmas present from my mom.

I think you should def send it back to that guy cause #1 hes young and doesn't have a lotta money and #2 the research you've provided makes the story of how it was found very interesting.... Like.. Who knows who the owner was or what happened to him....

Jealous. As a long time Benchmade fan and collector I would LOVE to have that in my collection of vintage models alongside my Ares, Leopard, Spike etc..And as ex military and vet it makes me want this knife even more! Damn....

Upon glancing at it, you’d think it to be a Chinese clone. But, wow, it’s a super covert special ops knife! Who would have thought?

looks to be 90s vintage as well they had what i called handle bar mustache serations

Send it back !!!!!

A lot of military issue knives went sterile to our soldiers and not necessarily for covert/special ops. Send it back to him, he will greatly appreciate it. I have a plane anodized version (silver). Send it back as a very well known makers motto is, “Integrity is doing right even when no one is watching” Bob T.

The Pumpkin table cloth makes the videos better. You and Christina would make great parents

Send it back

Jeff if you wanna make his year, send it back AND gift him a Shaman

Ngl new to the whole knife thing, I was wondering I heard blade hq won’t ship the kershaw Lucha to Massachusetts so I looked at knife center is it trust worthy or

I have a Benchmade Auto from late 1980's. motorbike riding buddy knew the factory rep. Nice blade.

Bruh moment

I’m carrying the AFO right now, LOL.

Update if you end up keeping it or sending it back.

Weird, my actually issued to me AFO, is not sterile and still has a safety. Wonder when that changed.

Its not Jeffs fault, its the kids fault for not doing his research.

I would keep it and send him a shaman...just a thought

Ive seen one at a gunshow once. He wanted $100 +

You have to give him something in return

I’m in college. I had to save for a while to buy my mini grip. Totally worth it

It's impossible to save money ATM , I have so much spare time looking for knifes haha

Hey , I’m 15 and I really enjoy your videos , I watch almost all of them and I really enjoy them , I have my own little knife collection with a whole 10 or so knives , my parents buy me my knives because they trust me with them and know I will not hurt anyone with them , just wanted you to know that I’m young and interested in knives , I love your vids

What happened

I have one just like it.

How about an auction and you 2 spilt the $

Yeah I was just going to say that I was issued this exact same knife back in the beginning of the Iraq War in early 2003 and had no idea that it was rare smh I gave it away to a buddy when I got back

Good man Jeff. Awesome find guys.

Thats incredible Jeff! You are amazing. This is why we all love u and your channel!

Dude said it's cool, you can send it to me.......

I have a few afos in purple they only made 10 of. Look at my channel for videos on it

anyone know his insta handle? I live near the san Juans i would want to connect with him.

Good thing you didn't trade it

You’re a stand up dude.

Very cool story behind that knife 😎

It would be nice to make an effort to find the person that lost ti, most likely a vet.

When things get technical!

San Clemente = Navy Seals

I have this knife with no safety and no pocket clip but it does have the butterfly/balisong on the blade that can barely be seen at this point. How do I send pics?

Wow that's really cool. I'm always hoping to find something badass like that. One day I will.

sick blade...

💚💚💚 i have the od green one its great

That's pretty damn cool. Learn something new every day.

What gun do you carry

Super Cool!!!

Stand up guy, thanks for the video and info

Wow...

Holy fuck!