710-1401 issues?

[NJBillK]

So I had just received my new 710-1401 via UPS, everything went fine on that end and I will be keeping it, it just needs some "touching up".
As I was waiting for it, I read some various observations/complaints(?)... Therefore, once I had mine in hand, I made sure to give it a thorough once over.

Hardly noticeable, but swedges slightly off (not near as bad as others) and centering is off a touch.

A Ding in the liner, not much, but sticks up sharply over the scales and will Have to be sanded or will cut bare skin.

Scale is slightly long on pivot end, show side, not factory clip side. Will have to be sanded to be flush like the other scale is. (Couldn't picture it well)

Flat spot on tip end (while closed), clip side of scales. No way to correct aside from getting a new scale.
The tip also protrudes a little while closed.

I know this seems like I am "nitpicking" but I just wanted to have people aware that, yes, there are some people who have received some that are "perfect" but it is going to be more frequently not the case.

If you have any issues with yours that you would like to share, feel free to post them, so we have them all in one place.

 

[JNewell]

I don't think you're nitpicking, and the tone of your post doesn't sound to me like complaining, either, just Joe Friday stuff. I do sometimes wonder, though, whether we expect more than is realistic from production knives. That's a question, not an assertion.

Some knives have tip protrusion problems and that really does need to be fixed if it's happening. Other knives I've seen that with include Sebenzas and Southards, but it can happen with any knife that has a blade that's trying to get maximum efficiency from the handles. If it presents a slicing risk, you should send it back to KW (you knew that already, but...).

 

[NJBillK]

Im probably just going to take one of my Diamond stones and pull the tip down a touch, I shouldn't be noticeable unless someone has had one of their own.

I understand that people have issues with a mass produced/factory made items, expected even. The issues I have experienced with this knife pale in comparison to many other companies I have seen/owned.
I know there was going to be some issues, and I guess, if anything, it's comforting that most of them seem to be commonplace. I would rather have 40 people have 2 different issues, than 20 people have 20 different issues, I would be willing to bet that most companies would agree.

I don't know what I was expecting to evolve from this thread, possibly info for those looking to purchase one, possibly what those who did purchase have in mind to correct issues, maybe all of the above. I just wanted to put this out there, and get a feel for others experiences, aside from the admiration (for the most part, rightfully) bestowed upon it.

 

[jkarp_53]

Sorry to say this; There's a reason I won't spend any money on Benchmade's products. It's rather painful to read about the poor fit and finish of these new 710-1401's. IMO, they have a big problem on their hands...and if this problem is "commonplace" that makes it even worse. Just what the heck is happening up there that they allow so many of their products to leave the factory with issues that are universal??

It's not common to have such grind lines on both sides of the knife, that's a flaw in my book. And then the new owners have to be careful not to cut themselves because the blade exposes too much of the cutting edge? I am not by myself, there's a big problem here and it's something that has to be addressed. Folks, the cat is out of the bag and it's a real problem.

 

[JNewell]

Im probably just going to take one of my Diamond stones and pull the tip down a touch, I shouldn't be noticeable unless someone has had one of their own.

I understand that people have issues with a mass produced/factory made items, expected even. The issues I have experienced with this knife pale in comparison to many other companies I have seen/owned.
I know there was going to be some issues, and I guess, if anything, it's comforting that most of them seem to be commonplace. I would rather have 40 people have 2 different issues, than 20 people have 20 different issues, I would be willing to bet that most companies would agree.

I don't know what I was expecting to evolve from this thread, possibly info for those looking to purchase one, possibly what those who did purchase have in mind to correct issues, maybe all of the above. I just wanted to put this out there, and get a feel for others experiences, aside from the admiration (for the most part, rightfully) bestowed upon it.

Info is good, discussion is good.

 

[JNewell]

Sorry to say this; There's a reason I won't spend any money on Benchmade's products. It's rather painful to read about the poor fit and finish of these new 710-1401's. IMO, they have a big problem on their hands...and if this problem is "commonplace" that makes it even worse. Just what the heck is happening up there that they allow so many of their products to leave the factory with issues that are universal??

It's not common to have such grind lines on both sides of the knife, that's a flaw in my book. And then the new owners have to be careful not to cut themselves because the blade exposes too much of the cutting edge? I am not by myself, there's a big problem here and it's something that has to be addressed. Folks, the cat is out of the bag and it's a real problem.

Hey Joe - I checked my 710-1s, which were the original M390 710s, and they have similar grind lines. So, whatever else is true, those grind lines are not some new change in BM F&F.

 

[nickites]

I suppose I'll chime in...
I bought mine to use and I guess I've gotten a little less picky over the years about minor issues, so these are just some observations and none of bothers me.

Mine has the same little divot on the lanyard end, clip-side scale as NJBillK. Maybe a relict of some machining process?

Mine has the same diagonal grind line on the flats of the blade. No other 710 I have has these diagonal lines, they are vertical on others. I think it's intentional as a bit of styling for the dealer exclusive. I like it.

The tip of the blade on mine is real near the edge of liners when closed, which made me compare it to my other 710's. My other 710's all hit either the backspacers or the standoffs when they were brand new. This 710-1401 is no where near the backspacers and the blade is actually quite a bit higher up in the handle when closed. It seems like BM compensated for the older 710's hitting the backspacers by adjusting the relationship of the blade tang and the axis lock. It is visually noticeable that blade sits a bit higher while closed and this is why the tip is pretty close to protruding. I've had other knives like this too and none of them have cut or snagged me. I actually think it was a good idea on BM's part to address the blade hitting the backspacer or standoff and rolling the edge. I don't have calipers, but it even looks like the blade has a bit more girth in the belly, since it is so far from the backspacers. Older 710's that hit the backspacer, either had barrel spacers installed by BM or they ground the belly out a bit so it was a little more shallow. This gave the blade a millimeter or two space from the backspacer.

Swedges are straight on mine, but are pretty shallow at the tip. This actually makes the tip on mine thick, thicker than every other 710 I have. I like this.

I'd post pics later if anyone is interested.

Overall, I am really pleased with the knife. I don't think BM has any type of chronic QC problems. I actually think they made a couple of adjustments that remedied problems that existed on prior 710 runs. Thanks for all of the nice discussions going on here. It's been fun to read how each handmade knife differs from person to person.

 

[Stand Straight]

Interesting thread.
Without ever owning a previous 710 I wasn't aware of any possible areas of concern other than the usual centering or blade movement that we can experience on any new purchase to one degree or another. On this pre-order I chose to have this exclusive shipped from KW directly to a pro sharpener first. Never done that before but since this will be my first M390, what could be better than seeing my gleaming smile reflected back on a perfectly polished blade. That being said, it causes me a bit of nail biting hoping that none of the normal imperfections found in production knives in general will cause me any distress. I would think that the concern of excess blade projection would be eliminated with a good sharpening. All the other F&F problems mentioned seem minor to me and a doable fix.

I own a 940-1; not perfect, but I love it. Looking forward to the same relationship with the 710-1401.

 

[ryxlyx]

There's Gold Class, and there's NOT Gold Class. A lot of folks seem to think that LEs are built to some higher standard-- they're not. If you happen to get a perfect non-GC knife, consider yourself lucky.

I don't own this particular knife, but I don't see anything unusual. And unfortunately matched grinds are not the norm.

Just from gen'l observation I don't see any deterioration in BM QC. Bummer that they cost more than they used to, but they still IMO put out solid production knives. Key word "production".

 

[russde]

There's Gold Class, and there's NOT Gold Class.
Bingo!
Just from gen'l observation I don't see any deterioration in BM QC.
Absolutely
Bummer that they cost more than they used to
+1
Key word "production".
Exactly

Mine isn't perfect...neither were the CRK's I've purchased over the years, nor the Sypderco's, nor the Kershaws...they are all darn nice TOOLS however.
R

 

[RamZar]

Having handled my 710-1401 now for a couple of days I'd have to say the issues on mine I can probably live with. One is the uneven/asymmetrical swedge at the back end and the second one is the tip jutting out a little. I would've never seen the uneven swedge if someone hadn't mentioned it and you have to inspect closely. The tip is not a practical issue that one may cut oneself. You only notice it if you deliberately press your finger down while running it from bottom up. So, they're minor irritants.

 

[dano]

The last several BM's I have purchased have all had various problems. I'm not surprised that these have issues, also. The inconsistency in quality control is the main reason I avoided this model.

 

[JNewell]

There's Gold Class, and there's NOT Gold Class. A lot of folks seem to think that LEs are built to some higher standard-- they're not. If you happen to get a perfect non-GC knife, consider yourself lucky.

I don't own this particular knife, but I don't see anything unusual. And unfortunately matched grinds are not the norm.

Just from gen'l observation I don't see any deterioration in BM QC. Bummer that they cost more than they used to, but they still IMO put out solid production knives. Key word "production".

True for Benchmade, true for Spyderco, probably true for most other knife companies.

 

[JNewell]

Having handled my 710-1401 now for a couple of days I'd have to say the issues on mine I can probably live with. One is the uneven/asymmetrical swedge at the back end and the second one is the tip jutting out a little. I would've never seen the uneven swedge if someone hadn't mentioned it and you have to inspect closely. The tip is not a practical issue that one may cut oneself. You only notice it if you deliberately press your finger down while running it from bottom up. So, they're minor irritants.

I keep thinking of the comment attributed to a GM exec 50 years or so back about some difference between the right and left sides of one of their models. IIRC, he said something like "you can only see one side at a time."

 

[Keyman]

Hey Joe - I checked my 710-1s, which were the original M390 710s, and they have similar grind lines. So, whatever else is true, those grind lines are not some new change in BM F&F.

I have 2 older M390 710's.
One is a #ed LE the other is one of the unnumbered LE's.
Both have no grind lines at all.

 

[kreole]

I have 2 older M390 710's.
One is a #ed LE the other is one of the unnumbered LE's.
Both have no grind lines at all.

Same with my two

 

[Accelerator]

Benchmade is not making a penny more based on their new pricing policy circa early 2014. Benchmade dealers are charging more per piece, not of their own accord. Benchmade is consistently supplying their dealers with knives with questionable (hit or miss) finishing, ie. knives that shouldn't make it through quality control. Consumers get pissed off that they are paying a higher retail price (fact) for the same product with the same questionable QC as before. When a new model comes out that is outside of the current catalog selection for a premium price, it is assumed that these knives have a little more attention to detail due to the fact that they are a special run. If you are producing a standard product with specialized pieces, shouldn't there be some specialized attention? It appears that with Benchmade, the answer is no. They'll change up materials and construction and still release them as if they were nothing more than stock items.

 

[JNewell]

I have 2 older M390 710's.
One is a #ed LE the other is one of the unnumbered LE's.
Both have no grind lines at all.

Same with my two

Mine must be lemons, then... I say that with a wink because I don't regard it as a big issue. Mine are both 710-1 knives from the original series of M390 710s.

 

[kreole]

Mine must be lemons, then... I say that with a wink because I don't regard it as a big issue. Mine are both 710-1 knives from the original series of M390 710s.

Don't disagree. Only reason I mentioned it in the other thread is because I found it curious, looking like it was done after the blade finishing.

 

[NJBillK]

When a new model comes out that is outside of the current catalog selection for a premium price, it is assumed that these knives have a little more attention to detail due to the fact that they are a special run. If you are producing a standard product with specialized pieces, shouldn't there be some specialized attention?

^ This.

I like mine a lot, and I bought it as a user. I personally think that the grind marks are intentional, and honestly, I like them. But I think that too many people have issues far worse than mine for it to be anything more than a lackadaisical standard for an exclusive run. If I had any say with Knifeworks, I would say they ask for better since it is their name solely as to where is it available through and reflects upon them and Benchmade split 50/50 in regards to an acceptable end product.