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- Jul 9, 2010
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- 211
Hey, im in the market for a new folder and i was trying to decide between the benchmade 710 or the manual presidio (the one thats just like the auto. thanks.
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710 or manual presidio
- Thread starter spydercomil
- Start date
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- Dec 18, 2009
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- 783
I have a 710 but not a presidio, so I don't really know for sure.
I DO know that my 710 is one of my top five blades.
I DO know that my 710 is one of my top five blades.
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2010
- Messages
- 211
also, I have to ask about the zt 200, looks amazing, and is cheaper, what do you think
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- May 2, 2006
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For EDC? 710. (Axis > Liner lock)
- Joined
- May 31, 2010
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- 31
I have both the 710 and the ZT 0200 , here is a comparison -
Blade - Almost exactly the same length (The 0200 is few millimeter longer) , both come with excellent steels - D2 and 154CM.
The first difference you notice when you take both knives out of the box is the sharpness .
The 0200 came scary sharp while the 710 very dull and inconsistent .
The D2 steel of the 710 is tough to sharpen , while the 154CM on the 0200 definitely a lot easier , especially if you are not very experienced with sharpening .
Both steels have very good retention .
Black coating on the 0200 is far better than the black coating on the 710.
Handle and fit and finish -The handle of the 0200 is light years better than the 710 . The grip on the 0200 is top notch , while the 710 is slippery and not very comfortable .
If you will ever need to use the knife for "tactical" purposes , than you will definitely feel much more confident with 0200 in your hand , without any damn doubt .
F&F on the 0200 is better .
Lock and opening - Lockup on the 0200 is bank vault solid .
The liner is extremely thick , and I would trust it just as much as the framelocks on the 0300 series .
Absolutely zero bladeplay and smooth , wicked fast opening .
AXIS on the 710 is smooth and quick but there is a slight vertical bladeplay .
And yes , you can eliminate it by tightening the pivot pin , but than you will also get a stiff ass slow opening ,and you will definitely will not be able to flick the blade open .
The 0200 is completely manual , so it's definitely has huge edge over the AXIS in terms of reliability .
And regarding the price , the 710 is actually few dollars cheaper , unless you are an idiot and pay the lousy ass MAP .
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- Jul 8, 2010
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- 1,635
Ouch, I think you sold the 710 a little short there.
The fit and finish on mine is perfect, the handle would really only be slippery if it was covered in oil and what is with people down on the axis lock?
Ever see one fail?
The fit and finish on mine is perfect, the handle would really only be slippery if it was covered in oil and what is with people down on the axis lock?
Ever see one fail?
- Joined
- May 31, 2010
- Messages
- 31
No , I just called it like it is .
The 710 is good , solid knife , but the 0200 is just better , in pretty much every aspect .
The fit and finish with BM is seems to be very inconsistent
The handle of the 710 IS lousy comparing to the 0200 , they are not even close .
The AXIS lock is a nice toy , but I'm not big fan of bladeplay , stiff opening , cheap ass omega springs and a manufacturer that treat you like an idiot and void your warranty if you disassemble the knife .
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2009
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- 2,237
Toy? Hmmm...okay. I don't really think of my 710 as a toy.
I recently started a thread about my second broken Axis-lock, but I have to say that even with a broken spring I have zero blade play on my 940. I may even have to agree with the fit and finish being inconsistent (my 940's blade grind is off by about half a millimeter on the left side, while my 943 and is absolutely perfect). I also have to agree with you on the disassembly clause in their warranty.
But Axis-lock as a toy, and as having blade play and a stiff opening...I definitely cannot agree. And I say this while holding a "broken" 940 in my hand right now.
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- Jul 6, 2008
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- 322
710 !!!!
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- Mar 14, 2007
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- 3,736
The ZT0200 and the 710 are totally different beasts.
ZT knives don't impress me in the slightest, QC is good on them, F&F is fine. THey are brutes, they are glorified prybars.
The 710 is a agile low profile large knife. The ZT0200 is not even close.
ANy problem with the Axis lock is easily fixed, or easily replaced by BM.
The 710 I had (lost in someones tent I'm sure) was great, great F&F nice blade shape, a pleasure to use and own. Didn't way much either.
Sharpness shouldn't even take into account a knife choice, this is a knife forum, not a pansy I can't sharpen a knife forum. If you really can't get a knife sharp, there are a fair few guys that do very cheap knife sharpening.
ZT knives don't impress me in the slightest, QC is good on them, F&F is fine. THey are brutes, they are glorified prybars.
The 710 is a agile low profile large knife. The ZT0200 is not even close.
ANy problem with the Axis lock is easily fixed, or easily replaced by BM.
The 710 I had (lost in someones tent I'm sure) was great, great F&F nice blade shape, a pleasure to use and own. Didn't way much either.
Sharpness shouldn't even take into account a knife choice, this is a knife forum, not a pansy I can't sharpen a knife forum. If you really can't get a knife sharp, there are a fair few guys that do very cheap knife sharpening.
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- Nov 24, 2005
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- 10,038
The ZT 0200 is okay but it's a linerlock. The only one vicious00machete approves of, having read his posts in the past. The ZT 0200 being on a whole differentl level? Not a chance. It's just a decent linerlock and not even in the same league as a BM 710 with D2 and Axis lock IMO. My Cold Steel Ti-Lite has a beefier linerlock than the 0200. I just call it the way I see it. 
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2002
- Messages
- 2,167
You're doing it wrong.
I found my 520 Presidio to be a little heavy, rarely carried it, and ended up selling it. The 710 is hard to beat. I have them in 154CM, M2 High Speed, CPM M4 and an M390 on the way!
I guess I'm the only one but the Presidio is my favorite knife period. Yes, it's a little chunky but it feels very solid and the handle is very comfortable. I don't mind the thickness either. It's practically the same length and thickness as a large Grip which everyone loves but the 520 is far more sturdy. I also find that handle shape is more important than handle material when grip is concerned so the aluminum suits me fine over G10. I personally like the little dings and scratches that anno aluminum collects with use.
I had an 0200 but it didn't feel good in my hand at all. I have medium sized hands but big knuckles and there was a bad hotspot on my index finger because the groove in the handle is so deep. Keep that in mind or find one that you can handle before buying.
As far as BMs warrenty goes, I'd say it's pretty great. I broke the tip off said Presidio in a way that violated the wording of the warrenty. I told them exactly what happened and they said "no problem, send it in". They sent back essentially a new knife but with my old scales.
I had an 0200 but it didn't feel good in my hand at all. I have medium sized hands but big knuckles and there was a bad hotspot on my index finger because the groove in the handle is so deep. Keep that in mind or find one that you can handle before buying.
As far as BMs warrenty goes, I'd say it's pretty great. I broke the tip off said Presidio in a way that violated the wording of the warrenty. I told them exactly what happened and they said "no problem, send it in". They sent back essentially a new knife but with my old scales.
Why not get all three!?
It would be hard to go wrong with any one of those choices. I have the 710 Gold and an Auto Presidio. If I had to choose between a standard 710 and a 520 it would be a hard choice indeed.
Both have great blade shapes, the 710 is a great slicer, the 520 is a little wider and thicker and a great utility shape.
I prefer the aluminum scales of the Presidio over the 710, but I like stoutly built knives. The 710 is plenty stout for any EDC use, the 520 is just a little sturdier.
Flip a coin, buy which ever one you find the better deal on--you won't regret either one.
FWIW, I chose the ZT 0300 over the ZT 0200. The 0200 is a great knife, no doubt, and the liner lock is strong and thick. It's definitely a tactical knife all the way, almost military-like in terms of execution and sturdiness.
If you're looking for the strongest of the three, it's the ZT, hands down. If you're looking for the most refined and elegant of the three, it's the 710. If you're looking for something in between, it's the 520.
Best,
Heekma
It would be hard to go wrong with any one of those choices. I have the 710 Gold and an Auto Presidio. If I had to choose between a standard 710 and a 520 it would be a hard choice indeed.
Both have great blade shapes, the 710 is a great slicer, the 520 is a little wider and thicker and a great utility shape.
I prefer the aluminum scales of the Presidio over the 710, but I like stoutly built knives. The 710 is plenty stout for any EDC use, the 520 is just a little sturdier.
Flip a coin, buy which ever one you find the better deal on--you won't regret either one.
FWIW, I chose the ZT 0300 over the ZT 0200. The 0200 is a great knife, no doubt, and the liner lock is strong and thick. It's definitely a tactical knife all the way, almost military-like in terms of execution and sturdiness.
If you're looking for the strongest of the three, it's the ZT, hands down. If you're looking for the most refined and elegant of the three, it's the 710. If you're looking for something in between, it's the 520.
Best,
Heekma
I haven't seen one fail in real life, but I hear about it all the time here on the forums. In fact, I hear more about Axis Lock failures than any other lock. It has only ever been the fault of the Omega Springs, of course, but they cause the lock to fail nonetheless.