Photos 710 Tribute

AF

AF

Joined
Jan 14, 2000
Messages
6,016
I've owned a number of 710s throughout the years. My only current one is the D2 version. Awhile ago it was reground by Big Chris. Later the scales were changed.
I decided to reuse the old scales on a fixed blade that I made. 1084 steel. There are black and green G-10 liners. The scales are offset toward the front such that the tang is slightly proud on a portion of the bottom and the scales are slightly proud on a portion of the top. Mosaic pin for the pivot hole and brass pins for the clip holes.

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I've got an early 710 M2, coated... my last Benchmade that I have, gave away as gifts or sold all the others. I truly appreciate the classic style of the 710 and the M2 steel, IMHO, I find sharper than M4 and easier to sharpen. This is one knife that will be a certified lifetime keeper. Btw... on the box, the price was $118.95 from New Graham. To me, this is Benchmade's most classic design and the height of their excellent workmanship.
 
Nice photo!
I gotta think we'll see a limited run 710 in 2018. There's got to be plenty of demand for a smaller batch with special materials. Hopefully not too fancy.
 
Nice pair. I like the holes in the scales to match the liners.
When I had my 710 reground I was anti-recurve. Some years later, I have to say the recurve doesn't bother me on this model. It looks good. I still like my straight edge version though.
 
Here's another of my 710s--my "rescue knife", rescued from an abusive owner who left the blade corroded and poorly sharpened with the knife full of gunk and the backspacer hacked out to keep the blade from hitting it. I cleaned up the blade and re-profiled, replaced the backspacer with standoffs, and polished the washers, re-centered the blade, and got the action right. This one is my user and a special favorite, pictured here with one of its little-brother 705s.

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The 710 is iconic. It's strange to think it's gone from the line-up. Will there be a successor? It would be like Spyderco dropping their Military model...
 
AF said:
The 710 is iconic. It's strange to think it's gone from the line-up. Will there be a successor? It would be like Spyderco dropping their Military model...
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Exactly like that. I guess that sales had fallen off to the point that manufacturing and dealer stocking didn't make economic sense anymore.

In this flavor-of-the-month world, tried-and-true products don't survive the demands of mass-marketing. I find this all the time with my carpentry tools as solid models are discontinued for something new to sell as the old models still work and are in service. I'm always disappointed that I can't get simple maintenance parts like switches, brush holders, etc for my good old power tools and have to put them on the shelf to be replaced by something not as well-made or durable that will be obsolete in a few years.
 
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Here's my 710-1. Number 16/250 KW Limited. Rounded spine, M390, factory spacers. This is, or Was one of my grails.

 
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Today's 710 from this quarter is my -1401. I really like the M390 blade, the bright hardware detailing, and the feel of the sculpted G10 scales on this knife. The blue/black thing is kinda meh--don't love it/don't hate it--although this one does have a good color mix. What this baby really needs is a set of Keyman Keyman 's holey scales in wood or CF.

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