710 vs Military

C

cash2006

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Jan 24, 2007
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188
I searched the forums and couldn't find recent a string. While the older ones (strings) tended to rule in favor of the Spyderco, the 710 seems outrageously popular lately.

Has anything changed?

Who perfers one over the other?

Thanks a lot
 
while i like both knives a fair amount and both knives have subtle advantages on in most areas my preference is the 710. The only big difference between the two knives is the axis lock and that big diference makes the 710 my choice.
 
They are both great knives, and IMO really comes down to just a matter of personal preference re: style of lock, thumbstud vs. Spydie hole opening, etc.

I personally carry the 710, because the Military's blade is 4 inches which is an illegally long carry around where I llive. (4 inches or longer is not allowed.)
(The blade on the 710 is just under four inches.)

Again, though, they are both great knives and if the Military was a legal carry around here, I'd certainly own one. The CF/BG-42 version, most likely.
 
Both are time-tested classics, and you can't go wrong with either.

I hope you're not too outraged -- the 710 deserves it's popularity. ;)

I have had a few 710s -- I currently have 1 710HS (M2). It's one of my all-time favorites. It does pretty much everything you want a knife to do very well.

I do not own a Military, though I handled them numerous times, and I do own a Paramilitary. I have no doubt I will own a Military at some point -- the BG-42 carbon fiber model is sorely tempting me.

For comparison, I feel the Axis lock is probably more secure than the liner, but the Military's liner has an excellent reputation here. The edge geometry of the Military is superior, so its the better slicer out of the box. But I've reprofiled my 710HS, so it's probably pretty close now. The 710 has a better handle to blade length ratio -- you're getting nearly as much blade in a smaller package.

Still, flip a coin and you can't lose.
 
I have had a 710 for so long I don't know if Iv'e had it 6, 8, or over 10 years. It is as solid as the day I bought it. I don't have a military but I do have the Chinook III. I prefer the Axis lock over a lock-back and way over a liner-lock.
The 710 is light and carries a big blade in a very small package. It is also very light without sacrificing strength. What's not to like? :D
 
The 710 has been my work knife for over a year now, just being replaced by a mini-manix today. I loved my old military, I think the ergonomics are vastly superior to the 710, and the wide flat blade cuts exceptionally well. It's also very lightweight compared to most any other folder in its size class. The only drawback is that it is a linerlock, and I don't trust those much anymore, however if there was one I'd trust it would be the Military's.
 
I would go with the 710. Because I am not a fan of the hole and of liner locks.
 
Both are great knive. I own a 710 and 2 Mili's (one serrated in S30V and a plain in BG-42). I would recommend the 710 first and add the Mili to the top of your purchase list.

As a side note, I believe a fully serrated Military to be in the top 5 as a self defense folder. Might keep that in mind if you ever need a knife for that purpose.

Regards
 
This is a tough call as both are amazing knives I tend to lean more towards the millie because I prefer tip down carry. Previously it would have been an easy call for the military. Since they changed the 710 to D2 it makes it a much tougher decision probably best to get both.
 
One thing I always feel compelled to point out is that the Military is configured only for tip-down carry, whereas the 710 is tip-up. I have both, but have long ago stopped buying tip-down knives as I find that configuration unnatural.

So if that kind of thing matters to you, it is worth consideration. :thumbup:

right on
 
The 710 has the better lock.

But...

The Military cuts better.

When all is said and done, I think I would choose the Military.
 
i have a 710 hssr and bg42cf military.

agree with prior poster except for choosing the spyderco, i balance the as equal with. that is assuming you get the 710 in d2 or m2. i am just not a fan of 154 cm. this is assuming a reprofile of the edge angle on the 710 which makes abig difference. with the stock angle from benchmade i would be forced to choose the military if it really came down to it, and i truly am not a fan of liner locks. if you think you would ever even consider prying then go with the 710 as the tip on the military is fragile.

all that being said, truly love and use both daily...
 
I have a 710 and 2 Militaries, one S30V and the other BG-42. I carry the S30V a lot, especially when I want a big sharp blade I don't have to pamper.

I haven't ever had a problem with the Millie's liner lock, and few problems with any other locks, either. I'm not as comfortable with axis locks, though, just don't like them. Nice toys, fun to flip open and closed, but not my style.

Other than that, the 710 is my favorite of all the axis folders I've owned or played with, and the only one I kept. Great comfortable secure handle and an excellent blade design. Although I generally prefer a wider blade, the 710 would be an exception to that for EDC carry.
 
I own one of the first 710's (154CM) and a newer version with D2...the D2 is much better IMHO. I also own two Military's; one is 440V, fully serrated and the other is the S30V, plain edge.

I must say that I've carry the Military on my weakside pocket for the past 10+ years while in uniform. It's been a great blade and no issues.

I really like the newer D2 710, and find it a great EDC. It's slimmer and smaller than the Military when folded. Of course the Axis lock with sway many to the 710, but the Military's liner lock is very solid.

For me, I would sum it up that I would most likely carry the 710 as a primary EDC in/around work and an "urban" environment. It looks less intimidating.

If I was heading out on a hike or backpacking trip, I would definately go with the Military (plain edge). It has a great belly, it's lighter and would make a great camp knife-folder.

ROCK6
 
I like the Military more by a mile, personally. Just feels and cuts better. The 710 is overrated, in my opinion. Without the axis lock it wouldn't even be a contender.
 
Military all the way for me. I picked up a 710 recently to compliment my 705 and I just like the Military better. The flat ground blade cuts better and the finger groove allows you to choke up on the blade and thats a big plus for me. Its really a preference thing, how you hold the knife and what kind of ergo's you like. BM has its own handle style that doesnt always lend itself to how I like to hold a knife, while spyderco just feels better in my hand.
 
This is one of a few cases lately where I'd pick the BM over the Spyderco. While I like a number of the Military's design points better -- opening hole, flat ground non-recurved blade -- for me I just won't carry any liner lock for hard use, plus the Military's handle is bigger than I'd like it to be for this blade size. The 710 is nicely sized, very strong, comfortable even in hard use in multiple grip, etc. Most days, I actually choose my waved endura 4 (reprofiled by Tom Krein) over the 710, but it sounds to me like you're choosing between the higher end knives so I won't go into details as to why.
 
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