A Few Questions: BM 710, Axis Lock, M2 or 154CM?

Mitchell Knives

Mitchell Knives

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I've had my eye on the 710 for a while, and am thinking about getting one. I have a few questions though. First, I'm not sure which steel to choose. 154CM is a pretty good steel and should be easy to sharpen. I'm really not familiar with M2, and have no idea of its characteristics. Which is better for taking a very sharp, fine edge? Which is better for long term edge holding? How hard is M2 to sharpen? Which would be better for general EDC? I know that BM uses some sort of coating on their M2 blades...how does it hold up?

My other concern is the Axis lock. Is it very likely that the user could accidentally disengage it during use? How about the lockup, is there any play in the blade? What about long term durability? Thanks for responding to my numerous questions.
 
One more thing, is the AXIS lock adjustable for wear by the user?
 
IMHO, M2 far outforms Benchmade's 154CM in every aspect execept maybe corrosion resistance. M2 takes a wicked edge, holds it, and is very easy to sharpen. The black coating does go to the pooper quickly though. A few months of constant use and the blade will look like hell. It's worth it though, just to get the M2. I won't even consider another 154CM Benchmade.

You have no worries with the Axis lock, except that a spring might break in an unusual circumstance. The lock is VERY strong, and has a redundant spring in case one fails during use.

The 710HS is the best large production folder I've used, aside from the Sebenza.
 
Buzzbait's thoughts are a mirror of my own. Scary. Very scary. I think he did a vulcan mind meld and stole my thoughts.
Chad
 
Buzzbait - Very high praise for the 710...I'll have to pick one up at the next knife show. Are you able to compensate for wear with the AXIS?
 
It is self compensating, if there is wear the lock pin is pushed forward more. You'll see wheat I mean when you handle one.
Chad
 
I agree with the above comments. The only downside is the blackened blade. Some just cannot deal with yet another black blade. I have my reservations too, but the performance of M-2 is worth the aesthetic trade-off. M-2 is the same steel found in many high speed drill bits. It attains a wicked sharp, toothy edge, like most any well heat treated high carbon steel, and holds it very well.

I look forward to new models brought out by Benchmade with this steel.
 
I used to think the tradeoffs between M2 and ATS-34 from Benchmade were a push.

I have to say that something at BM has changed since they moved to 154CM (it could have happened late in the ATS-34 days also, unsure).

I think they changed the heat treat on 154CM/ATS-34... I have (...counting...) 4 AFCK's and 3 710's. I have one AFCK in 154CM, and it simply is a bear to sharpen and get a good razor edge onto. I have one 710 that is this way also. My buddy has both an older ATS-34 and a newer 154CM AFCK also, he's noticed same thing.

This shouldn't be ... these steels are nearly identical.

My older ATS-34 took and held a great edge, was relatively easy to sharpen, was corrosion resistant for the most part. The newer 154Cm stuff is a bear to get a good edge onto, and I noticed my small AFCK 154cm got a streak of black discoloration the other day from leaving some vine sap on it for a day. Sheesh.

I believe it was Matt Harildstad that mentioned that ATS-34/154CM has two tempering ranges... one around 375-400F, the other at 950F. They have different effects on the outcome. 950F tends to generate some secondary hardening in this steel, and does something to increase the chrome carbide content, making it a touch more wear resistant at the margin, but sacrificing corrosion resistance? ... while the lower temp tends to yield better corrosion resistance and toughness.

Wild guess: I'm wondering if BM switched to the higher temper range for some reason (speed?) and fouled up the heat treat.

M2 is much more like the old Benchmade ATS-34 heat treat... easy to put an edge onto, holds it well. I've not had any of the corrosion problems with M2 that I expected to have, it's pretty high alloy (but low chrome at 5.5%), but seems to behave with minimal care.

If going Benchmade, I'd go M2 given a choice in that model.
 
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