An Initial Sebenza vs 710 Comparison

Great review! I just found this buried in the messages. I've been playing with a 710BT in 154-CM. My EDC has been a Sebenza small classic. Totally different knife due to the size delta. I do think that the biggest difference between the Sebenza and the 710 is I have no fear in using the 710. Opening and closing is working well for me. At first the lock was a little resistant to disenge but that changed after about a week of "flicking".
The build quality of the 710 is not too bad. I've used various BMs in the past that have suffered from bad grinds, bad locks, etc. but on the 710. The blade grind was good, the handle fit is not too bad (a little gap on the G10 to liner here and there). The factory edge was pretty bad but my Sharpmaker cleaned it up in about 20mins.

I'm finding that the 710 is spending much more time in my pocket these days. We are building a new house and the 710 is what I grab when I know I'll be using it hard.
 
RE: Opening the 710.

I find the slickest method is to pull back on the Axis lock as you draw the knife and flick it underhand as you bring it out. Release the lock in mid-stroke. Quick as an automatic (or quicker). It takes a bit of practice to groove the motions, but only minutes, not hours. I never touch the thumbstud on the 710. With some practice (and your flesh clear of the blade path) you can close it this way as well. - Lee
 
Originally posted by Tom S
I'm finding that the 710 is spending much more time in my pocket these days. We are building a new house and the 710 is what I grab when I know I'll be using it hard.

It's funny that everything about the Sebenza (thick spine, convex edge, frame lock, etc) was designed exactly to make it a hard use knife, one that would hold up under the most severe punishment.

I think that not until we abuse our Sebbies, will we really realize the value of our $250+. The irony is that having paid so much to get something built so well, has caused us to treat them exactly opposite to what was intended!

Kind of like buying a shiny new Range Rover, and then using a cheaper Toyota when you actually want to do real off-roading... :)

John
 
Very ironic isn't it! And, you're right. I've been thinking of picking up a large Sebenza to really put to work.
 
I had to go through a Spydie Endura and a Cold Steel Gunsite II before I finally decided to skip all the in-between knives(cost wise)and pick up a used (but excellent condition) large plain Sebenza. Ive been carrying it for a week now and all I can say is wow. I'm beginning to think that all my blade-play problems are over. My only gripe is that now I dont really want to use it as hard as it is meant to be used.

At first I was going to get a 710 or AFCK but then decided to go right for the Sebenza, but now, after all this reading Ill be picking up my first Benchmade (710) tomorrow :D . I have a feeling this knife is going to be sharing pocket time with the Sebenza.
 
Buzzbait,

Excellent review. It has increased my enthusiasm for selling a kidney and buying a Sebenza.

One thing concerns me: I have read in knife reviews that it is dangerous to interfere with G10 scales. Apparently the dust produced by grinding or scratching them is very harmful to the lungs. I can't give a cite for this, but I would consider them "Non user-serviceable" in the absence of evidence to the contrary.

maximus otter
 
I can personally vouch that the 710 makes a great field knife for dressing out deer as well. Now if only they would offer it in S30V. I love my M2 but hate the cosmetics of the coating.
 
Great review! It's nice to see someone who contrasts different knives, and likes them both. It doesn't always have to be a one or the other type situation, as you have shown. Thanks!
 
One thing: whether it is a Sebenza, axis, arc, or liner, CHECK the locking action thoroughly before totally trusting it. I will post more later after the issue is totally resolved with warranty service, with all the details. But for now, I will simply say that I have recently had a lock fail that I could not believe would fail without severe interference by crud. I believe there was a manufacturing error with this particular lock, but it happened.

I will now say there is only one lock that I will completely trust to not fail, and that is the balisong. Well, and fixed blades. ;)
 
I would be curious to see a test where you take the best mass prod knives of each lock type, dunk the knives in some sort of really slick oil, then test reliablity and strength over the course of about 1000 or more openings and include some heavy twisting motion, back-and-forth as they are being strength tested.
I have had a very respectable knife(nothing like a Seb of course) with a solid framelock fail when some wd-40 seeped onto the lockbar....there was absolutely no time to react. stupid I know, but talk about a real world test!!:eek:
I would love to own a seb, and I know this ain't fair to CRK, but I will probably never be able to get over that little lockbar slipping episode in my head.
:eek: :(
 
Professor how did you get Spidys test results? I was told they were not to be published as they are not an official testing site (per Sal?
 
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