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B M 710 question .
- Thread starter Kennieyk
- Start date
M2 tool steel, "High Speed Steel". The model you want is the 710HS, 710 HSSR if you want it serrated.
It's discontinued, but it only went away a couple months ago. The big online dealers are all out by now, but you can still find them at small dealers, especially ones without full internet stores. At this point you might be paying close to the full $190 MSRP.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with the current D2 version, and you can find it much more easily and cheaply (~$125.) Some people might even prefer the D2. But THE best - I think most steel snob knife nuts, if they had to pick one steel the 710 was available in, would definitely go for the M2.
And there's nothing WRONG with the pre-D2 basic 710 in 154CM, or the early production in ATS-34. But you seemed to be asking a steel snob question, so I answered with my steel snob hat on.
It's discontinued, but it only went away a couple months ago. The big online dealers are all out by now, but you can still find them at small dealers, especially ones without full internet stores. At this point you might be paying close to the full $190 MSRP.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with the current D2 version, and you can find it much more easily and cheaply (~$125.) Some people might even prefer the D2. But THE best - I think most steel snob knife nuts, if they had to pick one steel the 710 was available in, would definitely go for the M2.
And there's nothing WRONG with the pre-D2 basic 710 in 154CM, or the early production in ATS-34. But you seemed to be asking a steel snob question, so I answered with my steel snob hat on.
I have two 710's, one 154CM, one M2. M2 is a PITA to sharpen, but once you get it right, it stay that way a very long time. M2 is the one I use most, so it is the ugliest of the two(black coating wears off). D2 should be good too, got a mini grip in D2, and it's as sharp as the day I got it. Whichever one you get, you can't go wrong, IMHO.
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2003
- Messages
- 3,154
My 710HS (the M2 model) is one of my 2 all-time favorite folders. I'm very happy with the M2 steel. My subjective impression is that the edge lasts longer than the ones on several S30V knives I own. I take care of my knives, and I don't live in a swamp or a jungle, so rust isn't an issue for me. The M2 takes a really fine edge that will split hairs with a quick touchup.
Sharpening difficulties with M2 can be minimized by reprofiling the edge to 30 degrees inclusive (or thinner) on a Sharpmaker (takes hours), Edge Pro, or freehand, and then maintaining the edge with a microbevel using the 40 degree inclusive setting on a Sharpmaker. If you reprofile, it takes only a few strokes on the fine or ultrafine rods to bring the edge back to the hair-splitting level of sharpness.
If you can find a 710HS in M2 for a reasonable price, by all means get it. They're beginning to get scarce. The D2 version is now available at various online dealers.
I've never used the newer D2 version, but I'm sure that's a great knife too. I have several D2 knives and they perform well, although I can't say that the edge I get on them is as fine as I get with the M2, at least not with the methods I use. If, God forbid, my 2 710HS knives get lost, broken or stolen, I would likely get one in D2.
Sharpening difficulties with M2 can be minimized by reprofiling the edge to 30 degrees inclusive (or thinner) on a Sharpmaker (takes hours), Edge Pro, or freehand, and then maintaining the edge with a microbevel using the 40 degree inclusive setting on a Sharpmaker. If you reprofile, it takes only a few strokes on the fine or ultrafine rods to bring the edge back to the hair-splitting level of sharpness.
If you can find a 710HS in M2 for a reasonable price, by all means get it. They're beginning to get scarce. The D2 version is now available at various online dealers.
I've never used the newer D2 version, but I'm sure that's a great knife too. I have several D2 knives and they perform well, although I can't say that the edge I get on them is as fine as I get with the M2, at least not with the methods I use. If, God forbid, my 2 710HS knives get lost, broken or stolen, I would likely get one in D2.
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2005
- Messages
- 5,171
I've got 154CM and M2 versions of the 710.
I find M2 easy to sharpen, so that's my preferred. "Easy" means that there is no annoying super-burring (as I refer to it), it just takes a bit of time.
BM's D2 (based upon my 806 knives), is nice to sharpen, too.
The 154CM has sharpened well so far (I carried it in my work rotation).
I've got a hypothesis concerning BM's ATS-34 (based on a well used 750 and mini-800 series knife), so can not recommend it at this time for ease of sharpening.
Buy what you want, for a price you're willing to spend. 154CM is more stain resistant, D2 a bit less, M2 is not (I've had no problems with rust in regards to D2 or M2).
D2 should be a more than serviceable steel, the 710 is a very good design; therefore, steel choice is a secondary consideration in this instance for EDC. Sooner or later, I'll get one in D2.
I find M2 easy to sharpen, so that's my preferred. "Easy" means that there is no annoying super-burring (as I refer to it), it just takes a bit of time.
BM's D2 (based upon my 806 knives), is nice to sharpen, too.
The 154CM has sharpened well so far (I carried it in my work rotation).
I've got a hypothesis concerning BM's ATS-34 (based on a well used 750 and mini-800 series knife), so can not recommend it at this time for ease of sharpening.
Buy what you want, for a price you're willing to spend. 154CM is more stain resistant, D2 a bit less, M2 is not (I've had no problems with rust in regards to D2 or M2).
D2 should be a more than serviceable steel, the 710 is a very good design; therefore, steel choice is a secondary consideration in this instance for EDC. Sooner or later, I'll get one in D2.
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2005
- Messages
- 2,662
I EDC the 154cm version and like it just fine. I bought it over the M2 because I don't like coated blades, and it's nice to see BM offering the new 710 in uncoated D2.
Whatever steel you chose, it's a wonderful knife... a real workhorse that'll take just about anything you can throw at it. It's a handful though. I'd really like to see BM offer a 3.5 or even 3.25 inch model as I think the 705/707 is just a bit too small. But as it is, the 710 doesn't really weigh too much and it's pretty thin so it's not hard to carry.
Whatever steel you chose, it's a wonderful knife... a real workhorse that'll take just about anything you can throw at it. It's a handful though. I'd really like to see BM offer a 3.5 or even 3.25 inch model as I think the 705/707 is just a bit too small. But as it is, the 710 doesn't really weigh too much and it's pretty thin so it's not hard to carry.
Kennieyk said:I think I found a site that still has the 710hs for $128.99 ...the web site says they have them ... I guess I will find out tommorow with a phone call ..
Keeping my fingers crossed
I've been trying to find one (plain edge) for weeks with no luck so please let us know if you found someplace that has them.
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2003
- Messages
- 959
Ok they only had one plain edge in stock .. and I took it .. However they do have one combo edge high speed steel left .. so Menocu if you want it post me your email and i will send you the link or # for the site ... I feel bad for taking the last plain edge ..
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2005
- Messages
- 5,171
I does seem that the 710 has consistantly had good quality control in regards to all the Benchmades I've seen/owned.
Little things that when compared to other BMs that you notice. But then, I've looked at more of the M2 variants than others.
Wonderin' if anyone else observed similiar?
Good, lucky buy Kennieyk.
Little things that when compared to other BMs that you notice. But then, I've looked at more of the M2 variants than others.
Wonderin' if anyone else observed similiar?
Good, lucky buy Kennieyk.
I just got a 710 in M2 with plain edge last week for ~$130 from copsplus. They are only showing it in serrated now though so they may be out of the plain edge. I lost a cheap folder that I had been carrying for years and decided to get a high quality knife that would hold an edge. After doing some research and finding this forum I now have the 710 as well as a mini grip in 154cm and some more on my wish list, this is going to take a toll on my wallet. Both of these knives are years ahead of anything I have ever owned before and well worth the money.