Before I hit submit...

[BMCGear]

I had a Benchmade 710 and I really enjoyed that knife. I loved how it carried and how slim it was. D2 is a good steel and I was happy with it. I would be ok with a knife that is a bit shorter as the 710 is a bit long but I don't like to lose too much handle length (I like atleast 4 inches). I could also live without the recurve. Everything else about the knife I loved.

I had an emergency expense and ended up moving a few things to cover it and the 710 was one of them. I've got some coin saved up for a new EDC and I'm about to buy another 710. Should I consider other knives in that price range? If so what would you recommend that has a classic style and is a slim/easy carry?

 

[Quiet]

Hard to say, brother. I mean, this goes one of two ways:

1. You go with another example of a knife that overall you loved, and it worked for you.
2. You could go with something else, and you might come to (or immediately) love that knife just as much.

What do you WANT to do? Try something new, or go with an old and trusted friend?

 

[BMCGear]

Hard to say, brother. I mean, this goes one of two ways:

1. You go with another example of a knife that overall you loved, and it worked for you.
2. You could go with something else, and you might come to (or immediately) love that knife just as much.

What do you WANT to do? Try something new, or go with an old and trusted friend?

I'm fine with trying something new; I just want it to have the features I liked about the 710:

Good steel
4 inch handle
Tough
No excessive jimping on the handle.
Slim/easy carry.

I don't think Benchmade makes another knife that would carry like the 710. I've never had a Spyderco and they don't really look classic but the Military does look neat.

 

[Aias]

The military is an excellent option--it is the only knife I regret selling. I'll likely buy another. It meets all your criteria and the S30v is a little better (generally) than D2.

 

[Quiet]

I'm fine with trying something new; I just want it to have the features I liked about the 710:

Good steal
4 inch handle
Tough
No excessive jimping on the handle.
Slim/easy carry.

I don't think Benchmade makes another knife that would carry like the 710. I've never had a Spyderco and they don't really look classic but the Military does look neat.

Maybe look at a Zero Tolerance offering? They aren't the slimmest (or the lightest), but they feature great steels and amazing ergos for the most part.

Also, I've seen Paramilitaries go for what a 710 will run. That would fit all of your qualifications, actually.

 

[BMCGear]

The military is an excellent option--it is the only knife I regret selling. I'll likely buy another. It meets all your criteria and the S30v is a little better (generally) than D2.

The Spydies don't have a "classic" look to them which is generally what I go for but the Military has always caught my eye for some reason. I'm gonna look into how slim the handles are.

Maybe look at a Zero Tolerance offering? They aren't the slimmest (or the lightest), but they feature great steels and amazing ergos for the most part.

Also, I've seen Paramilitaries go for what a 710 will run. That would fit all of your qualifications, actually.

I prefer the look of the Military to the Para. I need to look more into both.

As far as ZT: everything they make is too bulky for me with the exception of the 0770 and I was considering it but I have decided I don't think it would work for me.

 

[Quiet]

The Spydies don't have a "classic" look to them which is generally what I go for but the Military has always caught my eye for some reason. I'm gonna look into how slim the handles are.



I prefer the look of the Military to the Para. I need to look more into both.

Well, both of them will fit your list of requirements, and they are both strong and light. Definitely worth a look. Make sure to update us on whichever direction you decide to go!

 

[jkwithawave]

If you want to stick with Benchmade check out the 950 Rift. Nearly perfect in my opinion. Here it is next to my brothers 710.
Good steel, tough, 4 in handle, easy to carry but not quite as slim as the 710. The grooves on the handle aren't nearly as sharp as they look. The smoothness in the middle makes it draw from the pocket perfectly and will not rip up pockets.

 

[Sonnydaze]

Hi, I've done a thread on this before, which might be quite relevant for you. The PM2 comes in many "flavors" of steel and grip-colors between 110-200 bucks. Also, the choice of a Military (4" blade) might be to your liking, although the grip is pretty long...even for me. I'm kind of a dyed-in-the-wood PM2 fancier; have had 30 perhaps in the past.
But they go in and out quickly with me, as do my other folders.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1118670-So-you-want-an-EDC?highlight=EDC

 

[BMCGear]

If you want to stick with Benchmade check out the 950 Rift. Nearly perfect in my opinion. Here it is next to my brothers 710.
Good steel, tough, 4 in handle, easy to carry but not quite as slim as the 710. The grooves on the handle aren't nearly as sharp as they look. The smoothness in the middle makes it draw from the pocket perfectly and will not rip up pockets.

I've owned two rifts. I love the blade shape, steel, etc but I hate the handles.

Hi, I've done a thread on this before, which might be quite relevant for you. The PM2 comes in many "flavors" of steel and grip-colors between 110-200 bucks. Also, the choice of a Military (4" blade) might be to your liking, although the grip is pretty long...even for me. I'm kind of a dyed-in-the-wood PM2 fancier; have had 30 perhaps in the past.
But they go in and out quickly with me, as do my other folders.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1118670-So-you-want-an-EDC?highlight=EDC

I just don't dig the PM2 looks wise. I think the Manix or Military would be my choice in a Spydie. Man that 710 looks great.

 

[macknife12]

Here's my 710 between the 810 and the shot show grip.

The contego is big, but not that much bigger.
Cheers

 

[jkwithawave]

What about the m390 Contego? I think they toned down the jimping on it, not 100% sure though.

Compared to a Manix. Could always stick with the tried and true 710. Why fix what ain't broke?

 

[Thomas Carey]

I am thinking there is something to be said for going for a sure thing. But with so many great knives on the market I would also wonder if it would be a good idea to try something else if I were in the same position.

 

[macknife12]

I have many knives, but would feel like something was missing without a 710
Cheers

 

[dalefuller]

If it was me sayin' all those things in your original post, I'd be wanting another 710... I know I would. Why not try the 710 again? Look around and see what different blade steel you can come up with and give it another go.

If you really do want to try something different, you could look at the BM 581. It'll be a 3.6" blade (not quite as long as the 710) out of M390 instead of D2, AXIS lock, and A/O. Thicker handle than the 710 by .2" and about .75 oz. heavier.

 

[tchapman414]

The closest Spyderco of which I can think to the Benchmade 710 is the G10 Police. I have both, and I would place them in the same categories - fairly light, slim and pocketable, long blade, and tough. I would give the edge to the G10 Police in toughness, just by my personal feel of the knife. The handle space is extremely generous, one of my favorite qualities about it. Unfortunately, it ends up giving you a slightly longer blade than the 710, so that point of concern is not mitigated. If you're looking into the Military, however, the G10 Police certainly may not be too big. Overall it is a great knife that I've found smooths out to, quite surprisingly, rival the Axis lock even in such.

Thomas

 

[BMCGear]

Here's my 710 between the 810 and the shot show grip.

The contego is big, but not that much bigger.
Cheers

That pic confirms for me out of those 3 the 710 is THE Benchmade to own. And wow; I'm really surprised at how big the Grip looks.

What about the m390 Contego? I think they toned down the jimping on it, not 100% sure though.

Compared to a Manix. Could always stick with the tried and true 710. Why fix what ain't broke?

Love the Contego blade shape but not the handles. That Manix looks pretty killer.

If it was me sayin' all those things in your original post, I'd be wanting another 710... I know I would. Why not try the 710 again? Look around and see what different blade steel you can come up with and give it another go.

If you really do want to try something different, you could look at the BM 581. It'll be a 3.6" blade (not quite as long as the 710) out of M390 instead of D2, AXIS lock, and A/O. Thicker handle than the 710 by .2" and about .75 oz. heavier.

Yea; the 710 is a wonderful knife.

 

[Moxy]

The 940 is a little smaller, sleeker, and doesn't have recurve. Otherwise it sounds like you should just get another 710. If it aint broken, don't fix it.

 

[BMCGear]

The 940 is a little smaller, sleeker, and doesn't have recurve. Otherwise it sounds like you should just get another 710. If it aint broken, don't fix it.

I've owned a few 940s and a 943. It's a great knife. I like something a little bigger though.

 

[Ajack60]

What about the 790 Subrosa?