Benchmade 710 D2 or Spyderco Para-Military 2

416isToronto

416isToronto

Joined
Mar 4, 2013
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616
In recent weeks, when leaving home in the morning, i have to decide which one to take...the BM 710 or the PM2.
Although i do have other folders, these are my 2 current favorite folding knives for edc.

I had responded in another thread today to some one who asked about the size comparison between these two...so i thought perhaps lets put it out here to see what others think.
The price range in my opinion for the two is close enough that one can consider either one...and when responding to the other post about size, it turns out they are not too far off...
the closed length of the 710 is 4.9" & blade is 3.90"
PM2 is 4.8" & blade 3.42" (with a 3.07" cutting edge)
Overall length: 710 is 8.80" / PM2 is 8.27"

Given how popular these two are, i am sure there are many out there who have both...would be great to hear your opinions, thoughts...pics are great too!

AnuZJjG.jpg
 
I prefer the PM2, but only because the blade is wide and that makes it a bit stronger. I'm gonna say that they cut equally well and pierce equallt well, however personally I think the PM2 inspires more confidence and is ergonomically well thought out. I like thay I can choke up on the choil and literally have the edge right at my hand. I also find the compression lock to make for a simpler knife.

That being said, I do really like the 710, and it is just as thought out. Theyre very, very close, and I suggest acquiring both...but you should get the PM2 first. :)
 
The AXIS lock is what sets them apart. When open and getting used, honestly they both are beautiful. But then you go to close them and... The Benchmade just feels good. IMO, Spyderco's biggest mistake to date was not putting their version of it on the PM2.
 
GatorFlash1 said:
Which do you prefer, holes or thumb studs. Both are great knives.
Click to expand...

That is true...
i have only had the PM2 for 10 days now, and have become very comfortable with the hole and compression lock.
gotta say though that the Axis lock and thumb studs almost took no time to get used to...i do have a couple of other Axis locks too..
However, i have no preference of one over the other..they both work great and do what they are designed to...

One thing though is that i do find that the 710 carries better / easier in my pocket...also in extracting it and replacing...but perhaps it is just getting used to the grippier G10 on the PM2 and it being a little bit wider due to the blade and handle shape...
 
Grease said:
The AXIS lock is what sets them apart. When open and getting used, honestly they both are beautiful. But then you go to close them and... The Benchmade just feels good. IMO, Spyderco's biggest mistake to date was not putting their version of it on the PM2.
Click to expand...

My compression lock works just as well as an axis, free drop and everything. I'd say it's a little trickier to make it stay closed however because the detent ball is on the lock and the blade has a tendency to bounce when closed hard, but besides that it is remarkably smooth. Thay being said I have to have axis locks too lol.
 
RemyKaze said:
I prefer the PM2, but only because the blade is wide and that makes it a bit stronger. I'm gonna say that they cut equally well and pierce equallt well, however personally I think the PM2 inspires more confidence and is ergonomically well thought out. I like thay I can choke up on the choil and literally have the edge right at my hand. I also find the compression lock to make for a simpler knife.

That being said, I do really like the 710, and it is just as thought out. Theyre very, very close, and I suggest acquiring both...but you should get the PM2 first. :)
Click to expand...

The ergos on both are great, but the PM2 ergos take no getting used to, specially with the grippy G10...whereas with the 710 the more you one use it the more comfortable it becomes...but still...you are right...with the choil, wider and grippier handle the PM2 may have the edge...
On the other hand for edc, taking / clipping them in and out of the pocket...maybe the 710 is better...
 
I wouldn't really put those two knives in the same category. Half an inch of blade length is a significant difference, especially when the difference in cutting edge is closer to a full inch.

I've tried both and neither fit my hand right. The handle of the para 2 is a bit short for my liking and the 710 handle is too narrow for me. The compression lock and axis lock are both equally great in my book though!

If I had to choose between the two I would go with the 710, but i prefer the contego or military for their larger handles:
55C6FF09-419C-45F4-9EBA-5F3F50A9A619-16971-00000908DE619351_zps2cf39b7a.jpg
 
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I have both and strongly prefer the 710. IMO, the axis lock is always going to be superior to the compression lock as far as overall ergonomics go. It just feels better in use. I trust both completely as far as strength, though. The handle shape of the PM2 is a bit better, but simple as the 710 handle is I've never had any issues with it in long term use.

The big difference for me is how much more knife you get with the 710--it packs a lot of sharp steel into a very pocket-friendly package. I don't really carry either much these days though, now I'm rotating Spyderco knives, but they're all Southards ;)
 
I have both. I carry both. I like the 710 because it is newer. It also dissapears in the pocket even though it is a huge blade. I like that both are slicers but the 710 has a definite tactical advantage over the PM2. it is also great for food prep as the PM2 is.

So tally:
Both are great slicers and for food prep.
710 feels smaller in the pocket than the PM2
710 is a great tactical blade


But honestly, and I hate to say this, you need to get BOTH!
 
I carry the 710 more than the PM2. The reason I carry it more is that the 710 in more narrow while closed, leaving more room in my pocket.
 
Both are great knives. I have owned both, but I eventually sold both. In my experience the PM2 was a better slicer since the blade is wider creating a more acute angle on the flat grind. The 710 packs a huge blade in a slender package. The Paramilitary carries like a 710, but has the cutting edge of a 707. It's a tough call and comes down to preferences; I liked the Paramilitary more than the 710, but liked the 707 better than both. I may have liked the 710 better, but it was one of my first "tactical" purchases and I mistakenly got the combo edge because sharpening the recurve didn't look fun.
 
I'd have to say the 710 just on my personal preference. My "collection" seems to be moving away from spydercos.
 
I own both and prefer the 710. It carries easier in the pocket because it is slimmer, packs a much longer blade into a handle of a similar size, and the axis lock is a stronger, more reliable lock. The 710 is also backed by Benchmade's broader, industry-leading warranty service [blade replacement = $25; 1-2 week repair turn around].

The PM2, however, is an outstanding knife. Its only faults are the poor blade-to-handle ratio, excessively grippy sand-paper like g-10, and wide profile in the pocket. The only major advantage the PM 2 has over the 710 is that it is currently available in stainless steels. However, I prefer stainless steels over tool steels because I live in a very corrosive environment.
 
I prefer the 710 pretty much for the same reasons everyone else has mentioned:
Longer blade, slimmer in the pocket, axis lock.

I still carry the PM2, but not nearly as much as the 710 or the Endura which I think is a closer match to the 710 dimension-wise.
 
Oakengroves said:
I own both and prefer the 710. It carries easier in the pocket because it is slimmer, packs a much longer blade into a handle of a similar size, and the axis lock is a stronger, more reliable lock. The 710 is also backed by Benchmade's broader, industry-leading warranty service [blade replacement = $25; 1-2 week repair turn around].

The PM2, however, is an outstanding knife. Its only faults are the poor blade-to-handle ratio, excessively grippy sand-paper like g-10, and wide profile in the pocket. The only major advantage the PM 2 has over the 710 is that it is currently available in stainless steels. However, I prefer stainless steels over tool steels because I live in a very corrosive environment.
Click to expand...

That's weird, I don't find the PM2 especially grippy. Of course, different hands feel different things. The blade to handle ratio is for comfort, multiple grip options, and torque/leverage.
 
Had both, kept the PM2.
PM2 was a bit too grippy, sanded the scales a bit, perfect now.
The axis lock may be tiny bit quicker to deploy, but the PM2 is plenty fast.
Compression lock is strong enough for anything I would want to do with a folder.
 
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