• The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
    Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
    Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.

  • Today marks the 24th anniversary of 9/11. I pray that this nation does not forget the loss of lives from this horrible event. Yesterday conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was murdered, and I worry about what is to come. Please love one another and your family in these trying times - Spark

Benchmade 710 or Spyderco Military?

Jax718

Jax718

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2008
Messages
360
I am looking to add a new knife to my edc rotation and have it narrowed down to between the Benchmade 710 and the Spyderco Military. (I am new to the forrum and hope I am posting this in the right spot). Im looking for feedback and opinions on the two knives from people who have used or carried them as far as fit and finish, durability, blade strength & edge retention, and smoothness of opening. Which one would you go with to carry everyday? Thanks in advance for your answers.
 
I only have experience with the 710, and it is my edc. The fit and finish is excelent and it is one of the smoothest opening knives I own. The edge retention is great and as for durability it has handled everything i have thrown at it. Sorry i couldnt help with the military though.
 
BM710D2, hands down. Be aware though, it's a big folder. I only have limited experience with "Spyderco". They just don't do it for me.
 
Jax718 said:
... the Benchmade 710 and the Spyderco Military. [...] fit and finish, durability, blade strength & edge retention, and smoothness of opening.
Click to expand...

Welcome to Bladeforums! You are posting this in exactly the right spot.

I've got both the 710 and the Military. The 710 is the only axis lock folder I've kept. Great knife in every category you listed.

It's packed away, with my BG-42 Military. I'm carrying my S30V Military right now, as I often do. Both knives will get the job done equally well, but some people have more confidence in the axis lock, and I like the simplicity of the Military's design, and what I feel is a tiny advantage in handle ergonomics.

Eventually, you might like to get one of each (THE Bladeforums solution! :D ) but I suggest the Millie to start off. It carries real well, even though it is pretty large, and it slices beautifully.

The 710 is fun to flick, though. :)
 
Spyderco Militarys are on fire! I'd go with the Para Mil. It's a perfect sized knife.
 
I have one of each both in D2. The 710 is my favorite folder of all but I still really like the mili and it gets plenty of carry time.
 
Both are good knives. The Spiderco is a little lighter and thinner and the G10 handles are a little more grippe. The axis lock on the 710 is great. Do you prefer tip up or tip down carry? The Military is tip down only and the 710 is tip up only.
 
I would get the 710 I just love the axis lock. And i love the full steel liners where the military only has partial inset steel liners.

In reality you cant go wrong with either so my advice is to try to handle both and see which you like better. Which fits in your hand best and which you want to spend your money on. They are both about the same size quality and price.
 
I prefer the 710. Smoother opening, and - unlike the Military - it can be carried tip-up like God intended.
 
I prefer the Military. Tried the 710, didn't like the handles. Lovely blade, though. With the design of the handles I felt like I was wielding a sword instead of a knife... with no fine control of the blade. Presumably you get used to the awkward feeling, but it didn't sit right with me.

The Military has a nice pointy blade with a good deal of belly, making it excellent for pretty much any slicing task you ask of it, and the handles with the choil make it easy to manipulate in all manners of grips with tight control. The flat ground blade makes deep cutting absolute cakewalk. The G-10 is grippier than on the 710 and the pocket clip lets the Military ride high enough to quickly grab and deploy, with the opening hole a perfect size for use with or without gloves. The liner lock snaps into place with authority and is very secure, with a radiused tang interface to ensure the best wear-in. It is thin and light without being a featherweight, and I find it is hardly noticeable in my pockets, despite its size. The Military is in my back pocket 90% of the time and is a Spyderco classic for a reason -- it's just that good.
 
Both are nice , I have a millie , had a 710 . I prefer the Millies ergos .

Chris
 
Both are great knives. I carried the 710 D2 EDC for a couple of years. I now also have a Military in CPM D-2, which is a truly super steel.

However, my advice is wait two weeks until Spyderco starts shipping the NEW Military in S90V blade steel. It will be the only production knife available in this "super premium" steel.

I much prefer the axis lock of the BM 710, but the Military has excellent ergonomics, and S90V steel is in a class all by itself. :):)
 
Ben Dover said:
I now also have a Military in CPM D-2, which is a truly super steel.

... the NEW Military in S90V blade steel. It will be the only production knife available in this "super premium" steel.
Click to expand...

BG-42 is a super steel !!! :D
BG-42 is a super steel !!! :D
BG-42 is a super steel !!! :D
BG-42 is a super steel !!! :D
BG-42 is a super steel !!! :D
BG-42 is a super steel !!! :D

Should I get the D2 Millie also? I hope Sal makes enough of the S90V for everybody!
 
Esav Benyamin said:
BG-42 is a super steel !!! :D
BG-42 is a super steel !!! :D
BG-42 is a super steel !!! :D
BG-42 is a super steel !!! :D
BG-42 is a super steel !!! :D
BG-42 is a super steel !!! :D

Should I get the D2 Millie also? I hope Sal makes enough of the S90V for everybody!
Click to expand...

I think the resounding answer is yes! You need all of the Millies!
 
I have handled a 710, and I bought a millie. It feels better in my hand.

Both are good knives, you can't go wrong with either.
 
carrot said:
I prefer the Military. Tried the 710, didn't like the handles. Lovely blade, though. With the design of the handles I felt like I was wielding a sword instead of a knife... with no fine control of the blade. Presumably you get used to the awkward feeling, but it didn't sit right with me.

The Military has a nice pointy blade with a good deal of belly, making it excellent for pretty much any slicing task you ask of it, and the handles with the choil make it easy to manipulate in all manners of grips with tight control. The flat ground blade makes deep cutting absolute cakewalk. The G-10 is grippier than on the 710 and the pocket clip lets the Military ride high enough to quickly grab and deploy, with the opening hole a perfect size for use with or without gloves. The liner lock snaps into place with authority and is very secure, with a radiused tang interface to ensure the best wear-in. It is thin and light without being a featherweight, and I find it is hardly noticeable in my pockets, despite its size. The Military is in my back pocket 90% of the time and is a Spyderco classic for a reason -- it's just that good.
Click to expand...


I do agree with pretty much everything carrot said. I also have the Benchmade 710D2 Black serrated model and the Spyderco Military CPM D2. Right now my 710 is being repaired at Benchmade. The omega springs broke on it just from opening and closing it on a daily basis a few months after i got it. Im wondering if its an older batch that werent fitted with the newer, stronger springs. But i do love how smooth the 710 opens and closes. I dont like the grippiness of the 710 though compared to the Military. The tip of the 710 is a little thicker than the Military. The Military does have alot more belly on the blade for slicing and is flat ground. As of now, my Mili is my EDC and im more than happy with it-great knife. But i still cant wait until my 710 arrives. I still love that knife. Get both, you wont be disapointed.
 
Got a 710, cant comment on the military, though I have been eying one. This was the first recurved knife I own, and I'm not a fan of the edge style, its a pain in the ass to sharpen.
The thumb stud on the 710 sucks, there's no gap between the stud and handle, so instead of pushing the blade out in the direction it opens you have to wedge your thumb between the stud and handle to open it (for me at least, my thumb just slips off when I try to open push it open). It takes some dexterity to open, I still fumble with it in my left hand sometimes. Also the stud is kind of edgy, I had to sand it down a bit, the way it dug into my thumb when opening it was uncomfortable. This style cant be opened with gloves on (one handed without flicking it at least).

I like the axis lock a lot, makes a satisfying click when its opened, but I've also heard a number of cases where the spring broke and the knife had to be sent back to the factory, which is a huge hassle as far as im concerned.
Honestly, I was mostly sold by the novelty of the axis lock.


Unless youre a southpaw I'd got for the military.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top