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Benchmade 710 or Spyderco Military?

sketchbag, the reason you're having trouble opening the 710 is that you're doing it wrong. There are two simple ways to open it.

1) Put your thumb behind the stud and push it forward, toward the position the blade will be in once it's deployed. Don't try to push any thumbstud away from the handle. Push them forward instead.

2) Pull the axis bar back. This will release the bias towards holding the blade closed. Now snap your wrist backward and the blade will fly out. Once you get the right amount of snap and release on opening, it will lock into place.

2b) Once you've gotten this inertial opening under control, do the same to close it. Pull the axis bar back, and snap your wrist inward.


By the way, the 710 has a very gentle recurve. It shouldn't be a problem on a small benchstone. But the easiest way to sharpen recurves is on a v-sharpener like the Sharpmaker.
 
I have owned and used both knives extensively and I prefer the Military.
IMO, The Military has a more comfortable handle and a better overall design.
And the thumb-hole is way better than the thumb-studs.

Think about it this way....
If the 710 was also a liner-lock, which would you choose?

Remember, you're buying a knife, not a knife lock.
 
I know how to snap it open and shut, but I keep the tension screw fairly tight to be in compliance with canadian law. The thumb hole is still a much better design as far as I'm concerned.
 
I recently recieved a 710 as part of a trade and find it to be a very nice knife. It is larger, and reminds me of the AFCK in a way (I liked that knife and regret trading mine away).

Good luck on your decision. I think you will be pleased with either one.
 
sketchbag said:
The thumb hole is still a much better design as far as I'm concerned.
Click to expand...

We are in complete agreement on that! :D

I know it's probably too much to add, but I think some of the small Spydies could use a cobra hood over the hole.
 
OK, I think Im going to go with the Spyderco Military first and pick up a 710 next. Thanks for the feedback all. Now to decide on what steel!!! Lol
 
allenC said:
I have owned and used both knives extensively and I prefer the Military.
IMO, The Military has a more comfortable handle and a better overall design.
And the thumb-hole is way better than the thumb-studs.

Think about it this way....
If the 710 was also a liner-lock, which would you choose?

Remember, you're buying a knife, not a knife lock.
Click to expand...


If the 710 was a liner lock, I wouldn't have bought it. The only reason I bought the Military is because it was CPM D-2.

I hate it when you can't "flip" a knife open. But as long as Spyderco is the only maker to use new steel, I guess I'll keep on buying them, even though I truly despise that hole in the blade.
 
I own a 710 and a Paramilitary and have handled the Military. I prefer the ergos on the Military and Para way over the 710. I'm actually trying to trade my 710 for a Military as we speak. But as you can see, everyone's pretty much split on these knives. They're both great and it will come down to a matter of personal preference.

Overall, I like the Military and Paramilitary better than the 710.
 
i would perfer the Spyderco Military in s90v bad thing is that it is hard to sharpen. Im not sure if you can find it in s90v anymore but if you can definetly get it
 
I only have experience with the Military, I own two of them, they feel great in the hand and cut like a laser. The Benchmade looks like a nice knife though.
 
Jax718 said:
OK, I think Im going to go with the Spyderco Military first and pick up a 710 next. Thanks for the feedback all. Now to decide on what steel!!! Lol
Click to expand...

Smart move IMO:thumbup:
The Military is just one of those must have's for the true knife nut...everyone should at least give one a try in there lifetime, lol.
I put buying one off for years because of the size, but once I got one It really supprised me in how light in the pocket it is for a large knife.
 
Jax718 said:
OK, I think Im going to go with the Spyderco Military first and pick up a 710 next. Thanks for the feedback all. Now to decide on what steel!!! Lol
Click to expand...

The Military and 710 are both classic designs, so the choice of buying one of each is a worthy decision. Owning both allows one to compare and see the merits of both designs and see what good knife designs are. Just my opinions.


I'm a 710 fan, BTW, and use it as my standard to judge other knives with. Not the best at any particular task, perhaps, but good to great at most.

I don't recommend a Military as a lone EDC simply because I don't like liner-locks in general due to reliability issues. The Military locks are generally reliable, though.

All that said...

Get a Military in one of the "limited edition" steels is my recommendation.

I like BG-42, D2, etc. versions. The cpm-D2 version is still available and it is an impressive steel. Can't wait for the new iterations as that is why I still buy this model.


For the 710, keep an eye out for the older 154cm versions. I prefer these to the newer D2 versions. The M2 and M4 are nicer yet, but I wouldn't pay the current prices for these and don't recommend others do either.
 
I'm a lefty so I prefer the 710. I also like the Axis lock. Plus, the blade/handle ratio is better; I have small hands (very similar sizes to girls hands, when I have compared them).

I DO NOT like how the Axis bar is a pain in the butt to disassemble, though, with having to unscrew it into pieces.
 
I really liked my 710. I've had the M2, 154 and D2. Most recently, the D2. I traded it for a SNGcc. Every time I sell or trade one I end up missing it. Then, when I get another, it sits on the shelf. I love the Axis and it's fun to play around with, it's a sturdy lock.

The blade design is wonderful and the handle is just fine for me, but on the ones I've owned there's always been a little blade play and never seemed very strong to me. I know they won't break, but there was just something about it that didn't seem solid.

I've owned 4 or 5 HK 14250's and the Axis was perfect on all of them. The blade would swing loose but lock up with no play at all. The 710 just always seemed like the unrefined version of the lock for me.

I've not owned a Military, but have handled a few and I really like them. I actually prefer it to the 710 now, but at the price, just save a little longer and grab both at some point. You can get a 710 for a hair over $100. I paid $95 brand new at a gun show. Not sure about the Military, but I know it's not that much more.

The handle on the Military is better for my needs. Both are very nice knives, but I think between the two, I'd go with the Military for my every day carry.

Also, I've grown very fond of finger choils so I can choke up on the blade..

DSC_5114.jpg


Jonathan
 
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