Benchmade 710 - ordered D2, got 154CM. Return?

I might keep it for the sake that 154cm 710's are not made anymore. I have both steels from Benchmade, and both have been great. It really is personal. The edge retention on D2 is higher, but 154 is easier to sharpen.
 
The 154cm 710 is one that seems to be worth more on ebay. I have seen them go for much more $$ than the D2 710. I have a 710BKD2 and love it but I would rather have 154cm or S30V blade. I think its harder to sharpen the D2 blade than 154cm blade. I can put a razor edge on 154cm but I just can not get a razor edge on D2. Mybe its me owell.
 
How are you guys chipping these blades? Are you doing something odd, like prying a can or something? I won't be doing any of that.

Also, there are conflicts about getting an edge. Are those that are having problems not using diamond stones? I already have diamond sharpening tools to use.
 
I dont find D2 hard to sharpen at all. If you have the diamond stones you should be fine. It gets very sharp. The 154CM is great, but just remember that you paid for the D2 when you bought that 710.
 
i think you should send it back and get the D2 for a couple reasons -

first of all, it IS what your REALLY want or you wouldn't have chose it in the first place. there is no great knife God that sent you the correct blade instead of the one you mistakenly chose nor is this little bump in the road enough resistance to stop you from acquiring what you originally set out for. YES, it sux sending back a knife that you checked the mail everyday for, but do it, you'll feel better later.

second of all - 154 CM does not stay razor sharp for long, i've had my Nimravus for about a week, it would easily shave day one. now it will NOT. understand - my knives live a rough life, so i don't hold it against the steel. it's a sacrifice i was willing to make because i was concerned about the chipping possibility with a harder steel. i don't believe you'd have to be concerned, tho, i have a feeling your blade is not going to be coming into contact with hard targets too often, no?

send it back :)
 
Keep the 154CM Model. Benchmade's uncoated D2 seems to get rust spots from the slightest thing. However their black coated D2 doesn't seem to rust no matter what you do to it. ;)

I personally would much rather have the 154CM model. In fact I bet there are folks that would beg you for it and give you a D2 model.
 
OK guys, it's going back. I carried the last knife for 6 years, and with the quality of this 710, I'll probably carry this one longer. So it'll go back for the D2 steel.

Thanks for your posts.
 
Personally, I've had real good experiences with 154CM - and when I saw this thread, I got in touch with Roger at KnifeWorks right away, to see if I could snag one before they all got sent back to Benchmade!

One brand spankin' new 710 in 154CM is now winging its way to my house!! :thumbup:

If any one else wants one, give Roger a call - he's got several left!
 
I would keep the 154CM. My other model BMs in 154CM get much sharper than I can get my 710D2 on my sharpmaker with diamond stones.
 
Good choice...I would have sent the knife back as well. i've had pretty good experiences with Benchmade's D2, I think it performs a bit better in the edge retention category. As far as sharpness, i can't tell the difference from 154CM (sharp is sharp enough for me).

My girlfriend has been EDC'ing a 913 in D2 for about a 9 months now and there isn't a hint of rust (even on the uncoated areas). I have the 710 in M2 and there are small spots of rust where there isn't any coating. This leads me to believe that rust should not be an issue unless you plan on really using the knife.
 
I would keep the 154cm. They are getting harder to find and you can get a sharp edge pretty easy. Good Luck! Kevin :thumbup:
 
Royalmist said:
Don't even bother. 710 would be a great knife even if the blade was made out of wood. Besides D2 sometimes rusts.
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hope you're not serious...just because someone else doesn't maintain their knives doesn't make IT a bad steel...definetly return it... 154 cm is definetly the industry standard for higher end knives, but D2 has definetly made a great name for itself
 
Sobriquet said:
How are you guys chipping these blades?
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By using them. If you've never chipped a knife blade, you haven't used a knife long enough.

My 154cm 710 got a little chip from an industrial staple that was well hidden under about seven layers of tape while opening a box. Not a bad chip, but it took some time to sharpen out. It isn't noticable now.

If it were me, I'd keep the knife. I got mine about a month before the swtich to D2 was made, and to me it really doesn't matter. D2 holds its edge longer, but touching up the edge on the 154cm doesn't take much more than a few minutes every several days. If you know how to take care of your knives, any high quality steel will be just fine.

Now if they made one in 1095 I'd have to buy two or seven...
 
154cm and ATS34 (the Japanese equivalent) are both trade names, and excellent knife steels. I have three in 154CM and four in ATS34. I really wouldn't trade them for many other blades.

I've never been attracted to D2 blades. They never seem to look very good and some say they'll hold a bad edge forever. If there's an A2, 1095, 52100, or Sandvik alternative (like 12c27 to 19c27), you might consider one of those.
 
I would return, or at least exchange, a knife if a seller sent me something other than what I ordered.

I know it's can be a hassle, but fair is fair.

D2 is a better--sharper, better edge holding--steel than 154CM. If the small difference doesn't matter to you, you might as well keep the knife as-is, but I'd at least try to get a refund for the price difference between the two models, if any.
 
i edc'd a D2 910 stryker for a while, no rust problems, edge stayed razor sharp all it needed now and then was a little kiss from a ceramic rod, and no rust as long as you maintain it, i would throw a little mineral oil on it now and then though, but i put it away cause i think the liner locks on the benchmade's are a little too weak for my taste. I had a 905 that was 154cm and i didn't really notice a difference other than it took an edge rather nicely, i used that one a bit more, then i lost it, thats where the 910 came in. Its really all your personal taste, but you should get what you paid for, unless they won't cover shipping, then you should just keep what you got.
 
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I'd keep the 154cm knife. D2 is a good steel, but it is not particularly "better" than 154cm. D2 has the hype of the moment, which is one reason you see so many knives made from it at this time.
 
My own preference in folding knives is a highly corrosion-resistant steel, given the PITA factor of giving them a thorough cleaning every time I use them. That said, if you don't want the 154CM blade, send it back for the D2 blade you do want. The only person who's wishes need to be satisfied here is you.
 
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