Benchmade: 710(SBT) or 710HS

A

ayz

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Jul 5, 2004
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This knife is going to be for EDC usage. I have had no experience with M2. I know that it's a tool steel and will hold an edge a lot better than 154CM, but I've also heard that it rusts more easily, so I may just go with the 154CM for ease of maintenance.

Suggestions?
 
The "regular" 154CM 710 is an excellent knife, and actually, I'm one of those who actually likes the 154CM steel...Get that one, and don't worry about blade-rust.
 
I vote with Glockman , 154CM is a premium steel , if not the steel de jour . Generally , oxidization is he enemy of folder edges, not wear . If on the other hand you are a professional whittler , or dress a lot of big game , you might be happier with the M2 .
 
i've only had the 710 for a couple days (i'm still gonna get the M2 version, though), but it's still quite a stout blade steel, and the satin-finish looks a thousand times better than the BT2 (IMO).

the M2's gonna outlast that 154CM, but if you're not gonna use it hard, the standard 710 is probably gonna do ya fine. i love mine!

710154cm.jpg


abe m.
 
allyourblood said:
i've only had the 710 for a couple days (i'm still gonna get the M2 version, though), but it's still quite a stout blade steel, and the satin-finish looks a thousand times better than the BT2 (IMO).

the M2's gonna outlast that 154CM, but if you're not gonna use it hard, the standard 710 is probably gonna do ya fine. i love mine!

710154cm.jpg


abe m.
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i see from the other thread you got the M2.

personally, i don't want to do much maintenance with this blade. just rinse with water and wipe with a napkin after use. no oil or anything. is M2 gonna hold up with that kind of care?
 
ayzianboy said:
i see from the other thread you got the M2.
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nuh uh. the knife i mentioned toward the end of that thread was the 806D2 which uses D2 steel. different knife (fantastic though!!). the knife you see pictured in this thread is in fact, the 710 with 154CM steel. i like it very much.

ayzianboy said:
personally, i don't want to do much maintenance with this blade. just rinse with water and wipe with a napkin after use. no oil or anything. is M2 gonna hold up with that kind of care?
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well, the BT2 coating will get you by for a while, but once that wears thru, i wouldn't count on the M2 to stay rust-free without ANY mainenance. if that's gonna be your main concern, then stick with the 154CM. but consider this: no matter what blade steel you go with, it's just good policy to oil your blade from time to time, to keep it rust and corrosion-free, as well as keeping it moving smoothly. this goes for all of the stainless steels, 154CM included. you won't have to do it every week, but a few times a year (at least) is really just a good idea.

abe m.
 
i wasn't thinking 0 maintenace completely. i clean my knives every 6 months and wipe them down with tuff cloth, and i rinse them with water and wipe with a paper towel after i use them, but that's about it. no fanatic daily oilings and stuff.
 
oh. well, then you're probably better off with the standard 710. i would figure the M2 may need more TLC than that. some people on here have stated their M2 blade began to rust after a very short amount of time, while others have had their 710HS for a year or more with no ill effects, and with little maintenance. go figure. i'd still play it safe.

abe m.
 
I have both, well my satin finish 710 has ATS-34 but that is almost the same as 154CM. I haven't had any rust problems with either one and I have carried them both about the same amount of time. I don't use my knives really hard but I still use them. I think you would be better off getting the one that you think looks better. If you really don't like the BT2 then get the 154CM. On the other hand if you don't mind the BT2 I would tell you to get the M2 because to me it cuts better. I think I can get it to take a little sharper edge.
 
Plus, no other manufacturer uses M2 anymore and BM might just phase M2 out without warning. Last year, the availability of the M2 bladed version of BM were very short. I live in the tropics and have no problem with rust. I get rust on my SOG Twitch XL with AUS8A, go figure.. Stains easily, but once the edge get the patina, its quite rust resistant. I would get the M2 and use it and if I like the design but not the blade, I would trade it off and get the 154CM.
 
M2 is great steel, not too tough to sharpen and holds a wicked edge for a long time. I have read alot about it rusting, but have never seen a speck appearing on my 710HS - however I do give it a wipe of oil every month or so, or whenever I am giving it a touch up on the Sharpmaker or strop.
I think if you are spending the best part of $100 on a quality tool, whether it be 154CM or M2, and you rely on this tool to always perform when you require it, then a coat of oil once in a while is not a lot of maintanence.
 
I have a 710 M2. Great knife - I also have had 2 AFCKs in M2. Great steel - that said, I have never had a problem with rusting. After very wet or dam use I just wipe the thing off, then when I get home take a Tuff Cloth to it.

If I was doing it over again, I would continue with the AFCK in M2. It is my "work" knife at the range, around the house, etc. I would go with the 154CM for the 710.
 
I think Benchmade needs to make a standard production 710 with s30v. :) There have been some limited edition 710's that looks more gent like than tactical. I might have to pick one of those up sometime, although I love the performance and feel of the g-10 handles.

I have the M2 version and it has been my main EDC for 4 years and I have never had a rust issue, but I do wipe it with a Tuffcloth a couple times a year, if that. Don't worry about 154CM, it will serve you well, and if you prefer the satin finish over the black, then don't give it a second thought. Also if you want to use it for food where you may be using it to cut citrius fruits, etc, and then rinsing it off, drying it, etc, I would think you'd be safer with the 154CM.
 
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