Benchmade 710

ElectrikHellfire · Feb 4, 2011

I've been remiss in getting a 710 for quite some time as I really didn't see what all the fuss was about. However, I picked up this well loved beauty on the exchange the other day. I really like it a lot and seem to fill the role of EDC/Defense blade pretty well. Nice balance, blade reach is good and ergos are just right. I've always liked the axis lock so that's a bonus.

This one is in ATS-34. "First production run 1 of 1000". I emailed Benchmade and they responded the same day with a guess that it was made in the late 90's. (maybe 98) It's even got the Bali Song butterfly.

Here it is enjoying the Texas snow.

jfindon · Feb 4, 2011

The 710 was my first "real" knife, and of all the knives I have (not that I have many), I still keep going back to it. Every knife I buy now gets compared to the 710, it's become a benchmark for knives to me. If the fit and finish/overall quality and feel isn't matched, I feel like I wasted my money. Luckily I'm picky and all but one of my knives come close enough to the 710 that I rotate through them. Still, I look at the 710 and just think it's awesome, it's what a folder should be.

I almost bought a second because I want the uncoated plain edge, I'll get around to it some day.

JNewell · Feb 4, 2011

IIRC, the 710 debuted in late 1998. I have an early regular production ATS-34 710 that still gets used and is still a first rate knife. Use it and enjoy it - there are good reasons why the 710 has been in production since 1998 with essentially no design changes. :thumbup:

Cynic2701 · Feb 4, 2011

Maybe it's the angle, but has the recurve been ground out of the blade after market?

Or were the first production blades ground without recurves?

ElectrikHellfire · Feb 4, 2011

Yeah, I picked it up used and the recurve has been "straightened out". Doesn't bother me at all but then again, I don't mind recurves either.

medusaoblongata · Feb 4, 2011

I've had my 710hs for over 10 years. Still haven't found a knife I like better.

JNewell · Feb 5, 2011

I keep surprising myself by coming back to the 710, and even buying new ones. The 710-1 limited runs in M390 are totally awesome.

zignal_zero · Feb 5, 2011

the one that was given to me, in 1999 (IIRC) is in my pocket as i type this. great knife, a true classic, hard to beat. mine doesn't say "first production run" on it, but does have the old "Bali-Song" butterfly, the smaller logo, and is ATS-34 (which i'm not crazy about compared to 154cm)