Benchmade 710D2 or HK14205? Can't decide....

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beady

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Mar 8, 2006
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Hi, I had an HK14210 for 3 1/2 years that I had to let go at an airport checkpoint last month :-( I liked it so much that I ordered another to replace it.

But, now I've got an inch for something a little different to go with it. I've narrowed it down to the 710 or the 14205. The 14205 was my only choice until I started reading about the 710, watching video clips/reviews of it, etc. It has now grown on me quite a bit. Whichever knife I get with be used as an EDC. From all accounts, the 710 should be great for that. Wondering about how well the big, fat, thick blade on the 14205 will work? The 14205 wins in looks for me, but I'm tall with big hands, and I like the length of the 710 blade. Also a D2 blade would be interesting since I already have the 154CM on the 14210.

Any comments to help sway me in one direction or the other?

Thanks,

Mike
 
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I have a 710 in D2, and I love it.

It takes a razor edge, and holds it as good as anything else. It's a real workhorse, and it's one of my main "go to" blades.
 
Ive used one pretty hard for over a year as my only edc. I sent her in for a krein regrind and am expecting her back pretty soon. I cant recommend this knife enough.
 
I like the 710 enough to use it as my "standard" when comparing other knives. Not neccessarily the "best" knife for all uses, the 710 performs well enough in what I use a folder for to be in my EDC rotation consistently over the years.

I've come to the opinion that knife users/collectors should have the three classic designs of a Benchmade 710, a Spyderco Military, and a Buck 110 to allow for a decent appreciation of what makes a good knife design. At least get one of these for a time to give one the experience to allow appreciation of how other designs lack or excell in some quality.
 
I have them both and the two are among my favorite, so tough choice. Like Ortho1, I also see the 710 as the standard to compare another folder to. The HK is so smooth and well made that it has the WOW factor when you get it. The HK's blade is not to big/thick/wide to handle most tasks that the 710 can. D2 on the 710 is a bear to sharpen, but stays sharp. 154CM is a great steel and my favorite because I can sharpen it easy.
I'll give the 710 9 of 10 stars.
I'll give the HK 10 of 10 stars.

No loosers here.
 
Thanks for the comments.

I think I'm still leaning towards the 14205. I've seen several comments about it being a super smooth opener, and I like the blade shpae more. But, I like the longer blade on the 710, and SO many people have so many good things to say about it.

Tough decision, at least they aren't super expensive in the grand scheme of thigns; maybe I'll get the 14205 now and the 710 for Xmas....

How is the 710 for opening with the thumb stud since it is so close to the handle when it's shut?

Thanks,

Mike
 
You run your thumb down the groove created by the handle/blade area, your thumb keeps moving forward, and "snap" the blade open. Flip the blade with thumbnail contact, not thumbpad contact. Use the thumbpad for more controlled opening.


Many knives place the thumbstud too far away from the handle so one has to put ones thumbpad on the stud to open the knife and other knives have the stud buried in a "finger groove" with a similar result.
 
The 710 opens like butter, and has an aesthetic appeal that you don't find in many other knives.
 
My vote goes to the 14205. I prefer the blade shape and ergos. I don't like the recurve on the 710. In the 710's credit, the recurve is pretty mild. I don't like the backspacer on the 710. I really like how the back of the handle of the 14205 lines up with the spine of the blade. That's an ideal place for my thumb when I hold my pocket knives. Steel difference is negligible.
 
710! A design for the ages. This thing IMO is the Opinel of the tactical world. Does what it is intended to do brilliantly and looks elegant yet rugged.
 
I have a 710 and a 14255. The 14255 is one of the best knives I own, the 710 is kind of blah.
My only regret is getting the silly re-curved 14255 because it looks cool, a habit I've finally come out of. Sharpening re-curves is such a pain.
Which is one reason I don't like the 710. Another thing is the thumb ramp is way too short on that knife. I like a straight spine or a very long ramp. The 142XX series has a very long ramp.

If you want something big, get the Lum Ti folder (760). It shares a lot of design characteristics with the 142XX knives, except it's way bigger.
Or there's the Rukus if you like the deep carry pocket clip and Axis lock.
 
Boy, you guys just aren't helping, lol. Seems like it's 6 of one, half a dozen of the other :-)

Mike
 
Thalestin said:
Ive used one pretty hard for over a year as my only edc. I sent her in for a krein regrind and am expecting her back pretty soon. I cant recommend this knife enough.
Click to expand...
Would love to see some photos of the regrind when you get it back if possible. And to stay on topic...I don't own an HK but do have a 710D2 (and a couple of M2's) and would say that they're good solid knives that perform a variety of tasks very well. I hope that BM contiues to make them available. All the best.
 
If you have something like the Spyderco Sharpmaker, recurved edges aren't really an issue, IMO. I have a BM Nitrous Stryker in D2, and the edge does seem to have a bit more "bite" to it than 154CM.

So in that sense, I'd say go with the 710.

The HK14205 looks pretty interesting though.

I'd get 'em both...

Sorry, I guess that wasn't much help.
 
I ended up going with the HK14205, thanks for your help.

Smooooth opening, as has been said. Has some issues though, blade hits one of the spacers, and the scales don't line up with the liners well. Going to send it to BM next week.

Mike
 
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