Benchmade 710HS VS SRKW Rat Trap

B

boblong2209

Joined
Jan 7, 2005
Messages
4
Which knife do you guys think I should get? I was leaning more towards the BM just because of the M2 blade. But after hearing all the discussions on the Rat tap, now I want a rat trap.
 
i'm also interested in the BM. i like the embedded liners on the Rat Trap, but i still think the 710HS is gonna end up the better value and more fierce cutter due to the M2 steel. just a guess.

abe m.
 
Both very nice knives, but quite different in function and form. The Axis lock is much better on the 710 than the liner lock of the Rat, but I prefer the blade shape of the Rat for EDC. The 710 is more sturdy and probably better for Self Defense, if this is required, but the Trap is more comfortable to carry and a better slicer. M2 is great on the 710 and the S30V on the Rat is really special ( I have been a little dissapointed with S30V from another leading manufacturer ) , both hold a hair poppin edge for a long time, but you will have to put in a little time to get them this sharp as neither were hair poppin sharp from the box. You will be happy with either.
710RAT.jpg
 
hey, Stockman. i know i didn't ask for the pic, but thanks! i was kinda interested to see these two side-by-side, myself.


abe m.
 
I think the axis lock would tilt me towards the 710hs . I tend not to have much faithin linerlocks .
 
The 710HS is great. Mine has been abused for years and still works fine. I just got it back from lifesharp and it looks almost new again. I must say, I like that Rat Trap though. I dont own one, but I wish I did. Great Picture.
 
I love the Rat Trap's design ... everything, that is, but the liner lock. I agree with the crowd, no brainer -- for a hard use knife, pick up a 710HSS. That said, if I didn't think axis vs. liner lock was a major decision point, I'd give the Rat Trap serious consideration if I didn't mind a much bigger (wider) knife.

Joe
 
The Rat Trap is a nice looking knife, but a liner lock on a knife like that? :barf:

I think liner locks should be reserved for small gent knives that will only be used for light cutting. Tactical type folders should stay away from liner locks, if for no other reason than to improve confidence in potential buyers.
 
WadeF said:
Tactical type folders should stay away from liner locks, if for no other reason than to improve confidence in potential buyers.
Click to expand...
Absolutely. It isn't even hard to find a viable alternative: the lockback. You don't need anything fancy, lockbacks are a known quantity, not that hard to get right. Compare the Rat Trap's liner lock to the Chinook or Manix lockbacks.
 
The Rat Trap is extremely "Practical", definately not "Tactical". This suits me fine, a folding knife for me is a working and recreation tool, not a self defense implement. It nearly slices on par with the calypso jnr, which I would consider to be my best slicer. The liner lock on the Rat, although appearing to be on the thin side, seems to work very well, locks up solid without any play and doesn't give me any indication that it might fail - but then again, I only use it as a knife.
If stabbing type duties are required, the 710 would be much better with its slimmer blade profile, stronger lock and a grip that would be beter suited to avoid your hand slipping forward.
 
Stockman said:
The Rat Trap is extremely "Practical", definately not "Tactical". This suits me fine, a folding knife for me is a working and recreation tool, not a self defense implement.
Click to expand...

Still, that's a large knife, and liner locks on large knives like that worry me. What if you're using it for a simple cutting task and you accidentally bump the spine of the blade against something and that big blade closes on your fingers?

It's kind of like taking the breaks of a car and putting them on a dump truck. :)
 
when having to do any puncturing, i avoid using a liner lock when i can for the reason Wade just described. i would consider a lot of cutting tasks which involve an initial puncture to be normal use.

abe m.
 
allyourblood said:
when having to do any puncturing, i avoid using a liner lock when i can for the reason Wade just described. i would consider a lot of cutting tasks which involve an initial puncture to be normal use.

abe m.
Click to expand...

Exactly, such as cutting into a card board box? I know I've read about people having liner locks fail on them doing a simple task like this. I've cut up a lot of boxes with my 710 and the Axis lock never hinted at failing. Hopefully I'll be saying the same thing 10 years from now. :)
 
WadeF said:
What if you're using it for a simple cutting task and you accidentally bump the spine of the blade against something and that big blade closes on your fingers?
Click to expand...
Would be picking fingers up off the floor, she's a sharp piece of steel.

I have tried spine whacking this knife into a phone book and used the edge of the book to stress different possitions on the spine. The lock remained in possition, which sort of suprised me cause I gave it a good wallop. I am confident that I will keep all my digits with this one.
 
WadeF said:
The Rat Trap is a nice looking knife, but a liner lock on a knife like that? :barf:

I think liner locks should be reserved for small gent knives that will only be used for light cutting. Tactical type folders should stay away from liner locks, if for no other reason than to improve confidence in potential buyers.
Click to expand...

ya cant just wholesale condemn all liner locks, some of the best custom knife makers make nothing but liner lock, ie emerson, pat crawford, terzuola, lum, etc, some cheap (and some not so cheap) have crummy liner locks but not all liner locks are bad. i agree that a frame lock or axis is better, but there is nothing at all wrongg with a well made/designed liner lock from a top maker like ernie emerson let me tell ya.
 
I am a big fan of SRKW's fixed blades, but the width of the Trap looks like it would take up to much room in the pocket and be alittle uncomfortable as an EDC. My 710HS is by far the most comfortable, low profile (when clipped to your pocket looks like a much smaller knife) large folder I've every carried and M2 with axis lock....
 
I just replaced my years-old 710 w/ a 710HS and the difference for me was immediately noticeable. My only beef with the original 710 was that I could never keep the ATS34 blade sharp--after several days, it would literally, dull spontaneously, even if I had cut nothing with it other than hair.

Whatever the problem with that original 710’s steel, the M2 holds its edge like nobody’s business. The other day I sliced through several cardboard boxes along with sundry other things and the blade still pops hairs (this is w/ the factory edge too). I’m impressed (and no rust yet, either :D )
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top