Benchmade m390 710 or Fox Parong w/ wood grips.

V

VolundoftheForge

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Jan 3, 2012
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Hey guys. I know the name is odd, but here's the thing. I'm ordering a RMD LE, but I doubt I can really carry it around. It's a tad too big. So, I was wondering, should I buy the 710(folder) or the Parong (a smaller fixed blade) for carry?

Update: or the Spyderco Street Beat. Sorry.
 
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Well you are definitely talking about and comparing two extremes it would seem to me. Of course the folder would be much easier to carry, and much more useful in day to day activities. Of course if you live in a wilderness with the closet town 100 miles away, then the parong just may be useful.

Ok, just looked up the parong and see that it is a different knife than what I was thinking it was, had the thought of a big bushwacker. The parong is a small fb with a 3.7" blade, and a ring at the end of the handle. I'm just not sure about the ring at the end as that looks like finger breaker! Plus I couldn't find a blade steel listed. The BM w/390 is a proven design, and the steel has had great reports from all over.

I like the Fox knives and have one, a Deimos folder, that has great construction, and great fit/finish. The N690Co blade steel is a very fine cutter. I know that Fox, as well as other Maniago companies, use a lot of 440 series of steels, principally 440A/440C. Not the "super steel" that M390 is, but still a good steel when it is done correctly. I believe the Italian cutlers of Maniago do it correctly.


Btw, Is the RMD LE the Ratman deu Limited edition?
 
I'm biased, as I've been carrying a BM 710 in uncoated D2 since it came out many years ago (not every day though), but the 710 is a very good folder regardless. The one that started the Axis lock "revolution" in fact. I have been really tempted to pick up one of the new M390 ones myself.

There are a lot of places where carrying any sort of fixed blade is illegal unless you are hunting or fishing, so take that into consideration. Also, the 710's blade is a tad too long to fit into the "legal" folder category in many places, so that is another consideration. Have you considered any smaller folder by BM, Spyderco, or Kershaw? There are a TON of good options out there now for folders. Many of them lock up as tight as a bank vault, from any of those makers (overall I'm partial to the Axis lock, but still own many others). Benchmade Griptilian/Mini Grip, 940/943 series, Spyderco Paramilitary, Endura/Delica, Kershaw JunkYardDog, to name a few good ones off the top of my head.

All that being said, I would vote would be for the Benchmade 710 in M390, in case you hadn't figured that out yet. ;)
 
The Fox Parong is a nice looking piece in satin and olive wood, but you need to have big hands for a comfy grip. As in, if you don't split large gloves, you'll probably find it uncomfortable. Would either need to stretch the pinky to the ring or cramp four fingers on the handle negating the finger grooves. It's a nice knife but I'd go with the Benchmade for practical use.

RMDvsFox.jpg


Enjoy your RMD LE!
 
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