Benchmade Pinnacle oder 710?

C

culter

Joined
Apr 22, 2001
Messages
121
Which one would you prefer as an EDC for general use? Can anybody compare the pros and cons? A friend asked me which one to get. I haven't handled either of these. So my impression from the data is that both are an excellent choice and it is largely a matter of personal preferrence. Both the Axis Lock and the frame lock have a good reputation. G10 and titanium both seem to be excellent handle material.

Phew, just noticed I posted the topic in German, 'oder' is German for 'or'. What a relief that I didn't post the whole thing in German. Sorry, guess I'm not fully awake yet.

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Seek simplicity, and distrust it.
Whitehead, Alfred North (1861 - 1947)

[This message has been edited by culter (edited 06-11-2001).]
 
In my honest opinion both BENCHMADE 710 Axis Lock and 750 Pinnacle are designed mostly as heavy duty folders more suitable for tactical or outdoors use than for daily carry in urban environment. They both are rather onto too large and too heavy side, also can cause some sensation among bystanders when drawn for peaceful purposes.

As for EDC role BENCHMADE 940 Osborne probably would be better choice. Or Model 705 Axis Lock.

 
Thanks for the quick answer Sergiusz!
My friend lives in a part of the USA where he doesn't have to worry about large knives. He prefers larger blades.

Personally I agree with you. I've ordered a 705 and can't wait for it to arrive.

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Seek simplicity, and distrust it.
Whitehead, Alfred North (1861 - 1947)
 
Actually, the Pinnacle is a very light knife for its size. I carry mine all the time, and it sets very low in the pocket, and I never even notice its there. I would say it doesn't weigh anymore than a Spyderco Endura. My Wegner is about the same size but weighs a lot more. I love the Pinnacle and would recommend it highly to anyone.

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Dr. Steve Agocs
http://www.geocities.com/Chiro75/frames.html


agocs_s@hotmail.com
 
The 710 is 4.6oz and sports a 3.9" blade. However, it has not really drawn much public attention in my experience. I have even carried the knife clip side towards me with the whole knife exposed.

IMO a lot depends upon how you deploy the knife. Using a "2 hand" opening when there are people around who do not know you is always prudent, even with a model 705, or any other one-handed opener.

If you are really concerned about sheeple, better go with a tiny blade in a great handle like the Wegner mouse, Spyderco co-pilot, or a larger Spyderco Calypso Jr.

Nonchalance in use of the knife is of paramount importance in all situations.
 
Personally, I think the 710 is the best production knife out there. If I were going for a frame lock knife, I'd look at the CRKT S-2.
 
I prefer the 710 by a large margin. I fully believe that the 710 is one of the best production folders on the market anywhere. It's also a personal thing because the ergonomics of the 750 don't fit my hand well at all. From others I've heard nothing bad at all about this knife though. I prefer the Axis lock to anything else out there. The frame lock is good, but not as good. The 710 also has the M2 option, which I prefer. Both are great knives, but I'd go with the 710hs. If your friend can find a knife/gun store/show to handle them both, his decision should be easy to make.

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Jason aka medusaoblongata
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"Is not giving a need? Is not receiving mercy?" - Thus Spoke Zarathustra
"Cutting his throat is only a momentary pleasure and is bound to get you talked about." - Lazarus Long
"Knowledge is not made for understanding; it is made for cutting." - Michel Foucault
 
Now and then one reads something about an Axis spring breaking. Occasionally, someone writes that some lint or something prevented their Sebenza or Pinnacle or S-2 frame lock from working properly.

I know that the springs on the Axis lock are redundant and that it works fine with 1 spring. But, if one can break while 2 are working, then surely 1 can break when it is the only one working. Keep your frame lock clean, and it will work every time.

I too would recommend the S-2 over the Pinnacle. I have an S-2, but have never handled a Pinnacle. I can tell you that it is shaped very much like the Sebenza, and the ergonomics are then likely as poor as the Sebenza's. The S-2 has good ergos, IMO.

I handled a 710 last Saturday for the first time. Struck me as very light for its size. And, I certainly agree with many that it is probably overall the best buy for the bucks out there. (Still, I wonder , if they've improved the Axis lock on other BMs, why they don't go back and fix the 710's Axis, which by repute isn't nearly as smooth as the one in the new Griptilian??

The S-2 does come in 3 sizes -- that is if you can find one of the discontinued large ones. I did. I think several web sellers have it.

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Asi es la vida

Bugs
 
I think that by and large Benchmades lack the fine flowing designs of other companies. I do not find most of their knives to be particularly ergonomic no matter what others say. I own a Pinnacle and think it is clunky and ugly athough it works very well. I owned a 705 and found it to be a great little knife, but again, not my type of aesthetic. I didn't care for the design of the handle grips.

I currently am carrying a Griptilian because I love the axis lock and have been enjoying it very much. Had to carefully tape up the cutting edge and regrind the top hump off the tip of the blade though to improve its usefulness in real life work situations. I know I know, it ruins the whole reptile appearance but it really did improve the utility of the knife greatly.

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Peter Atwood

email: fountainman@hotmail.com
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Bugs3x:
I know that the springs on the Axis lock are redundant and that it works fine with 1 spring. But, if one can break while 2 are working, then surely 1 can break when it is the only one working.</font>
Click to expand...

Well, the theory is that if you have 2 working and 1 breaks, you have 1 spring left to save your fingers at the moment the break happens. It would be best to send it in to Benchmade for service to get the broken spring replaced.

/mel
biggrin.gif
 
I own and have carried both knives on an everyday basis. In my mind, neither one is a clear leader despite the fact that they both have distinctly different features.

The 710 has great balance and very nice lines. The Axis lock makes for a very quick and positive opening and closing while the G10 grips very well in the hand. On the down side (IMHO) the blade looks long giving the knife a very "stiletto look" that tends to frighten sheep more. Also, since both the index choil and thumb ramp are located on the handle, it tends to make the edge sit further away from your hand which makes utility work more tiring since you can not choke up on the blade

The Pinnacle (now Monolock) sits much better in the hand for utility work and the slight recurve to the blade enhances this. The finger choil and ramp notches are very well done. The frame lock is very solid and positive and cleans up very easily which is very useful if you are using it as an outdoor/skinning blade. The only down side compared to the 710 (again IMHO) is that the notches on the handle and blade can wear on your hand if used for a long time.

Summary: 710 is a better fighter, Pinnacle is a better utility. Both are good knives.

I do have to say that of the CR, S2 and Pinnacle I prefer the Pinnacle. It's ergonomics are about the middle of the three but I find the S2 a little to slippery since it lacks a finger coil and the CR just to expensive to carry!




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If you try, you may fail. If you don't try you have already failed.
 
Well put CJL101!
Couldn't have said it better myself. (really!)
biggrin.gif


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The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.
Sun Tzu
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by culter:
Which one would you prefer as an EDC for general use? Can anybody compare the pros and cons? A friend asked me which one to get. I haven't handled either of these. So my impression from the data is that both are an excellent choice and it is largely a matter of personal preferrence. Both the Axis Lock and the frame lock have a good reputation. G10 and titanium both seem to be excellent handle material.

Phew, just noticed I posted the topic in German, 'oder' is German for 'or'. What a relief that I didn't post the whole thing in German. Sorry, guess I'm not fully awake yet.

</font>
Click to expand...
Pick up a BMade 705. nice size for EDC, fully ambidex. I dont like to carry in my pocket to "smack around", and I don't like weight in my pocket...so I clip it to my waistband(under the belt), knife inside my pants. you never know it is there.smooth as butter opening, and short blade won't get you arrested. everyone I talk to has owned one of these at one time.I just got a BMade Osborne 940. Green/Black combo. blade. another wonderful knife.
 
I'm a huge frame lock fan, but wasn't blown away by the Pinnacle. I loved the blade shape, ergonomics and lock-up, but didn't like the smoothness of opening. I tried three of them out, and none of them were as smooth as any of my other folders. I was very bummed out. If the Pinnacle had been a smooth opener, I would have came home with one this weekend.

The Axis lock on the other hand...... now that's what I call smooth! Like I said, I'm a frame lock kind of guy, but I'd do the 710.
 
I would go for the Pinnicle myself but It's not lefty compatible. The 710 is awesome too, but just a tad bit large for my taste. If I were to choose I would want the Pinnicle in a left handed version. I love those frame locks. For an EDC check out the Camillus EDC or the Kershaw Chive.
 
I have both, and the pinnacle is - however this may sound - stronger. No use really, because no human wrist is stronger then either knife.

Anyway, the pinnacle is built like a big tank, has a wider blade and a flatter grind (sharper edges). Downside, it is only righthanded. Blade is tip down, they way I like it.

The 710 is built like a tad smaller tank, pointier blade, smaller recurve (so less sheaing ability and less curve to do things like skinning and stuff). but is lighter I think, and feels better for some people (i think they feel good both of them).

I'd go for the Pinnacle... proven conservative design which will outlast you.

Greetz, bart.

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"If the world wouldn't SUCK, we'd all fall off !
You can E-mail me at bart.weijs@student.kuleuven.ac.be any
time....guaranteed reply !


Member of the BKS

<A HREF="http://www.student.kuleuven.ac.be/~m9710483/index.html" TARGET=_blank>My
knife-page</A>
 
Well some of us like to carry big blades
smile.gif
and fortunately in the republic of california it is still legal to carry my beloved 710. I actually have owned a 710 over 2 years and have no complaints what so ever its beautiful and some sheeple shy away from it but if i'm really with that type of sheeple i'm in nice clothes and i just pull out my beautiful 690
smile.gif
I have held the pinacle too and really like it but i'm going to have to say that the I like the 710 better but that's just me
smile.gif


Trevor
 
Is it me, or perhaps some unwritten code that no one mentions the resemblance between the 750 and CR Sebenza. Locking systems tend to look a lot alike. IMHO, due to the fact that I ain't that wealthy, a good substitute for a really sturdy knife would be the 750. I'm sure it stands alone on it's own merits. I just couldn't pass on pointing out the obvious.
Best
recondoc
PS. I'd feel a lot less guilty carrying a 750 on a daily basis than a Seb.


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Semper Fi!
Corpsman Up! Answering the call for 103 years.
Proud member of PETA (People For The Eating of Tasty Animals)
 
Hello Group,

I just purchased the Pinnacle yesterday at a local knife store. I inspected a number of different knives and the Pinnacle fit my needs the best. It quickly has become my favorite knife.

Really the only way for me to choose which one is best is to go to the store and look and handle each knife. Everyone has specific likes and dislikes.

If it is too difficult to choose buy them both, now or later.

 
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