Benchmade Quandry

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Evany

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May 7, 2007
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Benchmade Quandry

I recently sold my lg Sebenza after realizing it was stressing me out too much to travel with it in an unlocked suitcase. Now I’m seeking a replacement that won’t break the bank if it’s lost or stolen during air travel.

I have a mini Ritter Griptillian that has totally sold me on Axis lock knives. I’ve been looking over the large Ritter Griptillian as well as the 710 in D2. Both knives are about the same price and would seem to fill my requirements for a larger utility folder, still comfortable for EDC. I’ve never actually handled either one, but from photos it seems that the 710 liners are heavier and more extensive. To those of you who have experience with both I have a few questions: Is the 710 a stronger more solid feeling knife? Or are they pretty comparable. I like the fact that I could possibly upgrade to Wilkins Grips one day with the Grip, but on the other hand the 710 already has an upgraded grip. On the Ritter Grip, the jimping extends smoothly from the back of the grips into the blade. Does this make it more ergonomic than the 710? Is the recurve blade on the 710 a plus? I’ve always had non recurve blades as it seems to make sense to me that an edge you can lay flat on a cutting surface would make a better slicer. Lastly, I take good care of my knives, and I live in a reasonably dry climate, but I sometimes travel in high humidity and salt water environments. Does this mean I should stay away from D2 for the blade steel?

Any advice on which one I should get would be appreciated.
 
Get both, and get another Sebenza. I have that same fear about losing my Sebs. Carry them. I have a 710 and Ritter Grip, both are great and my favorite Benchmade models. The Ritter Grip is my favorite of the two, but the 710 is a great folder.

However, when in doubt, get both.
 
I have owned both (totally love the axis lock too) and my impression is that the 710 is sturdier and a better edc than the large grip. It seems a little heavier, but if you're coming from a large Seb it shouldn't be a deal-breaker. Ergonomics are kind of a personal preference, but IMO both feel great in the hand. The grip maybe fills the hand a little better, but the 710 is very usable. I normally don't go for recurves either, just for aesthetics, but the 710 is a great slicer. I've never had any problems with rusting on my Benchmade D2 steel, but I don't expose my knives to salt water much either. I would guess that with a reasonable amount of care it should hold up fine.
 
I know you didn't ask for this at all, but as long as you're considering better BM axis lock knives (that won't break the bank), the Benchmade HK 14205 and also the 14210 smaller version... are among the best in their lineup imho. Both really sweet & very solid knives.
 
Have you considered a BM 950 Rift? They're sort of equivalent to a large Grip but at a much higher level. IMO, the 950 is a substantially more robust design than the 710 (I own 2x 950s and 3x 710s).
 
I have 710s in 154CM, M2HS and CPM M4 :p:p:p and both sizes of Ritter Grip in S30V and M2HS :p:p:p:p

I find both the 710 and large Grips slightly large for EDC, and generally carry a Mini RSK.

Have you considered the 943 Osborne. It packs a lot of blade in a slim and ergonomic package.
As JNewell mentioned, the Rift is a great Benchmade if you want something a little larger.
 
I vote for the Rift as well if you are looking for a Benchmade. I have a standard Rift that is excellent, and after a huge scare with a bad Fed Ex driver my M4 Rift is with me again. It is a very robust yet smooth design, with a nice thin edge on a high hollow grind. It slices very well yet is very tough as well. It is an excellent EDC knife.

Mike
 
Hollow? I thought the Rift's grind was a high flat. I've just put a ruler against the blade of mine and as far as I can tell, it is.
 
I bought a 551 Grip in 440C six plus years ago - finally got it sharp. I don't like the plastic grip. Great AXIS Lock, of course - decent sized knife. My wife gave me a new 710 D2 last summer - wow - a utility knife/EDC! It has been super thus far, ultimately replacing my oldest EDC - a Buck 110.

I did have a pencilpoint of rust/corrosion/red crud, near the thumb stud, that has proven most difficult to get rid of. My favorite steel is S30V - never a problem with that. I have a few 1095 fb's that I take good care of - no problems there. I'm pretty good to my CS knives - but that 710 D2 was given to me at the start of a Gulf Shores, AL vacation - and did get rained on a time or two. Still, I don't know what that spot is...

Get the 710 - the iconic Benchmade of today. You'l love it.

Stainz

PS I just looked... the spot is gone!
 
Steven Andrews said:
I have 710s in 154CM, M2HS and CPM M4 :p:p:p and both sizes of Ritter Grip in S30V and M2HS :p:p:p:p

I find both the 710 and large Grips slightly large for EDC, and generally carry a Mini RSK.

Have you considered the 943 Osborne. It packs a lot of blade in a slim and ergonomic package.
As JNewell mentioned, the Rift is a great Benchmade if you want something a little larger.
Click to expand...

Got all the same, except the standard S30V Ritters...still think the Rift is worth considering at least on par with the 710, much as I love mine. If going with the 94x, the regular tanto 940 might be worth a look.
 
After looking at my Rift I guess it is a high flat. What tricked me is looking at the edge fron the handle looking forward to the rear where the edge of the blade starts it appears to be a slight hollow. The piece of edge I am looking at, which is at the very rear of the edge where the blade kicks up so it will close into the handle, is behind where the flat grind starts. So, from the angle I viewed it at, the taper on the rear of the blade goes from being wider near the handle to where that angled grind meets the flat grind plays a trick on my eyes, as it definately looks like a hollow gring to me, but that is just that front to back taper from the rear of the blade towards the flat grind which goes up and down making me think that flat grind is hollow like I wish it was. When I look at my M4 model that I just got back it is obvious to me it is flat, so maybe the satin finish fooled me a bit as well. Either way the knife slices great with it's thin edge. My M4 model will soon be reground to a .010" or under edge and 65 RC soon for some serious performance if everything falls into place for me. Even with that my 154CM Rift will probably stay in the rotation because it is just an excellent knife and it's 61 RC steel performs better than a lot of blades in S30V (most are thicker and 2-4 points softer) and there are no worries about corrosion like with M4 on a rainy day like today. For a tad over $100 you can do a lot worse than the Rift, and it is definately my favorite Benchmade.

Mike
 
I have to take a serious look at the Rift. I am fairly conservative about knife aesthetics so I was turned off to it at first, but I can see that it could start to grow on me. The more I look a these knives the harder it is to choose just one...
 
It's not going to win any photo contests, but I figured a side by side shot (very bad one) might help you.

P1090357.jpg
 
Do you guys feel like the g10 edges on your rifts are a bit sharper than you think they should be? I've felt one at my local brick and mortar and the edges in the sculpted g10 were really quite sharp. In fact thats the main reason why I still dont have one. However, I have heard that most are not so I'm not sure if its just a lemon or what. What do you rift owners think?
 
Yes, the edges of the G10 were sharp on both of my Rifts. I smoothed them off with a sanding pad. It only took a few seconds.
 
I got the 710D2 for my birthday last summer. When we got home from our included vacation, I had a few bucks left over - mixed with some 'mad' moola, I trekked to the pusher's and left with this year's newbie 760BK LTi in M4. I know it honors Bob Lum - so a Tanto is expected. It's my only Tanto blade... and, unreal for me, I love it. Still, the 710D2 rides much more often - quite a useful knife. The thumb jimping on the upward swept handle makes fine control possible with the 710, while that upswept jimping continues on both the 551 and the 760 - the latter being more pronounced. Nice touch all around, but less useful to me on the Grip due to it's uncomfortable - to me - handle.

IMG_3873.jpg


Best to handle them.

Stainz
 
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