Best Benchmade folder model?

I have been reading about the BM710 in the Forum. "EDC" "Whats the best BM". Members write of M2 blades, this is not to be confused with D2 steel, correct?
The reason I question this is that I have been trying to find the BM710 M2, I can't. the only knife that is offered is D2 or ATS.
 
Swoop said:
I have been reading about the BM710 in the Forum. "EDC" "Whats the best BM". Members write of M2 blades, this is not to be confused with D2 steel, correct?
The reason I question this is that I have been trying to find the BM710 M2, I can't. the only knife that is offered is D2 or ATS.
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M2 steel was used in the earlier ones, and it's harder to find. You'll be hard pressed to see a huge difference between M2 and D2, they are both great steel.
 
My favorite is the 73X series Ares. It's no longer in production, but it may still be available on the auction sites.

Of models currently in production, I like the 940. It's got a comfortable handle. It's also slim and light, so you hardly notice it's in your pocket until you need it.
 
The HK folders are so consistant and so precise in the assembly I don't think I ever saw their equal in production folders until the Zero Tolerance knives came out. I'm not talking so much about the foreign made HK's because I have not really seen those. The ones I have owned and/or seen are the 14200 and 14210. I once had three of each model in my safe and during a dead time took them all apart, shuffled all the parts and stuck them back together just to see if they would work fine or if scales overlapped or holes didn't match up and stuff like that.

I've done this before on other models from other companies and it didn't go too well where I then had to find the original part and stick it back where it belonged. These all went together just fine using each others parts and you'd never know it happened. I'm not kidding when I tell you that although many models are very much the same on the surface that its not always the case that they just go back together buttery smooth using parts from other knives of the same model. I've swapped lockbars, and scales, spacer/spring holders and liners enough to know that many times you have to do some tweaking to get things back up to snuff. Not so with the ones I had from HK/BM. Pretty impressive in my book and one of the reasons why I think these are some of the best knives being made today.

Just my .02 there.
STR
 
Kenblade said:
It is hard to say which is the best BM.
I would suggest the Grip for a beater BM and the 94X as EDC.
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Those Osbornes are great knives. All Axis locks and well thought out. I EDC a 921s Switchback at work and I use it between 20-40 times a day. I am a big Spyderco fan but for work, I need something that opens as closes fast so I am not spending all my time dealing with the knife. I can flick it open and cut something and flick it closed much faster than with a Spyderco lock back.

I think the AFCK and 710 are overrated. Not sure what all the fuss is about. They are good knives but nothing special IMHO. I had a 710 and didn't regret trading it. I just sold the AFCK I bought because I was not impressed. These are the two most hyped BMs and I don't get it. I also don't understand why the mini-grips are so popular. I think these knives are mostly big sellers because of the Axis lock. I admit the Axis lock is king. There is no better lock I have seen. I just wish they had better designed blades and more comfy handles.

The Osbornes are really great knives that deserve more attention.
 
The Benchmade Stryker, I think it's the model 910, has been a fantastic knife. It feels very solid, almost like a fixed blade, and the blade is razor sharp.

I'd never sell mine.
 
Of the three classics from BM, the 710, 806, and 730, my vote goes for the 730, in whatever color you can still find. The 710 was 2nd, and the 806 is 3rd. Notice its not last. All 3 are very nice. I wasnt fond of the recurve on the 710, the 806 has too much handle for the blade size (no functional issue, just looks odd to me), and it occasionally pokes me when carrying it in my pocket. The Ares 730 is about as good as it gets for me. Of the current line up, the HK knives look good, but I havent handled one. The new 3.5" blade w/ full G10 handles may replace my Ares one day. The Ambush is nice. I borrowed one from a friend and was impressed by its sharp and thin edge. The AUS 8 blade is also a little harder than most AUS 8, which I like. YMMV.
 
I was going to say the 710, but have lots of company in this choice, I see. This knife has a big, beautiful blade, mixed with a medium-sized body that's comfortable to use, and fits well in a large BM pouch with the clip removed.

Second would be a large Ritter Grip, which is an excellent knife.

Third, if you can find one, would be a 750. They go for a lot these days, but are worth every penny for reliability and ruggedness.
 
The 710 has been my favorite knife for well over a year know (3 or more maybe - time flies etc.). Most impressive design.

But, I must ask, "What do you mean by hard outdoor use?"

I'm thinking the Mini-Rukus may serve better due to blade profile, with the full-size Ritter Grip MKI a second alternative.

I like the full size Rukus, but it does weigh a bit more than is disireable, IMO.
 
Not sure about the knife laws in Iceland, but where I am I'm limited to blades 3.5 inches or less, therefore I carry the 940. I like the 710, but it's a little too long to be legal here.
 
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