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Best Benchmade for me?

I'd also recommend the 710. It's a great knife that will handle any task you may need it for.
The 520 is also excellent, but a little heavier. The blade shape is very nice, though, an excellent utility cutter.
Look at a 73X Ares (730, 732, etc., the dfferences lie in the handle colors). I have a 730 (just got it this weekend), and it's perfect for me. I find the 710 a tad too large for most tasks with its 4" blade, but the Ares is just about perfect. It's the perfect size, and has great handle ergonomics.
The 520 is a great choice, as well, because it's a similar size (actually have one of those coming to me as well, should arrive today; have a 525 and wanted to try out the full-size).
One thing I should mention is the orientation of the blade. The 730's blade is pretty much straight in line with the handle. This means that you must articulate your wrist a little more in order to get it to "point," or when performing some cutting tasks. I think you'll find the 520 a little more comfortable to use, since its blade is canted forward slightly, requiring less aritculation of the wrist.
Comparison pics (not to scale)...
Ares:
Ares-p.jpg


520:
520.jpg


Good luck, and stay safe.
Peace.
Alex.
 
Smudge,
Did you figure anything out yet?
I just wanted to muddy the waters a little more...

Got my 520 in the mail yesterday. The blade is the same length as taht of the Ares, but this knife feel bigger. The blade is wider (edge-to-spine), and the handle is thicker. It feels a bit more comfortable, more like a "work knife," if you know what I mean. The Ares feels solid, don't get me wrong, and it will probably spend lots of time in my pocket. But, it's not quite as natural-feeling to use, for a couple reasons.
First, the issue of the 520's canted blade is readily apparent. The 520 feels much more natural in the hand, due to the angle of the blade, while the Ares feels just a tad awkward by comparison.
The handle of the 520 really fills the hand, and provides a very secure grip. The Ares is no slacker, but feels a little thin once you get used to the 520.
Let us know what you decide!
 
I would recommend a Benchmade with an opening hole/oval. The studs are sometimes hard to snag when opening, unless you are use to them. I had a 940, but gave it away to a friend. I just couldn't get use to the studs.
I carry an 806D2 also, great knife.
D2, M2, S30V or 154CM will all do the job if you keep them sharp.
I would check www.1sks.com , "For Sale" threads here and at www.knifeforums.com.
Let us know what you decide.

What about a waved Emerson??



Blades
 
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