BM 520 vs 710

M

Monkeyman113

Joined
Feb 25, 2006
Messages
5
Hey, I was looking into getting one of these two great knives. So far the only experience with folders in general is a BM553 griptilian.

I really liked the blade of the grip, but did not like the handle at all! I felt that is was too light, felt cheap, and not as grippy as i thought it would be.

I guess a big part of what I'm looking for in my next knife is a handle that just "feels right." Got to have enough heft to it and provide a very very secure grip.

Given this, would you guys recommend the 710 or the 520? It seems like everyone just loves the 710, and I was originally gonna go with it, but then I heard about how the 520 had such a great handle. Only thing is that the 520 does cost like $10 more than the 710 with d2 steel, as opposed to the 154cm the 520 has.
 
You've just to go and hold them. I've not used the latter, personally, but the 710 is pretty fantastic. I chose not to buy one though for a couple reasons. For one, it's a surprisingly large knife (to me). And two, I didn't really like the feel of the G10 on it very much (I've been too pampered by spyderco, I guess). Other than that, pretty amazing.

Ergonomically though, the only way to find out is to hold one right after the other. Make sure you've got the pocket real estate to handle those guys too, they're pretty beefy.
 
I'm just like you in wanting a grip with some heft.

The 710 delivers this...the grip is a good size, but the knife has a very small footprint when folded (won't be a huge bulge your pocket).

Give it a try - it's a "bargain" high-end folder that feels like a custom.
 
I own the 520 and I've handled the 710 once. They have a different feel to them but they are both great feeling knives. It's just a matter of opinion and you really can't go wrong either way.
Since I own the 520 I can say that I really love this knife. It is my EDC. From the moment I held it at a gun show I knew I was going to buy it. I went home and ordered it the next day. For me it's the most comfortable knife I've held. It's a little heavy for many people since the handle is all metal but for me the extra weight just makes it feel beefier and more secure. If it came in D2 it would be the perfect knife for me.
The only issue I had with it was that upon opening the thumb stud comes very close to the finger guard on the handle and I kept pinching my thumb between the two. I just had to get used to positioning my thumb a little differently on the stud. I believe this was originally designed to be an automatic so that would make the problem disappear.
I'll probably get a 710 one of these days but for now I'm very happy with the 520.
 
I actually picked up both a 710 M2 and a 520 auto presidio just last month. I couldn't choose between the two. :P

The 520 is a tank. Its heavy and rock solid. The aluminum handle feels great in the hand. The scales on the handle give a no slip grip. As I have the auto, I don't have issues with the thumb stud. :D Its has a fairly large profile when folded, so you'll definitely notice it in your pocket.

The 710 is just plain sexy. I love the recurve blade shape. The g10 and the ergos of the handle fit me perfectly, and its got some nice beefy liners. Its a fairly large blade, at close to 4", but a fairly slim profile folded, so its a pretty comfortable EDC.

I'm extremely happy with both purchases. You really can't go wrong with either.
 
Go for the 520; the handle shape is very similar to the griptilian but it has the heft and grip you want. The 520 has been my main EDC for the last two years.
 
Thanks for the input guys, now im sure I want to go with the 520. Just ordered one from New Graham. Now just gotta wait till next week...
 
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