Bm 710-1401

bh49

bh49

Joined
Dec 27, 2005
Messages
3,817
Hey Guys, girls.

I am not an expert on BM, but heard many times that 710 is the one of the best models, which BM ever made.
Browsing KW a while ago I noticed exclusive model BM 710-1401. Scales look great, M390 is top notch steel. Price is not bad. And now many month later it is still not sold.
I am just wondering why? Any input will be appreciated.
 
I am guessing because of the blue/black scales that they put on every single exclusive (!) that they run. That is why I sold mine, though I am reconsidering just for the steel...
 
I loathe those scales. Black or blue but I don't like the combination of them.
 
bh49 said:
Hey Guys, girls.

I am not an expert on BM, but heard many times that 710 is the one of the best models, which BM ever made.
Browsing KW a while ago I noticed exclusive model BM 710-1401. Scales look great, M390 is top notch steel. Price is not bad. And now many month later it is still not sold.
I am just wondering why? Any input will be appreciated.
Click to expand...

I think they call that one a "limited unlimited". In other words there is no set limit as to how many pieces they can sell. Its not limited to any set number made or length of time it can be sold. Whats limited about it is that only KW can sell it.

That's why its never sold out, they can keep ordering it as long as they want to. The 810-1401Contego is also a KW exclusive and they've been selling that one for 2 or 3 years.

As for the blue/black combo I also don't like it on the 710 or 940 but do like it on the 810-1410..different strokes..


BM8101401.4.jpg
 
I just had another set of scales made for mine. I did like the scales it came with.......I like these better! Great knife!
Joe
e9f6910844f8071dcf59e590e0aaa0b0.jpg
 
I personally have a collection of black & blue G10 models. it's a theme within a theme...

Benchmade>Axis Lock>Black & Blue G10>Plain Blade
 
The 710 is one of the all-time great knives. My first one was my first Benchmade. Bought it used in not-very-good shape--dirty, poorly sharpened, D2 blade pitted one side with discoloration on the other, and the blade hitting the back-spacer which had been rudely hacked out in a failed attempt to relieve that. I took it down, cleaned it inside and out, polished and re-profiled the blade, added a new Parkerized clip, and replaced the backspacer with Gnoleb stand-offs. Like a puppy from the pound it's my "rescue" knife. With all the beauties and high-end blades I've picked up along the way, it's still a favorite and finds time in my pocket.

I'm surprised at the loathing expressed above for the -1401--to each his own, though. I'll confess I like the M390 more than I care for the blue-black, but I like it OK, the sculpted handles fit my hand nicely, and that one gets carry time too. I bought a black-bladed D2 710 for my son here and he says his buddies at work are "appropriately jealous".

I've got my eye out for another 710--maybe an M4 or another M390-- and that one will be off to Keyman for a set of his holey specials. Great work you do, Key!

BTW, I've seen your 710 pic on another thread, Joe. Those are some sweet scales, brother!
 
I know it is just personal taste, but the black and blue 1401 looks much better to me than the plain jane g10. Plus m390 vs d2, I will choose 710-1401 any day of the week even if it is about 30 dollars more.
 
ChazzyP said:
The 710 is one of the all-time great knives. My first one was my first Benchmade. Bought it used in not-very-good shape--dirty, poorly sharpened, D2 blade pitted one side with discoloration on the other, and the blade hitting the back-spacer which had been rudely hacked out in a failed attempt to relieve that. I took it down, cleaned it inside and out, polished and re-profiled the blade, added a new Parkerized clip, and replaced the backspacer with Gnoleb stand-offs. Like a puppy from the pound it's my "rescue" knife. With all the beauties and high-end blades I've picked up along the way, it's still a favorite and finds time in my pocket.

I'm surprised at the loathing expressed above for the -1401--to each his own, though. I'll confess I like the M390 more than I care for the blue-black, but I like it OK, the sculpted handles fit my hand nicely, and that one gets carry time too. I bought a black-bladed D2 710 for my son here and he says his buddies at work are "appropriately jealous".

I've got my eye out for another 710--maybe an M4 or another M390-- and that one will be off to Keyman for a set of his holey specials. Great work you do, Key!

BTW, I've seen your 710 pic on another thread, Joe. Those are some sweet scales, brother!
Click to expand...

Thank you Chazzy!!!! I love showing that beauty off so I post pics all over!!!
Joe
 
Whenever I think about getting a 710 again (which I am right now) I strongly consider the KW version because of the blade steel. Someone on the forum who has a 1401 suggested to me that the pics never do it justice. The only time I've really seen one and liked it was when Keyman drilled holes in the scales to match the liners.

I think one of the things that I like about the original version are the two grooves that break the handle up. Maybe that's why I liked the holes in Keyman's 1401.
 
I know this thread is old, but I thought I'd pipe in my experience with the KW exclusive BM 701-1401. First a warning, I'm no expert. My experience with wood, cardboard, and carpet had me retiring my knives for a $1 box cutter and $20 saw years ago... and I'm glad I did.

Any way, some pros and cons of the KW exclusive BM 701-1401:

Pros:
-All the Benchmade 710 goodness, e.g. Axis lock, quality, blade shape, etc.
-Nice blade steel
-The added milling on the edges of the KW 701 both round it out for high comfort, and adds grip when holding firmly. In fact, the milling in the KW G10 liners allows my finger skin to press far enough down to engage the liner milling (top and bottom). Unlike my stock 940 scales, I find that the liner milling is now functional on the 710 with KW's G10 milled scales.
-No backspacer to catch grime (colored standoffs... they can scratch/chip during disassembly if you're a lunk-head like me)

Cons:
-The stand-offs/pillars are not shouldered into the liners. The G10 milling of the standoff screws requires paying more attention during reassembly so that the Axis lock does not rub on the G10 scales. If the Axis lock rubs, it can cause the tip of the blade to be exposed outside of the handle while closed... about 1mm.
-Pivot screw threading is not very precise. I don't know if it's an issue with the thickness of KW's G10 scales (I don't have a stock 710 to compare), but I had to adjust it pretty loosely for no blade play (meaning blue Loctite is a must), and the coarseness of the thread makes adjustments rather imprecise if you're trying to find that perfect balance between blade-play and free drop for deployment speed.

Personally, I could do without the blue and black combo coloring, but it's OK. I love the feel of the KW's scales though. I'm attaching a pic of the edge milling:

KW%20BM%20710%20scales.jpg
 
I guess I'm in the distinct minority here in that I really like the blue and black combo and it is one of my all time favorite knives.
 
Scott321 said:
I know this thread is old, but I thought I'd pipe in my experience with the KW exclusive BM 701-1401. First a warning, I'm no expert. My experience with wood, cardboard, and carpet had me retiring my knives for a $1 box cutter and $20 saw years ago... and I'm glad I did.

Any way, some pros and cons of the KW exclusive BM 701-1401:

Pros:
-All the Benchmade 710 goodness, e.g. Axis lock, quality, blade shape, etc.
-Nice blade steel
-The added milling on the edges of the KW 701 both round it out for high comfort, and adds grip when holding firmly. In fact, the milling in the KW G10 liners allows my finger skin to press far enough down to engage the liner milling (top and bottom). Unlike my stock 940 scales, I find that the liner milling is now functional on the 710 with KW's G10 milled scales.
-No backspacer to catch grime (colored standoffs... they can scratch/chip during disassembly if you're a lunk-head like me)

Cons:
-The stand-offs/pillars are not shouldered into the liners. The G10 milling of the standoff screws requires paying more attention during reassembly so that the Axis lock does not rub on the G10 scales. If the Axis lock rubs, it can cause the tip of the blade to be exposed outside of the handle while closed... about 1mm.
-Pivot screw threading is not very precise. I don't know if it's an issue with the thickness of KW's G10 scales (I don't have a stock 710 to compare), but I had to adjust it pretty loosely for no blade play (meaning blue Loctite is a must), and the coarseness of the thread makes adjustments rather imprecise if you're trying to find that perfect balance between blade-play and free drop for deployment speed.

Personally, I could do without the blue and black combo coloring, but it's OK. I love the feel of the KW's scales though. I'm attaching a pic of the edge milling:

KW%20BM%20710%20scales.jpg
Click to expand...

The G10 color here looks very vibrant. Did you apply some product to make the colors look so bold ?
 
The 710 and 810 are two of my most favorite and carried BM's. Ive had 710's in M2, ATS-34, 154, M4, D2 and M390. M2 being my favorite w/ the M4 a close second. The value on the the M4, M2 and the original run in M390 have kept them out of my pocket..this -1401 is a screaming deal.

I was kinda burnt out on the Blue/Blk combo as well. Caused me to resist now for a few years..I can resit no longer. I do prefer the flat slabbed scales of the original 710, I carried better, much in the same way the 805 and 806-1101's had a radius scale (also w/ the BLK/BLU G-10) I preferred the Flat slabbed originals. Ive had both..the 805 and 806-1101' and regrettably sold. Last I looked they were $300+, if you could find someone willing to sell. I hold the 810 as the new (and arguably better) AFCK/TSEK...And this 810-1401 is in the same configuration..retaining the flat slabs, for sub $200..great dea..cheaper than the M4 w/ standard Blk G-10..go figure...Ordered one yesterday:D

As far as the Blu/Blk G-10..lot of options, but..been there, done that..for about a $1.20.



 
Wolverine666 said:
The G10 color here looks very vibrant. Did you apply some product to make the colors look so bold ?
Click to expand...

The blue is definitely vibrant. However, it could have been a combination of the fluorescent light and my phone's camera. The colors in real life seem much more like the picture I posted than the one listed on Knifeworks's site. I'm sure there are differences in one handle to the next.

I didn't add anything per se... although I tend to get Rem Oil all over when I disassemble and clean (I know I should really use regular oil instead).
 
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