BM 710-940 vs Spyderco Wegner

F

Freedom1

Joined
Jul 30, 2001
Messages
33
The question for all of you good people.

Which has a higher quality In materials and assembly the bm 710,940 or the spydie wegner.

I'm talking for the long haul.
 
Spyderco's quality and quality control are renowned. However, if you get a good example, I don't see why either Benchmade wouldn't be equal in longevity.

DISCLAIMER: I own none of these knives and have only handled the 940.
 
I have all 3, and I'd go with the 710. I think you'll find quite a following for it hereabouts. In M2 steel, you'll find it's one of the most "definitive" of the manufactured knives around at this time.
 
The Axis locks both have sturdier consruction, and stronger lock than the Wegner. Blade steel should be a tie, unless you get M2 in the 710.
Over time, I'll bet on the Axis over a liner lock any day.
Wegner might be a bit more ergonomic, than the BMs but loses everywhere else.
710HS, without reservation.
 
I don't own any BMs. I will probably fairly soon buy either the 710 or the Griptilian. But, I tend to think that I'll only buy the one.

I own 6 Spydies. I fight a continual fight to keep myself from buying one. Due to the very real potential of lifelong poverty hanging over my head, I probably should just go ahead and buy everything I want now, but can't make myself do that. But, even so, I will almost certainly buy more Spydies.

I've heard too many people here whose opinion I value to not buy at least one Axis lock. But, I've read too many threads on QC problems at BM to think about risking much of my money on their knives. I understand that things are looking up in that area, but not enough for me.

The Wegner is a very solidly built knife. It is without doubt my favorite knife of those I own -- even a bit ahead of my Sebenza. But, the Native is close behind.

In the Spyderco forums, people keep talking about the Delicas they bought in 1992 or such things. I'm convinced that Spydies last. Maybe BMs do too.
 
I went to my local B&M knife store and handled all of them and..... I LOVED the Wegner! The Wegner just felt so "heavy duty" to me and that's what I like. I have axis lock folders and rolling lock folders, but the Wegner is the one in my pocket right now.

I personally don't see the lock on the wegner failing ever! It has to be one of the sturdiest liner locks ever made. I know people will push you toward the 710, but handle them all first. Draw your own conclusions. I did, and the Wegner was the one for me hands down.
 
I was planning on going out and buying an axis lock knife on 8/4/01 but after seeing the pictures of the prototype Spydie Lynx (That looks like the knife for me) I am hesitant. I like a folder with a little heft and no blade play (side to side) I am sure the wegner fits this category but I am not sure about the 710 or the 940.I thought I have read where after a while the Benchmades get a little sloppy.
Any thoughts on this?
Am I approaching this delema correctly?

Even though I have to drive an hour and a half just to get a look at the Benchmades I plan on doing just that.Nobody around here that I know of has any Wegners in stock.
I live in Michigan.

Thanks Mark
 
I also happen to own all three and carry them all for different situations.

940 - awesome knife that is really much bigger than it appears. Great fit & finish and with the Axis-lock, very smooth. Mainly carried for dress situations where a pocket clip is neither desired or appropriate. Also the knife I pick up when I sit down to relax. The Axis is actually more fun to play with than an auto.

710 - awesome large folder. Mine has the M2 steel and is awesome. Smooth and strong lock. due to it's size, it just isn't carried everyday. My first choice however for working around the house.

Wegner - kicks butt in just about everything I use a knife for. Extremely comfie, very solid (full length steel backspacer) and the liner is as stiff a liner-lock as I have seen outside a Sebbie or a custom. Very nicely finished knife as well. I carry this knife a couple days a week, which is more pocket time than the other 2 mentioned models. Also the sharpest out of the box by far.

Anyway, they are all great knives and I have not been disappointed in any of them. All should rightfully be on any knifenuts wish list.
 
Spyderco is my all-time favorite company.

Which is why it pains me to have to tell you that the 710 is far and away the best choice here.
 
Well I went and checked out the knives I was talking about.I must have looked at 50 other knives also from Gerber to Microteck.There were 3 knives I really liked the BM 710,BM942BT2 and the Spyderco Native with the VG 10 blade. I wanted a knife with the often talked about axis lock so that kind of narrowed it down to the BM's. None of the BM 710's had the tool steel blade which if I bought the 710 thats what I would of wanted.So I purchased the BM 942BT2.
They didn't have a Spyderco Tim Wegner in stock so the owner said he would order one for me to check out.

I want to thank everyone here for the knife education!!!
 
Having owned all three and currently owning and using two of them I can offer the following.

The Wegner has great ergonomics and a bladeshape that seems to suit my types of uses. It does however suffer from only one liner, and a thin one at that, and, worse of all- it's a liner lock ... and athin one at that.

The 940 Osborne was my first axis lock. It is alo the one I do not own any longer. There was nothing really wrong with the knife except that it was not heavy duty enough for my tastes. It was light for its size, very useful bladeshape, great fit and finish and comfortable, both to carry and to use.

That brings us to the 710. Mine is in M2. The blade shape is not so great for field dressing and skinning as the Wegner, but I usually use fixed blades for those chores anyway. It is not as light and easy to carry as the 940 and not a sheeple friendly as the pretty little green knife. It is, however, a very useful bladeshape, comfortable, axis lock (did I mention it's NOT a liner lock?) and, IMO, more "heavy duty" that the two abovementioned.

There is not a bad one in your bunch, but based upon the criteria you deemed important (I feel likewise) the 710 in M2 would be my choice. As a matter of fact, it IS my choice.:)

I should also mention, that I am not a big fan of benchmade, the company. So, for me to give praise to one if its products says something!
 
Bugs,
But, I've read too many threads on QC problems at BM to think about risking much of my money on their knives.
Click to expand...
I don't think you are risking your money buying BENCHMADE knives. I have some and no one quality problem so far. My experience with their knives is very positive.
Apart from that - as each brand named company they have customer service and will repair or replace your knife if you will get lemon. No risk for you, just don't take them apart...

As to knife comparison - all are great (710, 940 and Wegner), each has its own advantages and drawbacks. All are designed for tip-up carry mode and I definitely would prefer the Axis Lock in this matter because of its secure hold of closed position.
 
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