BM 710 Axis-not a good tactical knife?

D

Dave Hunnicutt

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I am not a knife expert. So, I read about the popularity of the BM 710 axis knife. After looking at one last week, I was very impressed with the axis lock. However, it did not seem to me to make much sense as a knife carried for defensive purposes. The thumb stud seems much slower that the spiderco style hole. And, there seemed to be very little to protect your hand from sliding forward onto the blade like on a commander model for example. Am I looking at this correctly? Does anyone make a tactical knife with an axis lock?

Thanks.
 
i'll address your questions first. i had a 710 until i sold it a few days ago. i could get it out at least as fast if not faster than any of my spydercos. they smooth up a lot after some use. the blade shape is great for defensive slashing and quick stabs, IMHO. however, my gripe was with the handle. i filed the G-10 to match the serrations in the liners. in a sabre grip, that did a lot for my hand sliding. i just didn't like the overall shape of the handle. didn't curve in the right places for me. i love the axis lock, and will probably get a 730 when they come out in plain edge.

i saw in another post that you inquired about the commander. although i have yet to handle one, they would seem to be the top for a defensive only knife. the blade is great for slashing and if you wanted to attempt a stab, i don't see your hand sliding up. for opening, just pull it out of your pocket. check out the one you get as it has been said many times that emersons QC is a little spotty.
 
Do a search here for the Benchmade Ares. There are plenty of threads. The following one has a pic:
http://www.bladeforums.com/ubb/Forum32/HTML/002120.html


Probably more tactically designed than the 710.


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"Those who trade essential liberty for a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin
 
Well I did some drills with my knives. I am no knife expert but it seems hard to grip the 710 compared to say my carnivore or KFF. but make no mistake the axis lock is great even superior to the rolling lock in terms of smoothnes in my book.

what I am waiting for is a carnivore with an axis lock
smile.gif
shyeah right!! (as much as I LOVE the carnivore I dont liek the rolling lock)

and picture this... AFCK axis!


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</A> If you play with love you will be heartbroken; if you play with knives you will [bleed]


 
I think both of your concerns are reasonable. The reliability of the lock is the 710's greatest strength.

As far as the opening mechanism, I feel *everything* suffers in comparison to the Spyderco hole. For me, the 710's stud is not as good as a big hole, but it seems to be in just the right place for me, I have no problems finding it even for quick openings. So the stud, though kinda small, works really well for me, certainly good enough to keep it in consideration for a defensive knife.

I also find the handle plenty secure, though certainly not as secure as a Carnivore or Commander. My perfect defensive knife might look very similar to a 710, but with a good index finger cut-out for more security. But the 710's other strengths still make it a very strong contender.

Joe

 
Keep in mind that in defensive situations, and especially offensive situations, that speed at which a knife opens is not that important. It can be important that it be operated with one hand.

Both the Commander and the 710 open and close with one hand. The 710 opens and closes with EITHER hand. Both are EXTREMELY fast. Speed is not an issue.

The issue is whether the 710 allows the hand to slide up on the blade. The 710 offers decent protection against that, but the Commander has a much more prominent guard to protect you.

You decide what's important..

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Yeah! Drop the chalupa...
 
I'd just like to point out that when thrusting with any knife without a proper handguard (this includes every folder I've ever seen) you should either rest the butt of the handle in the crook of your pinky finger in a saber or natural grip (cap with the thumb for reverse grip), or butt the ahem, butt of the knife handle against the center of your palm, minimizing the chance of losing fingers from slippage.
Just my opinion.

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"I can go over to your mama's house, and start a small fire in her panties." -G. Busey
 
Hi:

Well, I love just about all Benchmades, but I would have to agree with the above statement that the "Ares" is probably a better tactical knife than the BM710. I have held both and get a much more confident grip as far as defense goes with the "Ares". Hope this helps.

Dark Nemesis

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All the knives in the world go round and round, round and round, round and round...DAMN, one of them took my wallet !!! :)
 
With my 710, I don`t use the thumbstud at all. I release the lock and give it a little flick of the wrist and let gravity do the rest. I think it`s an extremely fast opener! (And that lock ain`t too shabby, neither!) I don`t see why it wouldn`t make a good tactical folder. As a matter of fact, the one time I DID carry a knife with the possiblity of self defense in mind, I carried my 710. It`s fast, stout and has a good "fear factor" with it`s size and shape. (If only it would "thack" really loud when you open it...then it would be the perfect non-auto self defense carry!)
 
An even faster method of deploying the 710 is to simply grab the knife and shake the blade open: as the blade begins to fall downward out of the handle (against the resistence of the spring), give a bit of an upward flick. This method is (for me, at least) faster and safer than using the lock release button. Timing is critical if you are using the lock release button to overcome the spring tension: if you still have the lock disengaged when the blade stikes the stop pin, the blade could rebound back towards your fingers.

David Rock

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AKTI Member # A000846
Stop when you get to bone.
 
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