BM 710 or 710HS and some general questions

allyourblood

allyourblood

Joined
Sep 3, 2003
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okay, i'm thinking about buying either an 806D2 or a 710. i'll be getting both, but i just haven't decided which will come first (i can hear Wade screaming already).

i have become smitten with the 710 -- the looks, the materials, everything. i want this knife as a general, everyday carry. cutting construction flagging, apples, boxes, tape, etc... however, i am also interested in it's SD performance. i know the 806 is aimed at the self defense crowd specifically, but does this exclude the 710 in anyway?

regarding the 710HS model: i'm confident that the 154CM used is tough stuff, and should hold up quite nicely for most cutting tasks. still, i've been taking a long hard look at the M2 and i like the durability for sure. the real question is, do i need it? i am not anticipating using the 710 for any super-hard use (or prying for that matter), and i absolutely despise black-coated knives, yet i still can't help but want that tougher steel!

help!

abe m.
 
i have both, either is fine for SD or utility use, most folks will never use the knife hard enough to appreciate the M2 vs the 154CM so if ya dont like coated blades stick w/the 154 and ya will be fine, of the 2 i prefer the 806, but thats just me, they are both fine knives, pick the one that grabs ya sounds like the 710 to me.
 
Take it! It is a knife and therefor should be taken for its cutting ability.

Your decision should be: Must it be stainless or not?

You are deciding on a semi stainless D2, so i guess you can take a non stainless.

Like to say: I started using a kitchen knife without any addition of chromium. So i thought, it will rust in a minute, even when touched with fresh applejuice.

After three hours, with no, absolutly no rust on it i came to the conclusion:

I will no longer have any understanding for that rust issue anymore. It is in the head, maybe and maybe some guys face situations, where it might appear, but in general and after centuries of usage of non stainless knifes. Non stainless is no problem.

M2 has more strength. Compared to a average high alloyed stainless it will take much more force to get bend.

A simple comparision:

I have a BM 140HS and a 520.

Both have comparable edge geometries. relativly thin (even looked at the 806)
and a 30° edge angle (included).

I pushed them both into a cheap furniture nail, nothin real hard, but it is metal.

This test tells you more about the importance of edge angles (slow for soft, large for hard medias) but the angles were quite equal, so this can tell you something about the steel IMO. The 154CM of the 520 showed a slightly damaged edge. After steeling a bit it decreased, but had to be resharpened for optimum edge. The M2 had NO damage.

This is, why i would always take the 710HS.



I like my 806D2 for the stronger blade. It has a drop in cutting performance, but for my personal view i like it. For EDC the 710 is a good choice.

Never thought to speak against a 806 :confused:
 
get the HS. I do kinda like the worn look on the BT2 blades after they've been used, but your mileage my vary. However, you could also have the blade satin finished or etched by a custom maker, but you'd have to oil it a bit more often then.

I am pleased with both steels, but the 710HS is simply a must-have knife.

regards, Keno
 
I have a 710 in the 154cm, plain. I have to say its a good knife, but a big one. For an edc its a little big, unless your use to carrying a big folder anyway. Benchmades 154 is fine. Ive never had a problem with it. I just strop it on leather and keep it going.

As far as self-defense, I cannot comment much on that (I do not buy knives for that purpose) however you can use a ball point pen to defend yourself if you so had to.

I think the 710 is a worthwhile knife. Just my opinion.

I hope this helps some :)
 
thanks for all the opinions guys. i'm still really torn between the 154CM and the M2. i just can't decide -- i like the "looks" of the satin finished blade better, but if for one reason or another the M2 really is the better/tougher blade, then i'll get it and deal with the coating and risk of rust. argh!

abe m.
 
rust shouldn't really be an issue if you maintain it and keep it oiled after use. I haven't had the edge rusting yet, and after all there's no coating on the edge either.
 
It sounds like you will regret it if you dont get the M2 steel. I think you should. I have had my 710 M2HS (Serrated) for a few years now. It was actually the first "higher-end" production knife I ever owned. It was at my side while I remodeled my house and I beat the crap out of it. I pryed tacks with it, cut old carpet with it, and even cut plaster, drywall and all kinds of other junk with it. Some times I just didnt want to take the time to find the "proper" tool for the job so I just reached into my pocket for my trusty 710. It never failed me. By the time I was done, the knife looked like hell, but it still worked great. I have never had any rust on it at all. I would wipe it down with breakfree CLP on occasion and that was all.


Can the 154cm handle such a beating? Probably, but I dont know, I dont have one. But I do know the M2 can.

I just recently sent the old bastard back to BM for lifesharp service and it came back looking great. Couldnt believe the good job they did and I think the blade came back sharper than when I bought it new.
 
that's my sentiment as well. i feel like the 154CM will suit my needs completely, and i won't ever need more. but when i'm laying out $100+/- as it is, i wonder if $10 isn't worth the slight overcompensation. thanks for all the input, gang.

abe m.
 
I purchased a 710HS and was totally disappointed. Uneven grind, dull, thick, clunky, expensive, etc. I really tried to like it but sent it on it's merry way. The axis lock was fairly cool but not enough to rescue it from the rest of the knife's shortcomings. I don't understand all the fanfare the 710 gets around here, especially after actually owning and handling one. :confused:
 
Harry, that being the case, have you any experience with the 806? moreover, regarding my expectations, is there another knife you'd recommend?

i'm still very much interested in the 710/HS, but i want to hear what you've come to rely on instead.

abe m.
 
Funny you should ask about the 806 as it's the only other Benchmade product I've owned outside of the dreaded 710HS. Mine was the older linerlock version with the Spydie round opening hole, I didn't like it for a couple of reasons. One was thickness and the other was the chamfered opening hole (my thumb kept slipping off during openings). It seemed like a Spyderco Police wannabe that missed the mark so I just returned it and stuck with the real deal, my fully serrated Spyderco Police.

A lot of folks around here praise the 710 pretty highly so don't let me discourage you. The only way to evaluate it is to get one and see for yourself. I hope you get a good 'un. ;)
 
I've got the 806D2 and 710HS. Without a doubt, get the 710HS! Rust isn't really an issue, especially if you take care of your tools. It's unfortunate that Harry wasn't satisfied with his 710, but the rest of the 99.9% of 710 owners are still happy! ;)

The 710 has a much more useful blade shape and better handle/blade size ratio compared to the 806.
 
Sounds like Harry maybe got a bad apple. It happens. My friend has a 710 HS as well, and his was perfect. Razor sharp right out of the box. If you can handle one, then definately do so. Ive never seen the 710HS at any of my local brick-N-mortars though, they just carry the 154cm version.

If the pricing you got is only a $10 difference, then DEFINATELY get the M2. If, in case you ever do need the xtra benefits, they will be there when you need them.
 
I am extremely happy with my 710.
Let me warn you about M2. I personally avoid high carbon steels on a user folder.
Even on my stainless EDCs they always seem to rust a little around the thumbstud. ('cuz that's where my hands touch the most, I guess)
Also, it's going to take a lot of work to sharpen.
 
Harry Callahan said:
I don't understand all the fanfare the 710 gets around here, especially after actually owning and handling one. :confused:
Click to expand...
Maybe the word "one" is a key? ;)

I'm with mlot51, it was probably a bad one - only "expensive" could maybe suit Your "specifications" if used to describe my 710HS.

Razorsharp OOB, perfect grind, thick? Griptilian is thick, or Presidio ;)

I have no 154CM 710, but some other Benchmade 154CM knives, and M2 in 710 is a king.

No rust problems.
 
Harry Callahan said:
It seemed like a Spyderco Police wannabe that missed the mark so I just returned it and stuck with the real deal, my fully serrated Spyderco Police.

A lot of folks around here praise the 710 pretty highly so don't let me discourage you. The only way to evaluate it is to get one and see for yourself. I hope you get a good 'un. ;)
Click to expand...


One thing I find the BM 710 has going for it is a textured handle. In the past I experienced a painful cut on my right index finger as I was cutting a cardboard box with an all stainless Spyderco. My hand was a little sweaty and it slid off the handle right onto the blade...*ouch*! :eek:

I no longer carry knives with polished stainless steel handles.
 
i think i'm gonna go with the M2. thanks very much for all the help, folks. i'll let you all know when it arrives, and how she plays.

abe m.
 
allyourblood said:
i think i'm gonna go with the M2. thanks very much for all the help, folks. i'll let you all know when it arrives, and how she plays.

abe m.
Click to expand...
Congrats ;)

It's right choice IMO - why take good, when You can take better?

If You don't work all the time in a salt water - You should not regret it ;)
 
I use the 806D2 for everyday carry when I am at work. The handle is just made to keep you hand secure when you are really working with the knife.

I have a 710HSSR for carrying when I am away from work. Also a great feeling knife in my hand, but my hand doesn't feel quite as secure when I am holding it.

Get your hand on both knives and you'll see what I mean. For work choose the 806D2. For all other times I choose the 710HSSR.

710BMFAN
 
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