BM 710 or Emerson Mini-Commander?

I

interfectus

Joined
Oct 20, 2001
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I'm saving up for a new knife in the $100 range, and the two knives I'm thinking of are the BM 710 and Emerson Mini-Commander. I've heard great things about Emerson, and the knife itself looks wicked, but I've never heard a single negative comment about the 710. I've been leaning heavily towards the Emerson, but here's your chance to change my mind...
 
We had better put on our flame retardant underwear for this one. :D

I would go with the 710. I love Emerson's designs but the 710 has more to offer IMO. There are countless threads on the 710. As you said, very few negative comments. This is the knife to which others seem to be compared to and with good reason. Excellent materials, great ergonomics, and the axis lock. I dare say the 710 is stronger and more reliable than the Commander. If I had to really depend on one of these knives it would be the 710.
 
I've got both and my favorite is the BM 710. It's well made, fit and finish are excellent and smooth as satin. You won't be disappointed. My Emerson is a bit crude and I hate that chisel grind. The Emerson is a good knife, but I like the 710 better.
 
Hmmm good question, I have both, and if I had to have only one for everyday chores as well as defense, I'd have to go with the 710.
 
Depends on what you want to do with the knife.

If it's primary role is self defense, get the full sized Commander (secure handle, longer blade).

For an all around high quality utility blade/daily carry blade, that is very user friendly in use and is overall easy to live with (blade and handle shape), has a very secure lock, and makes a pretty good defense piece also, the 710 wins. My 710 in M2 is my current favorite working blade. I have 2 other 710's if that gives you any clues (one ATS-34 in black, well used, the other plain ATS-34 I picked up for a good price).

I also own an Emerson Mach-I. After much work reprofiling the edge, and after putzing around with the ball detents/springs on both sides, it only rubs the liners if I push on the blade hard, and locks up pretty well, and is only carried when self defense is a primary function for the day.
 
I've never handled a Mini-Commander, but the 710 is absolutely sensational. And go for the M2 steel if you can swing it. I'm much happier with M2 than I am with 154CM.

You're right. I can't really think of anything bad to say about the 710. It's a steal at twice the price.
 
The BM710 was too big for me, so I went with the Mini-Commander.

After a re-work with my new diamond sharpmaker, it's quite nice.

Mike
 
You posted in the Usual Suspect Network that the blade length limit in Boston is 2.5 inches.
In case you didn't already know, both the 710 and the Mini-C have a blade length way past 2.5 inches.

Jeff
 
Jefroman - I took care of the problem of an EDC for walking around town. Now I'm looking for a nice big tough knife to use when I'm out in the woods in NH or in some other non-urban location. Thanks for the heads up tho ;)
 
Well it's decided - I'll probably order a 710 as soon as I have sufficient funds (putting in some work for my parents this weekend, so hopefully I'll be able to order then). Thanks for all your input, guess the mini-com will have to wait. One final question: how well does the black coating on the M2 hold up?

edited: to add "probably"... don't want to get myself holed in to a knife buy before I get all the money. Always good to keep my options open ;) .
 
Originally posted by interfectus
One final question: how well does the black coating on the M2 hold up?
Click to expand...

Not very well. BT2 :barf: :barf: :barf:
 
The black coating is pretty bad. Toilet paper is too abrasive for that stuff. But who cares? The 710 was meant for beating the crap out of!!!

Now if you just want eye candy, I'd suggest those gorgeous William Henrys behind door #2. ;)
 
BT2 scratches and wears easily, but that doesn't change the fact the 710HS is an awesome knife.
 
This is a little late since you've decided on the BM but I will tell you I think you made the right choice. The 710 in M2 was the first knife I bought and its still one of my favorites, I've never regretted it. I don't have a Commander but I bought an Emerson Raven and I've never been happy with it. The action is tight and gritty and because I have the 710 and a SERE 2000 I've never bothered to take the time to try to fix the Raven.
 
Yeah, the black teflon based coating that Benchmade uses is that... a soft coating. It scratches easily, and on a working knife, starts looking cr@ppy pretty quickly. But I got over it. On numerous of my BM working pieces (800's, 812's).

A surface deposition type treatment, something like nitriding or boriding, sure holds up better. Harder to scratch, wear better, but you then have to ask "why is my blade black"... because it looks cool to you? Because you are a legit special ops type and need covertness? Or maybe just an armchair commando and want black for covertness?

I dunno. I don't buy black stuff on purpose any more. But I'm not so irritated with scratched Black T on my 710HS (M2) that I want to sand it all off either.
 
Yeah, the black teflon based coating that Benchmade uses is that... a soft coating. It scratches easily, and on a working knife, starts looking cr@ppy pretty quickly. But I got over it. On numerous of my BM working pieces (800's, 812's).

A surface deposition type treatment, something like nitriding or boriding, sure holds up better. Harder to scratch, wear better, but you then have to ask "why is my blade black"... because it looks cool to you? Because you are a legit special ops type and need covertness? Or maybe just an armchair commando and want black for covertness?

I dunno. I don't buy black stuff on purpose any more. But I'm not so irritated with scratched Black T on my 710HS (M2) that I want to sand it all off either. Nor would I hesitate from buying an M2 steel blade with black mediocre coating. It just isn't a big deal, as BM's stuff surely ain't for "display" purposes, IMHO.
 
Although I prefer a satin finish, the black coating is also good for extra corrosion resistance if you don't always have the time to wash and wipe the blade off, or if you're in a corrosive environment (i.e., lots of moisture in air or around salt water).

Even if the BT2 scratches off, it still continues to prevent corrosion because it's in the pores of the steel.

Jim
 
If you like the Mini-Commander but hate the chisel-edge, it's easy enough to reprofile to a standard double-bevel with a Lansky. I did this to one of my Mini-Commanders. It's looking and working very well. It just takes some patience.

-H-
 
These are two very different knives. Sort of like "apples and oranges".

That said, my clear favorite would also be the 710. Much more versitile in a wide range of situations. Great locking mechanism as well.
 
Now don't get me wrong, I'll talk good on Emersons til the cowsuit comes home. But...

I've owned four EKI knives and have seen others that belong to friends. When you first get an Emerson, the lock is "sticky" during its break in period. Lockup is perfect and all is well. After the break in, though, sometimes things will go downhill. My first EKI was a plainedge Mach 1. After two weeks of of occasional knifesturbation, I noticed that under hand pressure on the spine, the lock would start to slip. I immediatly called EKI and Mary told me to send it in. When it came back it was pristine. After the break in, the liner nested at 3/4 across the tang but the lockup was perfect. I still own it. Then I bought a Min Com and a waved 7 BTS. The Min Com was my BFC knife (to play with while BFC threads are loading on my $hitty 56k modem). After its break in period, I noticed that it soon started showing the symptoms that plagued my Mach 1 though nowhere near as severe. My fourth Emerson was a 2000 Commander SF, I got in a trade. After two days of thumbing and waving, the same thing started to happen. Another thing I noticed was that if you rub the tang of the closed knife on your pocket lip (vigorously), the lockup is good again.

Now, I've come to the conclusion that this happens to some "Commander frame knives". My waved 7 BTS is my user and it my look ugly, but it locks up tight every time with the liner meeting the tang a little over half way. When I say user, I mean every letter of the word.

Now don't nobody start flaming me about dissing Emersons because I really love them. I'm just sharing my bad experience with a few knives.
 
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