BM 710 Quality Issues?

[edamhcneb]

I was in a knife store today and noticed that every PE D2 710 that was on display had the blade off center when closed (It was very pronounced). Has anyone else noticed this?

I decided not to get one (at least not there). I am going to look at other stores and see what I find.

 

[Deadhead Archer]

This trick was posted a while back in Reviews...I have used it on several different knives that have adjustable pivots with successful results! :thumbup:

 

[edamhcneb]

Thanks Deadhead, I'll go back and see if they will let me play around with it.

I really want a 710, but have become very picky since I got my Sebenza. I find myself (frequently) closely examining my other knives, just looking for the slightest imperfections.

Is that wierd or what?

 

[Hair]

My 710 is pretty centered. With any mass produced production knife, it is going to be a bit of a crapshoot. I wouldn't say the 710 has more of a problem with blade centering than any other Blue Class Benchmade, or any other mass produced production knife.

 

[Deadhead Archer]

Thanks Deadhead, I'll go back and see if they will let me play around with it.

IIRC, I think it takes a T-6 Torx.

It was easier to center my smaller blades than the longer ones. I had to loosen/push the blade/tighten a few times to get the longer blades close-to-center. I didn't do this procedure to my BM710, but I did it to my BM910 (basically, same frame).

 

[Joe Dirt]

....With any mass produced production knife, it is going to be a bit of a crapshoot. .....

While I somewhat agree, I do think it's funny that a $35 Buck 110 can be almost perfect about 95% of the time, while a knife costing $120 is messed up. Not just one, a whole slew of them. I've also seen complaints that the D2 blades on a lot of the 710's have spots on them that look like weird acid rain.

 

[korbiaka]

My 710 D2 is flawless. I've only had a few Benchmades, but the fit was always good.

 

[Hair]

My 710 has a more centered blade than my 110. The 110 does have good fit and finish, though.

I think the jump in price from a 110 to a 710 is more about materials than fit and finish. Buck makes knives that cost as much as the 710 in the same factory as the 110, and to the same standards as the 110. So buying a Buck Strider 880SP instead of a Buck 110 will not get you better fit and finish. Likewise, buying a BM 710 instead of a BM Griptilian will not get you better fit and finish. The companies do not spend more time on quality control on the 880SP and 710 just because they have higher materials costs than the 110 and Griptilian. For the small price jump from a 110 or a Grip to a 880SP or a 710 you get better materials, but the quality control remains the same. Same factory, people, and standards. The price is higher since the materials cost more. Hence, I think the notion that a 710 should have better fit and finish than a 110 just because it costs more is a bit ignorant. They are in the same quality class even though one knife costs more (for the materials).

To get better quality control than a 110, you need to spend even more than you do on a 710.

 

[SanShou]

My 710 came perfect, blade centered, solid lock, smooth axis and no marks on the blade, I've seen only another 710 and It was the same as mine.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Some knives have an adjustable pivot and some don't. It is not a defect in a knife with an adjustable pivot if it requires occasional adjustment.

Try tightening the pivot to reduce side-to-side play on a knife without an adjustable pivot.

 

[Nathan S]

My 710 was perfect. I think Benchmade's QC is pretty darn good, but a lemon can always sneak through.

 

[Menocu]

My last BM purchase was a 710HSSR and it arrived with an off-center blade that would not close all the way. (yes, I adjusted the pivot to both extremes)
Basically the tip protruded from the handle enough that I cut myself as soon a I took it out of the box. I have another 710, and it is flawless.. so I guess it's hit or miss. (but based on the number of BM's I have, mostly Hit)

According to their estimate (20-25 days) it should be done in the next few days. Does anyone know if they bother to contact you when a knife ships back to the owner, or should I expect it to just show up one day?

 

[puukkoman]

Does anyone know if they bother to contact you when a knife ships back to the owner, or should I expect it to just show up one day?

I think they're pretty sneaky. Keep an eye out for a strange package appearing under your pillow. Maybe behind your toothbrush. Maybe in the microwave. Buried in your back yard, with a corresponding treasure map tacked to the front door....