BM 710 vs 806

J-man_the_jet · May 4, 2003

Hey all, I'm looking for a large folder with a tip-up carry for heavy duty utility and possibly SD.

I'm looking at the Benchmade AFCK w/ axis lock and the Benchmade 710. The AFCK was designed for fighting, so some utility aspects were left out (in my opinion). While the 710 has been noted for both. I'm most likely going to get a BM 710S w/ the M2 steel blade, does the BT coating on this blade come off as easily as BM's other BT coatings? Does BM's BT coatings come off as easily as I hear? Any other knife suggestions?

Steven Roos · May 5, 2003

I wouldn't really consider the 710 as a fighting knife. I carry the 806 all the time and it works fine for cutting things, and I'm sure it would make a better knife for self defense.

Go for the 806. (then get the 710 later)

fishbulb · May 5, 2003

I have to disagree.

I've owned both, and in my opinion 710 is considerably better for EDC or utility use and gives up very little to the AFCK in terms of self defense.

Some reasons:
- I found the AFCK to carry and feel MUCH bigger than the 710. I think this is a result of the extra length added by the pointy handle on the AFCK.

- The ergos of the 710 were superior, and without the deep finger notch at the front of the handle it was considerably easier to choke up for detail use. I also liked the grooves that were machined into the 710 handle slabs. WHen I held the 710 it felt like a tool. WHen I held the AFCK it felt like a banana.

- I never compared then side by side but the 710 blade seemed thinner and certainly cut better. There is just a hint of a recurve, but not enough to make sharpening tough. The AFCK is clearly more of a thrusting oriented design.

- The only real advantage I see in the AFCK for SD use is a slightly easier opening movement (hole vs stud) and an extra .06 inches in blade length. Either can be flicked open without touching the blade and an extra .06 is far to small to even realisticly consider. I suppose that pointy handle could be used to jab somebody, as well.

Clearly most of this is opinions, and you priorities and preferences may be entirely different.

The AFCK was not in any way a "bad" knife, I was very pleased with the quality and I'm sure that it is perfect for people who like the feel of it. However, un less you have a strong expectation that you will be using the knife primarily as a weapon (not real likely) I expect the 710 would work out better.

J-man_the_jet · May 5, 2003

I was looking for a working heavy duty folder that would double as an effective SD weapon. I'm set on the 710 (sorry Steve). I'm getting it in M2 Steel. Does the recurve on the PE cut rope that well? Or should I just stick to CE (acutally it will be my first CE folder if I get CE). And does the BT coating come off as easily as I heard?

Steven Roos · May 5, 2003

Originally posted by fishbulb
- I found the AFCK to carry and feel MUCH bigger than the 710. I think this is a result of the extra length added by the pointy handle on the AFCK.

Agreed. The AFCK is ertainly larger because of the handle. It doesn't carry much different for me though.

- The ergos of the 710 were superior, and without the deep finger notch at the front of the handle it was considerably easier to choke up for detail use. I also liked the grooves that were machined into the 710 handle slabs. WHen I held the 710 it felt like a tool. WHen I held the AFCK it felt like a banana.

To each his own. I love the feel of the AFCK handle.

- I never compared then side by side but the 710 blade seemed thinner and certainly cut better. There is just a hint of a recurve, but not enough to make sharpening tough. The AFCK is clearly more of a thrusting oriented design.

I just compared my 710 to my 806 (I own both), and the blades are of the same starting thickness. Their grinds seem very similar and they come to the same edge. The 710's recurve is drastically different than the AFCK's blade shape. The AFCK seems like it would do very well at thrusting/stabbing and also slashing. It isn't designed for utility.

- The only real advantage I see in the AFCK for SD use is a slightly easier opening movement (hole vs stud) and an extra .06 inches in blade length. Either can be flicked open without touching the blade and an extra .06 is far to small to even realisticly consider. I suppose that pointy handle could be used to jab somebody, as well.

I also prefer the opening hole on the AFCK, but it is true they an both be flicked open. The blade length is so close it doesn't matter.

The bottom line is, buy what you want. You can't go wrong either way. If you want to, get the 710 in M2. The coating will wear, but it isn't as bad as people make it sound. Just don't expect it to stay perfect forever. I believe a partially serrated knife is the worst of both options. Go for plain edge.

Also, if you ever have the chance, pick up an AFCK also! They are both great knives, just a little different.

J-man_the_jet · May 5, 2003

Actually I'm also thinking of the AFCK as well, I'll let y'all know.

fulloflead · May 5, 2003

Anyway you can handle them side-by-side?
The action feels pretty different between them.
Hard to explain but here goes:
The Axis sort of "cams" open. There's a real smooth but shallow hump you have to get over when opening and then it's almost all downhill on the other side.
Due to different placement of stud vs. pivot point vs. blade length and weight all my Axis locks have a distinctive opening "personality". ESPECIALLY when you want to pull back on the lock and just flip it closed.
I could go on, but this is probably just a trivial piece of BS that ONLY I have pondered.

I think the McHenry Williams was designed as more of a utiilty knife and the AFCK DEFINATELY as a fighter, but I've used my AFCK for nearly everything and it's been fine except for an occasion or two where I wished it had more belly. Besides IT'S D2!

jhokie · May 5, 2003

IMHO, the afck is a GREAT knife. I absolutely love its ergonomic feel in my hand. In contrast, when I handled the 710 at the benchmade shop at the nra convention this year, I really did not like the ergonomics of it too much. I really think that which knife feels better in the hand will vary from person to person. However, I feel that the 806d2 is better as a fighting knife because of the deep finger notch that was previously mentioned. While this is gonna lessen the knife's value as a utility knife slightly, it's only gonna prevent your hand from sliding up on the blade and cutting yourself, thus possibly causing you to lose the knife. I personally think you should just handle both knives and see which one you think feels better in your hand.

J-man_the_jet · May 6, 2003

The closest BM dealer I know of is 90 minutes away

. Guess I'll have to next time I'm in Toronto.