BM 710HS or Spyderco Military PE S30V?

Stockman said:
I don't own a Military, read too many comments on this furum regarding breakage of the tip, but by all other accounts an excellent knife. The BM710HS is a real favorite of mine, such a perfect knife for my requirements.
I think the Manix is worth a look, its a big strong bruiser that slices a dream.
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The Manix is a great knife but just WAY too heavy for me to cary around all of the time. I had an arguably better knife at about the same weight, an Al Mar SERE 2000, and traded it because of the weight.
 
Yep, the Manix is a big fella and if weight is a factor, would rule this bloke out of your selections. Have you had a look at the early reviews on the Swamp Rat entry into folders, the Rat Trap. Its looks like a large but light, liner lock folder with G10 and S30V, tip down only if this is an issue. I have one on order but it will have to be pretty darn good for me to throw the BM710 in the drawer.
 
Two great knives to choose from. This thread should help. Just forget about the old 440V steel and edge modification statements.

710, Military and Sebenza Comparison

For what it's worth, I strongly prefer the current version of the Military over the 710. I'd put Spyderco's S30V right up there with Bob Dozier's D2. It's that good.
 
Stockman said:
Yep, the Manix is a big fella and if weight is a factor, would rule this bloke out of your selections. Have you had a look at the early reviews on the Swamp Rat entry into folders, the Rat Trap. Its looks like a large but light, liner lock folder with G10 and S30V, tip down only if this is an issue. I have one on order but it will have to be pretty darn good for me to throw the BM710 in the drawer.
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The Rat Trap is very interesting. Excellent company and solid looking design. From my point of view everything about it is speculation and anticipation, though. I'll wait and see. It will hopefully be around fo a while.

The 710 and Military are at the same time mature and cutting edge. I like that.
 
Buzzbait said:
Two great knives to choose from. This thread should help. Just forget about the old 440V steel and edge modification statements.

710, Military and Sebenza Comparison

For what it's worth, I strongly prefer the current version of the Military over the 710. I'd put Spyderco's S30V right up there with Bob Dozier's D2. It's that good.
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Excellent! Thank you!!
 
I have had Spyderco Military, the Para Military and the BM 710. All three are great knives. The S30V is great stuff and so is the BM M2 and 154 in the 710. I sold both of the Spydercos in favor of the BM 710 and then sold it also. Now have the BM 520 and the BM D. Ritter in S30V. Just favor the Axis lock over anything else. Loved the lighter weight of the Spyderco any the Spyderco G10 handles. Get all of them, then cull the ones you dont like or make some more room in the gun safe for them.
 
I used to have a military, sold it so I could get a BM 710, now I really wish I hadn't. Spyderco's linerlocks are some of the best out there, IMO far better than benchmades. Don't think that just because that liner is partial length and nested that it's weak, you couldn't be further from the truth. The Military is just a better knife for me, better ergonomics, grip retention, ease of use and cleaning, lightweight, etc. That being said, the 710 is about as solid a folder as a man would ever need, the axis lock is indeed one of the greatest locks I've ever had the pleasure of using. The recurve was something that never used to bother me with knives, but now that I use large flat waterstones they tend to be a bit bothersome, so I just tend to touch them up on a medium ceramic rod once in a while. The military's cutting performance is leagues ahead of the 710 as it comes from the factory, and reprofiling that recurve isn't my idea of fun, and I "like" sharpening my knives.
 
If weight is a big factor, I'd go for the Para. It's lighter than the Millie and the 710. It also sports the Compression lock which I would rate above the linerlock and below the axislock in terms of strength and reliability.
 
safong said:
If weight is a big factor, I'd go for the Para. It's lighter than the Millie and the 710. It also sports the Compression lock which I would rate above the linerlock and below the axislock in terms of strength and reliability.
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The Para is nice but a little smaller than what I'm looking for right now.
 
Thanks in no small measure to the valuable and thoughtful posts in this thread, I decided to purchase a Gold membership.

So, I'm going to sell the police in the For Sale By Individuals area here rather than on the 'bay.

A BIG thank you to everyone here, and please feel free to continue posting your thoughts and experiences with 710HS and Military S30V PE.

Chris
 
I’ll toss in a few more comments, as my review concerned a previous incarnation of the Spyderco Military. The new version of the Military has some very nice upgrades. Most obvious amongst the upgrades is the S30V steel. I personally find Spyderco’s S30V to be almost the perfect steel for a folding knife. It is very easy to sharpen on a SharpMaker, is very stainless, and the edge is very wear resistant. I’ve been carrying my S30V Military every day for the last year, and have only had to sharpen it 3 or 4 times. Considering how much use the knife gets, that it extraordinary.

I’d also like to mention the upgrade in thickness to the G-10 scales. The newer Militarys are much stiffer than the older models. Almost all handle flex has been eliminated, which was of concern to some.

Other small changes have been made, but they fall more into the category of subtle refinements that nobody will really notice.

The Military isn’t smooth as butter. It isn’t classy in looks. It doesn’t have a particularly exotic locking system. The Military generally is not a folder you pick up for the very first time, and instantly understand the quality and engineering behind it. The Military has zero self-induced hype built into its design. Nobody is selling it as a folding prybar or ninja-quality badguy slayer. It isn’t an exciting new toy that you flick all night long.

This is a folder that you use and learn to trust over a long period of time, and then hate every day that you’re stuck using anything else. It remains as possibly the most convenient and efficient large utility folder on the market today. The Military’s combination of light weight, outstanding ergonomics and superb cutting ability are a tribute to Sal Glesser’s skills as a designer, as well as to Spyderco’s superb manufacturing process. This is a time tested design that is amazing not in any one particular feature, but in it’s well rounded blend of characteristics. This is a knife that just happens to excel at one thing, being a knife.
 
I know it has already been said but I'll say it again, the axis lock on the 710 makes it a very safe and reliable knife in the open position, opening action is very smooth and in the closed position it is unlikely to ever open in your pocket. In the HS (M2 tool steel) version you will have a steel that takes a scary sharp edge and holds it for a long while with moderate tasks. You also get( new versions) bronze washers that help take out any play you might find in the blade, and help stiffen up the pivot area to a degree.

With all that said I have not handled a Military in a few years. The only drawback I ever had with this knife was the flex that it seemed to have and the thinner liner lock. I know it has been tested and the geometry of the lock will hold up but I trust the axis lock over it.
 
Yeah, everything Buzz said. ;)

I looked seriously at both the Millie and the 710 before getting the Millie. I like the way the Millie fits my hand better, I feel it has the better steel, and it just plain works.
 
I'm going to Newgraham today and will be driving back with one or the other.

Chris
 
cmd said:
I had ... an Al Mar SERE 2000, and traded it because of the weight.
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I also sold my SERE 2K because of the weight. I find that I usually don't end up carrying anything that weighs more than about 5.5 ounces.
 
I own the 710HS and several knives in S30V. The 710HS is outstanding for what it is, a very solid folder with a blade that takes and keeps a great edge. That said, any knife that fits your purpose and built with S30V blade steel is worth serious consideration.

Personally, I'd get the 710HS first and then the S30V blade in whichever form you decide you prefer as an EDC knife. New knives in S30V are constantly appearing. Like the Spydies I'm looking at now :)
 
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