BM520BK-1101 with M4 VS BM710 with M390

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rockscreation16

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Mar 3, 2012
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I've narrowed down my search for my next EDC to these two knives I think. Both are special editions, but it seems like the price points for these two knives are really good for the steel you're getting. I feel that both of these steels, although they have their own sets of give and take for both, are within the same range for durability in EDC use.

From those of you who have owned these knives... What are your opinions of how they carry when compared to eachother?

I'm looking for a knife that feels good in the hand but virtually disappears in your pocket. My hand are probably a Med/Small

I'm extremely excited to try out these steels. Any other opinions of the pros and cons of these specific knives are welcome too!!
 
The 520 and 710 are both fine knives, but the 520 is fairly chunky. The scales are thick. While the 710 is longer overall it's slimmer and feels less substantial in the pocket in my opinion.
 
I own and really enjoy the 520SBK (154CM) and also have med>small hands, it is extremely comfortable to hold and use, a very well-designed handle and excellent blade-design as well. IMHO it is neither 'thick' nor 'chunky' (I don't understand what the reference point there is), but it also is not light or slick - the 520 is a tough, heavy-built folder, and the aluminum scales may well be described as "dragon scales", they grip tightly to the point that soft-skinned individuals may complain of being bitten by them! The 520 is a 'tank', and like a 'tank', it in no way "disappears in your pocket". Again, it is heavy-built, this is not a slender Delica or Skyline whose names fairly well describe how hard you can use them. The 520 also has a larger blade than is legal for public carry in many places. Unless your EDC purposes call for such a beast, I'd recommend you select something more practical. If the 710 fits that bill (a very long knife, even longer blade, and not one I own), alrighty then. Both are great knives, but NOT the most practical EDC for most individuals. My $0.02
 
I usually carry a pretty significant knife for edc. Length isn't much of a concern. I don't mind a thick knife really. My concern mostly is that its narrow enough parallel to my leg for it to hug the corner of my pocket allowing me to gain access to that pocket without having to wiggle around the knife.

I don't mind knowing the knife is there. In fact, I like knowing its there. So, the "disappearing in my pocket" line might have been deceiving. I just need for it to allow access to my pocket and for there to be no surfaces that will scrape my hand going in the pocket or my leg while carrying it.

The only concern I really have about the 520bk is that the coated aluminum handle will look like crap after a week of being carried in a pocket with keys etc... the scales wouldn't bother me as calloused as my hands are from work.

My big interest right now is the m390 and m4 steel. These two knifeworks special knives coming in at around 150 seems to be a very good deal.

If anyone knows of other comparable knives with m390 or m4 at this price point I'm all ears.
 
chiral.grolim said:
I own and really enjoy the 520SBK (154CM) and also have med>small hands, it is extremely comfortable to hold and use, a very well-designed handle and excellent blade-design as well. IMHO it is neither 'thick' nor 'chunky' (I don't understand what the reference point there is), but it also is not light or slick - the 520 is a tough, heavy-built folder, and the aluminum scales may well be described as "dragon scales", they grip tightly to the point that soft-skinned individuals may complain of being bitten by them! The 520 is a 'tank', and like a 'tank', it in no way "disappears in your pocket". Again, it is heavy-built, this is not a slender Delica or Skyline whose names fairly well describe how hard you can use them. The 520 also has a larger blade than is legal for public carry in many places. Unless your EDC purposes call for such a beast, I'd recommend you select something more practical. If the 710 fits that bill (a very long knife, even longer blade, and not one I own), alrighty then. Both are great knives, but NOT the most practical EDC for most individuals. My $0.02
Click to expand...

It's thick and chunky compared to the 710. The two knives the poster was asking about.
 
m4 is not stainless and rust if not properly taken care of. m390 is stainless ( About .20% Chromium i believe) so if you live in a very humid climate, you may prefer m390. If you are interested in a different knife in m4 you could try the spyderco gayle bradely which is around 150 or if you are willing to shell out another 50 bucks or so you could try the benchmade 755 mpr which uses m390 and VERY thick.
 
rockscreation16 said:
I usually carry a pretty significant knife for edc. Length isn't much of a concern. I don't mind a thick knife really. My concern mostly is that its narrow enough parallel to my leg for it to hug the corner of my pocket allowing me to gain access to that pocket without having to wiggle around the knife.

I don't mind knowing the knife is there. In fact, I like knowing its there. So, the "disappearing in my pocket" line might have been deceiving. I just need for it to allow access to my pocket and for there to be no surfaces that will scrape my hand going in the pocket or my leg while carrying it.

The only concern I really have about the 520bk is that the coated aluminum handle will look like crap after a week of being carried in a pocket with keys etc... the scales wouldn't bother me as calloused as my hands are from work.

My big interest right now is the m390 and m4 steel. These two knifeworks special knives coming in at around 150 seems to be a very good deal.

If anyone knows of other comparable knives with m390 or m4 at this price point I'm all ears.
Click to expand...
YES the 520 is narrow enough to hug your leg tightly, and the handle-scales are very well designed imho, the gripping teeth are cut along ~1/2" in the center of each scale and smooth to either side, the spine is smooth except for slight jimping near the thumb rest. Currently wearing jeans with relatively narrow pockets, my hand slides past the knife along its spine with no abrasion to hand or overly restricted access to the pocket. It works for me :thumbup: And no one I've met has complained about scales looking all dinged up over time from keys - they're not your standard beer-can aluminum you realize? It's the stuff aircraft are made of. I have only heard people complain that the scales tear up pants, but I haven't had an issue with that yet. If you do, i recommend loosening tension on the pocket clip.

mongomondo said:
It's thick and chunky compared to the 710. The two knives the poster was asking about.
Click to expand...
Gotcha :thumbup:
The 520 is 0.640" thick, the 710 is 0.480" thick, ~1/8" difference. The 710 is slimmer and longer, the 520 more robust to fill the hand. Oh, a note on slimness - the 710 is also slimmer in the spine-edge dimension which factors in more significantly in pocket carry (is this the dimension you meant?), making the 710 MUCH easier to EDC imho... but I prefer the hand-filling of the 520. *shrug*

seelow123 said:
... m390 is stainless ( About 20% Chromium i believe)...
Click to expand...
Correct that for ya, no decimal point (in case that was an error).
 
seelow123 said:
m4 is not stainless and rust if not properly taken care of. m390 is stainless ( About .20% Chromium i believe) so if you live in a very humid climate, you may prefer m390. If you are interested in a different knife in m4 you could try the spyderco gayle bradely which is around 150 or if you are willing to shell out another 50 bucks or so you could try the benchmade 755 mpr which uses m390 and VERY thick.
Click to expand...

I don't mind maintaining the blade, and I won't be using it for cutting meat or anything corrosive often. I do live in Coastal SC. So, It's definitely humid.

And no one I've met has complained about scales looking all dinged up over time from keys - they're not your standard beer-can aluminum you realize? It's the stuff aircraft are made of.
Click to expand...

That's good to hear. In what little cases i've seen others carrying aluminum BMs for EDC there was significant abrasion and coating removal. Is this not at all the case with the 520? Is the aircraft aluminum naturally black or is it a ceramic type coating?
 
Ok. So, I definitely just compulsively pulled the trigger on the 710 with m390.... I'm excited to get it in and check it out. Will update with my thoughts for anyone who would like to follow!

Thanks for all of the information I've been provided to make an educated decision!!
 
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