Camillus EDC and Benchmade 705 Comparison?

M

Margelatu

Joined
Aug 23, 2000
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I suppose the first question is whether this is a reasonable comparison in the first place. I am looking for a smaller knife (at most 3") for every day carry and I'm trying to decide between these two. I already have the 710 Axis and I'm very happy with it, but I've read a lot of great things about the EDC, especially in 154CM. On top of this, there is quite a bit of price difference between the two. Does anybody have any insight about this particular match-up? I'm particularly interested in comments about solidity, reliability, smoothness, carry comfort etc.

Thanks,

Dan
 
Excellent question, and I find myself debating on which is actually the better knife from time to time, as I have both.

In comparing the blades, the EDC has more recurve, but the 705 has a nice pointy tip, so here it would depend on what you want to use the knife for on a daily basis. I can't tell a difference in steel quality (154CM) or sharpenability (LOL is that a word??). I'd have to say it's a toss-up here.

The one factor that edges out the 705 for me is the narrower handle profile and G10 scales. For me it's just more comfortable for carry and use than the stainless steel handles on the EDC.

As far as the locks go, well that's another tough call for me. I love the axis lock, and for gadget factor (flicking the knife open) I give the nod to the 705, but you just can't beat the EDC framelock for reliabilty. The axis is no slouch either.

Is the 705 worth $40-50 more than the EDC? I would say with the added mechanical components, dual stainless liners, and G10, probably so, but will you notice the difference in overall functionality and reliability between the two? I doubt it.

Just get both :)
 
DB1: Thanks a lot for the reply. Since you have both, can you tell me whether they feel like they are about the same size? You already said the 705 has a narrower handle profile, but what about the thickness? Do they feel like they are about the same weight? Finally, does the blade lock equally well on both and are they equally smooth to open?

Thanks,

Dan
 
I have both, and find they are both very smoothe to open. The EDC feels more comfortable clipped in the pocket because it's not as thick as the 705. Neither knife feels too big or too small to me, but my hands are not big either. Currently my 705 has some kind of gunk in the mechanism so it's not opening smoothly as normal, I will have to figure out the problem. The EDC's edge has a recurve and upswept belly so there is more cutting edge for the blade length (which is about the same length overall as the 705).

That said, and being a solid lover of BM knives, I will still give the edge on this one to the EDC in 154CM as I like the comfort and feel of this knife better.
Jim
 
I agree with James, that both a very smooth openers.

The 705 is a hair thicker than the EDC, but I don't notice much of a difference when carrying. The 705 is roughly the same thickness as your 710.

I don't have my EDC with me at the moment, but both knives are roughly the same length, just under 3" blade, 4" handle.

edit for bad grammar :eek:
 
I don't have an EDC but do have a 705, which I rarely carry. Why do I hardly ever carry the 705? Because for a small knife, it's just way too thick. It feels kind of funky in my pocket, just not quite right. When I do carry it, it's because the Axis lock has got an extremely high coolness factor! thwacka thwacka thwacka :D
 
I have and like both, but I find myself carrying the 705 more often. The EDC is my 2nd most frequent carry.

For what I do, I find the pointiness of the 705 more useful than the recurve of the EDC. Try getting the tip of an EDC under a tight cable tie without nicking the wires underneath, sometime.

The blades are almost exactly the same length and the knives are almost exactly the same weight. I like the look and feel of the EDC's handle. Checkered black G10 is very grippy, which is good, but it just doesn't do anything for me esthetically. I keep thinking I ought to find a nice piece of stabilized spalted maple burl and spend the 20 hours or so that it would probably take me to rehandle the 705. But I haven't done it (yet). I guess I'd also need to polish off the black from the clip, since it's definitely wearing off in spots. The EDC is definitely better looking and will hold its looks better. OTOH, I don't really care much for the stonewash. It looks kind of dull and "lifeless" (which is a pretty stupid thing to say about a metal knifeblade). I prefer the satin look. YMMV.

The 705 is thicker, but not really by all that much, IMHO. And if you like the 710, you may not be bothered by it. I'm not -- it just makes for a nice, secure handle.

Paul
 
I have both, and carry the 705 more, a lot more. I feel that the 705 is better made (and for the price difference it ought to be), but the EDC has a lot of things going for it: price, blade design, frame lock. It's basically a question of personal preference, plus the intended use of the knife. If you're going to be working in a dirty environment, you might want to get the EDC - that frame lock will gunk up less than the axis lock. I work in an office, so I find the 705 to be more useful and easier to carry. Yeah, the 705 is a bit thick for its size, but that, IMO, just adds to its sense of sturdiness. I wouldn't agonize too much over the choice, though. You really can't go wrong with either one.

May I make a suggestion? While the 705 and the EDC are great knives, you also might want to consider the Spyderco Pro Grip II (stainless steel handle). I currently have the plain edge version (I had the combo edge model, too, but I gave it to a friend). It is very, very tough. The Pro Grip II doesn't get mentioned much here on BF, but it is a wonderful knife.
 
Thank you all for the replies. I believe that I will go ahead and try an EDC as it would be my first framelock.

Nathan:The Spyderco ProGrip looks like a fine knife, but for some reason I'm not crazy about the kraton inserts in the stainless steel handle. I used to like a lot better the older model (Iron Hunter??) that was discontinued. At some point I wanted to order it but it was rather expensive for a lockback at around $80.

Dan
 
Everyone has their own personal preference, I have the EDC Talonite, but I believe that I would opt for the D2 rather than the 154 CM. The last time I checked AG Russell was the only one able to sell the D2.
 
705 is my vote, even if it's too late. It grips better, clips better, more useful point and is practically the same price if you shop around. I saw a 705 in Galyans over the weekend at $69.00, pretty close to the EDC range.

Phil
 
Walt2: Good suggestion about the D2 EDC.

phatch: Where exactly did you find the 705 for $69? What is Galyans? If I'm able to find a great deal on the 705, I might be tempted to get both knives :-)
 
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