DPX Hest 2.0 left handed vs. Benchmade 710

C

C Tom

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Mar 3, 2013
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I'm a contractor by trade and am also left handed. Looking for a knife that can handle heavy duty jobs. I have several benchmades and spydercos. Right now I edc an orange ffg endura 4 and carry my bm 551 in the truck but am looking for something a little tougher and with quality handles. Looked at a pm 2 but like benchmades warranty better. Sometimes a knife is the only tool I have on me. The 710 and dpx are both highly recommended but I was wondering if anyone had these two knives and could offer some advice. I especially like the dpx because of the left handed framelock option. The 710 has the axis lock which is awesome. Thanks for your responses.
 
Since you looked at the PM2, have you considered a Manix 2? I'm a lefty, and I found it to be my perfect knife. The lock is fully ambidextrous, and is super slick to open and close 1 handed. I swapped the pocket clip to the other side in a tip-up configuration and it's perfect.
 
I have had a 710 and I plan on buying another, I loved it. I think that it would fit a gloved hand (L/XL) nicely and the axis should be functional as well, worst case scenario is you pull the scales of and use a dremel to relax the g10 around the lock mechanism.

In regards to DPx, I only have a Heat and it took some time to break in, my 710 didn't. Also, the clearance for the framelock would be (really) tight with gloves and there seems to be a"knack" for it. I find it easiest to unlock it by pulling on the lock bar like I would pull a trigger while holding the knife as if I were to cut something (edge down) then spin it over and close. While it works well and keeps the pressure off of the lock bar, it would be difficult while gloved in a work glove.

Regarding the Manix 2, while the lock is similar to the axis in function, I wouldn't go so far to say either would be incredibly stronger than the other. That being said, the axis lock can be manipulated with one hand easier than the bearing lock. Dye to the axis being a solid bar when you pull one side, the other moves as well, while on my bearing locks (manix 2 s30v and s110v lw) it takes a thumb on one side and finger on the other with the butt of the knife being pulled into my palm to disengage.
While some may say that it is more secure primarily or evidently due to that, I would take ease of operation Any day of the week, especially if it is to be a work knife and having the possibility of being used while in a crawl space, on a ladder or hanging out of a window.

If you want any more info, feel free to pm if need be.

Tldr: bm710 = :thumbup:
DPx heat is my edc
Manix 2's I sold though they fit my hand great.
 
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Thanks for the replies. I have an older native I snapped the tip cutting straps off some lumber and spyderco doesn't replace blades just re work the tip. Benchmade will replace the blade for a fee. I looked hard at a manix a few mos. ago. I was cutting a thick plastic sheet with my endura last week and the blade flexed pretty bad. I thought it was gonna go but it survived. Just not sure about spydercos tips and their lack of a blade replacement option. Probably gonna try the dpx first and the 710 when i replenish my knife fund. I prefer the way the endura cuts though. It's done everything I've asked it to so far. I've avoided frame locks because of the left handed thing. I really like the zt 0300 but prefer something lefty friendly. It'd be nice to have a left handed frame lock under $300.00
 
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I have G10 Heat/F(Sleipner) and a full titanium Hest/F (Niolox) and I love them both. They are big hunks of steel that can take hard use. Don't expect it to be best in class in slicing since it is pretty thick, but you can get it sharp and it will hold a good edge after you sharpen them up(I had to back bevel each with my sharpmaker). Also like you mentioned, they can be had for under $300. Good luck ☺
 
Like stollio, I also thinned the edge and secondary on my heat.
 
Personally I think the dpx is a solid performer and definitely holds up under some rougher uses. I love my heft t3 & it gets substantial pocket time.
 
I'm going to go in a bit different direction here: I have no experience with the Hest but I do have the 710. I doubt you'd be disappointed by it, but I don't think of the blade profile as being particularly heavy duty. It's a great cutter, but since you mentioned that sometimes a knife is the only tool you have on you, something heavier may be in order. Have you considered the 810 Contego or 808 Loco? They're both pretty stout knives. They don't slice quite as well as the 710, but I don't think they're that far behind it in that regard and I'd rather have the thicker tip for a hard user.
 
C Tom said:
Thanks for the replies. I have an older native I snapped the tip cutting straps off some lumber and spyderco doesn't replace blades just re work the tip. Benchmade will replace the blade for a fee. I looked hard at a manix a few mos. ago. I was cutting a thick plastic sheet with my endura last week and the blade flexed pretty bad. I thought it was gonna go but it survived. Just not sure about spydercos tips and their lack of a blade replacement option. Probably gonna try the dpx first and the 710 when i replenish my knife fund. I prefer the way the endura cuts though. It's done everything I've asked it to so far. I've avoided frame locks because of the left handed thing. I really like the zt 0300 but prefer something lefty friendly. It'd be nice to have a left handed frame lock under $300.00
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You won't have that problem with a Manix 2XL, it's a tank, I'd go to battle with it any day.
 
I agree with RJ80, if you're really worried about beating it up, you might want to look at the Benchmade 810 Contego, 275 Adamas, or 520 Presidio. All axis lock designs and IMO maybe slightly more robust blades than the 710's clip point.

Though to be completely honest I've never had any sort of durability issues with my 710... I'm sure it would work just fine for you. Just, you know, if you want to do something outright dumb with it... 275 might be worth a look. Check out the blade thickness on that thing compared to the 710 (and Endura and BM 551 if you're already familiar with those).
 
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