first benchmade, M390 710 vs S30v Griptilian

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Free2game

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First thread here. I've gotten my tax returns and I've decided to drop some on my first benchmade and I'm not sure which to get between a custom shop S30v griptilian or one of those M390 710s. Price is about the same, but I'm not sure of the performance differences between S30V and M390, but I could get the Griptilian with a purple handle and black hardware if I wanted which I couldn't get in the 710.
 
sinsanity said:
The 710 M390 would perform better and in my opinion is the better deal of the two
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Yeah, that's what I'm thinking, I read in another thread the M390 versions are supposed to have better fit and finish than the regular 710s. But how is the fit and finish on the custom shop ones? Can anyone chime in on that?
 
If the 710 M390 is a limited run that would be my first purchase. Both are great designs with the grip having the better ergos in my opinion, but you can buy a grip in S30V at anytime. I may be behind times a little but I am having a hard time considering a grip costing as much as a 710.

Les
 
Splinter said:
If the 710 M390 is a limited run that would be my first purchase. Both are great designs with the grip having the better ergos in my opinion, but you can buy a grip in S30V at anytime. I may be behind times a little but I am having a hard time considering a grip costing as much as a 710.

Les
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Well in checking back on prices, it seems like the Knifeworks M390 limited run is sold out. Not sure if they'll be getting more in at the $150 price. The grip is a custom shop one and the S30v option is $20 more, so that's why it comes it at $145 vs the regulars being around $80-100.
 
I understand now. I don't think you would go wrong with either knife and S30V is quite possibly the best all around steel I have used.

Les
 
In my experience M390 performs far better than S30V. I also prefer the 710 to the Grip, so my choice is obvious. The 710A in M390 is a Knifeworks dealer exclusive, so it's not precisely a limited run. If they haven't taken it off their site I expect they'll get more in stock soon.
 
knifeworks jumped the price up to +$50 for the m390 710, but I would still call it a better deal, you can find s30v grips more so then the 710's, or another S30v blade like a buck vantage and youll know its HT well from Paul Bos
 
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I just bought my first Benchmade from Knifeworks. A 710 (in D2 mind you), black coated PE. I absolutely love it. The fit and finish on mine is top notch. The slim profile and big knife in a small(ish) package factor really give the design a one-up for me over the grip. Def wont be my last benchmade. OR.... buy both.. hahaha

+1 on the buck vantage pro.. I'm totally getting one of those soon..
 
I much prefer the Grip to the 710, but I also much prefer M390 to S30V.

I don't know if they're still available, but I'm pretty happy with my Gold class Grip with CF scales and M4 - highly recommend.
 
I've owned a buck Vantage, I wasn't impressed with the fit and finish. The blade was nice though. The sharp edges, roughness of the action, and poor blade centering not so much.
 
Free2game said:
I've owned a buck Vantage, I wasn't impressed with the fit and finish. The blade was nice though.
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I know that the first gen had many problems ie, incredibly late lock-up, blade centering problems. etc I know mine does but for ~45-50 its not too bad, definitely not the best, but decent
 
m390 and s30v is like the difference between a v6 mustang and a funnycar drag racer runnin top fuel 4

both are stainless but edge retention has no correlation

s30 will lose a razor edge if you blow on it i have cut for hours including whittling HARD DRY oak and i have yet to lose a phone book paper edge
 
I feel lucky, I just received my M390 710 Saturday and I have to say the fit and finish on it are fantastic, the grinds are even, the lockup rock solid, the centering perfect, and it's sharp too.
 
Free2game said:
Well in checking back on prices, it seems like the Knifeworks M390 limited run is sold out. Not sure if they'll be getting more in at the $150 price. The grip is a custom shop one and the S30v option is $20 more, so that's why it comes it at $145 vs the regulars being around $80-100.
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The knifeworks M390 710 will come back in stock i've seen it out of stock a few times and it comes back in a few weeks
 
One thing more, how hard is M390 and S30V to sharpen compared to VG-10? I've found that not too difficult to get razor sharp, and the idea of something that holds a razor edge sounds really great too, so I'm leaning toward the M390 710.
 
hi, just registered. a bit off discussion but how would the pure abrasion resistance in benchmade m390 and kershaw's elmax compare?
 
I have the 710 M390. I have an unboxing video on YouTube if you'd like. Haven;t used her much, but she's beautiful, big, and sharp as hell. ;)
 
I like the 710 over the Grip. I like the handle and blade profile of the 710 better. You really couldn't go wrong with either though. To me the 710 feels more "solid".

I would suggest going and handling both knives (if that is a possibility) before you decide on one. You may get some added info that isn't possible from just looking at pictures.
 
razor's edge said:
hi, just registered. a bit off discussion but how would the pure abrasion resistance in benchmade m390 and kershaw's elmax compare?
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Elmax should be about the same as S30V as far as edge retention goes I think, so below M390, Elmax excels in the toughness department though, especially for being a stainless.
 
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