Ganzo G704-G or Ganzo G716

[Hidratado]

I was watching several videos of these knives , so I concluded I needed help . Which of the two has a better construction, lock, geometry and better grade in general?

PS : Don't tell bad things of these knives, beacause they are only twenty dollars, but better than several other in 150-200 price range.
PS2 : Sorry about my english, i'm not American.

 

[Goosey]

I was watching several videos of these knives , so I concluded I needed help . Which of the two has a better construction, lock, geometry and better grade in general?

PS : Don't tell bad things of these knives, beacause they are only twenty dollars, but better than several other in 150-200 price range.
PS2 : Sorry about my english, i'm not American.

They look very similar to me, G10 and Axis lock, similar blades. Pick the one you like better. Quality is probably the exact same. I have G704, when I bought it, they didn't make G716.

 

[choombak]

If budget is an issue, Spyderco and Kershaw manufactures several folders in that range. Also seems like your "better than 150-200" statement is internet-speak that you convinced yourself due to budget constraints. Counterfeits hurt everyone, and staying clear of them is the best way, IMO.

 

[amg137]

I picked up a G712 a while back and learned to stay away from Ganzo. Blade was touching the liner, tons of blade play, gritty opening, overly stiff spring that rusted in under a week. Believe me, they just can't compare to a real Benchmade (not even close). A Chinese knife made by Kershaw or Spyderco will serve you much better, as choombak suggested. At least they have quality control.

 

[craytab]

I picked up a G712 a while back and learned to stay away from Ganzo. Blade was touching the liner, tons of blade play, gritty opening, overly stiff spring that rusted in under a week. Believe me, they just can't compare to a real Benchmade (not even close). A Chinese knife made by Kershaw or Spyderco will serve you much better, as choombak suggested. At least they have quality control.

This!

I have the 704. It is a fantastic design, of course not designed by Ganzo, they stole it. If the design was still in production from Benchmade & H&K I would buy one in a heart beat! My 704 came with a gritty patent infringed axis lock. I took it apart and the omega springs were rusty. After I cleaned it up, the thing performs very good. That said, I had to sink significant time into it (cleaning, removing rust, polishing pivot area, lubing) to make the thing usable. If it weren't for the excellent design (which I must reiterate, Ganzo stole) the whole thing would have been a waste of time and money.

Drop an extra $5 and get a Utilitac II. Much better knife. Known steel, original design, a company that stands behind it. Or go the route suggested above. Get a Thermite or a Tenacious. Much better options are out there.

If you really are of the mind set of "don't tell me bad things of these knives" you came to the wrong spot. The companies that make the Ganzo knives are increasingly producing counterfeits of actual knives. The sad part is that people think these cheap chinese knock offs actually compare to the real deal. A $20 chinese rip off cannot compare to the real thing, no matter how many youtube videos you watch....

 

[cchu518]

A 704 isn't bad and would be my choice of the two. I would really go for a Rat 1 or Rat 2 over either though. Maybe even a Bob Dozier lockback in that price range! Much better ergos for EDC for the latter ones.

 

[billym]

KaBar Dozier folders come sharp as can be. A simple design well executed.

Not a lot of love for Ganzo, Enlan, Sanremu around here. Sorry just the way it is.

 

[Gadfly22]

I've had 2 of the 704. One was fine, but the other had some blade movement -- not bad but annoying. (And yes, the H&K really is superior -- I'm just selling one of those -- but they're out of production.) I also have the 716 and find it to be a bit more solid. But it's pretty heavy if that bothers you for EDC carry. Either one is a good choice.

 

[Hidratado]

Ok, I was wrong about the 150-200 thing, but for its price, it performs very well from what ive seen. Ill hear you guys and buy an well-branded knife. Thanks
And please, close this thread, because idk how...

 

[Gavin S.]

Whoops! Wrong thread.

 

[Inazone]

For what it's worth, I own a 716 and like it a lot. I bought it here on the Exchange and it is flawless, as stated by the previous owner. That may be the exception rather than the rule, but it is what it is. I had another Ganzo - I forget what model - that I gifted to a friend, and he likes it as well. That being said, I can't really argue the suggestions of looking at a Utilitac or some sort of Kershaw, as I own these too. As is often the case for Chinese knives, the QC and attention to detail isn't always consistent, so a name brand doesn't necessarily equal a quality knife, but at least you're not buying a clone.

 

[choombak]

Ok, I was wrong about the 150-200 thing, but for its price, it performs very well from what ive seen. Ill hear you guys and buy an well-branded knife. Thanks
And please, close this thread, because idk how...

I disagree about their performance since they are unreliable. My fingers are important than $20...

 

[mcfuggle]

If budget is an issue, Spyderco and Kershaw manufactures several folders in that range. Also seems like your "better than 150-200" statement is internet-speak that you convinced yourself due to budget constraints. Counterfeits hurt everyone, and staying clear of them is the best way, IMO.

Ganzo knives aren't counterfeits. They are clones. Counterfeits attempt to deceive the consumer, which Ganzo knives do not as they do not claim to be Benchmades. As for those saying that they are lacking in quality, I have carried and used my Ganzo g710 hard for the past 3 years and it has held together very nicely. I would be happy to post pictures to show how it has held up over the years.

 

[craytab]

Ganzo knives aren't counterfeits. They are clones. Counterfeits attempt to deceive the consumer, which Ganzo knives do not as they do not claim to be Benchmades. As for those saying that they are lacking in quality, I have carried and used my Ganzo g710 hard for the past 3 years and it has held together very nicely. I would be happy to post pictures to show how it has held up over the years.

Wrong. They are making a counterfeit axis lock.

 

[NorthernSouthpaw]

Ganzo knives aren't counterfeits. They are clones. Counterfeits attempt to deceive the consumer, which Ganzo knives do not as they do not claim to be Benchmades. As for those saying that they are lacking in quality, I have carried and used my Ganzo g710 hard for the past 3 years and it has held together very nicely. I would be happy to post pictures to show how it has held up over the years.

As far as I'm concerned a carbon copy of a product made without permission of the trademark holder is a counterfeit. By purchasing this product you are enabling this practice to continue.
One of the reasons Benchmades are so expensive (albeit a little too expensive currently) is they need to spend money on the actual design of the knife. Do you think McHenry & Williams gave them the Axis lock?

The clone vs. counterfeit argument has been used many times before and honestly, in most cases it's just a semantics argument a person uses to justify their purchase.

 

[mcfuggle]

Wrong. They are making a counterfeit axis lock.

Wrong? No where does Ganzo, Sanrenmu, Enlan, etc claim that their form of the axis lock is made by Benchmade. It is a clone of the axis lock, not a counterfeit itself.

As far as I'm concerned a carbon copy of a product made without permission of the trademark holder is a counterfeit. By purchasing this product you are enabling this practice to continue.
One of the reasons Benchmades are so expensive (albeit a little too expensive currently) is they need to spend money on the actual design of the knife. Do you think McHenry & Williams gave them the Axis lock?

The clone vs. counterfeit argument has been used many times before and honestly, in most cases it's just a semantics argument a person uses to justify their purchase.

It doesn't really matter how far you are concerned. The fact is, Ganzo does not manufacture any counterfeits. They make clones and some original designs. Not only that, but they are much more affordable than Benchmades while using the same technology and in some cases the same materials for a fraction of the cost. You may not like that, and that is fine. Don't buy Ganzo knives.
To call the difference between clones and counterfeits "semantics" is foolish. There is a huge difference between a product that closely mimics another while having its own brand and company behind it and a product that is made to appear just like a high-end product. There will never be a person who buys a Ganzo g704 while thinking that they are getting a Benchmade 14205. Ganzo is not taking any business away from Benchmade.

 

[craytab]

Wrong? No where does Ganzo, Sanrenmu, Enlan, etc claim that their form of the axis lock is made by Benchmade. It is a clone of the axis lock, not a counterfeit itself.

Nope, wrong again. They claim that they are using the axis lock which is a patented device made by Benchmade. If they were made in the US or in a country that cared about laws Benchmade could easily sue to have their doors shut.

It doesn't really matter how far you are concerned. The fact is, Ganzo does not manufacture any counterfeits. They make clones and some original designs.

Sorry but you don't really know what they make. You don't even know who they are.

Not only that, but they are much more affordable than Benchmades while using the same technology and in some cases the same materials for a fraction of the cost.

Right, a technology they stole and are producing against patent laws here in the US. Guess what? It is illegal! But thanks for proving my point for me.

You may not like that, and that is fine. Don't buy Ganzo knives.

And you don't mind supporting a company that steals designs and technologies from reputable companies. Keep buying Ganzo!

To call the difference between clones and counterfeits "semantics" is foolish.

No, you defending this position is foolish...

There is a huge difference between a product that closely mimics another while having its own brand and company behind it and a product that is made to appear just like a high-end product.

Closely mimics? Try illegally copying a patented design mechanism.

There will never be a person who buys a Ganzo g704 while thinking that they are getting a Benchmade 14205. Ganzo is not taking any business away from Benchmade.

Seriously? You think that? You must be joking.....

 

[mcfuggle]

Nope, wrong again. They claim that they are using the axis lock which is a patented device made by Benchmade. If they were made in the US or in a country that cared about laws Benchmade could easily sue to have their doors shut.



Sorry but you don't really know what they make. You don't even know who they are.



Right, a technology they stole and are producing against patent laws here in the US. Guess what? It is illegal! But thanks for proving my point for me.



And you don't mind supporting a company that steals designs and technologies from reputable companies. Keep buying Ganzo!




No, you defending this position is foolish...



Closely mimics? Try illegally copying a patented design mechanism.



Seriously? You think that? You must be joking.....

You have completely failed to show that Ganzo is creating counterfeits. They are clones that are branded under the Ganzo name and sold as Ganzo knives. Nowhere do they even mention Benchmade. The problem is that knives with an axis lock cost a lot more than they should. Because of this, another company has come in and is doing what Benchmade does for cheaper. That is capitalism.
And yes, I don't think that Ganzo is stealing business from Benchmade. 15 dollar knives are not in competition with 100 dollar knives nor will they ever be. If a person wants a Benchmade and has the money to buy a Benchmade, they will buy one. If they don't have the money, they might buy a Ganzo to try out the axis lock. If they like the axis lock, they probably will buy a Benchmade. The same goes for people who are on the fence about axis style locks. It is a good way to test that style of lock.

Sanrenmu is another company who makes knives using the axis style lock. Several big American knife brands use them to manufacture knives such as Spyderco. These businesses are supporting Chinese manufacturers of clones much more than I am. Why don't you use the same energy to demonize them instead of me?
"And you don't mind supporting a company that steals designs and technologies from reputable companies."
send that right to Spyderco's CEO who does much more to support these companies than I do. I believe that they even received some business from Benchmade as well. Send that to them too, why don't you?

 

[craytab]

You have completely failed to show that Ganzo is creating counterfeits. They are clones that are branded under the Ganzo name and sold as Ganzo knives. Nowhere do they even mention Benchmade. The problem is that knives with an axis lock cost a lot more than they should. Because of this, another company has come in and is doing what Benchmade does for cheaper. That is capitalism.
And yes, I don't think that Ganzo is stealing business from Benchmade. 15 dollar knives are not in competition with 100 dollar knives nor will they ever be. If a person wants a Benchmade and has the money to buy a Benchmade, they will buy one. If they don't have the money, they might buy a Ganzo to try out the axis lock. If they like the axis lock, they probably will buy a Benchmade. The same goes for people who are on the fence about axis style locks. It is a good way to test that style of lock.

Sanrenmu is another company who makes knives using the axis style lock. Several big American knife brands use them to manufacture knives such as Spyderco. These businesses are supporting Chinese manufacturers of clones much more than I am. Why don't you use the same energy to demonize them instead of me?
"And you don't mind supporting a company that steals designs and technologies from reputable companies."
send that right to Spyderco's CEO who does much more to support these companies than I do. I believe that they even received some business from Benchmade as well. Send that to them too, why don't you?

What you have failed to realize is that Ganzo has illegally taken a patented design and is producing it themselves. In a real capitalist country that is called theft!

 

[ninjarabbi]

The Ganzo g716 looks a little prettier to me but I love my G704 and the thumb ramp is really comfortable so I'm inclined to recommend that. I do like my G710 a bit more though. I'm not sure why exactly but it just feels a little nicer.