Gerber Spectre or a Benchmade 710?

C

CalvinM

Joined
Jan 10, 2002
Messages
3
A buddy of mine has a really nice Benchmade "Axis-lock" knife which he uses often and praises greatly, I've been thinking about buying one for myself for a couple months now.

Today I stopped at a knife shop with the intention of picking one up. They had about 5 different Benchmade models, I liked the size and blade style of the 710. While browsing around, I also came across a Gerber Spectre which seemed fairly similar to the Benchmade 710, and was also $30 cheaper.

Now, usually what I do is give in to my cheap side, buy the cheaper product, and 75% of the time find out that it stinks when I actually try to use it. So this time I'm going online to find out what I can before buying. Which led me to this neat forum. If you've read this far, here are my areas of concern.

1. Quality and hardness of the blade coating. Is one or the other superior in this area? Most of my knives have the blade finish pretty scratched up and ugly after just a couple months of use.

2. Durability and longevity of the locking mechanism. I am not going to chop branches or pry things, but unless I lose it I will be using the knife for years and the longer it stays tight and smooth the better. As the Benchmade 710 has their fancily-named Axis-Lock and is more expensive, I'd expect it to be superior here but the Gerber felt just as tight. But which one is going to be sloppier after 5 years and a few thousand uses?

If there's another folder you feel I should be looking at, please point me in that direction - but nothing over about $125 please.

Appreciate any help,

Cal
 
Welcome to the Forums, Cal!

IMHO, the 710 would be the clear favorite. It features the very well-regarded Axis lock which is not only very safe, but almost wear-proof. Any long term wear is automatically compensated for by the mechanism itself.

I would tend to avoid blade coatings if possible, since even the best will start to wear off rapidly with any knid of reasonable use. The exception would be the 710 in M2 steel. It's only offered with the BT2 coating, since M2 is not stainless. Unless you are frequently in a salt water environment, coatings should not be required. Good blade care should do you fine.

BTW, there's nothing wrong with the Gerber, but I'll bet you'll find the 710 is highly recommended around here.

Good luck. Let us know what you selected.:)
 
Welcome to the forums. IMO you should spend the $$ now for the 710. Benchmade folders are alot nicer than any gerber folder I have handled. The axis lock is a durable mechanism as well. If available you may want to think about an m-2 blade on that but that is totally you choice. I prefer uncoated blades, even though I use my folders in a saltwater setting for 8 months out of the year I prefer the looks of satin finish knives. This BC-1 coating seems interesting however...

Also look at an AFCK model, maybe even a smaller one as the big 710 and afck blades can scare some sheeple. 705 is smaller as well but I have never owned one so I will not comment. As for the locking mechanism on the afck it is not as durable or wear resistant IMO as the axis lock. However, BM offers a wonderful warranty department that has sent me back many a hard-used liner-lock knife in perfect condition. It is not uncommon to hear that BM shop workers have returned knives with new scales, new liners, new washers, updating changed features on knives, and overall fixing every little quirk you have about the knife. You spend the $$ on BM and you wont regret it. Any problems send it back and receive it good as new. This thread is gonna get cookin I can tell.

JC

p.s. Think about using the fabulous search feature here at BF.com. Read all the stuff you can find on the benchmade 710 :eek: That should keep you busy for a day or two LOL :D
 
Spend the extra funds on the Benchmade, and put your mind at ease. Benchmades warranty is more than able to keep you happy, "IF" anything happens while you own their product. I own a 710 in M2 and love it.As far as coatings go, if you want one that wont wear off, don't put it on. I have never seen any knife, regardless off price, keep its coating after any real heavy use, although the bt2 coating seems to be holding up quite well. It has lasted me the last 4 or 5 months now with very minimal wear. All in all, if you want a cheap knife, go ahead and buy one (not referring to the Gerber here); but if you want quality and performance, buy a Benchmade.
Just my .02
Nero
 
The Gerber wha...??

Ah, never mind. The 710 is a great knife. Proven by many, and my 710HS is my default around the house/yard/hard use outdoors folding knife of choice.
 
Benchmade 710 with plain satin blade is my EDC and I can't see that changing anytime soon.
Mike
 
One more vote for 710. And definitely in M2. Ideally You'd have to install Aluminum handled on it :D Just like this one.
<A HREF="http://zvis.com/knives/knimgtmpl.shtml?http://zvis.com/images/knives/fold/bm/bmaxl1.jpg"><IMG SRC="http://zvis.com/images/knives/fold/bm/bmaxl1i.jpg"></A>
 
710, no contest, uncoated 154CM (or ats-34, I forget which they're using now) or the coated M2 model. I'd go with the M2.
 
The 710 in M2. Simply one of the best folders going. It is just a shame that BM doesn't give it the boron carbide (BC1) coating instead of the Teflon (BT2). Can't have everything I guess :(
 
Hi Cal and welcome to the Forums!

There is no proper answer for the question "what knife is better?" Also there is noting wrong with GERBER Spectre for this price, it has some advantages over BENCHMADE 710:
  • Ti-Ni blade coating is harder and more durable than BT2 what BENCHMADE use for their blades
  • Spectre is more carriable in urban environment - smaller and lighter what make it easier to carry in concealment
  • deep carry pocket clip exposes near nothing of knife handle over pocket upper edge
  • blade without recurve is easier to sharpen, especially for non-experienced user
  • tip-down carry mode what I personally like better than tip-up one

Spectre's weak points in comparison with BM710:
  • liner lock is far less reliable than axis lock
  • Spectre is not ambidextrous but 710 is indeed
  • closed position retention is very weakest point of Spectre. Mine, from First Production Run in fact couldn't retain closed position at all, it was enough to flick the wrist very, very slightly to shake blade out of the handle. Now the replaced one holds the blade closed small bit better but it is far worse than BM 710 Axis Lock
  • sometimes BM put on their knives pretty thick edge what might require reprofiling, but Spectre's one is far thicker. When I have thinned the edge to acceptable performance the sharpening area on mine became 4 millimeters wide!
  • average appearance is that 710 is executed noticeably more carefully and displays better quality, more or less like mercedes in comparison with ford...

Well, my choice for wild environment definitely would be (and really is) BM 710. For urban environment I would choose (and really am) BM 730 Ares or 551 Griptilian due to more compact and easier to carry size. BTW, Griptilian costs even less than Spectre...

Gator, wow! what the nice photo!
 
Definitely the 710. You won't find a better production knife without spending twice the money, IMO, than a 710HS (but, yeah, the coating sucks).
btw, tip-up is hardly a weakness, and alot of people prefer it...you know, the smart ones:p
 
Geez, there must be a lot of knife fanatics on this site. Here's another vote for the Benchmade 710 in high speed tool steel. Great design with outstanding steel. You'll really like the axis lock.
 
That was an overwhelming response if I've ever seen one, no room for any nagging doubts at all. Benchmade it is, I'll stop in and make the purchase sometime this weekend.

Jameson, I just looked for "710" with the search function and it came back with 855 topics; doubt I'd be able to sort the chaff from the hay in that before Groundhog Day!

Anyway, really appreciate all the input folks, (especially Sergiusz' mini-review there - really sorted things out for me!) don't know how I could have found out this stuff elsewhere.

Cal
 
CalvinM, wha..? You're not going to wait for the 710HSBC1AL? It's arguably the best production folder that hasn't been made. ;)
 
... If you lack the tools and know how to sharpen that recurve, get something else. Preferably something with an axis lock. There is no better lock made. Period.
 
How come no one has said "Save your money and buy a Sebbie?"

I'm not gonna' say it but I'm suprised someone hasn't.

Ben
 
I have another question: How come no one has mentioned SERE 2000? It might be possible to get it for $125... Is Benchmade 710 better then SERE?
 
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