Gold Class Benchmade 710 shipping Thurs!

I love the 710, but I love using the 710. As nice as this looks, I don't see myself spending that much on one. I continue to have Keyman do scales for mine and that is as gold class as I'll get...this is my newest user in M390, olive drab canvas micarta.
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Drives me nuts that BM won't spring for Ti liners on their Gold class folders. Especially given the price many go for.
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
Drives me nuts that BM won't spring for Ti liners on their Gold class folders. Especially given the price many go for.
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I agree...I do not understand their logic in using stainless steel. On a production knife, I can understand that cost and machining may make stainless a more viable option, but on something designed to compete with custom knives, titanium makes more sense, especially given how it can be anodized in colors that match other portions of the knife (in this case, blue ti liners to match the inlay.)

I'm not sure how popular this knife will be either way though. The 710 is really a no-thrills working knife designed to perform, and most people who take to it use it for work that they probably would not want to do with a $600 folder when they could do the same with the same knife for a sub $150 price tag without the cosmetic enhancements. It's just not really a knife that people say, "oh that's pretty" and purchase it. It's larger size also limits potential purchases for those looking specifically for a large folder. My assumption is that more 710 users would be more interested in the usage of say M390 over cosmetic enhancements and would rather put additional money to limited editions which enhance performance potential. As the 710 is designed to be a high quality folder with an awesome locking mechanism that is capable of very heavy work all at an affordable price for a knife of such quality, finding a market for high-dollar versions with major cosmetic enhancements may be difficult. (I think this is a primary reason KnifeWorks opted to do their LE Contego in an upgraded steel without major cosmetic enhancements that would drive up the price.)

Also, they are using that inlay scheme a lot recently, which may discourage collectors who are interested in getting something that looks very unique if they are spending that kind of money (same situation with what Breitling did with DLC.)

I could be completely wrong but that's my take.
 
Nice indeed, not worth the price of admission to me either. I'll admire it from afar instead.
 
Locutus D'Borg said:
Drives me nuts that BM won't spring for Ti liners on their Gold class folders. Especially given the price many go for.
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I guess they do not do that because that will affect the Axis: the lock gets stuck because of that steel to titanium combination. I actually saw that happening.
 
Did anyone else notice the pocket clip on the knife in the picture is all scuffed up ? :eek:

Not that it matters, because I certainly won't be buying one, but I thought it was very odd. I'm also surprised they used the old standard style clip, on a gold class knife. I would have thought at least a split arrow clip.
 
I too will be skipping this knife. I dig the looks of it but A.) the Damasteel blade is not what I'm looking for. S90V would have been great. And B.) the $510 price tag is absurd IMO.

I'm happy carrying my standard D2 710.
 
I wonder why they went with this design for the final choice? To me, I think a cooler Gold Class for the 710 would be say a carbon fiber handle, anodized blue ti liners and anodized blue ti hardware with actual sculpted standoffs, topped with a blade in something like M390, S90V, or some of the newer REX high speed steels or even something unusual like Z-Wear of Vanax.
 
pnsxyr said:
I wonder why they went with this design for the final choice? To me, I think a cooler Gold Class for the 710 would be say a carbon fiber handle, anodized blue ti liners and anodized blue ti hardware with actual sculpted standoffs, topped with a blade in something like M390, S90V, or some of the newer REX high speed steels or even something unusual like Z-Wear of Vanax.
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See, that seems almost intuitive doesn't it? Yet, Benchmade seems to really go out of their way to release knives that just look plain weird/unattractive with prices that seem unreasonable. Look how long it took BM to finally release a production of a CF 940 after how long people wanted it. Now don't get me wrong... I actually do think this knife looks attractive. However, for the price... nah. I'd say $300 at best.
 
charlOOsi said:
See, that seems almost intuitive doesn't it? Yet, Benchmade seems to really go out of their way to release knives that just look plain weird/unattractive with prices that seem unreasonable. Look how long it took BM to finally release a production of a CF 940 after how long people wanted it. Now don't get me wrong... I actually do think this knife looks attractive. However, for the price... nah. I'd say $300 at best.
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Remember the pre-Gold Class 941 and 940 titanium models that came in the long plastic box? (941TI-01 was the model I think) I think they are one of the most beautiful knives made. Subtle, but classy styling in which they didn't overdo it but gave it the right amount of bling. And with a finished quality that one couldn't help but notice and appreciate. I always kind of hoped they would find their way into a production 940 or 943. I guess I just kind of like the less busy styling myself. The CF 940 is a beautiful knife, but I can't swallow the price tag either...same with the 941-81, as those are knives I'd want to carry and hence don't want to spend a fortune as carrying it will kill any premium paid for it.
 
That 710 that had CF and stainless bolsters from a year or two ago was gorgeous. Was that a gold class ?
 
Yes, but was boxy in hand. Too thick for me.

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I like the new one.

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Just didn't feel like a 710 to me,

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