How awesome is the 710? Pls. count the ways...

M

multifool

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Jun 22, 2007
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I have limited funds, but I somehow managed to save enough for one more knife purchase before taking a long haitus from knife purchasing. As such, I want to make this purchase count...I want the knife-high (you know what I mean) to last me a good while...I want one that is a must-have for all knife nuts.

I recently acquired the BM300 in a trade (my first BM and my first axis lock) and I fell in love with the axis lock. The 300 design itself is still iffy.

I am eyeing the BM 710 as my next purchase. Is it as good as I have read it to be? Pls. convince me one way or the other. Or should I be looking at something else? My only condition is that it must be an axis lock and it has to have a blade length of 3.5" to 4".

Thanks
 
I agree with your comment on the 300. :thumbdn: One day soon that knife will be called the Edsel of the Benchmade knives. :D On the other hand, the 710 was the first model to come out with the Axis lock and stands out as one of THE models to own. There are a lot of flavors to these; different steels and scales over the years...and it would be a mistake to NOT own one. Read up - you won't find many negatives written about these. (BTW - I own five and counting...) :thumbup:
 
jkarp_53 said:
I agree with your comment on the 300. :thumbdn: One day soon that knife will be called the Edsel of the Benchmade knives. :D On the other hand, the 710 was the first model to come out with the Axis lock and stands out as one of THE models to own. There are a lot of flavors to these; different steels and scales over the years...and it would be a mistake to NOT own one. Read up - you won't find many negatives written about these. (BTW - I own five and counting...) :thumbup:
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Thanks Jkarp. That is one of my main concerns about buying my next BM. On paper, i should really like the 300...i like flippers, i like textured g10, love the steel...but for some reason, I am not digging the 300 as much as i thought i would. Can't pinpoint what it is?

I'm hoping the 710 doesnt have the same effect on me.
 
The two knives are like night and day. The Axis/flipper (I tried one for a week on a passaround. I didn't keep it more than two days before sending it on...) the 300 is clumsy, the blade too short, scales are ugly, IMO...I forgot to say that above. The 710, currently in D2, is weighted blade forward, which I like, but is still beautifully balanced...with a mild recurve; the G-10 scales are slim and it just feels right. And If you like it well enough, our friends at KnifeWorks have a version in Cerakoted M4, and worth a look. Let us know what you do in the end please!
 
IMO, you can't go wrong with a 710. It's one of my favorite designs of all time. If you cut stuff hard for long enough you'll find some hot spots to the handle (I do wish the scales were rounded slightly at the the edges sometimes) but what other knife jams so much into so small a package, with such good ergos?

Great knife. When in doubt and considering a 710, buy it :)
 
jkarp_53 said:
it would be a mistake to NOT own one.
Click to expand...
+100 :thumbup:
A great knife that takes well to customizing.
I have three myself.
Here's my M390 in CF
DSCN5920_zpsb7411b6d.jpg
 
Get one! Long sexy lines, carries great, not too heavy, and it's a benchmade. That means they have your back if you ever have any problems. Also means it would be easy to sell if you ever wanted to. But you wont. If I had to get rid of all my knives and only keep one it would be my 710.
 
No such thing as the perfect knife, but the 710 is pretty close to it IMO. I should, but I'm not feeling the 300 either.

@Keyman, You should show that blue CF handle 710.
 
I've never made the jump to one b/c I dislike the blade shape. If it had the blade of the 707, just bigger, I'd be all in on one. With it's popularity it have no doubt it is a great knife, but I have to love everything about a knife to plunk the cash down.
 
The 710 is a ton of blade for how thin it is in the pocket. i haven't found anything else like it. I have the m390 version and love it!

JD
 
greetings all,
just like there are no bad Labradors, there are no bad 710's. have 4 in different steels and not a bad one in the lot. the knife is a natural, for me at least. great blade-to-handle ratio, weight, fit and finish. rides almost unnoticeable in my rear pocket, locks up like a vault, etc, etc. just a classic, no-nonsense design. a lot of knife, in my opinion, for the money. presidio family comes in at a close second. best regards.
mike
 
Thank you all for the responses. Your enthusiasm has me completely excited to make the purchase...though I have to wait until the end of the month. The common theme seems to be the blade to handle ratio and how much knife you get in a smaller/slimmer package. This too is what has me interested in this knife (as opposed to say a Military or some other large folder).

Thanks again, and I will keep you all posted.

@Keyman - Those are awesome scales! Are those for personal enjoyment only or do you sell those bad boys?
 
multifool said:
@Keyman - Those are awesome scales! Are those for personal enjoyment only or do you sell those bad boys?
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Thanks multifool.
No, they are not for my personal enjoyment only.
Yup, I definitely do make custom 710 scales for other folks too.
They turn a great knife, into a one of a kind knife.
Hey, works for me.
Good luck with you 710 quest.


 
I hate the Benchmade 300SN, I think it's super tacky and really stubby looking. It seems like the knife was just kind of thrown together at the last minute.

I am actually fondling my 710 right now. I never carry it, but after playing with it for the past few hours... I'm really starting to like it again. My only gripe is the scales; I don't like the way they look all that much. I think I might have Keyman make me some carbon fiber scales for it. I love it, by the 551 will always be my favorite.
 
Guess it's personal preference... To me the 710 from BM kill it...those are grip's grip...nothing wrong with them. Just beautiful to look at & feel....just got mine. And I own a handful of PM2s....this 710 really kill it. Lovely blade...just beautiful & fires like or even better than the para.
 
Hi Keyman,

This is my first BM, and I really dig it. So, yeah, wow, I just traded into it, (710/D2) with your scales on them, they are just like this but have purple embedded in the middle - absolutely gorgeous! Here's the catch… I'm not a purple kinda guy. The picture you just showed, I'm THAT kind of guy.

What's your trade in policy? :P

- Coolz


Keyman said:
Did someone say carbon fiber?

Click to expand...
 
You must mean something like this?



There has only been two sets of those made.
Custom scales; made from a Custom laminate makers material, CF & purple linen.
That material is no longer available.
Very unique, very one of a kind.
There's no cookie cutter there. ;)
 
Wow, yes, that's exactly it. Apparently I need to hold onto it, considering it's rarity, eh?

IMG_5412.jpg
 
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