just in: the benchmade 710 in m390. first thoughts

[zyhano]

Delivered 15 minutes ago. I decided to get a 710 after reading a lot of good things about it. The new m390 (non limited edition) sealed the deal.

first impressions... I really like it!!

I was a littlebit concerned that it would be too 'tactical' because of it's size. I prefer 3" folders most of the time and thought this one might look a little too killer like.

The good news is that even my gf thought it did not look threatening - I don't either - because the blade is long and slim. It looks very 'sophisticated'/'gentlemanlike' (for lack of better words) to me and therefore an item I am less concerned about showing than say a ZT 30x. Overall not too big.

It feels well in hand and very strong. A little side to side bladeplay though (with a bit of force)
No crappy coating, black g-10 non agressively textured. I like it.

In true benchmade style this one is dull - like my grandmothers' teeth - from the factory. I believe I only had one BM come sharp (of 5) Bummer. Keep in mind, dull is something relative. It's dull to me (no shaving of arm hair) but slices through paper pretttty good. Sharpening looks a little uneven on both sides. I can live with that.

I love the feel of the edge though and the slight recurve. Different steels and grinds have a different feel to them when you touch them with the fingertips, this feels like it could bite you good.

opening and closing is smooth and good. Blade profile is something I can get used to (slight recurve)

First priority: sharpen the m390 and use it! Looking forward to using this steel, first time (got my spyderco mule m390 last week).

 

[mongomondo]

Thanks for the impressions, hope you do a video on the knife. I really liked your Hinderer/Sebenza series. Also have you tried tightening the pivot? I've had a few 710s and they all had very slight vertical play. I could fix the side to side by tightening the pivot though.

 

[zyhano]

thanks mongomondo, I don't have any vertical play whatsoever. Havent tried tightening it yet, but did it just now. Blade play is gone after a very small amount of turn (hardly anything). the pivot tightening listens fairly closely, easy to lock up the blade with the pivot. It's gone now. Torx size 9 by the way (edit: it's torx 8, had the torxes switched in the box).

I'm going of on a motorcycle trip this weekend with a couple of buddies on a brand new ducati monster in the ardennes forests of belgium and will bring the 710. We will camp, but not a lot of forest action so no fixed blades etc. Just the bikes, hammocks and the 710, looking forward to it.

I just stropped the knife, because the recurve is not very pronounced and I have small (about 1.5 inch) wide strops, it worked pretty well.
Stropped it quickly on 6 and 3 micron dmt pasted sides of the strop and it's really come up in sharpness. Pops hairs well now.

I'm finishing my buck hoodlum review (in france, belgium and the netherlands) which will probably be up next week. After that I'll probably be doing a tabletop review so the 710 might be one I'd do if I've gotten around to using it properly. My reviews take way to much of my time
After that probably some bladesports action and a review of the Jose Diaz knife 'cane toad'

 

[Steven Andrews]

the pivot tightening listens fairly closely, easy to lock up the blade with the pivot. It's gone now. Torx size 9 by the way (edit: it's torx 8, had the torxes switched in the box).

The pivot is a T10 Torx.

 

[Followthehollow]

I know you can't post in the thread due to deal spotting rules, but is there anyway you could PM or email me where they are available? I can't seem to find them and I'd really like one.

email is my username followed by an "x@gmail.com"

Actually I may have found it, is it at the same place that had the limited run of 250? its just now larger run?

 

[Sulaco]

I like mine too. Unfortunately it didn't come in nearly as good a shape as yours did. I am expecting it back from BM Monday. I hope it's right so I can start using it too!

 

[Followthehollow]

Got mine, I really like how the spine is more rounded over the original 710.

Time to retire my 5 year old EDC d2 version and see if this m390 lives up to the hype.

 

[flatface77]

I have one of those in my near future as well. Don't be shy about thinning the edge down a bit. I've reprofiled thre Benchmades in M390 so far & loved the edge I got. It shaved easily off the coarse stone & finished up with a very aggressive, biting edge. If you enjoy putting a good edge on a knife you'll find this stuff very rewarding.

 

[zyhano]

The pivot is a T10 Torx.

Ok, I'll check later if those'll fit too.

I know you can't post in the thread due to deal spotting rules, but is there anyway you could PM or email me where they are available? I can't seem to find them and I'd really like one.

email is my username followed by an "x@gmail.com"

Actually I may have found it, is it at the same place that had the limited run of 250? its just now larger run?

send you an email

I like mine too. Unfortunately it didn't come in nearly as good a shape as yours did. I am expecting it back from BM Monday. I hope it's right so I can start using it too!

what happened to it?

Got mine, I really like how the spine is more rounded over the original 710.

Time to retire my 5 year old EDC d2 version and see if this m390 lives up to the hype.

Don't have an earlier version, but the round spine really adds to the finish level. It's only from about halfway of the spine, a rounded swedge if you will. I've always liked that about sebenzas too.

I have one of those in my near future as well. Don't be shy about thinning the edge down a bit. I've reprofiled thre Benchmades in M390 so far & loved the edge I got. It shaved easily off the coarse stone & finished up with a very aggressive, biting edge. If you enjoy putting a good edge on a knife you'll find this stuff very rewarding.

I do enjoy putting a good edge on. I'll see if I can create some quality time to put on a mirror edge. The recurve will make it a little harder for the benchstones. Oh well, time to bring out the sharpmaker rods and freehand the heck out of it