Just Ordered a Benchmade 710D2!

T

TWBryan

Joined
Jun 11, 2006
Messages
1,140
I made the order at knifeworks (heard this was a reputable dealer) . I'm kind of excited and a little concerned. Everyone here seems to really like this knife,but I've also heard that some people have a heckuva time sharpening the D2 blade. I've got a Lansky system with diamond stones here . Should I be more excited,or more worried?:)
 
Congratulations, on the purchase of the 710D2. Your gonna love it.
Don't worry, be happy!
 
I'd say more excited than worried. I've heard that D2 can be hard to sharpen as well, though certainly not impossible. I haven't yet had to sharpen any D2 blades, and though I suspect it may take a little longer than, say, 154CM, I think it'll be plenty doable.

Plus, the 710 is such a fantastic knife that it would be hard for such a silly thing as blade steel to make you think it was anything less than perfect. ;)
 
I bought this one in D-2 and I wasn't happy with it's sharpness, so I touched it up on ceramic sticks and it got hair poppin sharp fast.
It flicks out very smooth and fast. Packs a lot of blade in a smallish handle and the lock is one of the best.
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I have a lansky with diamonds. It will sharpen fast. no worries. I had a 710 D2 as well. I got it sharp with 20* then 25* back bevel. Would pop the hair off my arm (what was left)
 
Thanks guys,thanks for the great pic Jill. I was either going to get the 710 or a Spyderco Endura zdp189. I did purchase a Kershaw Leek in composite D2,love the steel,hate the framelock.
 
I have got the fever, for another 710. I had one, and like a dummie, I sold it.
 
I've got an 710HSS and it can be challenging to sharpen IF you want to reset the bevel. However, routine sharpening/retouching does not take that much effort over a softer steel.

And, any extra effort it may take to sharpen will more than pay for itself in edge retention.

Enjoy :)
 
The 710 rocks but I would suggest you pick up a ceramic rod to sharpen it with, it's just so much easier to sharpen that first curve (nearest the pivot) with a round sharpener. I've had mine for almost two years and have learned to sharpen it on a flat benchstone but it takes some finesse.

I've been slowly thinning the bevel over time. From the point to a little over half of the blade length the edge bevel is about 8 degrees per side :eek: but what a great slicer. The rest of the edge bevel tapers up to about 20 degrees per side. I love having a hard use section of the blade, which is also the part where the most force can be applied, and a razor thin section :thumbup:
 
got mine when i toured the factory last month! i love it. D2 isnt too bad. the week i got it, i put it on a cardboard wheel with 5 micron and it got very sharp. the recurve isnt too hard to sharpen.
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A Spyderco Sharpmaker would be a great investmant for you. The set comes with two sets of ceramic rods, medium grit and fine grit, with other rods, including diamond, available. The corners of these stones will sharpen a recurve with ease. As far as sharpening goes, the secret is to not let the edge get butter knife dull. I keep my Sharpmaker set up on my knife table and touchup the blade every few days, depending on the amount of use it has gotten, this way it never gets dull.
 
Ex machina, I generally touch up my edc at the end of every day. :)

Theonew, I generally use a small ceramic rod to sharpen with ,but I note it doesn't always get my spydercos as sharp as I would like.

Bradpierson26,wow.

Cutter17, you guys are reading my mind again. I'm looking at buying a spyderco sharpmaker off of ebay now.
 
I think that the sharpening of D2 is a little blowed out of proportion. Its just a little more time consuming then say S30V or 154CM. The powder version is a little easier to sharpen yet. The big thing is the same as for any high performance steel don't let it get overly dull!
 
Peter Parker,thanks for the advice. I have a lansky I can use to set a bevel with,if necessary. I also ordered a Sharpmaker ,somewhere between them i should be able to get the knife sharp. :)
 
The D2 sharpening thing is really blowed out of proportion.I've had 710's with D2 and I've got a 913 StrykerD2 in my pocket as I type this.I've always been able to get D2 as sharp as any other steel I own.TWBryan,you will do fine with the Sharpmaker.I also suggest that you get a leather strop and green chromium oxide to load the strop with.My D2 blades really seem to like the stuff:D.If you have any troubles just email me through the forum.Have fun with the 710.
 
jsj72,thanks appreciate the advice and support . Looking forward to using the sharpmaker,I made a set of "training wheels" for it already. I built a strop the other day,just haven't located the polish I was going to load it with.
 
I ordered my compounds here and have had good luck with them;
Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers.Fast shipping and good prices.
Flexcut Gold
Yellowstone
1lb. Green bar
I use them in the order above after I get my edge set.
"Training Wheels"??Could you explain this one.:D
 
Yep, that's a keeper. I haven't bought any Benchmades in the last couple of years, and don't plan to. But I'm glad that I've got my two 710's. It's a great folder, and willl probably go down in folder histoy as being one of the better designed knives of it's era. Of course, I'm a recurve lover, so......:D
 
JSJ72,the idea for "training wheels" is simple. I bought a two-dollar round bubble level from sears,and super glued a flat round magnet to the underside. As long as the bubble remains in vertical alignment ,whether all the way forward or back, then you are holding the knife level . Off to one side and you're doing it wrong. Can't say this will work for every knife,but it'll work for a lot of them. I'll be using it until i get the hang of the sharpmaker.

jonnymac44, I'm looking forward to getting my hands on it. If I like it I'll buy another next month or possibly an Orange Spyderco Military. Decisions,decisions. :)

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