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Military Vs. 710
- Thread starter Admin 1
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- Apr 12, 2000
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- 2,116
I'd say the BM710HS. The AXIS lock is superior, in my mind, to a liner lock. You can open and close a 710 faster, the AXIS lock is stronger. You can wear the 710 left or right carry and operate the lock in either hand. The 710 also has full dual steel liners. It's a solid knife, and has a nice slim profile.
That said, the Military has a better blade. The blade design on the Military is going to slice through things better. Also some people prefer the handle on the Military as it offers a good grip.
For a hard use knife that I know I'm going to use frequently I prefer an AXIS lock. I have a Spyderco Starmate which is similar to the Military as far as construction of the handle, pivot, lock, etc, and I never carried it. It's a great knife, but I found the 710 to be more user friendly, and I have more confidence in it's construction.
I'd say try and handle both and go with whichever feels better in your hand and pocket. Also check out the BM Doug Ritter Grip.
That said, the Military has a better blade. The blade design on the Military is going to slice through things better. Also some people prefer the handle on the Military as it offers a good grip.
For a hard use knife that I know I'm going to use frequently I prefer an AXIS lock. I have a Spyderco Starmate which is similar to the Military as far as construction of the handle, pivot, lock, etc, and I never carried it. It's a great knife, but I found the 710 to be more user friendly, and I have more confidence in it's construction.
I'd say try and handle both and go with whichever feels better in your hand and pocket. Also check out the BM Doug Ritter Grip.
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- Nov 11, 2004
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- 1,240
this is the part where someone like me chimes in and says something like "bla bla bla manix or bla bla bla sebenza"
or "blah blah blah ATR" etc lol.
of the 2 i would say the 710, with its axis lock is better, though both are good knives. the lock on mili's have always seemed awfull thin, and i have had to send one back that wasnt engaging properly, i would say the only con to the 710 i have heard is they are harder to sharpen, or thats what folks say, i never have had that problem, the 710 blade also probably cuts a little better too.
the milli is good too though, either would be just fine probably.
of the 2 i would say the 710, with its axis lock is better, though both are good knives. the lock on mili's have always seemed awfull thin, and i have had to send one back that wasnt engaging properly, i would say the only con to the 710 i have heard is they are harder to sharpen, or thats what folks say, i never have had that problem, the 710 blade also probably cuts a little better too.
the milli is good too though, either would be just fine probably.
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- May 23, 2004
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I don't own, nor have ever handled a Military - from all accounts a very fine knife.
I do own a 710HS and think it is close to perfect in fit and finnish,the M2 steel holds an exceptional edge that lasts, is easy to maintain, doesn't rust as easy as others seem to continualy say. The axis lock is very strong, abidextrous, quick to open left and right handed and reliable, a real winner for Benchmade. The slightly recurved blade makes it a slicing machine, marginally harder to sharpen freehand, but easy work with a sharpmaker 204. I can confidently recommend this knife as an exceptional piece of cuttlery for the price.
I do own a 710HS and think it is close to perfect in fit and finnish,the M2 steel holds an exceptional edge that lasts, is easy to maintain, doesn't rust as easy as others seem to continualy say. The axis lock is very strong, abidextrous, quick to open left and right handed and reliable, a real winner for Benchmade. The slightly recurved blade makes it a slicing machine, marginally harder to sharpen freehand, but easy work with a sharpmaker 204. I can confidently recommend this knife as an exceptional piece of cuttlery for the price.
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- May 31, 2001
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- 4,379
Admin said:
Obviously.
But in this case, the thread starter asked for comments on two fairly comparable knives, where personal taste is going to come into play. Your comment on the Manix proves my point. The fact that you don't like it doesn't mean it might not be a good knife.
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2004
- Messages
- 1,207
It is VERY subjective choosing between them. They are two of the best and most popular production knives made.
Here's a suggestion: flip a coin or something and just get one or the other. If you don't absolutely love it then trade or sell it for the other.
I went from an Al Mar S2K to an 806SD2 to a Military (but almost got the 710 until handling both side by side) then finally to an 806D2 this way. I'm keeping the 806D2, but removed the black coating.
Oh yeah, almost forgot: Sebenza... BM42... Calypso Jr...
Chris
Here's a suggestion: flip a coin or something and just get one or the other. If you don't absolutely love it then trade or sell it for the other.
I went from an Al Mar S2K to an 806SD2 to a Military (but almost got the 710 until handling both side by side) then finally to an 806D2 this way. I'm keeping the 806D2, but removed the black coating.
Oh yeah, almost forgot: Sebenza... BM42... Calypso Jr...
Chris
Cliff Stamp
BANNED
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- Oct 5, 1998
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- 17,562
This is a fairly easy decision to make as the knives are very different so depending on where you desire higher performance it will favor one knife over the other.
The Military has a higher flat grind and Spyderco runs thinner and more acute edges so cutting ability will favor Spyderco.
Get a M2 Axis, and you have a tougher blade than the S30V from Spyderco with similar levels of edge retention on most materials and better on some with the only real drawback being corrosion resistance.
With locks, the issue with the Military is torques, if you don't do this significantly both locks are strong and stable, just check standard tests on both to make sure you get a well made one NIB.
In regards to opening, the hole is easier to index, specially with gloves on.
Both have nicely shaped handles, ergonomics are subjective so handle them if possible.
The Military has various utility advantages such as for example the spines relationship to the handle makes it a nice kitchen knife, cut some foods, reverse the knife and use the spine to scrape off the cutting board.
-Cliff
The Military has a higher flat grind and Spyderco runs thinner and more acute edges so cutting ability will favor Spyderco.
Get a M2 Axis, and you have a tougher blade than the S30V from Spyderco with similar levels of edge retention on most materials and better on some with the only real drawback being corrosion resistance.
With locks, the issue with the Military is torques, if you don't do this significantly both locks are strong and stable, just check standard tests on both to make sure you get a well made one NIB.
In regards to opening, the hole is easier to index, specially with gloves on.
Both have nicely shaped handles, ergonomics are subjective so handle them if possible.
The Military has various utility advantages such as for example the spines relationship to the handle makes it a nice kitchen knife, cut some foods, reverse the knife and use the spine to scrape off the cutting board.
-Cliff
glockman99
RIP Dann, you were a good guy.
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2000
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- 21,269
I have had (at-least) a couple of both, and from a "lefty" point of view, the 710 is a MUCH better knife...The Mili isn't very "lefty-friendly", where the 710 is 100% "lefty-friendly".
