I've had my 710 for a few days, so I thought I'd pass on my evaluation. I like Benchmade knives and think they generally provide good value. My EDC is usually a Bradley Alias II Titanium which is actually made by Benchmade. I spent 32 years in law enforcement, so I never go out without a knife and a gun (J frame 640 in winter, Ruger LCP in summer).
My first thoughts of the 710 is that it has some heft to it. Not too much, but you know it's in your pocket. Flimsy dress pants are not going to do well with a 710 clipped to the pocket. It seems like a really big knife when you open it. It reminds me of the Crocodile Dundee scene where Mick says to the street punks, "That's not a knife....THIS is a knife". The 710 definitely conveys some authority when you whack it open---kind of like racking a shotgun. Opening, however, has been a bit of a problem. The blade locks up 100% but the pivot is a little tight, so that doing the wrist-snap opening won't work. I think it will loosen up with use, but right now it feels stiff. My Axis lock Griptilian literally falls out of the handle when I push the Axis buttons, and I can flip-flop it like a bali song---not so with this 710.
I've heard some complaints about the sharpness of new Benchmades, but this one was "scary sharp" right out of the box. When first playing with it I was super careful, because I know if I cut myself with this thing it would be a bad one. Hopefully the plain D2 blade will hold this edge for a while, but I think I'll just be lazy and send it back to the factory for free sharpening when the time comes. It has a re-curve, saber shaped blade that would be a bitch to sharpen in super-hard D2.
I really like Axis locks and they lock so nice, they turn a folder into a fixed blade. The Axis studs on the 710 are more recessed than on a Griptilian and much harder to operate. Also the thumb stud on the blade is too close to the grip to get a good shove on it. I think my Dremel with the mini sanding drum can relieve the G 10 a bit and fix this. I shouldn't have to do this on a $100 knife, but that's the way it is. I got this from Knifeworks.com out of Columbia Louisiana, and they were great to deal with--$116 delivered.
This 710 will replace an old 800 series AFCK that I have used and abused since the mid-1990's. It's still functional, and reminds me of the 710 in many ways. If you want a nice Benchmade to open envelopes at work, , get yourself a 940 with a cute purple back spacer, but if you want a real weapon/tool get a 710.
My first thoughts of the 710 is that it has some heft to it. Not too much, but you know it's in your pocket. Flimsy dress pants are not going to do well with a 710 clipped to the pocket. It seems like a really big knife when you open it. It reminds me of the Crocodile Dundee scene where Mick says to the street punks, "That's not a knife....THIS is a knife". The 710 definitely conveys some authority when you whack it open---kind of like racking a shotgun. Opening, however, has been a bit of a problem. The blade locks up 100% but the pivot is a little tight, so that doing the wrist-snap opening won't work. I think it will loosen up with use, but right now it feels stiff. My Axis lock Griptilian literally falls out of the handle when I push the Axis buttons, and I can flip-flop it like a bali song---not so with this 710.
I've heard some complaints about the sharpness of new Benchmades, but this one was "scary sharp" right out of the box. When first playing with it I was super careful, because I know if I cut myself with this thing it would be a bad one. Hopefully the plain D2 blade will hold this edge for a while, but I think I'll just be lazy and send it back to the factory for free sharpening when the time comes. It has a re-curve, saber shaped blade that would be a bitch to sharpen in super-hard D2.
I really like Axis locks and they lock so nice, they turn a folder into a fixed blade. The Axis studs on the 710 are more recessed than on a Griptilian and much harder to operate. Also the thumb stud on the blade is too close to the grip to get a good shove on it. I think my Dremel with the mini sanding drum can relieve the G 10 a bit and fix this. I shouldn't have to do this on a $100 knife, but that's the way it is. I got this from Knifeworks.com out of Columbia Louisiana, and they were great to deal with--$116 delivered.
This 710 will replace an old 800 series AFCK that I have used and abused since the mid-1990's. It's still functional, and reminds me of the 710 in many ways. If you want a nice Benchmade to open envelopes at work, , get yourself a 940 with a cute purple back spacer, but if you want a real weapon/tool get a 710.
Especially when it's not as versatile as a DMT Aligner. Over here stuff from the U.S costs maybe twice to three times as much.
