need help with benchmade decision

Both the 710 and the 750 have recurved blades, the 750's blade is slightly less recurved. Neither of the knives are really more threatening than the other.
The 750 is probably easier to clean that the 710 though.

And don't rule out a 730!
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You could put nacho cheese sauce on it...
 
I have to add a little mud as well. The 730 is my best EDC knife. Over several Bucks, Spydie Mil, Spydie Wegner, Spyder Rookie, Spydie Standard, Spydie Native; Benchmade 710, 722, a couple of Ascents, and a few case knives, and a MT LCC. Out of all of those, the 730 & 735 fit my hand the best, and spend the most time in my pockets. I don't have a Sebenza, though; it MIGHT be a knife that could take the 73x's place. I've never had a problem with BM's QC; only their sharpening.

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The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog. - Ambrose Bierce
Most dog owners are at length able to teach themselves to obey their dog. - Robert Morley

iktomi
 
Schmackey:I cannot remember the last time I used a knife for thrusting.I have small hands and the 940 fits me just fine.I own 4 710's indifferent configerations,including one that was Customized by Frank Recupero.It is just a knife I do not carry.Also my other daily carry is a Camillus CUDA Damascus.It would be a great knife to thrust with.Whatever that means.
The 750 is another great using knife.I have 2 of them.I like all Benchmades.They all have their good and not so good.
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have a"knife"day
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Stompy:
The 750 is probably easier to clean that the 710 though.</font>
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No doubt. I use my 710HS heavily and am very happy with it in every respect except cleaning. I clean it every few days, because the Axis mechanism gets full of grit and crunches every time the knife opens/closes. Note: this has not interfered with the knife's function at all, but it's a pain disassembling the knife all the time.
For several weeks, I carried my small Sebenza in the same environment, performed the same tasks, etc. to try it out. Cleans up in the sink followed by a blast of WD-40. I've taken it apart once. I have an Apogee coming soon (also a frame lock), that fits the bill, but am still tempted to buy a 750 to have and abuse.
I too, would like to see it with an M2 blade.
 
The recurve on either 710 or 750 is easy to resharpen on a jig type sharpener (Lansky, Gatco, EdgePro) or a Spyderco V-crock. I can imagine a recurve might be tough on a flat bench stone, but since I can't use a flat stone for $#!+, I'm speculating.

I'd say the 750 is about 70% of the Sebenza for 28% of the price ($345 vs. about $96 street), which is a darned good tradeoff if you are price sensitive.

Reeve's integral lockup is really stout and action is smooth, while his heat treat of BG-42 excellent and his hollow ground but convex-final-edge is really unique and among the sharpest out of the box production knives anywhere.

I found the 750's lock to be a bit "galling" in a way... the titanium liner lock just was kind of rough in releasing from the tang with the 750. But I like the unserrated 750 a lot, don't get me wrong (kinda half defeats the purpose of recurve to serrate that section, IMHO).

I like the 710 equally well at 4" vs. the 3.6" Pinnacle. Axis lock is great if you don't use wax based lubes and keep it clean with something like TriFlow or Prolink.

You may get to put a hour or more into reprofiling your Benchmade edge for reasons mentioned prior (sloppy sharpening these days at Benchmade... I've sampled old and new blades to say this). I haven't personally had heat treat problems or actual blade grind or rubbing liners with Benchmade... heat treat is super important. Others have reported QC problems. So maybe a local store with reasonable prices is a reasonable approach (but I sure wouldn't pay MSRP at a mall for example, you can send a few knives back until you get a good one for the price of MSRP).
 
Josh,
I haven't handled the 690 yet so I won't rule them out, but, I am going to have agree with Mr.Super Duty and recommend the 735's.

They are simply, IMHO of coarse, some of the better BM has to offer.

--The Raptor--
 
Had a 750; sent it back!

Have a 940 and carry it regularly.

I'm no fan of BM. Save your money and buya Sebenza.

If you were looking for an EDC (Every Day Carry) the Sebenza is IT!!! The AFCK (M2) and the 940 are my folder BMades (I have a Nimravus) but you could do better elsewhere. Don't get fooled by the hype.
 
If you don't have a super cash flow then hang on with the Sebenza and give BM a chance
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I totally love the 730. I think it's up to the task, fits the hand well and the lock is strong. Also have a 800SBT which is pretty good as well. I also have a Nimravus that came really sharp in the box.

Getting back to your selection.... checked out the 940 and it looked more like a dress knife, but I would overlook that as it has an axis lock. However, looking at your choices, I could agree with the 750. Now there's a tough knife! The 710 is a good work-horse as well, but not pretty.

Best is to get to a dealer and check them out. I always find the best way to buy is go to a dealer, check out 3 or 4 "finalists" on your own list, and go home. Return in a week and I promise you by then you'll have made up your mind
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OTOH, if you buy at the first visit, then you probably knew what you wanted all along.
 
Wow, thanks for all the replies. I really appreciate the info. I will definitely have to take a closer look at the 710hs. That particular model is only available with the coated blade (?) How well does the coating hold up?

--Josh
 
Just got my first BM 722S on Saturday..SWEET! I am a Tanto blade fan, and this baby is nice. I traded my 910S for this 722 and I ever happy that I did. The blade is very aggresive and very strong looking. The lock looks unstoppable! What a tank. It is quite fast and it also has a tip-up carry mode. It is truly ambidextrous (sp?) and with the 710 series, you can swap from tip up to tip down (if I remember correctly.) I say go with the axis series. 710 or 720 if you like the tanto line. Good luck!

David

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David P. Sproles
Eagle Scout Class of 1988
dps2970@hotmail.com
 
All the "HS" (M2) blades have the coating.
The coating sucks-scratches and wears easily. If you don't use the knife heavily, and are not worried about chipping, ATS-34/154CM is probably better. If you use the knife hard, M2 is worth it, IMO, because it will roll instead of chipping.
 
Well, thanks again to everyone who posted suggestions. Though the 710hs is definitely on my "to get" list, I ended up going with the 940. I was at the local knife store yesterday, and I saw a 942s preproduction run , #464/1000. I knew instantly that I had to make it mine. When I held it in my hand, it spoke, saying, "take me home with you; you won't regret it." The store gives out a card once a year good for 25% off on one purchase during the month of your birthday, which brought the price down to online range. I wasn't planning on black handles or partially serrated blade, but I couldn't help myself; it was love at first sight. Fit and finish are perfect. Wow, what a great knife.
--Josh
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Josh Feltman:
I have pretty much narrowed it down to two models: the 940 Osborne, and the 750 Pinnacle, but I am having trouble choosing between the two. </font>
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I have the 750. I didn't really care for the axis lock on the particular 940 I played with. If I could have gotten a good price one one of the blue-handled 940's I'd have one of those two, but I still love my BM750.

As an aside, I was lucky enough to find a brick-and-morter store with a Large Sebenza, CRKT S-2 and BM750. I much prefer the BM750 to any of the others.

Mike
 
The 750 is a fine knife IF you can get a good one. As with all BM blades at the moment QC sucks more than a 1000Ft Lampray.

(and thats a lot!)

The 940 is a bit small IMHO.

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Wayne.
"To strive to seek to find and not to yield"
Tennyson
Ranger motto

A few useful details on UK laws and some nice reviews!
http://members.aol.com/knivesuk/
Certified steel snob!
 
Wayne, how many BM's do you own? Last I heard, all you has was the AFCK. Not exactly a large sample. I have yet to see a single instance of bad QC in them. And between the ones I own, the ones my friends own, and the ones I've handled at shows, I must have examined 50-100 BM's, closely. And I do really mean that I have never seen an instance of bad QC.

Of course, we all know that Angie and Travis hate you, and are out to get you.
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--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
own a few BM and my personal fav is the 800 series - i carry a AFCK large plain edge black blade every single day - i have bought 3 knives to replace it, and none have yet - ya can get them cheap now to as BM is changing to the oval vs round hole ala spyderco - i've seen them for about $80, a helluva lot of knife for the $$, or actually, twice the $$ - just really like the AFCK
 
Josh,
The 940 is a great knife. Hope you'll be happy with it. I carried one daily for a few months, and still carry it pretty often. Probably my favorite BM. Oops, just realized you said 942...well, same should go for it
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by The General:
The 750 is a fine knife IF you can get a good one. As with all BM blades at the moment QC sucks more than a 1000Ft Lampray.(and thats a lot!)</font>
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Must be nice to have the opportunity to inspect them all yourself before they go out to the general public.
Funny, how-in the same thread no less-you touted the 750 as being 95% the knife a Sebenza is, and then say that all BMs suck (at the moment, I assume-which would change instantly should BM replace your AFCK, I'm sure). Doesn't say much for the Sebenza, either.
And I was stupid enough to buy several BMs and a Sebenza! What really makes me feel bad is that I thought they were all pretty good knives. Those @#%&!s have been pulling the wool over my eyes for years.
If I had only known.....
 
Originally posted by Josh Feltman:
[I am looking for an every day carry knife that is up to hard use and has some tactical potential. I am looking for something with an extremely strong and reliable lock, good cutting ability,overall durability, and ease of sharpening/maintenance.

AFCK in M2. Meets all your critera, but can be a little difficult to sharpen from the factory. I had to quite a bit of work originally, but now, easy to touch up.

I use the heck out of it - "Practical Use."

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Ed
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