New BIG Knife suggestions

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ENDuser

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I am looking for a new knife. I wnat it to be 3.9" or 4.0". I have been looking at the Benchmade 710 710HS and 710HSSR. I ahve been also looking at the Spyderco Military.

What do you think is the better knife. It will be for ruggid use while camping and outdoors. Also may be used for EDC if I like it eneogh.

I am open to suggestions about other knives also?
 
I was going to buy one, but I finally decided it was too big for me, the Cold Steel Voyager X2. I'm probably wrong, but I think that's about as big as they get.
 
If you're going to be using it for rugged outdoor stuff you might want to consider the Spyderco Manix. From what I hear, it's built like a tank. A Buck\Strider might be good as well. I don't think the BM 710HS would be a good choice since it's not a stainless steel and if you're using it as a camp/outdoor knife the potential for it to rust is fairly high. I know that the knives I take camping get pretty filthy and I don't want to have to worry about cleaning it off and oiling it when I'm out and about.
 
I really dont like the manix. I dont like shape of handle and its to thick and the shape of the blade isisnt as good.
 
Well, if the choice is between the 710 or a military, I'd go with the military. One reason I already stated is about the 710HS and the M2 steel. The second reason is that if you do wind up EDCing it, the 710's false edge might get you into trouble with the police. Might not be a big concern to you but it is worth considering.
 
A false edge is what you get when the spine of the knife is thinned or ground down, it looks like it might be sharp and in some cases can easily be sharpened. It improves penetration and can lighten the blade. It also can make your knife appear to be double edged. In this case it doesn't really matter as you don't want the 710 anyway;-)>
 
Sometimes in the eyes of the police or a judge that false edge makes the knife cross the line from 'tool' to 'weapon'. Like I said, you might not be concerned about that and if you're using it for camping/outdoors stuff it shouldn't be a problem. It's just if you plan on EDCing it that it becomes more of a concern. I went with the paramilitary because of that. I really liked the 710/705 but I just don't need that hassle if I get pulled over or searched for whatever reason. I'm very pleased with the Spyderco and I EDC it and bring it camping/fishing with me. I'm sure the military would suit you fine. The BM 710 is an awesome knife though and the AXIS is very convenient (and fun). Good luck with your decision.
 
ENDuser said:
I really dont like the manix. I dont like shape of handle and its to thick and the shape of the blade isisnt as good.
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If you don't like the handle and think it's too thick, then that's that. But, unless you're planning on doing skinning and the like, I feel the Manix's blade shape is better-suited to outdoors use than the 710s is.

I am not a fan of liner locks, so for me the Military is out. However, if you have no such hang-up, the Military is a great choice.

The 710HSS is one of my all-time favorite 4" folders. For strictly outdoor use, though, it's not my fave. Much of my backpacking/camping type cutting is either food prep or whittling, and the 710's recurved blade isn't great for either. The Manix's is a near-perfect fit for this kind of use, the Military being okay as well.
 
I think the 710 Series blade shape is just better for penetration. the Leaf shape blades on spyderco's like the manix dont stab as well. But that is just my opinion.
 
I've never owned a Benchmade so I can't help on that portion of the question.

I have to second the opinion of the Manix. It's a knife that means business and looks like it could withstand a nuclear blast. It also was the sharpest knife I've ever gotten fresh out of the box when new. But, it's your call so I won't offer anymore praise to that knife.

If it's important to you to have a knife with a point, I'll suggest the Al Mar SERE 2000. The blade's not as long as you mentioned but it has a killer point (would you like to see the scar on my left thumb to verify?). It has a liner lock, it's built like a tank with a lot of shiney trim and the VG10 blade sharpens nicely and holds an edge very well.

Just an alternative. Good luck with your decision.
 
ENDuser said:
I think the 710 Series blade shape is just better for penetration. the Leaf shape blades on spyderco's like the manix dont stab as well. But that is just my opinion.
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Okay, maybe getting a little off topic, but deep stab-like penetration is something I think I never do while camping or backpacking. Did you change the usage model to defensive use in addition to outdoors? Not challenging you here, you should set your requirements as you see fit, I just don't do deep stabs camping.

For shallow stabs, the leaf shape usually beats everything else, IMO. That's something I do a lot of camping, e.g., starting a cut on a piece of moleskin. For that, the Manix will likely excel.

Once you put defensive use in the mix, 710 starts looking great.

Joe
 
Its hard

I currently have a benhcmade 705. But need somthing bigger. i want somthing that will not fail,
 
commonly still available.The blade was IIRC 5 inches,thumbstuds(?) & was a linerlock(?),and blade steel was ATS-34.Would love to see a Sifu redone in M2 steel and Axis lock with SS liners/G-10 scales.This would be one big tactical knife. :D :D :D
 
I think its between a 710 and the Military

I cant decide.

ive never used a liner lcok
 
It took me a long time to accept liner locks too. It just seemed really unsafe to have the mechanism that unlocks the blade right under my fingers all the time. I finally bought a liner lock (CRKT M16) and realized all my concerns were pretty much unfounded. I EDC'd that one for 2 years and just replaced it with another liner locker, the paramilitary. If you're doubting the lock, here's what CliffStamp had to say about it:
http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sstamp/knives/military_s30v.html
Past experience : a Military was used some years ago in CPM-440V (S60V) and the lock could be released under "white knuckling". When sent back to Spyderco for a retuning, the problem persisted, though at a reduced level. In contrast, on this Military the liner lock held secure under "white knuckling" as well as various spine whacks. Heavy torques on the blade (split a piece of 1x4"), did not disengage the lock, nor did a combination of torques and vertical loads. In short the lock was stable during all testing, and held up fine under the heaviest of the dynamic cutting. The well known Spyderhole makes opening the blade easy one handed, even with gloves on (checked with leather work gloves as well as knitted winter gloves), and the ridges on the lock do the same for closing.

I'm not a Spyderco salesman. I just think the Military would work better for what you're looking for. You have a 705 so you already know what a solid BM knife the 710 will be.
 
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