New BM 710 Question

cpirtle

cpirtle

Leathercrafter
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Mar 28, 2001
Messages
4,642
I know this has probably been discussed before but I did several searches with little success.

After having a BM 705 for the last year I ordered a new 710 to complement it. Everything is perfect with exception to the blade alignment when closed. On the non clip side, when set up for RH use, the blade is just touching the liner. If opened lefty it rubs. Lockup is tight and everything else looks good.

Just got it, so I have 30 days to exchange but other than this problem it's perfect and I hate to go through the trouble if it's just a matter doing a little adjusting.

Any thoughts?

Also, I must have missed it, but when did the 705/710's switch to 154CM steel? I guess I had blinders on when I was researching because I just assumed it was ATS-34 since that's what my 705 is.

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"I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6"
 
I have disassembled a number of folders. Unfortunately, I don't think there is any way to adjust the knife. One of the surfaces is either off-orthogonal (off-perpendicular), like the side of the blade where it pivots, or the blade is just slightly crooked or warped, maybe from heat treat.

I'd send it back, unless one of the clever guys on this forum has figured out a way to align a blade.
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ATS-34 vs. 154CM:

Use the search engine to find more... quickly--

Both are nearly identical in composition, and are aerospace turbine ball bearing steels.

154CM is a Crucible steel that was in favor for a long while (1970's?), then it got sloppy (not clean, imperfections in steel), and Crucible wasn't catering to the knife guys in the sizes they offered. By then Hitachi had copied it (for all intents and purposes) in the form of ATS-34, and offered it cheaper.

Lately, Crucible got serious about courting the knife guys again, and the steel is clean again, and so a number of American makers are going back to 154CM as an American thing to do, and some custom makers report some subtle improvements in 154CM over ATS-34 when heat treated properly (subtle).

 
Send it back. There's no reason to tolerate an obvious manufacturing problem. BM will take care of you--probably pretty quickly, too.

BM switched over to 154CM begining with the new models that have been introduced recently.

Good luck with the 710.

Dick
 
Occasionally, the two liners are torqued slightly. If you loosen all the screws slightly, you may be able to move the blade to center, then re-tighten with it in that position. This does not void the warranty, as long as you don't remove the screws. It may work, it may not.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
Open the knife, place it on a carpeted floor, put your heel on the pivot, and apply pressure bending the blade towards the closer liner.
I've done this successfully on the MT LCC, don't see why it shouldn't work on the BM. Much simpler than returning the bloody thing.
 
What Erik said. Apply pressure to the open blade and push it towards the liner it is rubbing. I have done this on several knives throughout the years, and I have been messing with these linerlocks since the late 80's, with great success. Sometimes the blade just gets out of alignment and this simple fix will fix. Just remember, PUSH TOWARDS the liner, not away. Let us know how it works.

I know, the 710 is not a liner lock but rather an axis lock.


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Art Sigmon
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Php. 4:13


"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword"
Heb. 4:12

[This message has been edited by artsig1 (edited 03-30-2001).]
 
If I read your question right, you have 30 days from receipt to return to the dealer where you got it? Or does Benchmade only provide a 30-day warranty?

If the dealer, for sure I would send it back, and ask him/her to check the replacement before mailing it. If BM, then I still suggest you send it.


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Asi es la vida

Bugs

[This message has been edited by Bugs3x (edited 03-31-2001).]
 
Erik, artsig, it is much safer to loosen the screws, first.

Bugs, Benchmade has a lifetime warranty. Actually, every time I've dealt with them, I've been impressed, by far, with the level of service which I have recieved.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
E_topia is correct and I should have made that plain in my post. Just be sure to use the right tool!

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Art Sigmon
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Php. 4:13

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword"
Heb. 4:12
 
Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions. I loosened all the screws and re-tightened them to see if it would help the alignment and it didn't. That's as far as I'll take it since I can send it back anyway.

Since I already have my BM705 and my SERE should be here monday (Thanks artsig1, I'll let you know how I like it) I think I'm just going to get a refund and buy a MT LCC, the 710 is a little long for my need. I know the SERE is just a little shorter and a lot heavier but you gotta love the good press.

By the way, has anyone heard of any problems with the short looking clip on the LCC?
 
I personally think you are on the right track. I may get burned for saying it though. The clip on the LCC is said to be weak with the cutouts. I have had several and carried them with no problems. MT has now begun to place a solid clip, still same size, on the newer models. I understand from another post that MT will retrofit the cut out clip if you call them.

You will love the SERE! There has been some comment lately about it failing the spine whack test but the two I have passed with flying colors. It and the LCC are very similar in size and weight, yet different enough to warrant the acquisition of both!

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Art Sigmon
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Php. 4:13

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword"
Heb. 4:12
 
Erik, it allows the liners to slide (along their long axis). What often happens with blades not being centered is that the liners have 'tweaked' a little, and the pivot pin is not actually perpendicular to the liners anymore. Loosening the screws allows you to force the blade back to center in cases like this, without bending anything.

cpirtle, if you feel the 710 is too big, then the LCC may also be a good choice. So would the Benchmade 730 (or 735). They're about the same blade length, but the LCC has a bigger handle. I like 'em both, so I have one of each.
smile.gif
Either one would be a good choice. Probably wait until you get the 705, and see how you like the Axis lock, since it was probably less-than-perfect on the 710 with the crooked blade, then make your decision.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com
 
I've actually had the 705 for over a year and it's great, that's why I'm having a hard time looking at liner locks again. I've got 1/2 dozen sitting on the shelf that I don't carry.

I'm actually giving a 940 serious consideration. LCC looks good I just need to get back into the swing of a liner lock. I'll do that anyway since I have a SERE coming on Monday.

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"I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6"
 
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