New to benchmade please help.

I have owned a 710 for 15+ years and it was my EDC for two deployments to Iraq (constantly crammed full of fine sand and used to open countless MREs lol). I'm a fan and find it plenty strong. I recently picked up the 710-1401 from knifeworks with the m390 blade and it's really nice. I usually EDC a mini griptillian Ritter since it's smaller now but if I was only going to own one, or wanted what I think of as the most iconic BM, I'd look at the 710.

I also have a 940-1 that I love and find that 940 reverse tanto to be quite a classic BM design as well. It's not as heavy duty as the 710 but is a bit lighter in pocket.
 
For me, the classic 940 is the quintessential Benchmade knife.

For EDC, it's small and slender with more than enough blade; it's light enough to where you won't even notice it and the deployment is the best of any knife I've used. It flicks out and closes effortlessly and once broken in is almost impossibly smooth. I actually prefer the standard to the 940-1 primarily due to cost and the feel of the aluminum handles.

You just can't go wrong with the 940 and I feel it belongs in anyone's collection that includes Benchmade knives.
 
940 or 710.
If the 710......get the Knifework's exclusive.
Gorgeous blade that is tough!
581 is an awesome knife too.....a 943....477-1.....ugh no wonder I'm broke!
You can't go wrong with any of the ones suggested. Awesome blades with the best customer service around!
Good luck and let us know which you decide on!
Joe
 
Ascend said:
When I say abuse I mean using the knife for stuff that's not your typical EDC stuff. I'll take it out in the woods frequently take it to cut up some fish while fishing use it to carve wood and other stuff. The adamas is a little on the heavy side weighing around 8 ounces
Click to expand...

But it's the best 8 ounces you will ever carry! I carry my Adamas everyday and suffer no ill effects!
 
either the 710 or the knives ship free(ksf) axis stryker 2 carbon fiber handles,black drop-point blade in cpm-4. i carried a 710 for 10+ years,and they now come with d2 or m390, and you might find other steels on e-bay (154-cm?). good luck and have fun. oh yeah , i just looked at the stryker specs and it's a very comfortable 4.38oz
 
there actually appears to be one of the ksf strykers up on the forum now ,which would give you some different pics and it's $15 less than normal
 
At the higher end of your budget the 940, 484 or
the Rift, Ritter Grip or regular Grip for low to mid $100's.
 
How about these for outdoor use?
North Fork or Grizzly Creek

Or the Contego
 
Contego and the Pardue with G10 scales are in my pockets. I also have the KSF stryker and a rift. if i were choosing one of the two you are considering i would hands down go with the Rift.......
 
Ascend said:
When I say abuse I mean using the knife for stuff that's not your typical EDC stuff. I'll take it out in the woods frequently take it to cut up some fish while fishing use it to carve wood and other stuff. The adamas is a little on the heavy side weighing around 8 ounces
Click to expand...

The heavy thicker blades will actually be less effective at these activities. Cleaning fish etc, a narrow blade is the choice. Heavy use would be using it for non cutting tasks or very rough ones, like splitting wood. All the things you list will be easily and effectively handled by the 710, which is my current folder of choice along with the Spyderco Farid K2. I have many fixed blades of various styles and sizes, but I consider the 710 suitable for most anything I would do with a folder. I'm actually looking at having the blade reground even thinner for better cutting performance. I do like the looks of the 810 but haven't tried one yet.
 
Well to answer your defensive use comment, any knife with a comfortable, non-slip handle and a lock that won't easily jar itself unlocked, along with a sharp edge, is going to perform basically the same.

Knife-wise, I'd say the Rift is an excellent choice, and the Presidio or Bone Collector has a very nice handle shape too.

The 940/943 are both superb, they are both on my list, and the 710 is a classic that carries well for its size.

You could also grab one of the new HK Axis knives and a small Bone Collector from Knifeworks for $200 and get a pair of excellent Benchmades.


Knifeworks is laser engraving initials on Benchmades to help ease the MAP enforcement by the way. Maybe it was a brief thing, but they were doing it.
 
nine4t4 said:
All the knives mentioned are good quality. 710 would be my suggestion.

The blade profile is more traditional, which has been honed (no pun) by years of trial and experimentation. A simple

People that see you with a knife think either "boy scout" or "psycho"

I know it's secondary on your list but carrying a knife for "tactical" usefulness puts you in the "psycho" category. I'm not anti-firearm, but listing "self-defence" as a reason for carrying a knife (or pistol) sounds like either...
A) You're paranoid delusional case, that actually thinks random strangers are coming for you, or...
B) You've been a complete dick to multitudes. Who are coming to seek revenge, and you should be afraid for your safety. Or...
C) Mall Ninja that thinks Al Queda views Mayberry and NYC as equal targets.
D) A member of some left wing anti-knife group trying to infiltrate and destroy from within.
Sorry, but situational awareness is worth more than any weapon. The weapon is for saving your ass when you weren't paying attention. And knife is at "up close and personal/ lethal" end of the spectrum. A good stout walking stick sweeps a much better swath, and if your HAVE to kill, you'll have the knife.
Click to expand...



Honestly the walking stick would probably be a better lethal defensive weapon too, especially when asked by prosecutors why you stopped clubbing your opponent in order to stab or cut him or her to death.
 
The 710 in D2 is a great knife. I have used it as my EDC for years. I have used it to split 2" sticks to start a fire and cut cardboard for weeks without needing to sharpen it, I mean triple and 5 wall board not just the light stuff. Need to wipe the blade down as D2 is not precisely a stainless steel, takes a bit of care. Really holds up to rough use though. Got my son one to use as his "small knife" when he takes his 810 out of his pocket. He Really uses his knife!

I will get one of the Knifeworks 710 in the 390 to replace the D2 as I really like the 710 in the blue and want the 390. Together they may be the closest thing to a perfect knife for under $200 you are going to find. That's just my opinion of course.

I have the 940 but find it to small to take seriously for work. It is a good knife if you don't really use a knife for heavy cutting. It is OK for carrying around the house and to the grocery store but the s30v and the small light handles just don't do it for me. I refer to it as my wenie knife. It just costs Way to much for what it is. Get a ParaII from Spyderco if you want the CMP s30v. Much better knife to actually use in my opinion. Fun too!

The real beauty of the 710 only becomes visible when you use it.
 
dazzleaj that is positively zen, "the real beauty of the 710 only becomes visible when you use it.". i've still got my ats-34 710,in need of spa treatment and probably professional sharpening(and polishing!), but an m390 model would look perfect with it. of course then i'd need the d2, and don't they do special releases?...oh and mods...well isn't that just the joy of it all?:) seriously tho', i'd like to know what the op decides! (gotta stop using punctuation so much,terrible really,just...terrible)
 
neal70 said:
dazzleaj that is positively zen, "the real beauty of the 710 only becomes visible when you use it.". i've still got my ats-34 710,in need of spa treatment and probably professional sharpening(and polishing!), but an m390 model would look perfect with it. of course then i'd need the d2, and don't they do special releases?...oh and mods...well isn't that just the joy of it all?:) seriously tho', i'd like to know what the op decides! (gotta stop using punctuation so much,terrible really,just...terrible)
Click to expand...

Thanks.
I, like all of us, have known some really beautiful people/things that have little to no inner beauty and have had the pleasure to know some unattractive people/ things that were bright spots in our lives.

I wouldn't call the base 710 unattractive at all but it sure isn't fancy and flashy. It does have a functional elegance about it though. When you hold it in your hand it is just heavy enough to feel solid, "I am here". It opens with authority "I am ready, what do you need?". Ahhh, but when you use it to cut something difficult, something that you hesitate over, then the 710 sings!! You become part of a brotherhood of man going back through the ages using an almost perfect refinement of the first real tool. It is a very different experience from using a 3" folder to clean your fingernails. The 710 is the only knife I have that has this music.
I have many knives, all cut things. Some are bigger, like the 810, some are smaller. All have their value. The 710 is special.

I have the honor of having the #1 of the first production run of the ATS34 710 and have an early run of the 710 in 390 but I have left that 710 in its box. I carry the D2 daily but I really like the Knifeworks 710 in blue with the 390. It is on special for 179 USD so I think I will get one for me and give one to my son for Christmas. I toyed with getting one for each of my grand kids but the oldest is only 13. I got him and his younger brother Kershaw Chives for their 10th birthdays. Great small EDC knife that one. If they have a Black Friday discount I may get all 5 grand kids a blue 710 with their names engraved on the blade and put them back for their 16th birthday present. That would be Really good 16th birthday present!!

By the way, If the originator of this thread is still following it, What knife did you chose? and if I may ask, why?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top