review request: axis lock in M2 (710HS)

[shootist16]

Would like to get some opinions on this model. Is it really better than the 710 in ATS-34? Is the 710 a good "tactical" folder?

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Dennis Bible

 

[Bronco]

Hey Dennis,
"Tactical" is one of those words that is tough to define ("survival" being another), but I'll try to give some of my impressions of the 710HS in those general terms as best I can.

Locking mechanism- I think most definitions of "tactical" usage would place a high premium on a solid blade lockup. In this regard the axis lock scores high marks IMO. I haven't subjected mine to any extreme tests, but have exerted a fair amount of stress on the blade in all directions and have been impressed with the solid feel of the lockup. I would tend to agree with folks who have rated the axis lock on a par with the best frame locks in terms of durability and reliability. The tops of the lock buttons do extend above the scales. While this makes it easier to unlock the blade, I've heard some people question whether this might also make an unintentional unlocking more likely. In most situations I don't personally see this as a problem, however, this concern may well be legitimate in certain tactical scenarios.

Blade material- On paper, M2 steel enjoys an advantage over ATS-34 primarily in terms of toughness. If you're to assume that "tactical" usage implies the possibility of stabbing type thrusts, then this additional toughness may well be a key advantage. Again, I haven't subjected my 710HS to any severe usage that an ATS-34 bladed version wouldn't have survived. I have noticed a slight increase in edge retention over ATS-34, but this is of little concern in a tactical situation. The increased toughness of M2, however, would also suggest that a thinner, more aggressive cutting edge would be possible, and this likely does represent a real advantage in a tactical scenario.

Blade deployment- One handed deployment is much the same as with any liner lock folder and can be accomplished with about the same speed (Emerson wave notwithstanding). I have filed away a small amount of the G10 handle material to improve access to the thumbstud. One handed closing is also routine for those with larger hands, but does requires a little more practice. The axis design is also ambidextrous, thus representing a potential "tactical" advantage where weak hand usage might be required.

Blade shape- The length of the 710 blade provides decent reach, and the shape is conducive to achieving better than average penetration in stabbing type thrusts.

Handle ergonomics- This one category is probably as important as all the others combined, and one that can only really be evaluated by the intended user. For my money, the 710 handle rates average to above average. Certainly it could be improved upon in terms of positive indexing, but it's by no means bad especially considering BM's price point on the 710.

Overall, I think the 710HS is a real solid, dependable package that represents a lot of value for the money.

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Semper Fi

-Bill

 

[e_utopia]

Um, if you manually retract the Axis bar, the knife opens much faster. Certainly faster than a liner lock (unless you hook the blade to something so it opens as it is drawn, like the Wave feature). Especially on the larger Axis models (730, 710, etc.)

M2 is really quite the nice steel. I have to avoid sharpening it too much, or I won't have a blade left on my Nimravus, 'cause the M2 is just a joy to sharpen.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com

 

[Bronco]

JB,
You're certainly correct in saying that the blade on an axis lock folder will move very quickly when the lock bar is retracted. I'm not sure that this will really speed initial blade deployment, however, because of the added time needed to position the knife in your hand such that both lock posts are accessible to the fingers of one hand. When drawing the knife from my pocket I find that I can deploy the blade more quickly by using the thumbstud.

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Semper Fi

-Bill

 

[David Rock]

Or you can just grab the handle and shake the blade open. You need not touch the blade or the thumb stud at all.

David Rock

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AKTI Member # A000846
Stop when you get to bone.

 

[e_utopia]

I don't know. When I grab either my 705 or 730, my hand naturally sits so the Axis bar is right there. Maybe not so on the 710 (I only handled one at a dealer's table at a show, and I don't think he would have been happy with me for flicking it around, and whatnot). Any one-hand-opening folder is flickable, unless the pivot screw is tightened down a lot, but the Axis method is just so much fun. I don't have to really swing my hand; it just looks like a small twitch, but the blade is suddenly open instead of closed. Some people back away, some people grin; helps sort through the yokels

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com

 

[Bronco]

JB,
Yeah, I agree with you where the 730 is concerned. When I grasp the 730's axis lock buttons with my thumb and forefinger, the bottom of the handle fits nicely in the butt of my palm and gives me a solid surface to press against. Due to the slightly longer handle length of the 710, however, it takes me a little longer to get the knife situated securely, and occasionally it will slip out altogether. Just in case anyone from Benchmade is lurking on this forum, some checkering of this lower rounded part of the 710's handle would be a major enhancement.

David,
You are also correct in pointing out that the 710 is eminently "flickable". Where excess noise is not a concern, this is probably the fastest opening method of all for the axis lock.

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Semper Fi

-Bill

 

[Nemo]

Hello,

just a little word to tell that Fred Perrin and I are testing 710 HS for some monthes now and we are very very pleased with that knife and we will write a review soon.

Cheers,
JM

 

[shootist16]

I am looking forward to Fred Perrin's review. His reviews are always informative and entertaining.

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Dennis Bible

 

[misque]

Well,
While we await Fred and Nemo's review, I'll add my $.02 worth.
Mine is even better than my ATS34 Axis. (It came with a typical Benchmade thick edge).
I say this because the M-2 Axis blade is thinner at the edge and this increases the cutting performance a great deal. It stays sharper longer and GETS sharper when re-sharpened, IMO.
In order to get better cutting performance from my ATS34 Axis I had to take it to Mr. Belt Sander and do some serious lipo-suction on him. He works better now, but the patient now needs additional cosmetic surgery because I haven't made any knives in a long time and am seriously out of practice at using Mr. Belt Sander.

Like riding a bike...yeah right...

Anyway, the M-2 Axis is a better animal. A great concept taken up a notch, IMNSHO.



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The individualist without strategy who takes opponents lightly will inevitably become the captive of others.
Sun Tzu

 

[AF]

Well I just ordered a satin 710. I own an M2 Nimravus and like it but I feel that the superiority of M2 over ATS34 is exagerrated. For me, it's not worth it to pay more $ and put up with the BT2 finish. Yes knives are tools and should be used but you've gotta like the way they look too.

 

[lc609]

I have been by shift's sharpener for about 2 years now, and here is what I see concerning BMs...

Edge retention is a little better in M2, but not alot.

I see far more chips in the edge and points of ATS-34 (that SOG shark tooth point... Shoulda applied for a patenet when I was reprofiling everyone's knives).

The M2 seems to take a keener edge, and it takes it faster. I don't know how, but it is much easier to sharpen BM's M2 @ 62 RS than the ATS-34 at 59-61. I think it has to do with grain size.

Even without the BT2 coating the steel is fairly rust resistant. Corduroy told me that it was due to the hardness, but the edge of my M2 blade will put up with high humidity and actual wetness more than the ATS blades do.

I want all my BM knives in M2 now.

Your mileage may vary.

pat

 

[shootist16]

I guess that is the real question, is M-2 that much better than ATS-34 or are the claims exaggerated. I hate blade coatings. I would suck it up and get one if the performance is alot better.

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Dennis Bible

 

[Sergiusz Mitin]

Dennis,
In my experience M2 does not retain edge better than ATS-34. Here I described my search results slicing hemp rope with equally sharpened ATS-34 and M2 blades. I'm going to try on another materials when I'll have a bit more time.
However M2 more impact resistant and is less prone to chipping. ATS-34 is stainless steel, although not too much stainless but M2 isn't stainless at all. M2 knife used with blade stripped from BT2 coating can't prove this steel corrosion resistance because BT2 coating penetrates into steel surface and continues to protect it even being scratched out.

You should decide which properties are more important for you and which less important. As usually, it depends on knife intended use

 

[shootist16]

Thanks Sergiusz. I was considering it a s a duty knife. I dont abuse my knives, but the increased toughness could be a factor if the $hit hits the fan. I hate the BT2 coating though. I dont see why Benchmade doesn't offer TiN. I'll probably stick with the ATS-34 version for now.

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Dennis Bible

 

[Burke]

I think Benchmade used to use Walter Birdsong's Black-Ti, but quit because it was more expensive, and entailed shipping stuff out of house. They'll tell you BT2 is really the best, but I remember a lot of complaints when they first switched.

 

[dogboye]

Originally posted by Sergiusz Mitin:
M2 knife used with blade stripped from BT2 coating can't prove this steel corrosion resistance because BT2 coating penetrates into steel surface and continues to protect it even being scratched out.

Yes and no....

I believe that I can unequivocally say that my M2 Nimravus Cub does not have the BT2 coating left on or in it. Here's why: I sanded the coating off my Cub to the point that you can't even make out the markings on the blade, unless you look really closely. And that even only on one side. I could be wrong, though. However, I also reprfiled the spine of the knife, completely removing the thumb ramp and serrations. I can guarantee you that there is no BT2 left in that area. Finally, I have experienced some corrosion with my Cub, but ONLY when I worked with it in the rain, and left it wet in the sheath for a couple of hours afterward. No pitting, just a little surface rust. I removed it with green Scotchbrite pad. In all other circumstances (high humidity, sweaty, etc.) I haven't experienced any problems. Only that rain.

OBTW... Dennis, pay the few extra bucks and get the M2. I can't believe that you will regret it.

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iktomi

 

[e_utopia]

Well, they don't use TiN because it is much more expensive. I got a quote or $40/blade from a coating company for a Nimravus-sized knife. That would probably come down in production-quantity coating, but it would still be way too high. What I want to see is uncoated M2 offered as an option. Not get rid of BT2, but have the option of buying uncoated M2 blades, just like you have the option of buying uncoated ATS-34 blades.

M2 is definitely worth the tiny bit extra, assuming you don't plan on dropping the knife in a bucket of saltwater and letting it sit, or something. I do notice a difference in the 'feel' of the M2 edge compared to the ATS-34 edge when cutting, and sharpening M2 is just plain fun.

--JB

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e_utopia@hotmail.com

[This message has been edited by e_utopia (edited 07-13-2000).]

 

[shootist16]

Originally posted by Nemo:
Hello,

just a little word to tell that Fred Perrin and I are testing 710 HS for some monthes now and we are very very pleased with that knife and we will write a review soon.

Cheers,
JM

Did Fred ever do that review. I would love to see it.


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Dennis Bible

 

[Damon]

Dennis,

I met JM AKA Nemo in August. He was carrying the M2 710 and said he liked it very much. He also mentioned Fred said it worked well as a throwing knife. My impression is that Nemo and Fred liked it.

Cheers,
Damon