Review Request: BM 806D2 & 710 Comparison

G

gadgetaddict

Joined
Aug 14, 2003
Messages
177
I have been reading about both knives, I own and love an 806D2 in PE, but I am not clear on the differences between the 806 and a 710. I have never handled a 710. Can someone please post a short list of the differences, as well as pros and cons for each model. I am mostly interested in ergonomics and quality.


Thanks in advance,
- gadgetaddict
 
Originally posted by gadgetaddict
I have been reading about both knives, I own and love an 806D2 in PE, but I am not clear on the differences between the 806 and a 710. I have never handled a 710. Can someone please post a short list of the differences, as well as pros and cons for each model. I am mostly interested in ergonomics and quality.
Click to expand...

806D2 is D2. 710 can be had in D2 (if you search hard), M2 (a standard) and 154CM (a standard).

710 has a higher primary grind, and a recurved blade. Both give you (theoretically) better slicing.

M2 in 710 is about as tough as you can get, but has NO stain resistance. It is a high-carbon steel.

710 grip works better than 806 for me in alternative grips -- ice pick, reverse (edge in, edge out, whatever), underhand (edge up), etc. For me, the 806 doesn't work as well in any grip than standard hammer, saber, etc.

806 has oval hole, 710 has stud (I like hole better).

806 seems to have a pointier... um.. point.

806 handle is longer than 710 (marginally) for almost NO increase in blade length.

Those are just a few. 806D2 generally goes with me when I'm headed into the woods to hike or camp, because it is about as close to a fixed blade I have found in a folder. 710HS (M2) goes with me into the yard or working on the cars, when I need the toughest, sharpest, longest edge holding, and best versatility for utility.

Hope all that helps. Much is subjective. I would not particularly recommend one over the other. If you already have the 806, you will be served by it as well as you would with the 710. BUT, if you tend to be a BM collector, like me :o you definitely should add the 710HS to your stable.
 
Originally posted by gadgetaddict
rockspyder,

Thanks for your help!
I am not a collector, I just buy users.
- gadgetaddict
Click to expand...

I guess I should be more clear. I don't collect them for collection purposes per se, but collect them as users, because they are such great knives.
 
Originally posted by rockspyder
806D2 is D2. 710 can be had in D2 (if you search hard), M2 (a standard) and 154CM (a standard).
Click to expand...

My BM710 is ATS-34 and I am happy with it....

David
 
Yeah, they were originally in ATS-34 (my stainless 710 is ATS-34). However, at this point in time, it would be about as hard to find one in ATS-34 as in D2, I do believe. Actually, it would be harder. ATS-34 blades are no longer made for the 710, whereas there is currently available a D2 limited edition of the 710.

Incidentally, I am quite happy with my ATS-34 710 as well.
 
My take is, the 806 feels more secure than the 710 in my hand, though the 710 is still plenty secure. Both knives have grips are remarkably comfortable and ergonomic even for extended hard use, for my hands at least. My buddy, who has much bigger hands than me, loves the 806 grip but dislikes the 710.

Blade-wise, I like the 806's blade shape better -- I like a very sharp pointed tip. The 710 blade shape is excellent though, and its slicing ability is better than the 806's.

A critical point for me. The 806 handle is much bigger than the 710's. For my frame, I can't carry the 806 regularly and be comfortable. The 710 is about the biggest handle I can carry regularly in any kind of pants. This really is the determining factor on when I'll carry one knife versus another. Again, a friend with a larger frame carries the 806 daily no problem.

Agree with rockspyder that the 710 feels much better in alternative grips. If you're just using the knife for utility, or if your knife defense is based strictly on a forward grip, 806 grip works better IMO plus it's got that amazing sharp point. 710 feels much better in reverse grip -- plus, in reverse grip, the point of the 710 ends up where you expect it to when you jab, whereas the point of the 806 ends up hanging out in space a few inches to the right of where I expect it to be (in pakal).

Joe
 
Originally posted by Joe Talmadge
A critical point for me. The 806 handle is much bigger than the 710's. For my frame, I can't carry the 806 regularly and be comfortable.
Click to expand...
Maybe this is the wrong place to ask this, but that statement struck a chord with me.
I carried an 800 for a couple of years, before getting a 710, and had no problem with carrying it. I was one of the people who cried and cried for a tip-up Axis lock AFCK, and when the 806 came out, I got one. I expected it to be more comfortable in my hand, as I almost always prefer tip-up for that very reason. It wasn't. Having compared an 800 again recently, I think the difference in handles may have been my becoming accustomed to the 710's handle, more than the difference between the 800 and 806.
The other surprise, though, was the way it carried. For some reason having the pivot end down was less comfortable with this particular knife. Didn't feel right in my hand, or in my pocket.
I sold my 806, and stuck with the 710HS I had been carrying.
They felt very different in the pocket. It's not something I can explain, it just "was".
So I was wondering...
Is this something other people have noticed after transitioning from one to the other? Or is it just me?
 
With the way the handle of the 806 tapers toward the butt end, I can understand why it would carry more comfortably in tip-down (a la 800) than tip-up. Tip down, the spine of the handle curves nicely to fit along the back of the pocket (assuming carrying right front pocket). Carried tip-up, it curves against the pocket. While I like the feel of the 806 in the hand (not as good as 710 as mentioned earlier), it doesn't get carried as much as I think it probably would if I had waited and gotten the one with tip-down carry as an option. Oh well....
 
Hey! I never gave any thought to how the handle conformed to the pocket in tip-down. That makes alot of sense. Thank you.
 
Huge thanks to all who replied!!!

I think I will hold off of a 710, and, instead, start thinking of a new fixed blade. Suggestions are welcome. I currently have a Buck Zipper-R, SOG Seal 2000, and a Buck with a 5" blade and a black handle, can't remember the name. I don't know what I want, but it has to be universal - camping (food prep, cutting rope, fish, etc.), fishing, hunting, with a left-handed sheath. Did I mention I can't afford to spend a lot of $?
:(

Thanks again,
- gadgetaddict
 
Originally posted by gadgetaddict
I don't know what I want, but it has to be universal - camping (food prep, cutting rope, fish, etc.), fishing, hunting, with a left-handed sheath. Did I mention I can't afford to spend a lot of $?
:(

Thanks again,
- gadgetaddict
Click to expand...

What about the Camillus Talon (in stainless steel if the Talonite version is too expensive)?

David
 
The 710 and 806D2 will forever be among my top three folders- three 'cause once I got an Extrema Ratio MPC folder (the only thing that feels sturdier than my axis locks), I was blown away by it's fixed-blade-like-feeling. After the initial shock wore off, I still carry the 710. My 806D2 is kinda trashed. My bathroom sink is the BANE of my beloved 4" BM beauties. I some how always drop them in the sink at random, and te sink takes out the tip. The 806 tip looks like a flat tip screw driver, and the 710 is hooked back.:( I don't bring my 942 anywhere near the fiendish wash basin, and NO I don't shave with 'em. Both models feel comfortable when carried IMO, but the 806 feels more secure any way I grip it. When I hold the 710 like an icepick, I worry my hand might slide down onto the blade on impact. You can't go wrong with either one though... :)

Oh yeah, my 710 (as well as my roomate's) has always had a mysterious rattle somewhere near the axis lock when I shake it side to side in te closed position. Anyone else have a similar problem? :confused:
 
Originally posted by gadgetaddict
I think I will hold off of a 710, and, instead, start thinking of a new fixed blade. Suggestions are welcome. I currently have a Buck Zipper-R, SOG Seal 2000, and a Buck with a 5" blade and a black handle, can't remember the name. I don't know what I want, but it has to be universal - camping (food prep, cutting rope, fish, etc.), fishing, hunting, with a left-handed sheath. Did I mention I can't afford to spend a lot of $?
Click to expand...




I would suggest a Spyderco Moran Drop Point (FB02) or a Temperance (FB05).



Here’s a link to my review of the Temperance -


http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=263754




- Frank
 
First of all:

806D2:

As close to perfection as I have found for an EDC Self Defense knife. I have said before that my ideal knife would be basically the bastard child of a Benchmade 806D2 AFCK and an Emersom Commander (which are somewhat similar knives to begin with).

Do-it-All Fixed blades:

I'd say check out the Spyderco Fred Perrin. Easily my favorite fixed blade these days. Very lightweight, Fits my hand perfectly, Pointy Tip, Screaming sharp factory edge, VG-10 Steel, pretty 'universal' sheath, very 'lively' in the hand for SD, should be great as a camp kitchen knife (I've read several reviews which said as much).

-John
 
Originally posted by gadgetaddict
I think I will hold off of a 710, and, instead, start thinking of a new fixed blade. Suggestions are welcome. I currently have a Buck Zipper-R, SOG Seal 2000, and a Buck with a 5" blade and a black handle, can't remember the name. I don't know what I want, but it has to be universal - camping (food prep, cutting rope, fish, etc.), fishing, hunting, with a left-handed sheath. Did I mention I can't afford to spend a lot of $? :(
Click to expand...

You're probably not going to like hearing this, but you've already got one of the best knives out there for camping, in my experience. The Buck Vanguard (Zipper-R). I used it for years before going on a quest for better. After getting quite a few more fixed blades, including the CUDA Talon, I guess I may have found better (better steel, better -- sturdier -- handle material, etc.), but I certainly haven't found more useful than the Vangurad. If you look around (to say, Cabelas, maybe?) you might be able to find one in ATS-34. Actually, if this link works, you can see it. If the link doesn't work, go to www.basspro-shops.com and do a search for Vanguard. They have the ATS-34 version listed for $65. If I hadn't already spent so much money on other camp knives while searching, I'd probably go ahead and order one of those myself.
 
Originally posted by EasEWryder
Oh yeah, my 710 (as well as my roomate's) has always had a mysterious rattle somewhere near the axis lock when I shake it side to side in te closed position. Anyone else have a similar problem? :confused:
Click to expand...

It's the stopping pin. For some reason it tends to be loose on the 710. Well, the inner stop pin is solid and the outer one (candy coating?) is often loose.
 
Thanks ThomBrogan, is this fixable? Does this affect it in any negative way that you have found, besides sheer irritation?
 
I don't know of a way of fixing it yourself. Especially without voiding your warranty. You could probably send it back to BM and get it fixed, but that is a pain (CS is great, but you have to be without your knife for transit to and from, and the repair time). To top it all off, of the 4 or 5 of mine that do this, none have exhibited any degradation in knife performance or lock reliability. I wouldn't (and don't) worry about it.

BTW, I know I'm not Thom, but I thought I'd weigh in since I have several knives with the subject... um.... feature. ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top