S30V Spyderco Military vs. BM 710....anybody own both?

akula83

akula83

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Aug 19, 2008
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I know they are both excellent knives and I am a BM/Spyderco guy, looking for a larger EDC blade than what I usually carry, head to head what do guy's think? interested in ergo's and the like. Thanks!
 
I suspect lots of people own both :D

I like the BM 710 a bit more because the handle is a bit shorter and more compact (and still you get more edge).

Both are very comfortable to use, though. Ergos-wise, it really just comes down to preference. You can use both in white-knuckle-grip tasks and not end with a sore hand (jokes incoming...).

Probably didn't help you make the decision, but that's why a lot of people have both :p
 
I've had plenty of Military's, Paramilitary 2's, and several Benchmades. I carried a BM 690 for several years. I have one NIB 710 I don't carry.
With the economy-version 710, you get a 3.9" blade in a somewhat shorter handle, a good blade-steel in D2, and a good slicer 0.115" blade thickness.
The Military has a 4" blade, often found in S30V (cheaper versions), but has a blade-thickness of 0.141". It will not likely slice as well as the BenchMade due to the 23% thicker blade, but it will be more sturdy in a harder-use environment.
IIRC, Sal Glesser designed the Military Model to outfit a proposed son going into the military. He therefore designed a high-performance, light-weight folder designed for hard use.
So, between the two folders, it depends on what demands you might place on your carry folder.
 
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I prefer the BM 710 over the Military. The handle carries better in a pair of jeans. The axis lock functions very quickly and is incredibly strong. I also find the mild recurve incredibly useful.
 
I don't own a milli but I did get to carry one (S30V) for a week in a pass around, when I was ready to buy one I went with the benchmade.
 
I owned several Militarys and carried both for years. I prefer the 710 by a mile.
 
These two are the top of the pops for me in regards to larger folders. Like others I own multiples of both and I'm not gonna pick one over the other, I'll let the others do the comparisons. Very different yet both highly regarded in the same class. I do hope that BM makes more LE's of the 710 with uncoated high end steels. This is calls for the classic "get both" answer if there ever was one.
 
I can more easily carry an 810 than a Military so I vote 710 for sure. But the Military does make a terrific slicer if you can deal with the handle size.
 
9mm vs .45ACP? Coke vs Pepsi? PC vs Mac? Ford vs Chevy? Dick York vs Dick Sargent? David Lee Roth vs Sammy Hagar?

Personally, I preferred the 710. The AXIS is my favorite lock, and I don't care much for liner locks. The Military is huge in the pocket, and huge in the hand, while the 710 is more compact. However, I like the blade grind of the Military, and it's surprisingly lightweight for its size.

Either will serve you well. Also check out the 810 Contigo from Benchmade and the Calypso or Police 3 from Spyderco, which compare better to the 710 than the Military does, IMO.
 
Cool, thanks for the input from all. Sometimes it's in the smaller details that you would need both models in hand to try out, that's not going to happen where I am located and buying both online with likely selling off one of them is not what I want to do this time of year. I had been leaning towards the 710, but then there is the lure of the Spyderco Military.
 
It would appear that you are in a conundrum...a familiar affliction for a lot of us when it comes to knives.:D

Both have LE's in various steels. Maybe steel choice could help you narrow things down.
 
I carried a 710 for a few months in college but it grew boring.
I much prefer the Military after using one for several years because it has taken more abuse and has been more handy than any other folder I own.
And I think the Military rides quite well in the pocket. So slim and light.
I love my BMs but the Military has proven superior to the 710 in my experience.
I think the BM 806 AFCK would be a better comparison to the Military.
 
I like both quite a bit and have couple of each actually (4 Militarys and 2 710s) IMO:

Military:
Better slicer
More comfortable handle
Very light for its size
Much easier to use and open with gloves
Opening hole is a lot easier to open quickly or in general than the thumbstud which is very close to the handle on the 710
No recurve

710
Very compact for the blade length you get, which means carries easier in pocket
I prefer the Axis lock to a liner lock
I can carry tip up
Light for the size/blade length


Here they are in M390
 
Have owned both, the Military is my preference.

Carry one for a week and you'll understand!
 
710 but only because of the AXIS lock. I like the Ergo's and size of the Military but the 710 gives you size too, much cheaper and again has the AXIS lock.

Their both pretty great knives.
 
Both are amazing knives. After owning both id have to say to go with the military due to the Ergo's and the opening hole. I did like the 710 and it is a work horse, But it was not comfortable or ergonomic when cutting, but sliced well. Narrow it down with the pros and cons of each, im sure one will outweigh the other. Steel, Ergos, Blade Shape , Lock, Opening Mech and so on.
 
have both. like them both. Sypderco is S30V, the 710 is D2. Both are excellent knife steels, and are well worth the money.
 
Tough call.

I really, really enjoy the Axis lock but I prefer the bladesteel and ergos of the Military.

They are quite different size wise but I've never had an issue EDCing my Millies. Granted, some people do seem a bit surprised when I whip out my Millie to open a package or grain bag at work.
 
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