Spyderco Endura 4 or Benchmade 710

B

bowie man

Joined
Apr 29, 2006
Messages
7
Hello Folks,

I'm sure that this debate has been posted in the past so any links would be appreciated. I currently carry a Endura 4 but am slowly being courted by the Benchmade 710. I understand that both knives/companies are excellent, but don't know enough about the axis lock. Can you pls provide information on the differences between the two locks. Which is a stronger, better and will take mild abuse?

Which knife would you choose to be an all around EDC?

Thanks
 
What's it being used for? For EDC, and especially if you're thinking about last-ditch defensive use, the waved endura 4 is my top choice.

Overall, the axis lock is a fantastic invention. It is very strong, very reliable, very easy to use. Its one downside is that we know occasionally one of the springs will break (just the nature of using little omega springs). When this happens, the lock does not fail, because there is a second spring for a failsafe. However, you will need to send the knife back to benchmade for a spring replacement. This doesn't happen to everyone, it's just worth noting what the weakness is, and that there's some small chance it could happen to you.

I haven't done head-to-head tests, but I think it's likely that the 710's axis lock is stronger than the endura 4's lock. The thing is though, the endura's lock is still strong. You've got one, can it take mild abuse? Mine can, easily. As a result, I suggest looing at the entire package rather than zeroing in on just the lock.

All of that said, the 710 is awesome, and if you just plain want a 710 and just plain want to check out an axis lock, who am I too keep a knife knut from his fetish? :)

But, let me give you a couple of other suggestions, if you're in a buying mood:
- consider a waved endura 4. The wave is a great feature, and especially bumps the knife's usefulness for defensive use, if you care about that. Really useful for regular use as well, since the knife basically opens itself up by the time it's out of your pocket.

- consider a Caly 3. You have a great, larger-sized do-everything EDC in the endura. Why not also pick up a smaller higher-performance scalpel. This knife is a fantastic pairing with the endura.

My most-often EDC these days is a waved endura 4 plus a Caly 3
 
Well, as Joe said, the wave is a terrific SD feature.
And the Endura 4, waved or not, is a top value. Probably the top
value at actual selling price.

That said, I think the 710 is a finer tool.

I'd go with the 710.

There's only so much you can tell from looking at specs and pictures.
If you pick up, handle, and operate each knife, only then can you really understand the difference between the two.
 
I've found it's personal preference. If you can handle both knives in person for comparison before buying one or the other, that's what I suggest. Otherwise, you may buy online, and not really like what you bought a few months later, and keep it because....well, you paid for it, so might as well. I've been guilty of that myself in the past. I've also gone through 'fetish' buying phases where I just had to have whatever was the hottest new feature being offered. I've eliminated most of my collection down to the knives I will actually use. I've quit buying pretty knives, and knives doomed for dust collecting status.

I've owned a 710, and just prefer a simpler mechanism with a much longer life potential. I own an Endura 4, and love the knife. It's definitely a keeper.
 
Both are the standard-bearer's for each respective company in the 4" category, and you can't go wrong with either. I'll parrot the 'personal preference' opinion that's already been mentioned.

In theory, I'd take D2 over the VG-10, the opening hole vs. the thumb stud, the Axis lock over the lockback, and G-10 over the FRN handles. In real-world use though, I've found the Endura to be the more practical choice of the 2 knives. It's thinner, lighter, has better out-of-the-box edge geometry, sharpens easier, opens easier (unless I'm flicking the 710 open with the Axis), and excels in ergonomics over the 710. The 710 "feels" beefier because it weighs more and has thicker handles, but I value overall slimness & minimal weight in folding knives.

In reference to locks, depending what you use your knives for, both will hold up to whatever you can dish out, with a nod to the Axis lock. For $100, you can't do much better than a 710 in D2 tool steel.
 
At this point, I would choose a Waved Endura over the 710. I love the axis lock and BMs quality, but at nearly half the price I just see more value for the money. One of the big factors for me at this point in time is that money is kind of an issue. Things might be different if that wasn't a factor.

What I like about the Waved Endura:
VG-10
Wave
Ergos
Reliable Spyerdco Lock Back
Hole
Slim

What I like about the 710:
Axis (reliability, smoothness, convenience, fun)
G-10 with full liners
D2 is cool with me
Slim
Thumbstud
 
symphonyincminor said:
Both are the standard-bearer's for each respective company in the 4" category, and you can't go wrong with either.
Click to expand...

symphonyincminor, I'll have to respectfully disagree and say that the
Military, especially in carbon fiber & BG-42, is Spyderco's flagship model
in the 4" blade category.
 
rifon2 said:
symphonyincminor, I'll have to respectfully disagree and say that the
Military, especially in carbon fiber & BG-42, is Spyderco's flagship model
in the 4" blade category.
Click to expand...

Love that knife; been my EDC for a while now. :) Haven't bought a folding tac knife since I received it, nor have I had the urge to.

I guess what I meant was when someone mentions Buck, most here would probably think 110. For Spyderco, Endura and Delica. For Benchmade, Griptilian and 710. Sort of a ubiquitous calling card that everyone associates with the respective company. Something like that.
 
I have changed my opinion.
After using the E4 more, I think it beats the 710 in actually cutting performance.

Good luck,
Allen
 
I own an Endura 4, and while I do not own a 710, I do own a Benchmade Griptilian that uses the Axis lock system. The Endura uses a more traditonal lock-back. Without a doubt, the Axis system will allow you to open the knife more smoothly and usually with less effort. Another neat thing about an Axis lock is a little trick you can use to flick the blade open. You just pull back on the Axis lock while the knife is closed, there by releasing the locking tension of the lock, then flick your wrist and cause the blade to open very fast. Just be sure to release the Axis lock right when you feel the blade open completely because the blade will not be locked open until you do so. Some say this trick causes undue wear and tear on the knife, but I've done it literally hundreds of times with my Griptillian, and have had no problems. The only problem I have with Benchmade Knives in general is that a 710 costs a bit more than an Endura 4. Some might say that a Benchmade is superior to a Spyderco, but I see that as only an opinion that no one can really prove. If you can't decide which knife to carry on a daily basis, just do what I do and carry a Spyderco in your left pocket and a Benchmade in your right. The only thing better than having one good knife on you is having two.
 
I don't think that Endura 4 vs. Benchmade 710 is a fair comparison. The 710 is a much higher-end knife, with a higher price point to match. Both knives are classics, but the 710 is certainly a better knife if you compare the two side by side. An Endura is probably as much knife as anyone really needs (or more). But as good as the Endura is, the 710 is probably the best example of an axis-locked knife there is, plus it has G10 scales and full liners. The 710 is one of the best knives on the market, period.

If you want to put comparably featured models from both companies against each other, the playing field is much more level. A Military, Manix or a Chinook 2 would be the Spyderco equivalent of a 710. None of these have axis locks, but all are superb. I carried a 710 for years. Now I carry a Manix. I like it better than my 710.
 
Have two waved E4's and two 710's. Moonwilson is corrrect, they aren't really a fair comparison. If given the choice of one over the other without price as a constrainst, you would be better off taking the 710. It is double the price and you get certainly more if not double the features. It is beefier than the E4 and carries heavier, but I prefer that in a 4 inch blade. The axis in my opinion is far superior than the lockback (no disrespect intended) I am a fan of its ease of operation, strength, one handed open and closing, and it is truly ambidextrous for open and closing operation. Can't go wrong with either, but I would get the 710 if you can only get one of them.
 
moonwilson said:
I don't think that Endura 4 vs. Benchmade 710 is a fair comparison. The 710 is a much higher-end knife, with a higher price point to match. Both knives are classics, but the 710 is certainly a better knife if you compare the two side by side.
Click to expand...

I definitely see where you're coming from. That said, I have both a 710 and a waved endura 4. I can pick either to carry any particular day, and these days I pick the endura 4, regardless of price or which is high-end or not. The 710 was my main EDC for something like 6 years (!!!!). The fact that the waved endura 4 knocked it out of EDC for me really says something. For me, the waved endura 4 is a match for the 710 as far as overall usefulness. That's the thing though. If I just compare based on price and quality of materials (e.g., zytel vs g-10), then the 710 obviously wins, and that's why we call it a higher-end knife. But as far as using goes, the wave, plus the opening hole, plus a way better edge geometry out of the box, plus comparable steel and handle ergonomics, makes the waved endura 4 the best user regardless of price. The only way I'd choose the 710 is if I had some odd use that required unnaturally-high lock strength (endura 4 easily handles some abuse, but 710 will handle even more) ... only in that case would I favor the 710 or consider moving to a Manix or Chinook.

Which is a lot of words for saying that I agree that the 710 is a higher-end knife than the waved endura 4, but nevertheless I feel the waved endura 4 is the better user.

Joe
 
Go for the 710. Three biggest reasons from my POV, are BM's American construction, BM stocks repair parts for old models, BM has a better fit/finish. Plus, you may get an endura with some blade play, since spyderco considers some play in lockbacks normal.
 
To me the 710/Endura question is apples & oranges. I own a waved Endura 4 currently. I think it's hard to beat the Endura for price and lightweight in a 4" folder. I think the wave makes it feel lighter as well, don't know if it is actually any lighter, but imagine it would be due to the missing steel.

GregB
 
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