Spyderco Paramilitary or Benchmade 710?

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Aug 29, 2002
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It's down to these two knives. I know, probably can't go wrong with either one. Plusses and minuses of each would be appreciated.

It will primarily be an EDC and taken out in the field too.

Scott
 
I personally would go with the 710, the axis lock is extremely strong, it has a nice subtle recurve, and for me the blade size is perfect in my opinion (3.9")
I cant comment on the paramilitary, because I dont own one, but I have heard many good things about it.
 
I've got both. Two instant classics. Kind of like asking "should I go for the 65 Strat or the 59 Les Paul?"

I carry the Para much more since it's under the legal limit. If I were still in NYC, the 710 might see slightly more pocket time than the Para. If it had an opening hole, it definitely would.

If there's such a thing as a flawless knife, the 710 comes very close. An opening hole and slightly grippier G10 would seal the deal, but then again the hole would totally change the blade.

Then again, if the Para had an Axis lock, it'd be in flawless territory... The Compression Lock is brilliant but it doesn't suck the blade closed like an Axis does.
 
I've had both and would have to say the Para Military hands down. For one thing I've come to really like and appreciate the size of the PM blade and the S30V over the 154CM. I also prefer the blade shape and find it to be more useful over a wide range of tasks. Also, I think the lock on the PM is every bit as strong as the Axis lock.

The only two things I don't like about the Para-Military are that it is tip down carry from the factory and not available in a Waved folder like the Endura and Delica, but I fixed both of those things by the second day of owning it. Now it is a perfect knife. :D


STR
 
If you have a choice, alway go for Spyderco. They're just better knives. Spyderco has much better blade geometry (most of the time), and better heat treatment for their steel than Benchmade (nearly always). I've owned both, and never had a BM that would hold an edge like it should. Never had a Spyderco that wouldn't.
 
Hmm, imho a 710 sportin M2 is a excellent folder, i have a couple now myself in both flavors.

Have really come to love the curves of them.

That being said,i do not own a PM, and in the asked question, you said in the field, this makes me think of many different conditions that may make the PM a better choice for you.

Ultimately it is up to you, conditions of your "Field work" may be really nasty or really easy, i dont know, but if its a crappy enviroment where your gonna take it, take the PM into the poo poo, and keep the 710 for night time an weekends. :D

WR
 
warden41272 said:
If you have a choice, alway go for Spyderco. They're just better knives. Spyderco has much better blade geometry (most of the time), and better heat treatment for their steel than Benchmade (nearly always). I've owned both, and never had a BM that would hold an edge like it should. Never had a Spyderco that wouldn't.

This is all pretty much true generally speaking, but the 710 is not your typical Benchmade. You've gotta cut something with one to know what I mean. The thing you're cutting basically just says "OK, OK, I give up."
 
I have both, and they are hands down my two favorite folders. It's tough to go wrong.

The PM's clean construction is better suited for hard, sustained outdoor use. Fewer moving parts, grippy G10 (the PM has MUCH better handle security, particularly with wet hands or gloves), thicker blade, and lighter weight. The knife is exceptionally easy to clean and maintain in the field.

The 710HS with M2 steel is an outstanding cutter -- blade shape is awesome for certain tasks. But my 710 developed some vertical blade play after I used it for basic light camp chores on a 4-day mountain climb. While I felt there was no risk that the axis lock would disengage, the blade play did bother me, and I can't seem to fix it myself.

The PM's compression lock, on the other hand, has never given me problems. On the one occasion that I got some vertical blade play, I simply rotated the eccentric pin a bit, and the lock up was tight again.

As far as looks, the 710 wins hands down, IMO.

As hard as it is to say, if I had to go with one, I'd take the PM.
 
warden41272 said:
If you have a choice, alway go for Spyderco. They're just better knives. Spyderco has much better blade geometry (most of the time), and better heat treatment for their steel than Benchmade (nearly always). I've owned both, and never had a BM that would hold an edge like it should. Never had a Spyderco that wouldn't.

On what knives are you comparing HT? You'd have to compare 154cm/ats34 or S30V blades, and even then BM uses a thicker edge, so you can't make an apples/apples comparison of HT based on edge retention in daily use.
 
I have both and you can't go wrong with either. But if I had to choose 1, it would be the 710HS.

One thing I like better about the 710 is the lower profile, tip-up carry. The PM rides a little high for me. The 710 is also fully ambidextrious.
 
......710.

Although, I can say honestly that my 710 was dethroned as EDC King by a CQC-10.

Peace.
 
No experience with B.M. personally, but I hear and read great things about them. Spyderco Paramilitary I do own and carry daily. this one is a keeper.
OUT!
 
I love them both, but the para is where it's at for me....I love the ergonomics, the looks and it's easy to keep clean. The fit and finish could be better, and Benchmade always provides me with top notch fit and finish. I just got a batch of Japanese spydercos in a few days ago though and they were all flawless, however. And cost a third of my Para.

I would flip a coin, buy one and when you feel the need for a new EDC get the other one later.
 
I owned one of the first 710s that came out. In fact, I bought one the very first day my sporting goods store began carrying them. I loved it, having always ignored Spyderco because of the weird shapes and whatnot. For the longest time, BM was *all* I would carry. I've owned about 17 different models. Once I actually used a Spyderco, though, the 710 got retired, and I've been carrying a Spyderco ever since. "Spyderco" makes a better knife" is strictly my opinion, not objective fact. My opinion comes from 10 years of carrying one or more knives on duty every day, and 33 years of just plain carrying a knife. I know what I like,and what works for me, and Spydercos just seem to perform better than BMs. If you like BM, more power to you. They make a fine knife. I just think Spydercos are better, personally.
 
I've been trying to decide between the 710 and the PM also. I'm a fan of both companies, and will probably end up getting both. However, I REALLY like the Axis lock. IMO, it's probably the best lock out there. As someone said earlier, a Axis PM would be sweet.
 
I actually prefer the compression lock these days....I think the axis lock is easier to use and has a better action, but the simplicty of the compression lock and the blow through sandwich design make it the winner for me now. Ultimately, I think in the long term we will discover that, thougb both are amazing, the compression lock will provide better long term reliability due to its easy to see and clean design (for rust protection).
 
Artfully Martial said:
Ultimately, I think in the long term we will discover that, thougb both are amazing, the compression lock will provide better long term reliability due to its easy to see and clean design (for rust protection).

Well, I doubt that the compression lock will show any difference over the "long term" than a frame lock or liner lock, in terms of being easy to clean, etc. I also think that the Axis is just as easy to maintain. The Axis has already been around for nearly a decade, and although every once in a while someone has a broken spring (which Benchmade has always fixed), there have been no more issues with rust/cleaning than other locks, as far as I know.

Now, I think that Spyderco's ball-bearing lock may be closer in the running...

Peace.
 
Oh, the 710, hands down. :D

I did a passaround with the Paramillie, and just wasn't all that impressed. The handle ergonomics were great if I "choked up" and used the forward finger choil on the blade, but that left you with not much blade for a knife of that size. Using a rearward grip (fingers only on the handle, not blade) left me with a three-finger grip, since the severe pinky hook didn't leave any place for my pinky! For two knives with similar overall folded profiles, you get a crapload more blade out of the Benchmade.
 
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