Spyderco Paramilitary or Benchmade 710?

Now, which style 710 is preferred?

given the size of the blade, I'm considering the combo edge. But, I do like the plain edge for easier maintenance.

Scott
 
There was a time I would not recommend serrations. Now, though, I think the choice should be based on the use of the knife.

Synthetic rope, zip-ties, wire stripping, and such can often be handled more conveniently with a serrated blade. Also, if you happen to dull the edge on something hard, serrations can often be found to be capable of still performing many cutting tasks while a plane blade is next to worthless.

Still, if you go M2 (I like mine), I'd recommend a plain edge. If you find it unsatisfactory, you can always buy another with serrattions or sell it (the plain edge M2 is often easier to sell).
 
One of the reasons I like the para better than the 710 for hard use is that the pivot pin is positioned further into the handle between the G10 slabs. While this means that the blade - handle ratio is worse, it also means that the blade should be able to withstand more torquing and lateral pressure (as more of the blade tang is effectively supported by the handle slabs). Additionally, the handle slabs on the para fit flush against the blade. This further acts to disperse lateral force over a larger surface area (the entire surface area of the handle that contacts the blade) and makes for a more durable knife, IMHO. On the 710 and other axis lock folders, however, there are washers between the tang and the handle slabs. This results in the lateral force being concentrated on a smaller surface area (the surface area of the washer), which in turn should result in the blade being more prone to snapping, all else equal.

I admit this is theoretical, but I think it makes sense mechanically. I'd love to hear if someone else with more knowledge of folders has something to correct or add.
 
I just got a PM. and so far I'm having mixed feeling about it. Out of the box there was a nick on the clip, horizontal blade play (noticeable), and a slight amount of vertical blade play. I have faith in the lock, but with this being NIB, I would expect zero play because what is going to happen as I start to use the knife.

The handles are very "grippy" as other have mentioned and it fits well in my hand, both with my fingers on the blade and only on the handle.

Out of the box it was very sharp.

One thing that is really bothering me is the tip down carry, this is my 1st knife to be tip down and I just don’t know how I feel about it. I keep hitting my hand on the end of the blade when get something out of my pockets and it is a little sharp so I’m a little shy about just sticking my hand into my pocket. I'm also a little concerned about the blade opening when I retrieve something out of my pocket for example my wallet that I keep in the same pocket.

Just my 2-cents based on my 1st impressions of this knife.

billyp
 
billyp said:
I just got a PM. and so far I'm having mixed feeling about it. Out of the box there was a nick on the clip, horizontal blade play (noticeable), and a slight amount of vertical blade play. I have faith in the lock, but with this being NIB, I would expect zero play because what is going to happen as I start to use the knife.
Click to expand...
A lot of the compression lock folders seem to have this problem. I have a Yojimbo that has the same problems.
 
Warden41272, I have to disagree with you totally. In my experience Benchmade has always been the better knife. I've had the Spyderco Military, Starmate, Endura, Delica and a few others and not one of them was better in any way to my Benchmades. I don't think that they are made anywhere near as well as Benchmades. I don't have any of those knives anymore except the Delica's (which I have 2). I can't really speak to the heat treatment issue because I won't pretend to understand how it is done but I think they have to be close because again I've found my BM to hold an edge longer.

To the question I say the 710 M2.
 
War Eagle said:
Warden41272, I have to disagree with you totally. In my experience Benchmade has always been the better knife. I've had the Spyderco Military, Starmate, Endura, Delica and a few others and not one of them was better in any way to my Benchmades. I don't think that they are made anywhere near as well as Benchmades. I don't have any of those knives anymore except the Delica's (which I have 2).
Click to expand...

That's my experience too. I do like Spydercos as beaters, but the Benchmades have much better fit and finish.
 
bk400 said:
One of the reasons I like the para better than the 710 for hard use is that the pivot pin is positioned further into the handle between the G10 slabs. While this means that the blade - handle ratio is worse, it also means that the blade should be able to withstand more torquing and lateral pressure (as more of the blade tang is effectively supported by the handle slabs). Additionally, the handle slabs on the para fit flush against the blade. This further acts to disperse lateral force over a larger surface area (the entire surface area of the handle that contacts the blade) and makes for a more durable knife, IMHO. On the 710 and other axis lock folders, however, there are washers between the tang and the handle slabs. This results in the lateral force being concentrated on a smaller surface area (the surface area of the washer), which in turn should result in the blade being more prone to snapping, all else equal.

I admit this is theoretical, but I think it makes sense mechanically. I'd love to hear if someone else with more knowledge of folders has something to correct or add.
Click to expand...

BK400, you find someone who has broken a 710 - or a Para - you let me know, OK? You can snap the tip on either, but breaking them at the pivot?

Scott, to me the question between a Para and a 710 is pretty simple - which do you want, a 3" folder or a 4"?

I'd go for the 710 (my big EDC is actually a 730), but my 3" EDC is a Yojimbo.

Leaving aside the BM vs Spydie pissing match, I have always thought that in the various matchups, Spyderco's strength was usually in the smaller pieces, and Benchmade's in the bigger. You've narrowed it down to perhaps Spyderco's best medium-small piece and one of Benchmade's best medium-bigs - which size do you want or need more? Does tip up/down make a real difference? Do you want a recurve, or hate to sharpen them? While they're both great knives, they're NOT very similar to each other - which one suits you better?

I do think, as a steel snob, that the M2 option on the BM is a serious leg up. But your real decision point probably should be on feel in your hands - have you handled them both? If you haven't, I'm guessing doing so will point you one way or the other.
 
yep Nick, good points !
basically both knives are excellent!
so main question is
do you want a 3" or 4" blade?

and as most of the posts here, we would finally agree that you should go and handle each...then you'll find one much better than the other.:D
Between those two "winners" there is no bad choice but purelly a question of personnal taste.:)
 
Nick, as I mentioned in my thread, it is a theoretical point. I'm guessing that few have snapped an FRN Endura through the handle at the pivot either, but that doesn't mean that there's no place for a discussion about theoretical durability. Much of this forum deals with theory, after all.
 
Nick Hyle said:
BK400, you find someone who has broken a 710 - or a Para - you let me know, OK? You can snap the tip on either, but breaking them at the pivot?

Scott, to me the question between a Para and a 710 is pretty simple - which do you want, a 3" folder or a 4"?

I'd go for the 710 (my big EDC is actually a 730), but my 3" EDC is a Yojimbo.

Leaving aside the BM vs Spydie pissing match, I have always thought that in the various matchups, Spyderco's strength was usually in the smaller pieces, and Benchmade's in the bigger. You've narrowed it down to perhaps Spyderco's best medium-small piece and one of Benchmade's best medium-bigs - which size do you want or need more? Does tip up/down make a real difference? Do you want a recurve, or hate to sharpen them? While they're both great knives, they're NOT very similar to each other - which one suits you better?

I do think, as a steel snob, that the M2 option on the BM is a serious leg up. But your real decision point probably should be on feel in your hands - have you handled them both? If you haven't, I'm guessing doing so will point you one way or the other.
Click to expand...

Well, I have carried my BM550, Spydie Endura, Delica, and Native. So, I'm flexible in the size of the blade and handle. At work, I primarily carry completely inside the pocket to not bring attention to the clip.

Scott
 
bk400 said:
...few have snapped an FRN Endura through the handle at the pivot either
Click to expand...

I have seen one break through the blade body and the handle still be fine. It is difficult for the handle to take any significant load. You would want to jam the blade all the way into something and then walk on the very end of the grip to load the handle and not significantly stress the tip. It usually isn't an issue, vertically though it can be if there are micro-screws. I watched a Cold Steel VG come apart when it was viced as the plastic slabs could not contain the thin metal bits that held them together and they just cut through it.

-Cliff
 
Shmackey said:
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...
Click to expand...

The 806 axis comes pretty close to that. :)
 
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