Sub 3" EDC: Spyderco Native 5 vs Benchmade 707 Sequel

Thanks for the comparison pics and feedback.

In the end, I went with the 707. Mainly because I haven't picked up a BM in a while and actually currently don't have any in my collection (the wife does though).

Will I regret it over the Native 5? Sure. Already do. Is it worth the asking price for 154CM steel? Probably not. However that being said, my wife only likes Benchmade and tolerates my enthusiasm *cough* ADDICTION *cough*, so I picked up 2 707's engraved with "His" and "Hers" on the blades as anniversary gifts. I'm lucky to have a SWMBO that likes knives too!

I'm sure I'll enjoy it, it gets enough great reviews but I know that Native 5 will call my name eventually. It's such a sexy little tank. Reminds me of a bullshark! :D

Now it's just a matter of when the knife bug calls again, am I going to get another sub 3" with the Native 5 or finally try out the classic 710?

Considering these seem to be our tough decisions and predicaments, I'd say we've got it pretty good. ;)

They just shipped today, can't wait for them to arrive.

Thanks for the words and feedback!
 
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Indeed Officer's Match! I got to handle one at my local gun show. Fantastic knife but I've been hesitant on D2 steel. Just now got around to being able to put a decent eddge on S30V with VG-10 and 154CM being the easiest for me at the moment. Between D2's toughness to sharpen, the 710's recurve and living in a tropical climate, I've been hesitant. I really like the design though.
 
Black blade version solves the climate concern (D2 is not bad at resisting rust though), and with a LOT of love, look pretty good broken in. Recurve is so shallow as to not be an issue IMHO.

 
Officer's Match said:
Black blade version solves the climate concern (D2 is not bad at resisting rust though), and with a LOT of love, look pretty good broken in. Recurve is so shallow as to not be an issue IMHO.

Click to expand...

Hey OM... how ya doin?

I agree. D2 is not going to fall apart in FL. Even uncoated it only needs minimal care like drying it when wet and occasionally using mineral oil or a knife/gun oil to coat the blade. And the recurve is almost not there. It's enough to help in cutting chores but not enough to cause sharpening issues. Nothing like the deep recurve of an Emerson Commander. From what I remember when I had my 710, you can use either the corners or the flats of a Sharpmaker rod, you can use the edge of a flat stone, or you can use the flat or the edge of many strops and get a really nice edge on the 710. If you don't mind the blue/black scales on the KW exclusive version, you might find M390 easier than D2 to sharpen. That's been my experience with BM's M390.

Uh-oh... now I want another 710. Damn... it's enough to make a preacher cuss.
 
Howdy Dale. You have nailed it on the 710 my friend. I'm actually surprised Benchmade hasn't done other steels in the 710 more often - I think even an S30V would be a hit. Myself, I love D2, but it is off-putting to some, so why not open the already enviable appeal of the iconic 710 to everyone???
 
OM,

I actually emailed BM a while back suggesting they should offer the 710 to be "configured" in steel types like they do the Grips, etc. from their official site but they said no interest at this point. Maybe if more people suggested it, they might take it into consideration.
 
I own a Spyderco Native 5 lightweight and a Benchmade Mini Griptillian. I think the Mini Grip is close enough to the 707 to partially fulfill the OP request.

The Native 5 will offer more control due to the choil and the jimping. The 707 has neither. The Spyderco blade is thinner just behind the edge all the way to the tip, so it will be a better slicer. The Sypderco also has no omega springs to break over time.

However the 707 looks like it will ride better in the pocket than the Native 5 as the Spyderco is a bit wide in pocket. The 707 will be easier to open than the Native 5. The Spyder holes in the native 5 are partially covered by the handle so opening takes some practice.
 
Oh my word... after seeing that black and blue G10 on the KW M390 710... I think it will happen sooner rather than later.

As an NC native and a Carolina Panther fan, I don't think I can resist. :O
 
Love my Ritter mini-grip and Spyderco Techno. The mini-grip is a fantastic edc even though it is ugly. Have you looked at the Lionsteel SR2? I just got one and it's a fantastic knife, but does need the edge thinned a bit for slicing. I've got a 707, but was too small for my hands with it's blocky shape, so went to the wife. I have large hands. Of the ones you have listed, I'd go with the Native 5 flavor you like if you don't need a one handed closing knife.
 
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