The itch to buy came up and I got the BM 710

ERdept

ERdept

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I bought it sight unseen in D2 simply because I liked the blade shape, although I've never had a BM or axis lock or a blade with D2.

Frankly, I work in a ER in a bad part of LA and walk to the parking lot is by myself many, many times, I usually stop by the post office at 0330 to pick up my mail then go home.

I was had been carrying my Spyderco Calypso and felt underknifed, although it was sharp. I know I'm just thinking a bigger blade gave me more defensive abilities. It's all in my mind. Anyway

How is this thing, the BM 710, that is?
 
Um... the BM 710 is a modern classic.

Asking "So how is this 710 thing?" is like asking "Hey, has anyone heard of that Al Pachino guy? He any good?"

I think there are many superior knives to the 710, but they tend to be more expensive, or fixed blades, or both. For the price, the 710 is a great "do it all" folder. It is strong and a user, but also a tad more classy than many other tactical knives, and slimmer, so it can also be appropriate for office carry and such. Easy to open and close, easy to carry, strong, good cutter etc...
 
Hair said:
Um... the BM 710 is a modern classic.

I think there are many superior knives to the 710, but they tend to be more expensive, or fixed blades, or both. For the price, the 710 is a great "do it all" folder. It is strong and a user, but also a tad more classy than many other tactical knives, and slimmer, so it can also be appropriate for office carry and such. Easy to open and close, easy to carry, strong, good cutter etc...
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The 710 is a great "do it all" folder at any price. It is the Police of Spyderco, it is the 110 of Buck....but better.

I have carried Sebenzas, Microtechs, Kit Carsons, Pat Crawfords, and most of the production knifemakers best offerings.

The 710 is without peer. I own one in D2, M2, 154CM, and ATS34. I edc this knife, and have for 8 years, give or take, the ATS34 is the one I carry now. When this one craps out, I will send it into Benchmade for a new blade at $65.00. This should take about 5 years or so.

The G10 construction is light, strong and good looking. The grip is perfect, not too smooth or too grippy. The axis lock is great, but can be problematic in the "no gravity knives" municipalities. IF that is the case, tighten the hell out of your pivot screw. I have never bothered.

The blade shape is excellent, and utilitarian.

I don't know what else to say.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I disagree. The 710 is great because it is affordable. It is a bargain. It is not the best knife at any price. At $3,000, it would be a rip-off.

There are, IMO, many far superior "do it all" knives. But again, they tend to cost more or not be folders.

This is of course a matter of opinion. I would appriciate it if you didn't try to "correct" my opinion.

BTW, I think the Buck "do it all" folder is the 172, not the 110. I also consider the 172 to be a better knife than the 710, but it is a bit more expensive.
 
Hair said:
I disagree. The 710 is great because it is affordable. It is a bargain. It is not the best knife at any price. At $3,000, it would be a rip-off.

There are, IMO, many far superior "do it all" knives. But again, they tend to cost more or not be folders.

This is of course a matter of opinion. I would appriciate it if you didn't try to "correct" my opinion.
BTW, I think the Buck "do it all" folder is the 172, not the 110. I also consider the 172 to be a better knife than the 710, but it is a bit more expensive.
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I am not trying to correct your opinion.

I am voicing my own opinion and using your quote.

The 172, while a great knife(I know, and like Tom Mayo) is not the classic that the 710 is. The 710 has been in uninterrupted production for almost 10 years, without changing shape of handles or blade. I think the 172 was introduced about 4 years ago. I consider the 710(and by proxy, all Axis locks) superior; for one thing, the Axis lock keeps your hands out of the path of the blade edge, not possible with any frame lock or liner lock.

A handmade Emerson with slab scales would not look any better, and certainly would not function as well, as an example.

I know Dave Ellis is teaching you to 'smith and look forward to meeting you face to face! Are you coming to the AKI next year, or better yet, the Evening of the Cutlery Arts in Huntington Beach? I'll bring my 710.;)

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I am going to the Plaza Cutlery show. I don't know if I will go on Friday, Saturday, or both days.

I actually haven't done any real bladesmithing yet. My first knife was stock removal. But for the next knife we will be firing up the forge.

I'm looking forward to meeting you and any other BF members (and of course some of my favorite knifemakers). I have only met two BF members, but both have turned into very valuable relationships to me. One was Dave Ellis, and one was Don Adolfson (who gave me my first Bob Dozier and gave me unbelievable deals on a couple Busses and is a great guy and a great friend).

If any other BF members I meet turn out to be half as nice as Dave and Don, I will be a happy man.

BTW, I will be the 5'6'' guy with a burgundy Bob Dozier on his belt and probably be wearing a beanie.
 
Whew! I'm glad I got a good knife then. I did do some research and heard good things about the Sere 2000, the Buck/Strider collaboration, but the price was right on this and I liked the blade shape.

A million thanks, I will go to the Plaza blade show and wear a T-shirt that says "Blade forum member, Are you" Please intro youselves. When is the show though?

cliff
 
October 6th and 7th.

The admission for the 6th is pretty limited, though. I probably have already missed the boat on that one and it is $90 after June 1st. On the 7th it is only $15 and wide open admission.
 
GarageBoy said:
Isn't a reblade normally $35?
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Last year, when I sent an M2 710 in for a reblade, it was $65.00. Not sure what it costs for any other blade, but I can check tomorrow.

Hair said:
The admission for the 6th is pretty limited, though. I probably have already missed the boat on that one and it is $90 after June 1st. On the 7th it is only $15 and wide open admission.
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It is limited, but I have never heard of someone being turned away on Friday night. It is worth the $90! You get fed, and get to see knives that you have never seen the likes of before, some of the "best of the best".

Saturday, some of the makers are already sold out when you get there.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
The 710 is a superior piece of cutlery. As a serious Benchmade collector, I think it's the best Benchmade. I own over a hundred nice knives and it is my EDC, my favorite. It packs a big, nice blade into a very small, unobtrusive package, and it's as fast as any Microtech OTF to bring into play. (and it's legal) The ergonomics are excellent, the steel is good, the blade geometry is there, and it's not scary or too "tactical" looking. I find it to be one of the more beautiful knife designs out there.

The only problems I have with mine is the final edge on the blade was very rough when I got it (easily fixed) and the pocket clip is painted instead of parkerized. Painted clips suck. The paint chips off and starts to look trashy, whereas the parkerized clips look better and better as they wear. I've been carrying my 710 and using it every day for over a year and still haven't bothered to take polish up the poorly ground edge. This is because even though I have never sharpened it, my trusty 710 will still shave hair- even with that ugly edge it's almost as sharp as the day I bought it. No other knife I have used as much has come close in terms of edge retention. I don't know why. It's just a 154CM blade. My guess is that it happens to have a pretty good heat-treat, combined with the good blade geometry. I don't know why anyone would need more knife than the 710 for general use, except for looks or if you want a sharpened prybar to stab through car doors.
 
The 710 is a superb knife.

I only parted with my 710 HSSR because I got an excellent deal on a D2.

Ergos are top, blade steel is equal to any, the Axis lock is legendary and the knife just looks...purposeful.

You'll never need another knife, yet :rolleyes:

maximus otter
 
I've played with a few of these and have been dang tempted to buy one. They're extremely versatile full sized folders, with top notch carbon steel in either generation and one of my favorite locks, the axis. Also, I really liked the blade shape...a very subtle recurve, great for slicing, easy to sharpen.
Ultimately, I didn't get one just because it was too big for me to EDC at the university realistically, and the G10 just wasn't the texture I prefer (I like really abrasive g10).
 
Still no one BM in my collection…
and I like big folders… certainly shoul handle one.
What's better version - in D2 or M2?
 
Lenny_Goofoff said:
Still no one BM in my collection…
and I like big folders… certainly shoul handle one.
What's better version - in D2 or M2?
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M2 is easier to sharpen and takes a better edge than Benchmade's D2. From my experience, the D2 holds its edge a little longer than M2, but it's really not that noticeable to the casual user. You have to watch out for rust on the cutting edge of the M2 blades. The 710's in D2 go for a little over $100 online, while the M2 710's go for a considerable ($$$$) amount more because they're out-of-production. The only place to find them is on eBay and trade forums.
 
I have been looking at getting a 710 for some time now. My current experiences with D2 have been very good, and from what Steven and others have said about ATS34 (the only other options I've seen out there other than D2), the fact that these steels aren't the "super stainless" 154CM, doesn't bother me so much anymore, in fact, I don't know now why it did before. I EDC a 707 Sequel, an updated version of the 705, which is in fact a mini version of the 710. The 707 is one of the best knives I've ever carried, and I already know from past experience that Benchmade stands behind their product. It looks like a great purchase, and I hope you get a lot of enjoyment out of it.
 
Artfully Martial said:
...a very subtle recurve, great for slicing, easy to sharpen.
Ultimately, I didn't get one just because it was too big for me to EDC at the university realistically, and the G10 just wasn't the texture I prefer (I like really abrasive g10).
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Try IWB carry. I am just starting to get a gut(20 lbs overweight), but that has been my carry method for 12 years.

Try it, because if you do, the less grippy texture of the 710 will become extremely practical AND.....you can carry something up to the size of a Maxx, and it will disappear.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
symphonyincminor said:
M2 710's go for a considerable ($$$$) amount more because they're out-of-production. The only place to find them is on eBay and trade forums.
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... and m2 710's are only with black blade (which I dislike)
 
Lenny_Goofoff said:
... and m2 710's are only with black blade (which I dislike)
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I've considered removing the coating and putting a hand-rubbed satin finish on mine, because I also dislike black-coated blades, but it would probably be too much trouble keeping the eventual stains and rust off the blade once the coating is removed.
 
Kohai, do you conceal it in your waistband or can you see the top. Do you tuck your shirt in? Just curious.

I am looking for a new way to carry my Manix with jeans so I can still use both pockets.

How accessible is your knife in your waistband? I fear I may get looks if I pull out a concealed knife from under an untucked shirt.

Do you have any suggestions?
 
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