want to purchase my first bench made, opinions on 710, 940, 943?

[Keyman]

The back spacer can be replaced with barrel-standoffs...looks great and makes it easier to keep clean...seen threads here where people have requested BM to do it when they send in their knives...
Perhaps Keyman or some one who has had it done can post a pic

 

[ScottsoSmith]

I have a 940 (5 years old +/-) and a recently acquired 710. I am very happy with both, but I like them each for different purposes. The 940 is a great EDC, as it is a relatively long blade in a relatively small package. The aluminum scales show wear rather easily, but if nicks and scratches don't bother you (they don't bother me) then this is a non issue.

The 710 is a substantially large knife, bigger than I find appropriate for EDC. It is my goto folder when I am in the woods, usually along with some kind of fixed blade.

I am an avid edge pro user, and am able to get excellent results with many of my knives with this excellent sharpening system. This being said, I am not all that pleased with my results on either of theses knives. They are both relatively thick saber grinds, and are very difficult to get hair-popping edges. I can get much better results with full flat grind profiles on knives like the delica, endura, Esse 3, 4 or 6. In addition, I do find some difficulty with the recurve portion of the 710. The saber grind profile, however, leads to a much stronger and stiffer blade.


It is hard to go wrong with either of the Benchmades you mention, I would choose based on which size knife is most comfortable to you.

 

[Derek the Destroyer]

Saber grind is easy to turn into a super thin edge with a little bit of free hand sharpening from a fine diamond stone... And no joke, it works sharpening it on the frosted edge of a piece of glass if you have a lot of free time. Over years of sharpening this blade, it developed a custom edge. This D2 stuff gets so sharp you could shave your face with it.