Which 710 Do You Prefer ?

Wolverine666

Wolverine666

Joined
Dec 7, 2009
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Just out of curiosity , which 710 do you prefer out the following 3 :
- 710 D2 ($153)
- 710 390 w/ blue&black g10 (KW exclusive) ($170)
- 710 Gold Class w/ Damasteel and C-Tek ($510)

I used to carry a 710 years ago and I really loved it. Then the pricing adjustment scenario with BM which started in late 2013 left me disgruntled and so I sold all of my Benchmades. But now I'm ready to get over it and what I'm craving is a new 710.
 
I'm in the same boat. Had the D2 sold it. Had the m390 sold it. Probably will end up getting the blue/m390 again.
 
I prefer the black handles of the standard D2 but the KW edition is M390 and limited so I would grab that one first.
 
As much as the purest in me would like to say the original 710, and I would have not thought it possible until I owned one but the M390 version is an improvement over the original IMO.

I am very pleasantly surprise with it.
 
I have four 710 models. My favorite is the 710HS, but my working knife is the 710D2 with the BK coating removed...here's pics.



 
I noticed no one voted for the Damasteel version. I guess I'm not the only one who views the $510 price tag as a bit too steep. But I have to admit that it's a great looking knife.

And although I love M390 , I'm not sure I'm fond of the blue and black G10. But I think it has blue stand offs which seems very nice. I'm on the fence here.

So anyway , I'm leaning toward the standard D2/black G10 710. The knife is a classic design and (to me) shows a beautiful combination of strength and elegance.
 
Wolverine666 said:
And although I love M390 , I'm not sure I'm fond of the blue and black G10. But I think it has blue stand offs which seems very nice. I'm on the fence here.
Click to expand...

You could always buy both the M390 version and the D2 version, swap out the scales and then sell of the blue/black handled D2 version.
 
My two 710's are the current D2 and the old M2 from back when they were first sold. Honestly, I have never cut anything other than one plastic tie on my grandson's Christmas toy with the M2 but I do enjoy the D2 as an edc. My only problem with the 710 is I need to learn how to put a good edge on it but that is a personal problem and nothing to do with a shortcoming of the knife. I would like to have a 390 but the D2 is more than good for me. Let us know what you choose.
Frank.
 
I feel Damasteel is strictly for looks.
M2 on the other hand is one of my favorite steels and cries to be used.
In fact carrying one today......(see below).
Maybe you should get the M390.......and then at your leisure, get some custom scales for it......made to your own personal spec.'s of coarse. ;)

 
I got the Knifeworks M390 and then took Keyman's advice ^^^^ and got on the list for some of his scales. I say buy the M390 now and look for a D2 used as a beater on the exchange. Either way you will be pleased. The size of the 710 takes a little bit of getting used to IMO but once you have carried it for a few days that goes away.
 
Wolverine666 said:
So anyway , I'm leaning toward the standard D2/black G10 710. The knife is a classic design and (to me) shows a beautiful combination of strength and elegance.
Click to expand...

Sounds good to me! Your in that truly enviable position that you really can't go wrong with whatever you choose. Except I agree that the 710 Gold Class w/ Damasteel is more for show and a collectors piece then a user. Not like you'll get $300+ more performance out of it if you know what I mean and you say you want to use it.

The original 710 in D2 is indeed a classic and has stood the test of time in a way few knives can boast regardless of manufacture. And for good reason, Light, slim, a large knife that carries small with no trade off in terms of strength. Just a great knife in many ways. M390 might be a "better" steel but D2 is no slough and few would be able to tell or "need" the difference in real world applications.

If I only had one knife and it was D2 steel, and a 710 at that I'd be completely satisfied and consider myself well equipped to deal with all my cutting needs.
 
I vote 710-1401 with custom scales for the logical choice. I mean I love my 710-142 with swapped M390 blade, but that's a lot of money and I'm not sure I would do that again, knowing what I know now about the custom scale options out there. Hell if you asked nicely, I bet someone out there could make you a CF/C-tek scale set kinda like the gold class.
 
The only 710 I have is a black handled D2 version. I liked the knife but am not a fan of D2 steel. I have been think of getting the new M390 w/ blue black handle but am looking for a n answer to a question first. On the knife I have the blade hits the back strap when the knife is closed and causes the knife to stay dull. I fixed this by using my dremel to grind the inside of the back strap down till it doesn't hit but would like to know if this has been fixed from the factory
 
pbcg said:
Sounds good to me! Your in that truly enviable position that you really can't go wrong with whatever you choose. Except I agree that the 710 Gold Class w/ Damasteel is more for show and a collectors piece then a user. Not like you'll get $300+ more performance out of it if you know what I mean and you say you want to use it.

The original 710 in D2 is indeed a classic and has stood the test of time in a way few knives can boast regardless of manufacture. And for good reason, Light, slim, a large knife that carries small with no trade off in terms of strength. Just a great knife in many ways. M390 might be a "better" steel but D2 is no slough and few would be able to tell or "need" the difference in real world applications.

If I only had one knife and it was D2 steel, and a 710 at that I'd be completely satisfied and consider myself well equipped to deal with all my cutting needs.
Click to expand...

Well said. I agree with you all the way. I'm actually quite fond of D2. Just the thought of M390 for a mere $17 more made me give it some thought.
 
Beautiful work as usual , Keyman. How can I get a look at your 710 scale options , prices and turn around times ? I'm very interested.
 
I was lucky enough to stumble on a 710 in M2HS and I snagged it up. So glad I did. Had the D2 version a few years back but I had to sell it when money got short. Great design.
 
The KW has been tempting me and tempting since the price dropped. I was watching some YouTube videos on it last night...that didn't help! :eek:
 
I don't care much for 4" folders, but make exceptions when they come in M2/M4.
 
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