Hello, I am looking for a decent folder and one of my friend from Germany recommended me Benchmade 710 in D2 steel. He said it has D2 recurve blade with much cutting edge, and is decent folder. I would however like to know review of all friends here. Please share your experience and alternatives withing same price range.
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Benchmade 710
- Thread starter ronie1988
- Start date
Instead of a full review--those are available all over the Web--I'll just offer observation and opinion.
The 710 is a knife that was in and out of my wish list for years until a couple of months ago when I bought two of them. The first was a satin blade model and it is perfect in every way. The second was a black, partially serrated blade model. The black model has a slightly off center blade and uneven grinds but it was sold as used at a bargain price by the dealer although the knife appears to be new. I've carried that black blade model almost every day since buying it because I'm not afraid to beat it up or get it dirty. And it has been beat up pretty good but it takes it in stride. The blade came sharp and I've never let it get really dull, honing on ceramic and stropping on loaded leather after use. Dull D2 is a pain to return to sharp. I've had no difficulty with the recurve although the serrated model doesn't have the same shape as the plain edge model. But I can freehand sharpen on a stone edge or Spyderco Sharpmaker rod and hit the recurve of a knife pretty easily. I guess a recurve can be a problem for some people to sharpen based on the methods they use.
I like the not-so-aggressive G10 grip panels and the shape of the grip. I like the narrow profile of the knife both open and closed. I like how Benchmade put a 4" blade in a handle the size usually found on a knife with a 3.5" blade. The knife carries smaller than it is. The blade opens and closes smoothly after a considerable amount of use and it locks up tight. I've always liked the Axis lock and how it locks the blade both open and closed. As is usually the case, the pivot loosens up after a while but a small drop of Loctite on the threads will fix that.
The 710 ranks in the top three of my favorite all time folding knives alongside the Al Mar SERE 2000 and Spyderco Gayle Bradley. In many ways, it surpasses both of those knives in how it handles or carries.
The 710 is a knife that was in and out of my wish list for years until a couple of months ago when I bought two of them. The first was a satin blade model and it is perfect in every way. The second was a black, partially serrated blade model. The black model has a slightly off center blade and uneven grinds but it was sold as used at a bargain price by the dealer although the knife appears to be new. I've carried that black blade model almost every day since buying it because I'm not afraid to beat it up or get it dirty. And it has been beat up pretty good but it takes it in stride. The blade came sharp and I've never let it get really dull, honing on ceramic and stropping on loaded leather after use. Dull D2 is a pain to return to sharp. I've had no difficulty with the recurve although the serrated model doesn't have the same shape as the plain edge model. But I can freehand sharpen on a stone edge or Spyderco Sharpmaker rod and hit the recurve of a knife pretty easily. I guess a recurve can be a problem for some people to sharpen based on the methods they use.
I like the not-so-aggressive G10 grip panels and the shape of the grip. I like the narrow profile of the knife both open and closed. I like how Benchmade put a 4" blade in a handle the size usually found on a knife with a 3.5" blade. The knife carries smaller than it is. The blade opens and closes smoothly after a considerable amount of use and it locks up tight. I've always liked the Axis lock and how it locks the blade both open and closed. As is usually the case, the pivot loosens up after a while but a small drop of Loctite on the threads will fix that.
The 710 ranks in the top three of my favorite all time folding knives alongside the Al Mar SERE 2000 and Spyderco Gayle Bradley. In many ways, it surpasses both of those knives in how it handles or carries.
Thanks for such useful user review...waiting for more inputs.....
I have the 710-1401 and a 710 in 154cm. I like the 710-1401 I like how easy it is to re sharpen. I love the scales on it. It has gotten more pocket time than my 154cm. I like the 154cm as my beater knife. The154 is easy to re sharpen too. I don't care to much for the black scales. Not a big fan of the D2 version. I had an Adamas and sold it to buy the 710 in 154cm. I just didn't like the thought in the back of my head that spots could show up on the blade (not likely) and the coating on the blade will wear off with use and just like the shiny blades of my 710. Just my 2 cents.
I am getting the D2 version so specifically needed to know about it.....also the blade structure and recurve feature benefits and cons if any.
I have the same experience of the 710, it's the smallest-feeling big knife I've owned, it's a great knife.
It carries better than some 3" knives I've owned, and it's a consummate tool.
I've heard it described as giving the impression that it is the perfect modern iteration of the personal utility knife, kind of the way nice pukkos give the same feeling in a fixed blade.
Strong, simple, smooth, light, symmetric scales and locking mechanism, the 710 is outrageously sexy in a function-first way.
IMHO BM710 is a modern version of Buck110 standard by which other knives are judged by, both have great blades but handles could use better ergonomics!
I have black D2 SE version, bought new from ebay.
When it arrived it had 2 tiny rust spots on cutting edge, 1 minute of scrubbing with dish washing green scotch bright pad and it was gone!
After that I didn't like factory toothy edge, so I done 5 strokes per side @15DPS on KOWS belt sander with medium belt, that produced smooth but still toothy edge!
It cuts great as is now but because it's SE I will soon put mirror edge on it for even better slicing!
Black coating now has minor barely there shallow scratches on it, from cutting card board. Which is very disappointing, because same cardboard left no scratches on ZT's black coating
4" blade with shallow recurve partially serrated is perfect size and shape for 95% of cutting tasks that I use it for!
You get maximum cutting edge available in smaller package, no wasted useful edge on stupid finger choils on small blade!
I always have smaller 3" blade for smaller more delicate cutting tasks, if I need it!
It has near perfect 50/50 blade 2 handle size proportions, max blade 2 min handle!
I personally hate tiny blades with huge two hand handles
My philosophy is give me max blade with min handle!:thumbup:
Weight wise it's very light, but doesn't feel flimsy! I wish other manufactures would take lesson from that, you can have strong but lightweight knife in one package!
It's very easy to carry most of the time you forget you have it on you!
Axis lock is now my favorite, but SOG's ARC lock is even better easier to use/deploy! the only thing I would improve is make easier access in scales by rounding hole edges around axis button!
Biggest issue I have with this knife is it's handle. While flat slim G-10 scales are great for pocket carry, lightweight and slim it isn't that great for prolong use in hand!
It's not very ergonomic compared to say Doug Ritter BM that one has much better more comfortable handle. Admittedly, I never held DR BM in my hand just judging from all the pics on this board!
I do standard test on all my pocket folders by cutting card board and kitchen food prep!
This gives me constant against which to compare knives design and material performance.
Prepping veggies will quickly tell you how good or bad really knife is at cutting!
Conclusion of test:
Pros: narrow, thin blade shape would be great for stabbing, slicing both push and pull is great, serrations are awesome, recurve sweet spot is in perfect location, creates paper thin see through slices, light weight means can work for an hour no problem!
Cons: square, thin, flat, narrow handle with sharp edges, isn't very comfortable for prolong use will give you hot spots in the palm of your hand, egg/oval shape scales would have been much better choice for it, it's not very safe for stabbing into hard materials, lacks index finger choil for better safer grip, I'm afraid hand can slip onto edge if covered in fluids! Doesn't have deep pocket clip, OEM clip makes handle stick out of pocket too much for my taste! Can't change pocket clip to tip down carry which is my preferred choice!
Conclusion:
It's my favorite EDC but it will need eventually, custom oval scales with index finger choil to really fit my hand with deep pocket clip to be perfect for me
I have black D2 SE version, bought new from ebay.
When it arrived it had 2 tiny rust spots on cutting edge, 1 minute of scrubbing with dish washing green scotch bright pad and it was gone!
After that I didn't like factory toothy edge, so I done 5 strokes per side @15DPS on KOWS belt sander with medium belt, that produced smooth but still toothy edge!
It cuts great as is now but because it's SE I will soon put mirror edge on it for even better slicing!
Black coating now has minor barely there shallow scratches on it, from cutting card board. Which is very disappointing, because same cardboard left no scratches on ZT's black coating
4" blade with shallow recurve partially serrated is perfect size and shape for 95% of cutting tasks that I use it for!
You get maximum cutting edge available in smaller package, no wasted useful edge on stupid finger choils on small blade!
I always have smaller 3" blade for smaller more delicate cutting tasks, if I need it!
It has near perfect 50/50 blade 2 handle size proportions, max blade 2 min handle!
I personally hate tiny blades with huge two hand handles
My philosophy is give me max blade with min handle!:thumbup:
Weight wise it's very light, but doesn't feel flimsy! I wish other manufactures would take lesson from that, you can have strong but lightweight knife in one package!
It's very easy to carry most of the time you forget you have it on you!
Axis lock is now my favorite, but SOG's ARC lock is even better easier to use/deploy! the only thing I would improve is make easier access in scales by rounding hole edges around axis button!
Biggest issue I have with this knife is it's handle. While flat slim G-10 scales are great for pocket carry, lightweight and slim it isn't that great for prolong use in hand!
It's not very ergonomic compared to say Doug Ritter BM that one has much better more comfortable handle. Admittedly, I never held DR BM in my hand just judging from all the pics on this board!
I do standard test on all my pocket folders by cutting card board and kitchen food prep!
This gives me constant against which to compare knives design and material performance.
Prepping veggies will quickly tell you how good or bad really knife is at cutting!
Conclusion of test:
Pros: narrow, thin blade shape would be great for stabbing, slicing both push and pull is great, serrations are awesome, recurve sweet spot is in perfect location, creates paper thin see through slices, light weight means can work for an hour no problem!
Cons: square, thin, flat, narrow handle with sharp edges, isn't very comfortable for prolong use will give you hot spots in the palm of your hand, egg/oval shape scales would have been much better choice for it, it's not very safe for stabbing into hard materials, lacks index finger choil for better safer grip, I'm afraid hand can slip onto edge if covered in fluids! Doesn't have deep pocket clip, OEM clip makes handle stick out of pocket too much for my taste! Can't change pocket clip to tip down carry which is my preferred choice!
Conclusion:
It's my favorite EDC but it will need eventually, custom oval scales with index finger choil to really fit my hand with deep pocket clip to be perfect for me
Last edited:
hangmanshammer
Gold Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2014
- Messages
- 208
I have to agree with the others that have said it, the 710 is a big knife that carries like a small one. You would not be disappointed with it.
Its the only folding knife I have kept at least one of in my rotation. Even when I went to all fixed I still kept one 710. I have at times had as many as four. I will always have a 710 of some sort. A used D2 model for around $100-125 USD is a great deal.