710 Damascus

wyattnoise

• February 21, 2015 22:18

So the short version is that I lost my 710 years ago and have been carrying a 556 since then that isn't my favorite but was a gift.

Now I am finally getting a settlement check from an accident that cost me a finger and have decided to buy an 710 or triage as an EDC replacement.

I wanted to treat myself beyond D2 and am having a hard time finding the m390 that I want - but I have come across a few 710 Damascus for sale in the $500-600 range.

1.) Beyond its cost and offending museum style collectors is there any good reason not to EDC a Benchmade Gold?

2.) Am I in much jeopardy of buying a counterfeit Damascus Steel blade from an online cutlery shop/ebay?

3.) Is anyone actually aware of any such instances beyond hearsay and sheer possibility?

4.) Can I send it back to Benchmade to have it engraved and/or can I take such a knife somewhere else to have it done? This is going to be MY knife and I wouldn't mind having my name on it to haunt anyone with lightfingers that may come across it without my consent.

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  patrick

  • February 21, 2015 23:05

  You may want to give the 710~1401 a look. Still available I believe.
  
  I would carry that 710DM, no practical reason to not, although I'm not sure if corrosion maintenance might be an issue w/ that particular DM..I should think it fine/normal maintenance.
  
  Some on line dealers provide engraving, again, search 710~1401,.

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  wyattnoise

  • February 21, 2015 23:45

  The 710-1401 is my last resort - if I decide I am tired of looking for EXACTLY what will satisfy me.
  
  I am sure that it's a fine knife, but I am not as fond of those blue and black scales.

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  wyattnoise

  • February 22, 2015 00:12

  Ideally I satisfy myself with a 710-2 (assuming I find one next week) but the others I am considering are 710-(143,144,142,&141)

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  kirbysdl

  • February 22, 2015 00:21

  quote:

  Originally posted by wyattnoise:
  1.) Beyond its cost and offending museum style collectors is there any good reason not to EDC a Benchmade Gold?
  

  
  
  Depends on the knife and the use. Most knife steels out there are developed with heavy use in mind, and people have had a lot of experience with them and can gauge their pros and cons. Damascus is a process, not a specific alloy, and you're unlikely to find any analyses on sharpening ease, edge retention, corrosion resistance, etc.
  
  While I don't think Benchmade would use crap alloys in their damascus blades, you're still rolling the dice compared to a more well-understood knife steel, even a premium steel like S90V or M390.
  
  If you had $300+ to spend, I'd recommend getting a 710-1401 and a standard 710, doing a blade swap, and selling the Black/Blue+D2 combo. You could even pay someone to do the blade swap if you didn't feel comfortable doing so, and end up spending less and having a blade known for its utility.
  
  Also I've seen a few M390 710s on the bay recently. A saved search will notify you of new listings if you'd consider that avenue.
  
  One last note: for the $600 you were originally considering spending you could end up with two pairs. That's a lot of backup in case one is lost or stolen.

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  pmek

  • February 22, 2015 00:22

  I have found out from experience it is better to wait for what you really want. But patience is so darn difficult some times. Hope you do find the one you want.

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  kirbysdl

  • February 22, 2015 00:36

  quote:

  Originally posted by wyattnoise:
  Ideally I satisfy myself with a 710-2 (assuming I find one next week)

  
  
  

  quote:

  Originally posted by pmek:
  I have found out from experience it is better to wait for what you really want.

  
  
  +1 pmek. Not sure why you need to find your next knife within a week. It's not my business to know, but consider if the prospect of knife money is making you make hasty decisions.
  
  Regarding your question about counterfeits, if you were to buy a gold class 710 from an authorized online dealer or well-rated seller on the bay, and the serial number on the blade matched that on the box and CoA, I'm confident you'll be fine. After you get it, there's a subforum here you can post pics to if you want to make sure, or you could always send it into Benchmade to have them scrutinize it.

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  fastjan

  • February 22, 2015 01:53

  quote:

  Originally posted by wyattnoise:
  The 710-1401 is my last resort - if I decide I am tired of looking for EXACTLY what will satisfy me.
  
  I am sure that it's a fine knife, but I am not as fond of those blue and black scales.

  
  Here's something some of us have been doing for years: If you like the M390 blade, but not the blue scales, you could buy the 710-1401 (blue scales) and a 710 D2 and either swap blades, or better yet, just swap the scales. Swapping the scales will leave the satin 1401 blade in the satin liners with the classy blue standoffs. Either way, once you're done doing that, just sell the D2 knife with its new blue scales on the forum.
  
  If you go the other route, I'm not sure what you will get for steel quality with the Damascus, but the M390 is virtually state-of-the-art these days.

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  wyattnoise

  • February 22, 2015 10:04

  Thanks for the feedback.
  
  The 'rush' is to be ready and make my purchase before my wife finds out exactly how much I am getting and decides the $600 vacuum cleaner she has been whining about is a better use of the money.

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  po

  • February 22, 2015 12:08

  No good reason not to carry a Benchmade Damascus blade. They are generally stainless Damascus which will perform very well, at least as good in edge durability as 154CM.
  
  I don't think you are in any jeopardy of buying a counterfeit at all. Cheap copies won't use Damascus of any kind.
  
  Benchmade does have a laser etching service, which I would trust a $500 knife to much more than Fred's Trophy and Tee Shop or some such.

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