An old classic...the 710.
First off, I never thought I would own a 710. I knew it was the first "Axis" Benchmade and that it had a relatively long part in Benchmade history. But, for some reason I hesitated in getting one for a couple of reasons:
First of all, none of the local outfitters carried the 710. I am sorry, but I like to do business with Brick and Mortar shops first - then I do business online;
Secondly, it reminded me so much of my 672SBX that I thought it would be a redundancy.
Make a long story short, you guys talked me - poor, helpless, suggestible me - into getting one. I found two at a shop in Intercourse, PA - a plain edged and an SBK. I went for a ride and picked up the 710SBK.
Was I ever wrong about this knife. It is NOT a redundancy at all. This knife is BIG and it is strong. The grind on the blade was quite even, but the belly had somewhat of a burr that came clean with a simple stropping.
I LIKE this 710. The ergonomics are better than expected, and it carries very nicely for me.
Thank you all for feeding my addiction. My name is Jay and I am a Benchmade addict.
Jay
First of all, none of the local outfitters carried the 710. I am sorry, but I like to do business with Brick and Mortar shops first - then I do business online;
Secondly, it reminded me so much of my 672SBX that I thought it would be a redundancy.
Make a long story short, you guys talked me - poor, helpless, suggestible me - into getting one. I found two at a shop in Intercourse, PA - a plain edged and an SBK. I went for a ride and picked up the 710SBK.
Was I ever wrong about this knife. It is NOT a redundancy at all. This knife is BIG and it is strong. The grind on the blade was quite even, but the belly had somewhat of a burr that came clean with a simple stropping.
I LIKE this 710. The ergonomics are better than expected, and it carries very nicely for me.
Thank you all for feeding my addiction. My name is Jay and I am a Benchmade addict.
Jay
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The first step is admittance Jay! And the second step, well there is no second step.
You are on a one way knife nut ride with the rest of us. Lol
PS - Welcome to the 710 fan club!0 -
They are my top pick ~ look into Keyman a member here and see the awesome scales he makes for the 710 ~~ Cheers 0 -
The 710 is always a top choice around here. It's as big as you'll ever need, strong enough for anything and slim enough that it doesn't bother you in your pocket. Like me, you should have one for every day of the week. 
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The 710 is an iconic Benchmade, and for very good reasons. The weehawk recurve blade is very sexy. The narrow blade makes it a very versatile utility knife. The fine point is good for poking, drilling, picking, and of course piercing.
The handle is equally versatile with just enough curves to stabilize your grip without limiting which grips you can use comfortably.
It is a very excellent design.
The only reason I went back to the AFCK when the 806 came out was because I decided I valued the straight edge portion on the AFCK blade more than the recurve on the 710.
Oh, and don't worry about that Benchmade addiction. It's a positive addiction, one that will enhance your life, not destroy it. The pleasure I've gotten over the years, using, playing, training, thinking, and writing about knives has made my life full, the part of it I get to devote to knives anyway. Just remember, anything you regret buying, you can always sell. You may lose a few bucks, but the experience will be worth it.0 -
Ha
I almost started a very similar thread a few days ago titled "710 Rediscovery".
I have a standard 710D2 back in my pocket for the first time in a while. I received it some time ago but it had a few issues and being the princess Ive become I had sent it for CS/WR.
I too was late to the 710 initially. I understood its iconic history and famed status but it never really appealed to me until I had one in hand and moreover carried one in my pocket and fielded. I had started this caze w/ a 585-1, moved to 950, 615, 913, 910 before discovering the 710 wondering why it had taken so long. Acquired a few and a few more "Hot Rods" (HS,-1,-3) as this was conscientiously now one of my favorites.
Alas, as it goes, I moved on as it is our want and indulgence in this and other enthusiastic pursuits ever searching for the for the "Latest and Greatest" or perhaps just the "Next". I had pretty much settled on the 810 as my large EDC discovering in my short time in this hobby that I prefer a knife a little longer, a little leaner, like my women; (like my coffee: Bitter) Athletic, built for speed, low drag, that accompany with quiet unobtrusiveness until a situation arises that calls for otherwise. The 710 does all of this in spades. The "blade to handle" looks like a magic trick, virtually disappears into the handle and when opened "Holy $#!t"..thats a lot of blade for that package. For me, half the brilliance of this design is in its closed position dimensions and ease of carry.
The narrow re curved blade works well for me. I carried a Military for a bit and while its a great knife the wide blade w/ delicate tip was not optimal in my uses, very often around conductors and equipment w/ "potential". A slimmer more nimble blade is easier managed. The recurve serves great in the skinning and prepping of larger diameter conductors and fairs well w/ fibrous material, ie rope, twine, tarp and plastics. The stouter tip is always welcome and called on frequently.
BM's D2, what can I say? I love it, even as the full steel Diva. M4 is my prefers but honestly in my use D2 exceeds what I would need. The ease of maintenance is where its at for me. It touches up very readily for what I need. I am no "Edge Prima donna" as yet. While a highly polished edge is appealing, a workable toothy edge serves me just fine.
The standard 710 is the knife that, for me, makes me grin and wonder if Im chasing my tail w/ all the others. I think all of us have a knife that does that. TB and his 52x's, Po and his Grips/58x's, Agony and his 73x's and the many 940 aficionados on board. Should one knife cause us to give up all the others we love and appreciate? No, thats crazy talk. Should the 710, with all the love and confidence I have for it cause me to eliminate my 810 and 805/6 among others, to be left w/ just one knife to do it all. Hell no. But it could.0 -
Great write-ups, Po and Patrick. They remind me that such write-ups are what brought me to this website in the first place. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Patrick:
...Should one knife cause us to give up all the others we love and appreciate? No, thats crazy talk...
Tell it, Patrick!
Heres' the knife that started my 710 renaissance last year, thanks to Keyman, and a nudge from fastjan. First 710 since the 806 came out.
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That appears to be a rounded handle, not a flat slab. Me want.quote:Originally posted by Po:quote:Originally posted by Patrick:
...Should one knife cause us to give up all the others we love and appreciate? No, thats crazy talk...
Tell it, Patrick!
Heres' the knife that started my 710 renaissance last year, thanks to Keyman, and a nudge from fastjan. First 710 since the 806 came out.0 -
710+M4+CF= Great Answer
Very awesome, Po.
Honestly had this very idea for an "Ode to 710", or some such thread, days, if not hours prior to the OP starting this. Saw this thread and laughed, figured Id post a "Right on. Bravo." w/ a +1 and maybe a pic. Truth be told, read your post, Po and was inspired. You kill the write ups, man. I surrender to you. Stated everything I did w/ half the characters.
Fun to let it fly tho'. Easy for me w/ the 710, truly had that unexpectedly profound effect on me. Lived up to the hype and legend, for me anyway. Very quickly understood its impact on the industry and the longevity of its production. Its just that good.
Also agree, that it takes a knife like the AFCK/TSEK to out shine it. (I know many are rolling their eyes,... hey, its a 710 thread, go start a 940 or a Ti frame Lock thread)
Psst, Im an 810 junkie as well. I think its status would rise greatly if it were either discontinued or had a 20+ year production run. Lets hope for the latter, not trying to pay $250+ for a standard 810.
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quote:Originally posted by fastjan:
That appears to be a rounded handle, not a flat slab. Me want.
Indeed, it is so. Gives the knife a very custom feel and gravity.0 -
Po, that's a beauty. 0 -
This thread got me carrying my D2 710 again, great knife, great blade to handle ration, slim, solid, what is there not to love? BUT...
I would make it a full flat grind and take out the recurve but then it would loose it's easthetic value, not everything is about efficiency.
It was the first BM i owend and the first one I purchased over seas, The second 710 also my secong BM purchase came in M2 steel, it sits in the safe now a days.0
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