Benchmade 710 M390

[Tony_the_tiger]

Ladies and gentlemen,

I'd like to share a few photos with you. This 710-2 in M390 steel is a Knife-works exclusive version of the classic design by McHenry & Williams. So far, I am quite pleased. I removed the thumb-studs as a personal preference - they can get caught on items in the pocket and on the lip of pants.

The 710, as you know, was the first blade to feature the axis, an innovative locking mechanism. I dig axis blades, and I'm digging the M390 so far as well.

Here are the stats:

Blade Length: 3.9 in.
Blade Thickness: 0.12 in.
Blade Material: M390 Blade Steel
Blade Hardness: 59-61
Blade Style: Modified clip-point blade
Weight: 4.5 oz.
Clip: Black, Reversible, Tip-Up
Lock Mechanism: AXIS Lock
Overall Length: 8.8 in.
Closed Length: 4.9 in.

Pics:











^Next to the BM Osborne 943 MCP.

Cheers,

-Triple T

 

[rcmodel]

Hmmm!
Guess I should take the thumb-studs off then, cause they "might" catch in my pants??

I didn't know that!

I have been carrying my old 710 154CM since it came on the market, whenever that was.
And it ain't caught on anything yet. Course they are almost worn smooth now.

Except the Axis-Lock caught a tiny magnetic spring out of a butane lighter.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=590697&highlight=benchmade

rc

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

As I stated, it is a personal preference, and I have personally been lacerated from an open knife in the pocket. I am glad that you have not had any problems with the axis lock except for the loose springs in your pocket blocking the axis mechanism. Others are not so lucky. I am a big fan of the lock, but not of thumb-studs in general, especially in a dedicated tip-up carry knife, unless the knife was secured in a sheath. I am satisfied with my streamlined modification for pocket carry. I was hoping you would appreciate the pictures, which remains my primary purpose for starting this thread. It is a really nice piece. RC, why don't you post up your pics of the 710 in 154cm?

 

[OH_Spartan]

I have the 710 in ATS34. I think it has been used at least once almost every day since I got it. It is my favorite knive, by far.

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

Nice, I didn't know it was made in ATS34.

Theres also the M390, D2 (current production), 154cm, M4...

 

[hso]

Tony_the_tiger,

I try to take pictures of knives/guns in the afternoon or morning outside when there's no direct light on the knife. If I can't wait I put the knife in shadow intentionally. This produces a image with less shadow as the light is more generally distributed. I turn the flash off and mount the camera on a tripod and let the automatic setting collect light as long as it needs for the image. Since I use a tripod I use the macro setting and use a 2 second delay so I can get my bulk out of the way that might create shadows or be reflected in the blade and to reduce any vibration (probably not relevant, but paranoia pays) that might interfere with the camera sitting with "open shutter". I get this sort of lighting result -

BTW, How do you open the blade with the thumb studs removed?

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

Thanks for the tips, HSO. The pic you tried to post didn't show up though.

Right now I have the thumbstuds back on, but carry to the far right of my pocket with the clip so the blade can't open unintentionally. When the thumb studs are off, I just use two hands - one to hold the frame, and one to grab the back of the blade with two fingers near where the thumb studs are to slowly open the knife. Alternately, the axis lock can be disengaged with one hand and a wrist flick - which in my experience, if done gently, does not produce more wear than the force of using the thumb stud. I'll take a few more pics in better lighting when I get a chance, w/thumbstuds since it adds, imho, to the aesthetics of the blade.

In other news.. USPS stole my 940 yesterday. Luckily my 943 is happy to do EDC duty right now.

 

[rcmodel]

I wish mine was AST34 instead of 154CM.

I have two old AFCK's in AST34 and they hold an edge much better & longer then the 154CM blade.

It seems like the 154CM blade loses its shaving edge just hauling it around in my pocket.

rc

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

Edge retention in M390 and in M4 is allegedly great.

I've found that S30v, much like 154cm, tends to lose its edge pretty swiftly with moderate use, but stays toothy enough to work with for quite some time.

 

[OH_Spartan]

I am, admittedly, not the world's best sharpener. My knives usually do not shave when I'm done. That said, I use my benchmade for light duty, but still use it almost everyday for something or other. I only touch up the blade about once every three or four months.