Benchmade Mchenry and Williams Design Knife

Best Deal of Benchmade Mchenry and Williams Design Knife and Review

Overall Rating : 5.0

Customer Review

When the phrase industry standard comes to mind, this is the product I think of. The classic Benchmade 710. There's a reason why this knife is so popular and well liked in knife communities.

First off, let's talk Benchmade for a little bit. To many, a knife costing 0 would seem like a rip off. Understand, however, that when you buy a Benchmade knife, you're not paying for just the knife. Benchmade offers numerous after-purchase services to ensure that you are always satisfied. Not confident about sharpening the knife yourself? Or not willing to work with the D2 steel (more on that later)? Then simply send in your knife to Benchmade and at the cost of they will both bring your blade back to factory edge and preform basic maintenence (ususally includingcleaning, lubrication, spacer checks, pocket clip replacement, etc.) For a fee of you can change the blade if you wanted to change the one got initially. For , you can now have custom laser-marks put on your knife. All are things that most other knife companies can't or won't do. See Benchmade's website for more details.

Regarding the model 710 specifically, the blade measures at an impressive 3.9". That makes for a near 1:1 handle-blade ratio. The blade on this model is made of D2 steel, which has great edge holding properties and makes for a great EDC steel. Some criticize the steel for being to brittle, and that is a fair criticism when dealing with some survival knives that are made in D2. In EDC tasks, though, most users won't have to worry about putting the blade through such hard use that chipping would even be a concern.

I would recommend that if you plan on sharpening this knife yourself, you invest in two things: a quality sharpener and some time. If you're willing to spend the money on a knife if this quality, don't cheap out when buying a sharpening device for it.

The 710 also features the AXIS locking mechanism. Benchmade's describes the AXIS lock function as follows:

"A 100-percent ambidextrous design, AXIS gets its function from a small, hardened steel bar which rides forward and back in a slot machined into both steel liners. The bar extends to both sides of the knife, spanning the liners and positioned over the rear of the blade. It engages a ramped, tang portion of the knife blade when it is opened. Two omega style springs, one on each liner, give the locking bar it's inertia to engage the knife tang, and as a result the tang is wedged solidly between a sizable stop pin and the AXIS bar itself."

Throughout the period of time that I've spent with the AXIS lock on varying Benchmade models, I have nothing but good things to say. It is easy to both engage and disengage. One handed opening and closing is easy as pie. Some people (including myself) have become skilled in using the lock itself as a deployment method by disengagin the lock and flicking the knife out. I have veiwed some automatic knives to be slower. If that's not you're kind of mojo, you can still always use the ambidextrious thumb studs.

This knife weighs in at 4.5 ounces, which to a lot of people is a bit on the heavy side. This is mostly due to the liners made of 410 stainless steel. Those liners have been milled out to reduce some weight, however. The weight is not an issue for me and I have EDC'd this knife for about a year. I've tried other lighter and compact knives, but I just keep going back to the 710.

The handle material is made of G10, which I will observe as many others have as being a bit on the slick side. That's a good and a bad thing. Bad in the sense that it isn't that gripping and durring some extreme use, could maybe possibly slip. Handle design resists such slippage because of the designed widening as it nears the blade. The slickness is good in that it is easy to place and remove from most nearly all pant pockets without the possiblility of doing serious dammage. Some brands such as Cold Steel have excellent grip in hand, but the same grip renders the pocket clips difficult, cumbersome, and possibly dammaging.

I think that about covers everything. If you're looking to buy a high quality, high preforming knife that will serve you well, you've come as far as you need to because the 710 is the knife for you. Oh! Making you're friends jealous was one benefit I forgot to mention about this knife. I don't know if that's calculated in Benchamde's pricing, though.

Benchmade Mchenry and Williams Design Knife Overview

The 710D2 features a slight reverse-curve grind for improved cutting efficiencies. Textured G10 covers the handle sides to provide for secure grip, and the double liners have finger treads positioned near the handle front for added control. Comes with movable steel carry-clip. Plain edge/satin finish coating, highly compressed epoxy and woven glass composite handle

Benchmade Mchenry and Williams Design Knife Features

• Blade Length: 3.90"
• Overall Length/Closed Length: 8.80" / 4.90"
• Blade Material/Hardness: D2 Steel/ 58-61 HRC
• Blade Style: Modified Clip-Point; Ambidextrous Dual Thumb Studs
• Lock Mechanism: AXIS Lock

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Note: Information stored on: Jul 23, 2010 23:00:04

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