How do you feel about swishing a pocket knife in the air and hearing its satisfying click noise as it goes comfortably into its pocket? It almost makes me feel like a sidekick in a James Bond movie!

The Benchmade 710 made people’s fantasies come true when it first introduced the Axis lock in 1999. The innovative feature gained the model the “Knife of the Year” award, and although this occurred nearly two decades ago, the knife’s incredible locking system is still awe-worthy.

If you’ve been thinking about purchasing this knife, you’ve come to the right person. I have years of experience in using different knives and writing knife reviews. 

So instead of glorifying it for the sake of marketing, I’ll tell you an honest Benchmade 710 review. I’ll be discussing the key specifications of this model, the price range, warranty details, pros, cons, and more. So, without further ado, let’s dive in! 

Benchmade 710 Review

First things first, I’ll tell you my review of each specification in this model. So let’s delve in!

Blade

The Benchmade 710 blade takes a classic clip point shape, adorned with an elegant swedge that reaches a fine point at the top. This makes it the right knife for thrust cutting and piercing. It’s also ideal for slicing as it has a hollow grind that begins at the top of the blade. The sharp edge of this knife is slightly recurved to give it a performance like that of large knives.

As for the manufacturing materials, Benchmade chose the ever-tough D2 steel for the 710 model. This steel is semi-stainless and doesn’t disappoint when it comes to edge retention and sturdiness. The manufacturers didn’t stop here; they also heat-treated the blade, improving its hardiness to an astonishing 60-62 on the Rockwell scale without rendering it brittle.

Moving on to the downsides of D2 steel, it’s a bit of a challenge to sharpen because it’s too hard. Accordingly, you’ll have to maintain it regularly, and you’ll need diamond stones to resharpen it if it becomes blunt or dull. For good sharpening, you can use the Spyderco Diamond Stones.

Another thing you should keep in mind is that D2 is susceptible to rusting, although it’s rich in chromium. However, the chromium isn’t enough to give D2 full stainless steel properties. But I wouldn’t worry about this issue too much because regular maintenance can prevent it efficiently.

Handle

This knife’s stainless steel and G10 handle features a backspacer made of Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon (FRN). Although it’s strong, it might give you a hard time cleaning it. And to reduce its weight, the manufacturers skeletonized the handle with 410 stainless steel liners.

The 710’s handle was designed to be carried tip-up, and while you might think this isn’t safe, I can assure you that it does so in such a way that it never opens by accident. It’s also ambidextrous, so don’t worry if you’re left-handed.

Since the handle doesn’t have a finger choil and its texture isn’t rough, it can get a bit slippery if you have sweaty hands. But it does feel great on the hand with its scales and rounded edges. That said, you should keep this point in mind if you plan on purchasing the Benchmade 710 as a self-defense weapon.

Design

The Benchmade 710 design is mainly intended for sports and outdoor activities rather than military usage. That’s why it isn’t as flashy as other models and doesn’t look very tactical. Regarding size, I certainly can’t call this knife small because of its large measurements. However, you can still use it as an Everyday Carry (EDC) without an issue.

Value for Money

You might think that the Benchmade 710 is costly at first glance; however, it offers excellent value for money. For its price, you’ll get superb performance, high-quality, sturdy materials, and a sharp, elegant design. Not to mention, its Axis locking system gives it high fluidity in movements and maximum practicality.

Key Specs

I’ll give you a brief roundup about the key specifications of Benchmade 710 so that you’ll have full details before deciding.

• Knife Length: 8.8 inches
• Blade Length: 3.9 inches
• Length While Closed: 4.9 inches
• Blade Thickness: 0.13 inches
• Weight: 4.5 ounces
• Blade Material: D2 Semi-Stainless Steel

See Why People Like the 710

After talking about the 710’s specifications, I’ll jump into details that make people like the 710, such as warranty, price range, and more.

So How Does the 710 Matchup?

Although the 710 takes a proud stance among other pocket knives, some people hesitate to buy it because of its price. However, it certainly doesn’t pale when matched to similar models like the Spyderco Paramilitary 2 or Benchmade 940. Though it’s worth noting that the 940 model is slimmer and lighter than the 710.

As for the Spyderco Paramilitary 2, it has an attractive design but doesn’t offer a locking system as smooth as the Axis. So, in the end, it comes down to your personal preference in terms of shape, weight, and performance. 

710 Price Range

If you ever decide to purchase the Benchmade 710, you’ll have many options to choose from. Accordingly, the price you’ll pay can significantly vary according to your preferences and choices. For example, if you buy a Benchmade 710 with BK1 coating, then you’ll pay more money.

However, you’ll pay the standard price if you purchase one with D2 steel without extra options. It’s also worth mentioning that Benchmade has a limited edition of this model called Gold Class 710, and it certainly isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s mostly suitable for knife collectors who don’t mind paying a large amount of money for a unique piece of art.

Benchmade Warranty

If you purchase a Benchmade knife from an authorized dealer, you can rest assured that it’ll have a Benchmade Lifetime Warranty. This warranty dictates that if a knife gets sold with a defect, they’ll take full responsibility and replace it for you at no charge or repair it if possible.

However, you should know that the warranty doesn’t cover broken tips, but the Benchmade service will gladly sharpen your blade for you if it’s dull.

Our Impressions

The Benchmade 710 proved its worth as a top-notch pocket knife over the years. Its comfortable, big handle results in an ergonomic hold that won’t tire your hand while holding it. And while the 710’s design is relatively simple, it delivers more than expected.

With that being said, the 710 has a few points that users may complain about. For example, the ever-classy recurved blade is challenging to sharpen, and the handle might do well with a rougher texture.

But all those issues don’t affect the Benchmade 710’s renowned place among competitors. It’s still an excellent pocket knife that provides top qualities. Apart from its sharp cutting abilities, it feels great in your hand and gives you power.

It’s also still famous for the Axis lock system that provides the pocket knife with smooth movements and durability. Plus, it gives you peace of mind knowing that the blade would never accidently open in your pocket.

Verdict

People often look for ease of use, durability, and high-quality materials when it comes to pocket knives. The Benchmade 710 proudly presents all of those qualities on top of a worldwide famous locking system that it introduced when it first appeared in the market.
If you’re a sports enthusiast or like spending time outdoors and camping, then you’ll love this model for what it has to offer. And if you enjoyed this review and want to know more about sharp knives, check our Forever Sharp Knives review.