Customer Reviews

Benchmade Mchenry and Williams Design Knife

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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 $140 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 $5 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 $25 you can change the blade if you wanted to change the one got initially. For $5, 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 your 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 your 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.

I bought this knife off here about a month ago. Benchmade does a nice job with their out-of-the-box quality. The blade came super sharp, no nicks or scratches, nicely scaled G10 handles. Upon further inspection of the knife, i found that the blade said ATS-34 under the McHenry Williams emblem. The box it came in says the blade is supposed to be D2, and so did the description on amazon. I have no complaints about ATS-34, because it is a nice steel, but i would have preferred that the knife be the correct knife as labeled on the box and on the site. If it were, my review would be 5 stars.

I bought this "new" but it came obviously used. The box was crumpled and scotch-taped back together. I opened the blade and the metal was dirty. I bought this as a Christmas gift for my son who keeps the Benchmade boxes. Disappointed. Can they sell items without disclosing they are used?

I've been carrying a knife on my person every day for the past 5 years, and I have used at least 6 different knives for this purpose. This is the best I have ever had. Even after using knives from Buck, Cold Steel, and Gerber (not a great brand, I know, but still decent) I must say that benchmade has found themselves a customer for life in me.
A couple of tiny complaints: First, the D2 tool steel rusts easily, though this is the tradeoff for having a steel that can shear straight a $20 knife blade. Second, the recurve is a pain to sharpen but again that is the tradeoff for the slightly greater cutting power of the knife. Both of these are miniscule issues that are simply tradeoffs for much better features. Only buy this knife if you plan on taking care of it.
Axis lock = amazing. Opens and closes fast, and it seems about as sturdy as a full tang sheath knife when opened (obvously it is not, but it feels like it). Again, I cannot reccomend this highly enough.

I own a lot of knives. We are human, and tool users. I find the edged tool to be quite versatile and hold it in high regard. This one is especially well made. It has the strengths I look for in a folding knife, and few of the weaknesses.

Cons--The hardware securing the blade initially lost tightness, leaving a flimsy hold. But after adjusting, and much use, it has found it's place and holds perfectly. That's not even a con now...need to think some more. Um, it's expensive? But you pay for what you get, and it is made in the US, so you know the labor wasn't cheap. I'm having a hard time giving a con. Ok, here it is--it's strength is it's weakness. It's a D2 blade. Non-serrated, so less versatility (though, honestly, I like non-serrated blades). D2 means it's a very hard stainless (it's actually semi-stainless, I believe) which means it holds an edge pretty well with a Rockwell Hardness on the C scale of 60ish. Takes a little work to keep from corroding. Though it also means it's hard to sharpen, and takes some time. Invest in proper sharpening tools if you are thinking of buying a blade made of D2, VG-10, ATS-34, S30V, ZDP-189, M2(kind of chisel steel I use), etc...

Pros--The feel. It just feels right. The G10 scales are perfect. Thought they were gonna be slick, but they hold great. The balance it phenomenal. It's probably 4oz 1/4 inch long of the second mark of the handle when extended. The jimping on the last 3/4'' on the back are subdued, but very functional. The front, the same. Clip placement is great for accessibility, without giving too much of a snag factor. The lanyard is of a workable size(you could get a decent gauge through). The axis lock needed some work in to get a smooth pull, but when it did it was butter. It just feels like the more I use this knife, the better it's getting. And the blade. This is everything the SOG Spec Elite II wanted to be, but fell slightly short(and long) of. I own the I, II; also the Pentagon I & II as well, so I'm not just guessing. There's no "snag space" at the base of the blade. The overall feel is lighter and faster(probably because it IS lighter...and faster). The recurve is perfectly refined. The placement of the thumb stud makes it accessible, but doesn't catch needlessly in pull and deployment. The spine to blade width and length is remarkably well measured. It is simply put, an excellently crafted folding knife.

Overall Impression--I was at first questioning the price tag, only owning a couple Benchmade knives(impressed with the Griptillian and Pardue I own, as well). I didn't bring up that it isn't assisted. That is a pro/con depending on how you use it. I personally find I deploy faster without, and prefer less moving parts for greater reliability. After extensive use, I am thoroughly impressed with this folding knife. It has worked it's way to my daily carry, comfortably fitting in my right front pocket. I feel secure in it's craft, and years of use to come.

I have owned this knife for quite some years. It is an excellent knife. That is why it continually makes the top ten favored knives ever made. I see that some reviews claim that the blade is too stiff. There is no need for that, the tension is adjustable at the pivot screw. I also read a review by someone who claims they have a big hand and still have to choke up on the handle to open the blade. That is ridiculous, I have a small hand and wrist and I can open this blade just as fast as a switchblade with no effort or choking at all. All I can say is that if you can not get this knife to open at the blink of an eye, find someone with a little more experience, like any girl on the street to help you. Honestly, some people are not meant to have a knife. I personally will have no other.

Despite its size, it makes a great pocket knife. The D2 blade holds a great edge for a long time, but does require more attention than a stainless steel blade. The belly on the blade can make sharpening difficult, but not impossible. The edge wasn't all that great right out of the box (the bevel was ground at too steep an angel). Being D2 steel, it can take a bit of time to correct, but it is well worth it. I've used this knife to cut plastic wire molding, cardboard of various thicknesses, wood, rope, and it still holds a pretty good edge. Great knife, well worth the money.

I remember that somebody in my family had this style of knife when I was very young. I have seen it before in the 1950s, but the handle was a light brown color with black & tan stripes, obviously before Benchmade was around to create its own version.

This is a design that will survive the ages, and as one other reviewer stated, this is the knife by which all others are judged.

After you receive it, apply a little white lithium grease (or Benchmades's own brand of Bluelube) to turn its characteristics completely around, and you will discover that this knife indeed represents the very best there is to be found!

Your search for the perfect EDC is now over.

I have owned this knife for some time now (mine is made of M2 High speed steel)
and this is the knife I use to compare to others I own, as it is my favorite,
nothing beats the Benchmade AXIS lock in a folder, while a pull and release
of your thumb will allow you to open this knife as fast as a spring loader knife
I wanted good edge holding with ease of use, and this one delivers.

The reason I am also here today looking at my next buy Benchmade 940 Osborne Design
As I have already held one in my hands and the steel is a S30V, I know I will be
satisfied with my new one :)

Jack

This is my favorite folding knife. The quality is amazing. It is a beautiful, solid knife that holds a razor edge, with a great warrenty from one of my favorite knife companies.