n2knvs, your flash 2 has no blade-play ?

Yeah like zero, and I have EDC'd that thing for like a year now. So it's been opened way more than my 710.

It locks up super tight. I love that thing the only problem is after going to my 710 1st these days for my cutting needs, after I went back to the Flash it didn't feel as good in my hand.

I know I have complaints about my 710 but they are mostly fixable (I'm glad to hear the pin being loose isn't a big deal, it isn't right?)
and it just feels better in my hand I can't wait to be done with the problems cause I do REALLY like this knife.
It's like it was supposed to happen. I wonder if this is how Arthur felt when he first touch Excalibur?

to chime in my 2 cents worth.
I have owned/ handled 3 710's NIB when they arrived.
I believe your tip being dull was from the tip hitting the back spacer...
Not sure what it is made of but if you look down between the liners near the butt of the handle there is probably evidence of the blade hitting it.
One of the 3 i held hit with the belly of the blade about 1 1/2 long. another one it was just the tip.

My suspicion is that where ever you bought the knife from. someone had handled it but never cut anything with it causing it to become blunt from continous open and shutting against the back spacer.
At the same time causing the premature loosening of the pivot screw.

for what it's worth

i then echo otheres
1. Benchmade Life Sharp can get the blade razor sharp.
2. The warranty department is very prompt and curteous.
3. When the knife does come back I agree a very small drop of "BLUE" loc-tite on all the screws as well as clip and pivot is a wise decision.

Hey thanks for the reply.
However the problem with the tip of the knife is not that the cutting surface is dull but the point of the knife.
It is the penetrating performance that is suffering not the cutting ability.

So loc-tight, does it permanently lock the screw in place?
I have never used it before but quite a lot of forum users are suggesting it to me.

I purchased a second 710 in the PE version.
The tip was pointier in comparison but still not what I expected.

Perhaps that is not part of the design of the 710?
Maybe BM just sharpens all the way to the tip of the cutting surface but not the actual point itself?

Any other 710 users wanna weight in on the penetrating abilities of their 710?

If the point of the knife isn't as sharp as the rest you can use your favorite system to make the point sharper. Personally I don't use my 710's to puncture things, but to cut stuff.

The tip on my 710 recently back from LifeSharp is very sharp so I don't know what to say about the ones you have.

On Loc-Tite, make sure you use the BLUE 242/245 version and not the RED. You can break the bond on the BLUE but not the RED.

One trick before using Loc-Tite, and sparingly at that, just a drop or so will be enough, is to wipe the threads of the removed pivot with rubbing alcohol to remove any oil/residue that might be present.

Once you apply the Loc-Tite you'll have plenty of time to find the 'sweet spot' on your knives, it takes about 12 hours to fully set.

That should cover much of your questions.

Yep, sure does. Thank you.

quote:

Originally posted by TheBlueram234:
to chime in my 2 cents worth.
I have owned/ handled 3 710's NIB when they arrived.
I believe your tip being dull was from the tip hitting the back spacer...
Not sure what it is made of but if you look down between the liners near the butt of the handle there is probably evidence of the blade hitting it.
One of the 3 i held hit with the belly of the blade about 1 1/2 long. another one it was just the tip.

Strange, must be some difference in 710's; mine didn't come that way. It came with a rounded off tip (like the person in charge of the sharpener purposely rounded the tip off), but there is no evidence of the blade hitting the backspacer. Pushing the blade as hard as I can in the closed position, there is still about 0.8mm between the tip and the backspacer. Closing the knife with the flick of a wrist while actuating the axis lock also doesn't cause the tip to hit the backspacer; there's no mark on the backspacer from the blade.

I've had mine for about a week now. The only time I hear the stop pin rattle is if
I shake it when closed. It's not that big of a deal to me. The stop pin supposed
to be loose to even the wear on it.
That stinks about your tip being blunt and I'm surprised about the blade play.
Also surprised about your statement about your flash II having no play.
I have one, and it's a decent knife for what I payed, but it's got
all kinds of play.

quote:

Originally posted by John W:

Strange, must be some difference in 710's; mine didn't come that way. It came with a rounded off tip (like the person in charge of the sharpener purposely rounded the tip off), but there is no evidence of the blade hitting the backspacer. Pushing the blade as hard as I can in the closed position, there is still about 0.8mm between the tip and the backspacer. Closing the knife with the flick of a wrist while actuating the axis lock also doesn't cause the tip to hit the backspacer; there's no mark on the backspacer from the blade.[/QUOTE]

With Benchmade's NASA type tolerences it would only take a little extra material for it to hit the spacer. I fould that LIfe sharp was able to straighten the problem out right away.
It would have probably sharpened out in a few sharpenings had I just lived with the "klacking" sound the blade made when it hit the spacer.
I mean no disrespect.. i was just going on what I had personaly experienced with three knives.
2-- 710BK-D2's and 1 --710BK-801 all three which hit the back spacer. All fixed expediently by Benchmade and was even credited the shipping to them by adding the UPS reciept. NOW Thats service.
Whenever I have some extra cash ..even before I have it I start looking for my next Benchmade Knife.
I've had near 25 knives and have gifted or sold a few of them to friends an co-workers. I'm the knife guy to quite a few of my friends.

I am glad yours was fine, as I am sure most all of them all. Keep on Keep'N on