Well I broke down and gave up on selling my 710SBK so I decided to turn it into my farm knife beater. Good thing I had it on me, because I don't think many knives can do what this amazing folder did today.

I've been digging ditches for the past few days to correct some erosion issues on the farm, but today the handle of my shovel broke. This was one of those yellow fiberglass handles that don't snap, they just kind of peel and bend when they break. Needless to say, it was flopping around when I tried to dig out the bottom of my ditch, so I decided I'd like to remove the end of the handle so it wouldn't flop.

That's where the 710SBK comes in... I've heard stories about the brittleness of D2 and was pretty weary at first, but I used the knife to cut thru the entire handle. Granted the shovel's handle was hollow, but the fact that the knife cut the shovel handle cleanly without failure amazed me.

I wish I had a picture to show you, but it really impressed me. There was no real damage to the knife either, just a few TINY chips out of the serrations you'd need a microscope to see and some wear on the coating, but even that was minimal.

Thanks Benchmade for the 710, this thing is a solid folder with some truly amazing cutting capability. It held its edge well enough that I was able to cut coconut erosion mat for the rest of the day and still shave paper when I got home. Impressive!

Thanks for the story! Once again 710 lives up to it's own reputation

Guessing there was a reason not to sell it.

I love hearing this, I have faith in these 710's.
I've heard so many talk so proudly of theirs. I haven't put my through it's paces yet but I expect it to stand up to most cutting tasks.

I've heard D2 is brittle too, but really would BM make a knife out of garbage steel?

I'm thinking it is brittle in comparison to other steels but it is steel, how brittle can it be. It's not made out of peanut brittle.

I think knife guys get to caught up in comparisons. It's steel for chrissakes.

BTW why did you want to sell it?

Benchmades D2 steel is purported to be quite similar to Doziers D2.

I'm not surprised, I am happy for you though.

Yeah D2 isn't as brittle as people make it out to me. Seems like the common impression of D2 is that if you're too rough with it it'll snap like glass. By all indications tho it seems to be a very tough steel. today I used the same blade to de-limb a small orchard of apple trees, and it still has an excellent edge and hasn't chipped out.

I made a P/E 806 D2 user my yard work / pruning knife. I beat on it pretty hard, no problems.
Really like the way it feels in the hand.
Even with gloves, easy to open /close.
Never thought about D2 as being brittle?
My yardwork 806 has lots of character....... Still solid, no blade play.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MCM,

Great Story Dingo, glad you were able to find a purpose for that 710! The 710 is def a beast of a folder and is my favorite.