Last weekend, I did yet another remix, or handle blade swap, because I don't really like G10 handles on 710s, and I meant to do that for a while. While doing that, I realized, I've had those two M2 blades for over 12 years now, and one or the other is always in my pocket, has always been. I do carry more than one folders on me, but one of them is always 710 M2. I figure, needless to say how much I like it.
I've modded a lot of the knives I own, but by the sheer number of mods done to a single blade those 710s are definitely the champions. Because I constantly carry and use them, I always tried to make something better.

I've lost original stock 710 images though... But I have the rest.


First mod was to replace the handle, G10, I managed to get one of the TAC 710s, with Aluminum handle scales. That's how it started, and you can see worn anodizing on the picture above.


Then came BodyCote Boron Carbide coating. Back then they would do custom orders. Recoated one of the 710s, and Nimravus.
I was quite happy with all that for a while.


As I've learned more about steels, I've decided 60-62HRC wasn't enough for EDC folder, and rehardening was another mod.
Phil Wilson did the rehardening, both blades came back at 64HRC.
That's what the blades look like after rehardening. One of them went to Tom Krein for a regrind, the other I've "cleaned up" myself, although, admittedly the results were not all that great. As for the results, I couldn't be happier with the improvements in edge holding and ability to hold thin, high performance edges. I wrote rather long article about their performance - Super hard vs. soft edges.


The last mod was to replace the D2 steel blade on 710-02 I had for a while in the collection with the reground M2 blade. Like I said, I was never too happy with G-10 scales, and anodized Al handle with G10 inserts is mucho better.

I'll be sending another 710 for a regrind too, for my use regrinds improved cutting ability is more important than blade strength, and if may be DLC coating, but not so sure about that, as I understand, recoating the blades might affect tampering. We'll see

Phew, long message, but it was a long time and I've enjoyed using those knives a lot, and enjoyed incremental improvements getting to my ideal too.
In the end, thanks to Benchmade, Mchenry and Williams, Phil Wilson, Tom Krein for making it all happen.

Thanks for your post Gator. Very cool to read about the 12+ years with your 710 M2's.

Is there a specific DLC coating that you're considering?

Great Post , Kool Knives

THanks guys.
R.A. I don't know enough about DLC at this time to make any decision. I'll need to research options and the procedure itself. I don't want to screw up tempering on the rehardened knives, it was really long process getting things done. Sending knives to 3 different people for HT, cleanup and regrinds. Don't wanna go through that again, not with the same blades at least

That said, if you have something in mind, or any good source of the info, I'll be happy to hear.

Cool stuff, Gator! Thank you so much for sharing. Those are some awesome enhanced Benchmades...

I read the text of your hardness test, and I have to say I find it very intrigueing. Personally, I agree with your hard vs. soft durability hypothesis for EDC type use. I've been using a ZDP-189 Spydie Stretch for some time and had NO brittleness issues with it at all. But then I have had no brittleness issues with 60 RcH 154CM either.

When ATS-34 first started showing up in mass heat treated knives, there were a lot of us were skeptical of the heat treatment, and we did a lot of "destructive" testing on those production blades. I used to be in the hardware side of high-tech, and I used the knives wire cutters, screw drivers, pry bars, cutting everything including a lot of hard plastic. Never experienced any severe edge damage as some people were reporting.

...so I don't know. It would be more interesting to see micrographs of the same steel at different hardnesses after a strenuous cutting test. I'm thinking a significant part of the difference in your article was due to the fact that the steel in the Calphalon blade just wasn't as good or as well heat treated as a 440C or 154CM blade from a company like Benchmade or Kershaw or Spyderco. I think a same steel, different hardness test would show that yes, you can use those steels at 64 RcH, but also that it wouldn't make all that much difference from 60-62.

thanks for sharing
i like the way you stay fidel to your 710 and you allways try to make it better
i have also allmost everyday one of my 710 in my pocket, ... i can't find better for my edc uses ... those days, the dlc-m390 is the one i carry the most, but still use my 710hs a lot !

Love it!!!

Nice write up and that's a great set of 710's ya got there. Thanks for sharing.

nice

Wow....very cool stuff indeed (sorry to dredge this back up). I remember when those blades were relatively new LOL

For you other guys, this gentleman was the one that got me hooked on the super high end steels (at least at that point in time). And as well, he was one of the first folks (along with our Dragon Warrior) to do comprehensive knife reviews, which I read hungrily. This was before everything kind of exploded, and then all the super steels really took off (AUS-8, and 440a were considered top end within that time frame. And ATS-34 was a real wowser). But at that time, I was a real lazy cuss, and I wanted something that I would have to sharpen about every eclipse .

So I did some searching, and came across Zvi's website (it was a ton smaller than it is now LOL). But it looked like M-2 was the winner for me, and after looking how his 710hssr performed for him, I was hooked. So some time later, I acquired one, and never looked back. Before I started amassing a whole arsenal of knives, the 710hssr was my main baby. I did a whole bunch of stuff with it (including cutting some stuff with it that you normally wouldn't cut with ). But it stood up well, and I've still got the knife (haven't been inclined to do all the stuff that he's done with his, but it is a testament on how good M-2 is. Yeah, I suppose it might be a bit passe with all of the other super steels out there these days, but given this threads regarding something that's over 10 years old, it should serve it is quality stuff)

Another review Zvi did also provided another source of inspiration for another purchase, much later (and it was one of those sold my soul purchases.....some of you guys around for a while might remember that thread ). But he did a great writeup on the Ares series, and again, the M-2 model in particular. So that led to much searching around the net, and other places to get one (which of course was like hunting the great white whale ). But eventually I had the drop on one, and after a five dollar discount (for getting the last one LOL) I walked out of the store with a smile that you couldn't have sandblasted off . I sold it at some point, because I needed the cash to purchase something else, but eventually, it made it's way back to me. Never to be sold again.

Needless to say, both knives have provided me with many years of service and performance, and I couldn't be happier (later on, as an afterthought, I nabbed a plain edge 710HS from the late,great Pete Conway [aka OUCH....RIP sir], and some time later, a Nimravus in M-2....in a sense, it's close to the bulk of models that have had M-2 offered. There are more, but these ones I'd expect to provide that same level of performance for me, and probably long after I'm gone).

So, merci beaucoup, Zvi, for providing such a comprehensive review of the 710. I am glad to hear that they are still kicking butt and taking names .