CMOT
21-12-2008, 03:58
The Benchmade 710D2 McHenry & Williams, and the SOG Special Elite I, are two knives I had my eye on for quite some time. By a combination of chance and planning I recently had both fall into my lap within a week of each other.
To my eye they have much in common, particularly in the blade design, and therefore (presumably) the application and use. I believe the 710 is now using D2 as standard (although 154cm is still available from some suppliers) while the SOG SpecElite has recently upgraded from AUS8 to VG10. I was unable to get a confident response to which version the one I have is, and there is no indication on the tang stamp. I'll skip any discussion of the merits of particular steels here, as this is discussed widely by folks more knowledgeable than I am, other than to say I have been reasonably satisfied with the performance of AUS8 on the whole so it wont break my heart either way.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/wobbly_wombat/knifepics/Back_open.jpg
The Blades
As far as I can see, the designers of these knives must have had some kind of serendipitous psychic connection... or perhaps it's plain old chance, but there's really not much to differentiate the basic blade shape - largish tactical/utility with a subtle recurve and plenty of cutting edge, narrowing to a swedged penetrating tip. The 710McH&W is a fraction longer (about 2mm) and a fraction thinner, with a slightly deeper recurve. The SOG SpecEl. is a half millimetre thicker blade at 3.4mm compared to 2.9mm for the 710D2. It also has a raised thumb ramp, with good jimping that would be rather more useful if it wasn't largely overlapped by the top of the handle, which makes it almost superfluous! Both have their own versions of a satin finish (I think), with the Benchmade having the brighter lustre of the two. The 710 also has a slightly more aggressive attitude in blade angle, tilting forward a couple degrees from the vertical.
Handles
This is where the most obvious differences between these two knives lie.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/wobbly_wombat/knifepics/SOGvs710closed.jpg
The SOG SpecEl uses steel lined Zytel with a 3d raised diamond pattern, and is a somewhat rounded, thicker and more hand-filling design than the 710, slightly flared in both width and depth at the bottom, and narrower near the middle. The blade is almost entirely within the handle when closed, and the thumbstud is recessed. The opening stud is accessed easily via deep guide channels that also aid grip when the blade is open (in combination with the thumbstud recess). At the pivot end there is some flare, with semi-useful jimping Unfortunately this flare at the top overlaps the more useful jimped thumb ramp of the blade (see above). The result is a decently grippy handle with reasonable ergonomics, but the emphasis is on functionality - it's not very pretty (although it is symmetrical!), and it doesn't feel like hands evolved specifically to hold this knife.
The handle of the Benchmade 710D2 McH&W has G-10 scales on "double 410 stainless steel" liners (820stainless? lol). It is a constant thickness of 12.2mm. At 126mm it is just 5mm longer than the SOG, and the bottom tapers to a sort of tear-drop point that presumably aids in use as an impact weapon, as well as accommodating larger hands. Ergonomics are again reasonable but not spectacular IMHO, and security of grip relies mostly on the shape of the profile rather than the texture of the scales - although G-10 as an inherent grippyness (is that a word?!?) it is generally flat with the exception of a couple of largely cosmetic channels, and is rectangular in cross section.
The overall flatter design of the BM710D2 has a little bit of a disadvantage in functionality in the ease and speed of blade deployment and lock function. The designers of the SOG Spec Elite where clearly thinking in three dimensions with functionality in mind. Both the thumbstud and lock release have good clearance from the handle, the former accentuated by a deep channel in the handle, that allows for easy access and useability. The Benchmade by comparison has a thumbstud flush with and touching the handle, and the Axis Lock release bar is only just protruding - necessitating the use of a pinch between thumb and forefinger to operate, rather than either/or, unless hands are very dry and grippy.
Both knives suffer from ill placed pocket clips IMO, being reversible tip up carry and leaving a considerable length of the handle protruding above the pocket line. The only good thing about this is that, as I find tip-up carry awkward to access, the protrusion makes possible a less clumsy draw. Also I imagine it would be tricky to incorporate a tip down clip with this style of lock without impeding accessibility to it. The clip interferes with the ergonomics slightly and feels less that comfortable in standard (blade up and forward) holds. Interestingly in a blade down edge forward hold, the clip has a natural resting point for the middle finger - the round indentation where the clip's main friction point is. This is in just the right place and feels very comfortable while aiding the security of the hold. Also in this grip the thumb can rest naturally on the first bend near the screws providing a fraction more resistance to sliding onto the blade.
The locks
Ever since I first used Benchmade's Axis Lock I (like so many others) was impressed. It 's a simple, effective and strong mechanism, that allows for fast and easy one handed opening and closing, in a natural grip, without any danger of accidental digit amputation. It has been my favourite style of mechanism by far ever since I first encountered it, and continues to be... almost.
SOG's Arc Lock is serious challenger for that position of favourite now - at least it's shaping up that way on this particular knife!
Most readers are probably reasonably familiar with the Axis lock, a small spring-loaded bar through the handles, that slips into place behind the bottom of the blade below the pivot and bars the way to prevent closing.
The Arc Lock is very similar to the Axis but rather than the bar moving vertically to block the rotation itself, the Arc Lock relies on a small shaped block of steel that rotates from the horizontal (locked) down to a "5o'clock" position where it is free of the bottom of the blade, allowing free movement (see photo). This small difference in the mechanism seems to make the Arc Lock slightly more ergonomical to use than the straight vertical movement of the Axis, and the opening and closing actions noticeably smoother. It seems intuitively like a more secure mechanism too, but I have not attempted to test this myself - SOG claims it has been tested to withstand 1000 pounds of force.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/wobbly_wombat/knifepics/SOGvs710arclock.jpg
Summing up...
There are many things common to both of these knives that I really like: the style, size, weight (SOG SpecEl: 123g, BM710D2: 133g), and the slightly recurved acutely pointed blades.
The Mc Henry/Williams 710D2 is certainly the more stylish of the two, with a higher grade of materials, and the clean lines, fit and finish one would expect from Benchmade. It also has the advantage of a thinner profile and therefore more discreet and comfortable carry. My small criticisms above fade into insignificance when looking at the bigger picture of the knife as a whole.
With the exception of blade steel, the Special Elite I is equal to, or even slightly superior to the 710 in terms of functionality and usability, with a "Lets go to work" attitude.
While neither of these is cheap, the price of the 710 in likely to be close to double that of the SOG. When this is taken into account, I think the SOG SpecEl offers far more bang for the buck for those like myself on a budget, who use the knives they collect. This is not to say the 710 is not worth the money, if you're looking for a great folding general purpose utility/tactical knife with more than a touch of class - this will not disappoint!
But hey, if you can afford it - why not buy both?!?
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/wobbly_wombat/knifepics/SOGvs710sideon_withdetails1.jpg
To my eye they have much in common, particularly in the blade design, and therefore (presumably) the application and use. I believe the 710 is now using D2 as standard (although 154cm is still available from some suppliers) while the SOG SpecElite has recently upgraded from AUS8 to VG10. I was unable to get a confident response to which version the one I have is, and there is no indication on the tang stamp. I'll skip any discussion of the merits of particular steels here, as this is discussed widely by folks more knowledgeable than I am, other than to say I have been reasonably satisfied with the performance of AUS8 on the whole so it wont break my heart either way.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/wobbly_wombat/knifepics/Back_open.jpg
The Blades
As far as I can see, the designers of these knives must have had some kind of serendipitous psychic connection... or perhaps it's plain old chance, but there's really not much to differentiate the basic blade shape - largish tactical/utility with a subtle recurve and plenty of cutting edge, narrowing to a swedged penetrating tip. The 710McH&W is a fraction longer (about 2mm) and a fraction thinner, with a slightly deeper recurve. The SOG SpecEl. is a half millimetre thicker blade at 3.4mm compared to 2.9mm for the 710D2. It also has a raised thumb ramp, with good jimping that would be rather more useful if it wasn't largely overlapped by the top of the handle, which makes it almost superfluous! Both have their own versions of a satin finish (I think), with the Benchmade having the brighter lustre of the two. The 710 also has a slightly more aggressive attitude in blade angle, tilting forward a couple degrees from the vertical.
Handles
This is where the most obvious differences between these two knives lie.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/wobbly_wombat/knifepics/SOGvs710closed.jpg
The SOG SpecEl uses steel lined Zytel with a 3d raised diamond pattern, and is a somewhat rounded, thicker and more hand-filling design than the 710, slightly flared in both width and depth at the bottom, and narrower near the middle. The blade is almost entirely within the handle when closed, and the thumbstud is recessed. The opening stud is accessed easily via deep guide channels that also aid grip when the blade is open (in combination with the thumbstud recess). At the pivot end there is some flare, with semi-useful jimping Unfortunately this flare at the top overlaps the more useful jimped thumb ramp of the blade (see above). The result is a decently grippy handle with reasonable ergonomics, but the emphasis is on functionality - it's not very pretty (although it is symmetrical!), and it doesn't feel like hands evolved specifically to hold this knife.
The handle of the Benchmade 710D2 McH&W has G-10 scales on "double 410 stainless steel" liners (820stainless? lol). It is a constant thickness of 12.2mm. At 126mm it is just 5mm longer than the SOG, and the bottom tapers to a sort of tear-drop point that presumably aids in use as an impact weapon, as well as accommodating larger hands. Ergonomics are again reasonable but not spectacular IMHO, and security of grip relies mostly on the shape of the profile rather than the texture of the scales - although G-10 as an inherent grippyness (is that a word?!?) it is generally flat with the exception of a couple of largely cosmetic channels, and is rectangular in cross section.
The overall flatter design of the BM710D2 has a little bit of a disadvantage in functionality in the ease and speed of blade deployment and lock function. The designers of the SOG Spec Elite where clearly thinking in three dimensions with functionality in mind. Both the thumbstud and lock release have good clearance from the handle, the former accentuated by a deep channel in the handle, that allows for easy access and useability. The Benchmade by comparison has a thumbstud flush with and touching the handle, and the Axis Lock release bar is only just protruding - necessitating the use of a pinch between thumb and forefinger to operate, rather than either/or, unless hands are very dry and grippy.
Both knives suffer from ill placed pocket clips IMO, being reversible tip up carry and leaving a considerable length of the handle protruding above the pocket line. The only good thing about this is that, as I find tip-up carry awkward to access, the protrusion makes possible a less clumsy draw. Also I imagine it would be tricky to incorporate a tip down clip with this style of lock without impeding accessibility to it. The clip interferes with the ergonomics slightly and feels less that comfortable in standard (blade up and forward) holds. Interestingly in a blade down edge forward hold, the clip has a natural resting point for the middle finger - the round indentation where the clip's main friction point is. This is in just the right place and feels very comfortable while aiding the security of the hold. Also in this grip the thumb can rest naturally on the first bend near the screws providing a fraction more resistance to sliding onto the blade.
The locks
Ever since I first used Benchmade's Axis Lock I (like so many others) was impressed. It 's a simple, effective and strong mechanism, that allows for fast and easy one handed opening and closing, in a natural grip, without any danger of accidental digit amputation. It has been my favourite style of mechanism by far ever since I first encountered it, and continues to be... almost.
SOG's Arc Lock is serious challenger for that position of favourite now - at least it's shaping up that way on this particular knife!
Most readers are probably reasonably familiar with the Axis lock, a small spring-loaded bar through the handles, that slips into place behind the bottom of the blade below the pivot and bars the way to prevent closing.
The Arc Lock is very similar to the Axis but rather than the bar moving vertically to block the rotation itself, the Arc Lock relies on a small shaped block of steel that rotates from the horizontal (locked) down to a "5o'clock" position where it is free of the bottom of the blade, allowing free movement (see photo). This small difference in the mechanism seems to make the Arc Lock slightly more ergonomical to use than the straight vertical movement of the Axis, and the opening and closing actions noticeably smoother. It seems intuitively like a more secure mechanism too, but I have not attempted to test this myself - SOG claims it has been tested to withstand 1000 pounds of force.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/wobbly_wombat/knifepics/SOGvs710arclock.jpg
Summing up...
There are many things common to both of these knives that I really like: the style, size, weight (SOG SpecEl: 123g, BM710D2: 133g), and the slightly recurved acutely pointed blades.
The Mc Henry/Williams 710D2 is certainly the more stylish of the two, with a higher grade of materials, and the clean lines, fit and finish one would expect from Benchmade. It also has the advantage of a thinner profile and therefore more discreet and comfortable carry. My small criticisms above fade into insignificance when looking at the bigger picture of the knife as a whole.
With the exception of blade steel, the Special Elite I is equal to, or even slightly superior to the 710 in terms of functionality and usability, with a "Lets go to work" attitude.
While neither of these is cheap, the price of the 710 in likely to be close to double that of the SOG. When this is taken into account, I think the SOG SpecEl offers far more bang for the buck for those like myself on a budget, who use the knives they collect. This is not to say the 710 is not worth the money, if you're looking for a great folding general purpose utility/tactical knife with more than a touch of class - this will not disappoint!
But hey, if you can afford it - why not buy both?!?
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/wobbly_wombat/knifepics/SOGvs710sideon_withdetails1.jpg