Sanrenmu 710 vs Sanrenmu 704, an all black affair.

[Metropolicity]

In the Military style EDC thread, Sazabi asked about the 704 vs 710. Since I carry both almost exclusively, I decided to give them a through once over with a discerning eye. This a comparison, contrast and a review of the black versions of these folders.

Price wise, these folders go for under $10 bucks shipped. The 710 is apparently being disco'd so get yours while you can. The 704 shows no sign of being stopped, but I will pick up a few more because they are so damn nice for the price. I am not going to go into weither or not the 710 is a copy or whatever, as far as I am concerned, as company Sanrenmu put it's name on it and therefore it's an original design. Folding knives are foldings knives, it's got a blade, scales and a lock. They've been around for centuries.

I realize that pictures are better than my writing about personal experience, so here we go. 

You'll see the blade shapes are a tiny big different, I find the 704's skinny blade better for puncturing and the less sweeping profile offers more flat slicing area than the 710. The more aggressive curve of the 710 would make a better box cutter and push cutting that the 710.



Profile wise, the 704 is slightly thicker due to the g10 construction, however the other dimension it is thinner. You'll also notice the steel liners and hardware on the 704. The 710 weighs more, but knives at this size, it's negligible.



Another thing about the 704 I like is the right hand only thumb stud, where as the 710 has ambidextrous thumb studs which often gets caught when I try to slip it into a pouch or pocket. The 704 always clips in nice. They also ride the same height in the pocket so no winners there.



Speaking of clips, there are advantages to both. The 710 has a 3 screw bolt down, which make it rotation free and super robust, the curved design also aids in the slipping into a pocket, however the problem with the thumbstud has already been addressed. It cannot be reversed and only offers a tip down carry (which I prefer anyways). The 704's clip is very functional, slim, and very ninja when clipped to darker pants/jeans. It CAN be reversed to tip up carry BUT only has 2 screws which I could see over time maybe have some rotation, some Loctite and some over tightening will make that a problem of the past. Both have ball detent retention mechanism and I've never see the blade pop out despite having dropping them many times.



At this point I should speak to their finishes. Clearly the g10 is way cooler (in my personal opinion), but aside from that, very lightweight and functional (grip wise). It is box and stands up on every end except the blade side. Although Sanrenmu took the time to give the blade a nice TiNi black coating, the strikingly bright silver liners and hardware could of used the same treatment. I cannot see why some of their other models have the entirely blacked out hardware and the stock 704 does not. The regular SS bladed version of the 704 has a small SRM Folding Knives branded on the side, not my cup of tea. It's a minor cosmetic nuisance, but it's still my favorite of the two.

Unlike the 704, the 710's entirely coated steel frame, blade, clip and hardware is prone to scratches and marring if dropped. The heavier weight of the 710 also added to the potential cosmetic damage. That being said, it will wear nicely over time. Everything from tip to butt is black TiNi coated, making this model super stealthy. Aside from the ghost/flame design on the side, I see no faults beyond that on the finish.



Finally the guts, steel choice (8cr13mov, Spdey Steel), blade centering and locks. Easy to sharpen, holds and edge and is tough as nails (57-58 hardness rating) Both have superb blade centering from factory and only needs a 1/8 or a 1/16 of a turn on the pivot screw to make these blades fly out from the closed position. Both have teflon and bronze washers making a smooth and satisfying shinkt noise when deployed. The liner lock on the 704 is strong, easy to release and locks up perfectly. The 710's frame lock is much more robust as it uses a larger contact point for the blade lock up. I would argue that the 710's lock is a little big easier to release due to the thickness of the thumb area.





All in all, I still favor the 704 for the G10, light weight, boxy design, almost invisible pocket carry, slimmer profile and more preferable blade shape.

Red pill or blue pill, the choice is yours.

[5hif7y]

very good review mate. i have to say i own the 704 model and its a great knife especially for the price. nice pics to.

to anyone thinking about getting either of these id say for that price just get both. you wont regret it, even if you just use it as a beater.

[jekostas]

Very similar to my own thoughts on both models, but I would add one thing - due to the detent and excellent pivot to thumbstud distance, both of these knives *fly* open with just thumb pressure.

Also, the design on the 710 is a tiger in a rising sun.

[Metropolicity]

Very similar to my own thoughts on both models, but I would add one thing - due to the detent and excellent pivot to thumbstud distance, both of these knives *fly* open with just thumb pressure.

Also, the design on the 710 is a tiger in a rising sun.

I've been looking it from all angles! haha.

[kirk13]

I have a 710,which I got from Zed some months ago.Its a great little knife,the type that makes you curse the UKs knife laws.I've been using a HO2 as a boxbuster at work...its been so impressive it may well be my nonSAK slippie of the year!

[Metropolicity]

I love SRM knives, not only are they from the motherland, they are a great deal and am I able to indulge in my matchy match OCD without breaking the bank.

For someone who doesn't really collect knives, I sure have plenty.

Top Row:
Black 717 - modded with bunt edge and rounded tip for pushing, folding and turning seams for sewing

SS 717 - very simple frame lock, but the locking mechanism scares me if you dig the knife in and rotate, it could disengage. So I use this to do fine paper cutting for crafts, it has a super pointed tip.

SS 710 - essential part of my Stainless Steel EDC, match this with my TTI or modded SS Wave.

Black 710 - already discussed, I match this with my BO Wave often.

Camo/Black F2-710 - just got this one, not sure why, but why not, it was $6. I may get a camo LM Fuse to match up with.

GR-605 - the red g10 is a stunner, super small and a nice match up with a red plier based SAK for small carry.



The bottom row:

SS GB-704 - I match this with my LM Charge Al (Black and Silver)

Black GA-704 - I carry this solo when I want to carry a black out knife, you'll notice that I took the black pivot screw from the black 717 and swapped it with the silver 704.

GA-763 - Tan g10  AWESOME EDC, bottle opener and axis lock. Lots of goodness in this one. I match this with my regular modded MUT with stainless accents.

LB-763 - Bought this one by accident thinking it was the black g10 version. Best mistake ever. Same ergonomics as the g10 cousins, but with the handsome anodized black aluminum. This is a perfect match up with my LM Charge AL

GB-763 - Black G10, this a well documented knife. Very awesome, lightweight and rides very low in the pocket. I wish they made more versions of this one, like in all black or other g10 colours.

Navy K-507 - Half G10, Half stainless, All badass. This is as close to a large Sebbie as you are going to get. Size and ergonomics are superb. Reliable 440HC steel, simliar locking mechanism as the 710 and great stonewashed finish on the stainless steel parts. There is an updated version of this knife made by SRM but this cheaper, lower grade steel is a perfect beater. This one is my largest knie and often carry this as a standalone utility knife.

[jekostas]

Navy K-507 - Half G10, Half stainless, All badass. This is as close to a large Sebbie as you are going to get. Size and ergonomics are superb. Reliable 440HC steel, simliar locking mechanism as the 710 and great stonewashed finish on the stainless steel parts. There is an updated version of this knife made by SRM but this cheaper, lower grade steel is a perfect beater. This one is my largest knie and often carry this as a standalone utility knife.

Is the 605 chisel ground?

Also, there is an exceedingly rare CRKT/Sebenza collaboration from the mid-late 90s that you still see every once in a while.  Might cost a touch more than the Navy, though.

[Metropolicity]

Are you thinking of the Gv-604?



The 605 looks to be a full flat grind edge. No swedgeing or other facets.

The new SRM 910 Plus is replaces the previous 910 and is the same form factor as the K-507. However, lots of people have been saying that the blade centering isn't hot.

[jekostas]

The new SRM 910 Plus is replaces the previous 910 and is the same form factor as the K-507. However, lots of people have been saying that the blade centering isn't hot.

The new 910 Plus is a counterfeit produced by a factory called MingRen.  SanRenMu has stopped production of the 9xx series due to legal pressure from the Chinese government.

[Metropolicity]

The new SRM 910 Plus is replaces the previous 910 and is the same form factor as the K-507. However, lots of people have been saying that the blade centering isn't hot.

The new 910 Plus is a counterfeit produced by a factory called MingRen.  SanRenMu has stopped production of the 9xx series due to legal pressure from the Chinese government.

Neat! I wonder why they are listing it on their website. It's too much money, esp compared to the other offerings.

[jekostas]

The new SRM 910 Plus is replaces the previous 910 and is the same form factor as the K-507. However, lots of people have been saying that the blade centering isn't hot.

The new 910 Plus is a counterfeit produced by a factory called MingRen.  SanRenMu has stopped production of the 9xx series due to legal pressure from the Chinese government.

Neat! I wonder why they are listing it on their website. It's too much money, esp compared to the other offerings.

Yeah, that's the other thing.  www.sanrenmu.com isn't SRM's official site, it's a wholesaler's site.  That's the reason it used to also list Enlan and Ganzo knives as well. 

www.SRMknife.com was the official SanRenMu site, but that hasn't been accessible in something close to forever.  SanRenMu *only* makes knives out of 8Cr13Mov or 8Cr14MoV steel for their own product line.  Anything in Sandvik is counterfeit.

[Metropolicity]

awesome, that's great to know.

I THINK I am done collecting SRM knives, the ones I have a very satisfactory, the only thing I would do is get more doubles.

[dks]

I THINK I am done collecting SRM knives, the ones I have a very satisfactory, the only thing I would do is get more doubles.

....or maybe some with wooden scales?? 




The 728 (top one in the pictureabove ) has a mirror polished blade... 

[enki_ck]

Or maybe something hard to get, like the SRM 718 as seen here. Took me 6 months to find one.

[Metropolicity]

I THINK I am done collecting SRM knives, the ones I have a very satisfactory, the only thing I would do is get more doubles.

....or maybe some with wooden scales?? 

The 728 (top one in the pictureabove ) has a mirror polished blade... 

Those pretty sweet. However, unless it's in mid century modern teak or walnut...haha.

I prefer my tools to made out of, like Optimus Prime said, sterner stuff.

Or maybe something hard to get, like the SRM 718 as seen here. Took me 6 months to find one.

The 718 looks neat, but I don't like the blade shape too much, the g10 detail is nice. Is that a full flat grind on it? I feel like it's too much like a SAK blade shape, which I do not like at all.

Discerning tastes.

[New_World]

nice review. =)

[edap617]

I got my SS 710 several months ago. I wanted to order another one but it's no longer available. The black one is common.

[Max Archer]

I'm going to have to order a black 710 soon, before they're totally out of production. I wish I'd gotten an SS one while they were still available. Maybe I'll make an Exduct order while they also have the 962 in stock.