Ganzo D704

D704 is a modern classic. It is a knife with a Drop-Point blade and flat cut. The Ganzo D704 model will be appreciated by hikers, hunters and fishermen alike.

High quality alloy steel D2 (corrosion resistant) was chosen as the blade material. Its hardness is 60 units on the Rockwell scale, which allows us to speak with confidence about the knife's resistance to high loads in extreme conditions of use. It is essential that the knife lasts long sharpened and you do not need any special knowledge to restore the sharpness of the blade.

The length of the open Ganzo D704 knife is approximately 200mm, the blade measures 85mm.

The handle of the knife made of G10, a special composite material, deserves special attention. It has a textured surface and allows the knife to be held as comfortably as possible even in adverse conditions.

Not to forget the light weight (134g), the ergonomic handle and the special grooves on the back of the knife that ensure firm contact of the thumb with the surface of the knife (especially important when applying strong pressure to the product).

• blade steel: D2
• blade length: 85mm
• blade thickness: 4.0mm
• weight: 134g
• open blade length: 200mm
• length of closed blade: 115mm
• colour: black, green

User review of the GANZO G704 knife

Chinese-made Ganzo knives are slowly but surely starting to win their place on the Czech market. They are inexpensive, despite their low price very well made, made of steels of sufficient quality and very often their shape is based on their much more expensive original designs of renowned brands. I myself own the third knife of this brand, to this day none of them has betrayed me and I am satisfied with them.

Let's take a look at the Ganzo G704 knife.

This knife evokes at first glance the inspiration of the famous Benchmade 14210 Heckler&Koch knife - the result of a collaboration between two companies that specialize in high-quality tactical knives and firearms. The author of this knife is Mike Snody, who gave the Benchmade knife a very distinctive spirit. There are a few differences between the more expensive (and now hard to find) original and the Chinese replica:

• Ganzo has a blade made of 440C steel (much used, for example, on the Spanish Muela and Nieto knives), while Benchmade has a blade made of 154CM steel (this is the steel Benchmade uses, for example, on the Griptilian knife, and on the 14210 H&K model it specifies a hardness of 58-61 HRC)
• Ganzo has three plain holes in the back of the handle for clip attachment, Benchmade has the same holes but with recessed edges (aesthetic difference only)
• Ganzo came in several handle colors, Benchmade came with a black handle (at least to my knowledge)
• Ganzo was made with a smooth blade (no serrations), Benchmade was made with a smooth blade, semi serrated blade, even a tanto blade

If we compare the two knives, we find that there are really few pronounced differences. The Ganzo is indeed a very successful replica of the Benchmade 14210 HK. Both have the ambidextrous Axis Lock (and Ganzo has it well done), both have the option of two clip positions (in the back on the right or left side of the handle). Both knives have G-10 blades and even have the same shaped clip for pocket attachment in black.

The manufacturer lists the following specifications for the Ganzo G704 knife:

• Steel: 440C (a very good stainless steel that is very easy to grind and has enough durability for most common activities)
• Blade: 85mm long, unpolished, modified drop point, false edge at blade tip (increases tip penetration), wedge cut (more suitable for rougher work)
• Lock: double-sided Axis Lock (reliable and well-made lock on this knife)
• Handle: G-10 with metal inserts (the handle has a slight roughening that keeps the knife from slipping in the hand)
• Thickness of the blade: 4mm (at the spine of the blade, gradually getting thinner in the false edge and in the cut)
• Weight: 148g (you can already feel this weight in your pocket, before you get used to it, you feel that you are carrying a small stone in your pocket. Not quite ideal for softer material pants, better for jeans, tight pocket squares, etc.)
• Length of closed knife: 115mm
• Open knife length: 200mm

If you look at the Ganzo G704, you know from the first moment its primary purpose as a tactical knife. The term tactical knife is a much-marketed term today, and loosely translated it means a knife that is "guaranteed to be used by special forces in Iraq", but you won't butter your bread with it. This is not the case with the Ganza G704. With this knife, you can enjoy your wife's pâté "tactically", open a beer and slice a pork chop with onions just as well. On first impression, it does not look shabby, nothing comes off anywhere, no burrs, no looseness, etc. But it takes some getting used to. It can look too rough on first impression, it evokes aggression, it is quite massive and quite heavy for a closing knife. The handle feels "square" in the palm of the hand when you first squeeze it, as if it wants to round out even more. But it's just a matter of habit. If you have been used to Victorinox-type closing knives until now, you will initially be taken aback by the weight, the grip, the massiveness of the blade, etc. But after a few days of carrying and use, you will overcome this feeling.

The blade is a bit stiff to open, but oil and a torx to loosen the center pin (which, by the way, each knife owner "tunes" to suit himself) helps. There is no play in the pin, neither horizontal nor vertical. The blade facet is symmetrical along its entire length and on both sides (this phenomenon is not so common on more expensive brand models lately). This knife came to me beautifully sharp - shaving. The blade opening pin is double-sided, factory machined well, and my thumb doesn't rub against it when opening the blade. When closed, the blade is in the center axis, the blade also does not bend laterally.

The Axis Lock lock is a popular lock on more expensive knife models (in fact, it's the standard lock on the Benchmade knife that the Ganzo 704 is inspired by). It holds very well on the Ganzo, it doesn't tend to loosen the blade lock when open. Releases well, walks smoothly. With a little practice, the blade can be opened and closed with one hand. If the center pivot is well adjusted, the blade can be opened and closed with a swing with the safety on.

The belt clip (or rather, for securing it in a pocket) is reasonably stiff and bid to the handle. The knife won't fall out of your pocket even if you "stand on your head". It will loosen a little over time, but not so that when you jump for joy, the knife falls out onto the pavement. It doesn't squeeze or get in the way when you grip it. The downside is that the blackening on its surface wears off after time of use (does not affect the functionality of the clip).

The knife is, by design, intended more for the devotees of "tactical use" (however they define that term). In the kitchen (meat, fruit, vegetables, fish) the knife is a bit clumsy due to the wedge cut (for example, you usually can't cut apples because they burst in the middle of the cut), but out in the field (wood, branches, car seat belt, rope, etc.) it is easier to work with. In short, it's a knife that is primarily designed for guy work (again, considering the steel of the blade). Thanks to the thumb rest on the top of the blade, you can put more pressure on it in a vertical direction (useful, for example, when preparing shavings, cutting less pliable material, etc.). My experience is that it is not very suitable for more delicate work (e.g. carving your sweetheart's heart). It is quite heavy in the palm of your hand when you need to do delicate carving. However, it always depends on the skill of the owner.

Lovers of Cold Steel knives and their marketing videos would surely try hanging, rappelling and puncturing the hood of a car on the knife. I don't know how the Benchmade original did, but I wouldn't pierce a car hood with this knife. 440C steel isn't exactly suitable for such a piece. However, in a crisis situation where your life depends on the knife, you won't be looking at the quality of the steel and the price of the knife you have in your pocket. Some knife owners (and would-be survivalists) perform various "pranks" with their pets, which usually damage the knife as a whole or its individual parts - handle, blade, etc. (opening a can of blades, throwing the knife, soldering to see what the center pivot will hold, batoning with the blade open, etc.). A knife made of 440C steel is not designed for these activities, but if you know how to do it, you can take on such an event. Even if it doesn't look like it, making chips with a closing knife using a hammer really is possible - but it takes knowing how to do it. Otherwise you will damage the knife and especially its safety.

A certain disadvantage when used "in a pacifist environment" can be the aggressive appearance of the knife. Especially if you open it with a swing, which usually gives a scary impression to people around you. It's not just you that has to get used to it, but those around you as well.

So how do I rate the Ganzo G704? It's affordable - it's a high quality and affordable replica of the joint "baby" of Benchmade and Heckler&Koch. It fits well in the hand, does not press, is pleasant to work with. It has a reliable safety that holds the blade well in the open position. The 440C steel is quite easy to sharpen, which will be appreciated especially by those who are not so experienced in this art. It will hold its sharpness for quite a long time with good handling. The knife is heavier and you need to get used to the weight in your pocket; it's also a good idea to carry it in tighter pants. The clip on the handle holds well, it just rubs off its blackening after a while.

What can I say in conclusion? Ganzo did not disappoint me with this model. I have in it a reliable companion for everyday use (of course, I don't neglect my original and more expensive models of closing knives), with which I don't have to be afraid to go to town or outdoors. It is massive enough for harder work, at the same time it can handle "snack activities" and yet it doesn't look cheap (like from the market).

Jan Pokorný