810 Contego versus 275 Adamas

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harris2

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Jan 30, 2007
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Which do you believe is the stronger, more durable knife - the 810 Contego or 275 Adamas? I know the advantages of M4 versus D2, but what about the strength and durability of the rest of the knives, e.g. liners, lockup, flex, etc?

Also, can the glass breaker on the Contego be removed or ground off easily? Sure would be nice if Benchmade had an M390 option for the 810 Contego. :grumpy:

Thanks
 
If your deciding which one to get based on strength. There probably gonna be about the same. The tip and blade design on the 810 is probably a little stronger than that of the 275. Lockup is probably about the same. I'd say the 810 is a better knife. Better traction and ergos. Some people say m4 rusts but I've never found that to be the case. I do oil my knives after each use. Do that and I think you'll be ok. Overall, I'd go with the 810 hands down.
 
For shear strength alone the Adamas. The liners and AXIS lock and components have been beefed up by 25% over other AXIS models and the blade is shorter and slightly thicker.

The CPM-M4 on the Contego however offers amazing edge retention over the Adamas D2 and is pretty tough too.

Both are extremely strong well made knives made for hard use that will serve you well. .


Contego spec's
http://www.benchmade.com/products/810

Contego test video
http://benchmadeforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/356008908001/m/565008978001

Adamas spec's
http://www.benchmade.com/products/275

Adamas test video
http://benchmadeforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/356008908001/m/209008448001
 
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The Adamas is the more overbuilt of the two by far, not close imo. The Contego is a fine knife. It's a little lighter and a little easier to carry while being a well built knife in it's own right.
 
Thanks guys,

You have given me a lot to think about before I choose one of the two. :)
 
I take the Contego over the Adamas due to narrower profile, lighter weight, better steel (CPM-M4 cuts all day), more secure grip and I actually like having a glass breaker and a reverse tanto blade shape.

Benchmade 810 Contego Specifications:
Overall Length: 9.28"
Closed Length: 5.30"
Blade Length: 3.98"
Blade Thickness: 0.156"
Blade Material: CPM-M4
Blade Hardness: 62-64HRC
Blade Style: Reverse Tanto
Handle Thickness: 0.550"
Pocket Clip: Tip Up, Black with Butterfly Logo, Deep-Carry
Lock Mechanism: AXIS
Weight: 5.92 oz.

Benchmade 275 Adamas Specifications:
Overall Length: 8.70"
Closed Length: 4.88"
Blade Length: 3.82"
Blade Thickness: 0.160"
Blade Material: D2 Tool Steel
Blade Hardness: 60-62HRC
Blade Style: Drop-Point
Handle Thickness: 0.730"
Pocket Clip: Tip-Up, Reversible, Deep-Carry
Lock Mechanism: AXIS
Weight: 7.70 oz.
 
Never handled a Contego, but I know for a fact that the 275 is a beast of a folder. Feels almost like a sharpened pry bar.

But it's awesome, built like a tank, F&F is great, and carries in the pocket pretty nicely, actually.
 
I like both, the Adamas is definitely the overall stronger knife, it is the only knife with the beefed up AXIS lock which is 25% stronger than the standard AXIS lock found on all other models including the Contego. While on paper the blade thickness of the two appear similar .16 and .156 however the Contego has noticeably higher grind making it seem much thinner and slice a lot better, while the Adamas feels and appears much heavier and stouter. The liners on the Adamas are also noticeably thicker and the handle overall is much thicker and hand filling and pocket filling. The Adamas is very smooth whereas the Contego is very textured and grippy. IMO the Adamas handle is more comfortable, but is also a lot more noticeable in pocket. I carry the Contego a lot more due to the slicing ability, M4 steel, and easier carry.

 
Personally, I prefer the ergos on the 275 to the 810 from the factory. I also feel that the 275 feels like the stronger knife the shorter, thicker blade coupled with the larger axis lock seem stronger to me. I wasn't in love with the thin grippy scales of the 810 so Keyman just finished a set for me that are 3/16 in instead of 1/8 in. That should improve the ergonomics immensely. I'll probably love the 810 as much as the 275 when I get it back.

RE
 
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I've compared holding the Contego to picking a small crab off of the beach and holding it like a knife. The blade is AWESOME, but I'm completely unsure what they were thinking when it came to ergonomics and actually using the knife.
 
Thanks everybody for the great information, I am going to order the plain edge, black handled Adamas today.

Michaelm466:
Your comparison picture is great. Since I already have the 710/581/RSK MK1/ knives that you used in the comparison it was especially helpful in deciding to buy the Adamas.
 
harris2 said:
Thanks everybody for the great information, I am going to order the plain edge, black handled Adamas today.

Michaelm466:
Your comparison picture is great. Since I already have the 710/581/RSK MK1/ knives that you used in the comparison it was especially helpful in deciding to buy the Adamas.
Click to expand...

Hope you enjoy your Adamas as much as I do. One of if not my favorite knife
 
I have both. The Adamas is the older of the two, but is the one I trust more, and have with me every day. The Contego is good, but not as good as the Adamas, IMO.
 
UPDATE:

Received my 275 Adamas today. It really is a heavy-duty folder! I like the balance, how it feels in the hand, and the fit and finish is perfect. The only complaint I have is the thumb studs - the smooth, cone shape does not give a very positive/secure grip for such a heavy/long blade. It needs to have some knurling or serrations and should not have been cone shaped. Still wish they offered it with a M390 blade, though.

Other than the thumb studs its a great knife, I will use it mostly for my general purpose camping knife.
 
I really like the cone shaped thumb studs, but with that heavy d2 blade just pull back on the axis lock and let her swing open. That heavy blade will almost gravity open you just have to get it past the detent.

RE
 
I really like my Contego, but once my wife's 275 gets here (yes, her 275 -- and she's only 5'1"), I may end up changing my mind.
 
How's the toughness of M4 compare to D2? I wish they made the Adamas in M4. I've had my M4 rust and patina, but that was after food prep/saltwater fish prep and not cleaning it afterwards. The rust came off easily and I didn't mind the patina at all. Gives it more character.
 
Own both with the 275 an auto. The adamas is tougher but the contego finds itself in my pocket more off duty for day to day. Watch the benchmade stress tests on youtub from benchmade
 
So much Adamas love. I'll join in.

My Adamas is awesome. The thick, heavy blade seems tough enough to handle a lot of daily tasks that a smaller folder couldn't.

Cutting cardboard, zip ties, car doors... :p

The ergos are nice. The thick, super bulky G-10 handles with jimping are good for comfortability.

Oh, and, the thing just looks badass.



:D
 
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