Benchmade 810 Contego - Nice blade

As an alternative to the Contego, consider the Rift. It has essentially the same blade profile, but in 154CM. The overall size of the Rift is more pocket and hand friendly (IMO) for those who find the Contego's scales too large and too sharply jimped. Manly men will no doubt want the Contego, as it is pretty much a testosterone factory. But the Rift is no slouch - more of a wolf in sheep's clothing.


Benchmade Rift, top, with Contego.
 
I was looking through BF for reviews on the Contego and I was happy to find this thread. I find it funny how much effort went into stripping the blade, because I just got a 810 M390 which comes with an uncoated blade. I love it! (I do realize this came out several months after your efforts to strip the blade)
 
I thought I would hate the coated blade, but its better than I thought. Granted it hasn't seen any use yet so when the coating starts wearing off I may be displeased. I got a smoking deal on my 810 and it really would've been stupid to pass up.
 
Effort, sure, but m4 is my favorite. I love a nice patina.

Dude, the cerakote is excellent. Very little wear before I removed it.

The 810 is my most carried and used knife. Naturally I carry it in a sheath, which for me is a much better way than in my pocket.

As for the Rift, I wholeheartedly recommend the knife to anyone. If I didn't like a large blade I'd edc the Rift. It's a very balanced knife and very fun to play with to boot.

My 810 by its sheath.

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For a great customer.

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I'm more of a ZT person up to now than a BM. I have both the 810 in a vendor special in M390 and the Rift in M390 also a vendor special.

I found both BM's to be sharp out of the box. i haven't used the Rift yet but with the Contego, I've only had to strop it thus far and I've used it, mostly slicing steaks on ceramic plates in restaurants.
 
Yeah man, it makes a great steak knife. I use it all the time for that, just try to keep it off the plate. At home I'll put my steak on a plastic plate (yeah, I know) and go to town.

M4 responds really well to stropping. :) Surprisingly well.
 
My Contego; unfortunately it has both up and down as well as side to side play, I've not been able to adjust either out of the knife with pivot tension and keeping the lock area super clean. The blade is quite off center too.

Overall, a great design and blade steel but flawed in execution (at least on mine). Still love this knife though.

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