Benchmade Contego Corrosion Resistance?

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Nephron44

Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Messages
979
Hello everyone!

I've been eyeing the Benchmade Contego for some time to use during first responder and law enforcement use here in chilly old Wisconsin. The reason I haven't pulled the trigger yet, however, is the blade is cpm-m4 steel, and I've heard it rusts easy. I know the blade is coated, but there are still some exposed parts (lock contact, edge) and I'm hard on my knives, so the coating will eventually wear off. Plus, while I take care of my knives, I do t regularly oil or clean them.

I love by a lake, so it's a bit more humid than other parts of the state, and I may be out in the rain with it from time to time. I LOVE the design of the Contego (revers tanto, glass breaker), but don't want to have to worry about the blade or worry about constantly cleaning/oiling it.

What is your experience with corrosion resistance of the cpm-m4 used by Benchmade, specifically in the Contego? Thanks!
 
Take a look at the Knifeworks exclusive Contego, which uses M390. Yes, the CPM-M4 is susceptible to corrosion; the cerakote helps, but definitely chips as you mentioned.
 
buccilli15 said:
Take a look at the Knifeworks exclusive Contego, which uses M390. Yes, the CPM-M4 is susceptible to corrosion; the cerakote helps, but definitely chips as you mentioned.
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I don't think the M390 version has a glass breaker :/ plus, I like to buy from my local small mom and pop shop dealers.
 
I EDC'd a mini grip in M4 for a while - the logos had surface rust, but I never had an issue with the edge rusting on me. You'd be able to catch it before it got too bad even if it did. M4 is great stuff - perfect for your uses.
 
Nephron44 said:
I don't think the M390 version has a glass breaker :/ plus, I like to buy from my local small mom and pop shop dealers.
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M4 is not going to turn into a piece of rust just by looking at it....(1095 comes to mind!)

It has around 4% Chromium, so it's close to A2 in that category.

It's also coated, not sure what BM is using these days (DLC?), but I have always found their coatings to be very good.

The secondary bevel may get minimal oxidization depending on what you're cutting, but when you sharpen the knife, you remove that anyway.

M4 is a superb steel, that with very minimal maintenance or a forced Patina should give you zero issues. The Contego is coated....
 
I wouldn't worry about it rusting, doesn't take much maintenance to keep it from rusting. Being one of my favorite knives, I carry mine often. I live near salt water, fish regularly, and 15 minutes work in 80+ degree heat and I look like I took a shower with my clothes on (I sweat that damn much) and haven't had any issues with rust on mine.
 
I've had one for a couple of months now. No rust yet, and I ve been drowning in sweat everyday all summer. I oiled and wiped it down twice with break free. My 810 is an orange free zone so far. I carry it 18 hours a day seven days a week.
 
M4 is far more corrosion resistant than many think. Short of storing it wet, it's fine. BM uses a great coating. The Contrgo is about as tough as a production folder can be. Buy it and use it hard. I highly doubt you'll be disappointed. I've had several btw, so I'm not talking from theory, but from experience.
 
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