Benchmade version of CRKT M16-14 ? Or at least better version ???

M

Mohawk Dave

Joined
May 13, 2015
Messages
14
Hi All,

Long time lurker, finally signed up. Lots of good info here. Hoping to get some insight and recommendations on what I am looking for.

Backstory: I edc a CRKT M16-14DSFG. I have big hands. I love the size of it. I love G10 handles. I love the double hilts. I wear 5.11 pants and carry the M16-14 in front pocket (with wallet-I'm used to it) and I also carry a Gerber EAB (the little guy that takes a replaceable razor blade) in my back pocket. I also wear elk leather gloves a lot.

I mess up the M16-14 blades in a couple months time. Do an ok-ish job on sharpening. But looking for better.

Now, maybe I'm just really hard on my edc knives, but I haven't owned a top-notch knife to compare the blades to. I'm always in the shop and field cutting, prying, soup can opening at camp, cut thin gauge metal, cut cardboard, cut electrical wire while hot-shottin' sometimes. A lot of things a knife does not like.

I read quite a few threads, including the "not screwing around" one, and got some good insight.

I have held the Benchmade Adamas, and as much as it would be up to the task, even I want to admit it is simply too wide to carry in my front pocket.

I've scoured the BM website and am looking at the 810 Contego, maybe even the 916 Triage blunt-tip (not sure about Blunt tip for edc... I have the Gerber version in my FAK) Does Benchmade make any others I'm missing?

From this forum, I'm also looking at the Spyderco Military C36GBK. I see a lot of you guys rock ZT as well.

And possibly Endura 4 Wave. Any problems with the wave on the cordura lined pockets of 5.11 pants? Is this knife pry-worthy?

So, recap:

Tough, ready to pry, cut anything (have razor blade on other edc knife)
Big hands, so no small knives
Hilts or at least jimped thumb ramps
Wave is ok. Auto or spring is ok as well.
I've always used serrations, but from what I read maybe not needed with top-notch knife
G10 handles. (no metal - lots of oils/trans fluids/etc)
Live in CA if that makes a difference
Price... hoping $200 or so would do the trick

Benchmade 810 Contego
Benchmade 916 Triage Blunt tip
Spyderco Endura Wave 4
???

Thanks for our time and input. -Mohawk Dave
 
The Contego is a great knife. I'd steer away from the blunt Triage if you're using it for EDC. As far as an Endura, had one, didn't like the flex in the handle and somehow the VG-10 rusted almost immediately. I carry a Military in Cruwear steel religiously at this point and have zero complaints. Carry it more than any knife I've ever owned, and I've owned a lot of knives. But the tip is fairly fine so if you abused it, it would break off.

As far as a knife to use as a can opener and a pry bar... Keep the cheap CRKT for that. Don't wreck a decent knife doing something it wasn't made to do.

If you insist on doing that with a knife then wait and get a Strider or the like. I had a SnG for a long time and I'm sure if I absolutely had to I could've done that stuff with it, but I never did because I carry a titanium prybar on my keys and a Victorinox Cadet.
 
I take it a fixed blade is out for you? The kind of use you describe might be better suited with a fixed blade.

That being said I agree with 'gmorel1916' regarding knife choices. I also carried a Cruwear Military for a time and it was a great user.

With your use, let me encourage you to work on your knife sharpening skills. If you daily use a knife you need to daily touch it up. Or at least every few days. You don't want to let it go for a month or two as you described.

Mike
 
My suggestion, zero tolerance 0620 tanto tip:
-Tanto tips inherently have stronger tips in general
-ELMAX steel will give a crazy sharp edge to cut any thing. Yet it is still relatively easy enough to (field) sharpen.
-Nearly 5" handle and 3.6" blade gives you plenty of knife.

But what ever you decide though, do yourself a favor and spend another $10 on;


$8
AND

Pack of 2 = $2

*(keep em close by and stop using your (good) blade for jobs it wasn't intended for).
 
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I too, have handled the Adamas and found it close to my CRKT M16.

Any reason you can't thin out the scales on the Adamas?
 
Hi guys,

Thanks for the input. I'll have to get a Leatherman Brewzer. (I did carry a P38/P51 for a while, but the damn thing would open up and stab my leg sometimes.)

The BM 810 Contego is a little longer than the Zero Tolerance 0620 (.78"), which may be good for the size of my hands. (I read a thread on here where you guys sand/ground the handle to custom fit on the 810).

Also, is the ZT Frame Lock more difficult to close with gloved hands, vs the BM Axis type?

And, does the ZT Emerson Wave work well with the Cordura lined pockets of 5.11 pants, or is the Cordura section to thick?

(Eyedog, due to my day job (Property Claims Adjuster) I can't/shouldn't walk into insured's homes with a fixed blade hanging off my belt. I do have the BM Nimravus, which I keep in the truck bag, but have used very little :( -MD)

Thanks again, -Mohawk Dave
 
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From what you describe the 810 Contego has everything you need, I've held one and it's a beast of a knife. The axis lock is easy to operate even with gloved hands, and the jimping all over gives a solid no-slip grip. The G10 is aggressively cut so that it can feel sharp on the bare hand, thus why some people sand it down. One thing is the Contego has a glass breaker at the butt of the handle near pocket clip that sticks out above the pocket, I noticed it catch my hand when I reached into the pocket to get my phone or grab the knife. Just something to consider.

the ZT0620 is a great-looking knife, but due to the framelock it does have a full metal side, I know you mentioned no metal.
 
Im gonna be the odd man out here and suggest a Ka Bar Hinderer TDI knife. A Contego or Adamas is a pretty expensive route and as good as they are you would end up having to re profile and re sharpen at almost the same rate you do now. The Hinderer TDI with its straighter angle from blade to handle should fit into your pocket sheath and all. I clip mine to my pocket actually it works fine. Its made of 1095 cro van which is very tough yet still easy to profile and sharpen. It will just do all of what you do with your CRKT much better. Being a short fixed blade with a very ergonomic handle will just give you more control over the blade and you may find yourself having to use less force to do what you do with the CRKT. Its also under $80 and nearly indestructible. A Sharpmaker with diamond triangles bought separately to profile and the medium then fine stones for the rest should be much easier of a process with the TDI vs a Contego
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between the Contego and the Adamas take the Adamas. The 275 has Benchmades largest and strongest Axis bar ie the Adamas has the strongest Axis lock in the entire Axis lock line up. The D2 tool steel blade is designed to be used and abused as is the rest of the knife. Contego has standard size Axis lock. Contego may have serious jimping and really aggressive G10 but just wasnt designed to take the punishment the Adamas easily soaks up. The D2 is super tough yes but profiling and sharpening do not take forever as many high end super steels do. If you dont have at least a Sharpmaker spend the $65 and get one just do not forget to get a pair of $40 diamond triangles for it as those will be the ones that straighten out a chewed up edge whatever blade you get. Ive got almost all the CRKT M16 series including the one you are talking about. Im amazed the blade has not slipped off the thin liner lock and closed on your hand yet. Says good things about that knife but still......good luck whatever you choose
 
Mohawk Dave said:
The BM 810 Contego is a little longer than the Zero Tolerance 0620 (.78"), which may be good for the size of my hands.
Click to expand...

I mean my hands aren't "small" but at (only) 4" wide they aren't "big" either...
BM - 810 = 5.3" handle, good god man, how big are your gorilla paws? Lol ;)
 
Zt0300 great for big hands and a brute of a folder. ZT 0200 also a large folder with a 4" blade.
 
Mohawk Dave quote "I have held the Benchmade Adamas, and as much as it would be up to the task, even I want to admit it is simply TOO WIDE to carry in my front pocket. "

Currently I EDC the Benchmade Adamas V10. 4" supersharp, g10, quality steel and I'm a small guy and it fits very well in my pocket with the deep carry clip. I've tuned the action so it has fast deployment with no blade wobble. The weight is good for EDC but could be better.

If this knife is too wide for you, you might want to try the SOG Slim XLT assisted opener. 4 1/8th blade, locking system to keep it locked, super slim and light @ 2.8 oz, with deep pocket clip. The cutting edge itself is 4".
 
The ZT 0560/1 fits astonishingly well in the pocket.
 
Well, I decided to go with the Adamas after all. I can always buy another knife if I want. I also went PE. I've always had serrations, but it seems they've been more in the way= more cons than pros.

I went with the Adamas because the more I read and reviewed it, the more times I thought of how often I've pryed open old access panels, pry and cut laminate flooring (for test samples), etc and the Adamas, being built like a tank, may be more tool than knife.

I ordered it from Zoro Tools just now. They are having a 30% off flash sale over $200, so the Adamas was $184 x .7 = $129 (plus tax). So, I got that and some tools. Figured at that price I can't lose.

Thanks for the input guys. Next paycheck will probably be a ZT as I am super curious about their stuff now.

CelticCross...A fixed blade is great, but IIRC in CA all fixed blades must be worn exposed. Can't even have your t-shirt or jacket slip over the handle. Maybe I'm mistaken.
 
Hey Celtic, the M16-14 are perfect sized, shape, and form for me personally. I can attest to their strength. I found myself in a position that I had to defeat a 1.5" Master padlock. I placed the M16-14 in between the shackle and body and pushed down with everything I had, 180# leveraged, and I broke the lock open. It took a small chunk out of the blade. But I assumed the knife was going to break, and it did not.

Being a newb to quality knives, I'm curious to see how the Adamas D2 blade holds up (not to breaking locks of course). I've read on here, but now excited to see first hand.
 
The Adamas is a great knife, you can't really go wrong with it for hard use unless you really want some fine slicing action. The D2 steel is very tough and a breeze to sharpen, I could get it razor sharp with just a few swipes of a diamond stone.
 
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