Contego?

[RogueBowie]

Yay! BM Forum!

So I've wanted to post this thread for awhile but didn't want to put it anywhere on the forum really, seems like I finally found a home for it:

I haven't bought a new folder for a long time (maybe 6 months? I know, 6 months isn't a long time but for us knife knuts it seems like a long time to go without a new baby to fondle). Anyways, my buddy at my local knife shop has been telling me for months that I NEED a Contego, that it is the best folder on the market right now hands down and he hasn't been able to carry anything else for EDC since he got it. This is a guy with an INSANE amount of knives, at least over 150, if he was willing to be a member here and post his collection it would blow everyone away but he is just not really an internet guy. I want the next knife I purchase to be a GREAT knife, not just a really good for the money knife (keeping in mind that I don't have the money for $400 folders).

Slowly he is starting to win me over, I have handled his Contego and the new ones in their case a few times and admittedly it seems like a well constructed knife with great design features but I have a few concerns and his fanaticism over the Contego makes me want to ask other people who might own and EDC this knife about said concerns:

Does the agressive G10 and gimping make the knife uncomfortable to use over extended periods?
Is that problem easily remedied by some sanding?
Is the M4 really difficult to sharpen?
Is the knife unnoticably heavy/bulky in your pocket?
Do you feel uncomfortable whipping out your Contego to open a box in public due to it's appearance/size?

I'm also kind of drawn towards the 710, it looks more gentlemanly and slim, but I am not a fan of recurved blades.

Also I would love to see some pics of anyone's daily user Contegos. Thanks in advance!

 

[drgnclwk]

So I can only say that I've handled the Contego, came close to purchasing one, and ultimately decided against it.

Sharp corners on the grip aside, the handle itself just didn't fit right in my hand. On first sight I liked it, but holding it in person changed my mind. I like the specs on it, that it is a .156" thick M4 steel blade makes me want to try putting it towards hard work. In the end, it was just the handle shape that kept me from purchasing.

I've edc'd a 710 and ti-lite for periods of time and my feelings are always the same when it comes to edc-ing any folder over 3". I'm not uncomfortable using my knives in public, but I am self conscious about the way I wield, open, and how much of the blade I expose when in use. This is because I want to avoid drawing unnecessary attention and making others feel uncomfortable around me

From what I read on other peoples' 810 comments, sanding down the edges does help.

Sorry I can't offer more helpful information but good luck with your decision.

BTW: Maybe your buddy would be willing to let you take a picture of his collection and upload it here to share with us; large collections are always an awesome sight.

 

[powernoodle]

Does the agressive G10 and gimping make the knife uncomfortable to use over extended periods?
Is that problem easily remedied by some sanding?

In my example, the sharp G10 is uncomfortable even if short periods of usage. But it can easily be smoothed out in a few seconds with some sand paper. I would characterize the jimping as uncomfortable, yes, and more suited for a gloved hand. But maybe I'm a sissy.

Is the M4 really difficult to sharpen?

I use an Edge Pro Apex, and its not difficult at all.

Is the knife unnoticably heavy/bulky in your pocket?

Its not bad at all really, and the deep clip makes it pretty much disappear from view. The glass breaker is a little sharp on your hand when reaching in your pocket, if you aren't careful, but its no biggy.

Do you feel uncomfortable whipping out your Contego to open a box in public due to it's appearance/size?

Its not the kind of knife that you want to thwack open around the "OMG he has a knife!" crowd. I put a deep clip on my Rift, and its great.

Consider also the 950 Rift. You get about the same blade as the Contego [edit: shape, not steel], but in a much friendlier package.

 

[shandrydan1]

I will second everything Powernoodle said except for the sharpening part. My blade kept a factory edge and got sold off for another purchase. Even though it carried very well in the pocket I just couldnt get used to the ergos in general. Aesthetically I still really like the knife, partly because I love the blade shape. I catch myself checking prices on them every so often debating on giving it another try but the last time I had the chance to place an order for one I ended up picking up the Adamas.

I have a Rift that I love is probably one of my top 3 edc blades and personally would recommend it over the Contego if you are looking for that style of blade in a similar package.

 

[Omega Leather Works]

I read somewhere that they toned down the aggressive milling. Can anyone confirm that?

To the OP, if you take a look at nutnfancy's YouTube review covers a lot of your questions. I know a lot of people disagree with his reviews, but this one seems pretty reasonable.

For what it's worth, I'm positive that the milling wouldn't bother me. I, personally, would only be worried about it fitting my xl hands, but the Rift is about perfect so even that is not too much of a concern. You're lucky that you can try before you buy.

 

[jkarp_53]

Yes. There's a second generation of the 810 with milder handle scales and a slightly higher Rockwell on the M4 blade. I bought and carried the original 810 for a month or so and couldn't get used to the feel of it, I prefer slimmer knives (and own five 710's) BUT this is a great knife for those with larger hands, and who want the toughness of an M4 blade. Sharpening was easy on my Edge Pro, I kept it at 320 and was a good slicer...and never had a problem with the glass breaker. One nice detail is that deep pocket carry clip, making a large knife disappear in the pocket. Despite it's plus and (perceived) minus points, it's another brilliant Osborne design worth having.

 

[kreole]

Yes. There's a second generation of the 810 with milder handle scales and a slightly higher Rockwell on the M4 blade. I bought and carried the original 810 for a month or so and couldn't get used to the feel of it, I prefer slimmer knives (and own five 710's) BUT this is a great knife for those with larger hands, and who want the toughness of an M4 blade. Sharpening was easy on my Edge Pro, I kept it at 320 and was a good slicer...and never had a problem with the glass breaker. One nice detail is that deep pocket carry clip, making a large knife disappear in the pocket. Despite it's plus and (perceived) minus points, it's another brilliant Osborne design worth having.

What's the rockwell at now? It was originally listed at 62-64hrc.

 

[jkarp_53]

Benchmade is NOW doing 62-64, it was softer in the earlier runs, and friends report longer lasting edges as a result.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

Every time I read about this knife, I like it better. The Rift is very comfortable in my hand and the blade is a great design, so I'm half-way to the Contego.

 

[Oakengroves]

Does the agressive G10 and gimping make the knife uncomfortable to use over extended periods?
Is that problem easily remedied by some sanding?
Is the M4 really difficult to sharpen?
Is the knife unnoticably heavy/bulky in your pocket?

1. The jimping and ergonomics make the 810 uncomfortable to use over extended periods of time. When I'm faced with a large cutting job, I usually reach for my Benchmade 275 Adamas (great ergonomics) or 710 (smaller than both and a better slicer).

2. The M4 is very simple to sharpen. I use a sharp maker (standard shapening method on it) and get outstanding results using a 30 degree bevel setting.

3. The 810 carries very well in the pocket and does not feel excessively heavy/bulky.

4. The blade on the 810 is a little large for precision EDC tasks. I've always considered the 810 as more of a hard-use folder and an OUTSTANDING tactical folder (the action on the 810 is among the best of axis locks).

Honestly, for a larger EDC, I'd suggest the 710. It's much lighter, carries smaller, packs a similar size blade, and is more comfortable for extended cutting tasks.

 

[kreole]

Benchmade is NOW doing 62-64, it was softer in the earlier runs, and friends report longer lasting edges as a result.

No, they switched their M4 to 62-64 before the Contego came out. If you pull up their pdf ad on their website for it, which is the original that came out with the knife, that states 62-64.

Or you can see in this thread discussing it before it came out that someone quotes the description (post #7), and that says 62-64 as well
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/916107-Benchmade-Contego

 

[jkarp_53]

On what the Rockwell started off as, I don't know the numbers, other than they are higher with this latest batch of M4 blades installed and that friends like the result. Out of curiosity calling them would be a good idea...in my spare few minutes I may ask.

 

[jkarp_53]

Hi Ryan, since you're present, can you answer the Rockwell hardness question posted by Kreole?

 

[pbcg]

Copy and pasted from a previous post I made on the subject. Covers a lot of your questions.


My thoughts on the Contego.

First off, for the price I think it's one of the best offering's BM has put out in a very long time. For $128 it has pretty much blown away most of the knives I have owned or handled regardless of price..

The CPM-M4 steel is amazing in terms of holding an edge and it's actually not too difficult to sharpen. Only down side as you know is the low Chromium (4.0) makes it a non-stainless. However since I don't mind oiling my blades it's a non issue. Plus BM puts a Black or Clear coating on it.

The blade design is really outstanding. My first exposure to the BM Reverse Tanto was the Rift. Awesome piercing or stabbing point with a nice big belly for slicing. It's also very thick at the tip. It gives you the piercing power of a Tanto and the slicing of a Spear or Clip Point. I see it as the best of both worlds with no downside or compromise.

The AXIS lock, well, in my opinion is one of the strongest, smoothest, and reliable locks available.

The handle and grips work well for me. I find them useful and it hasn't bothered me yet. The ergos are subjective. You either like it or you don't like most knives. I Like them very much and find that it carries well in the pocket for a 4" blade.

I think the Contego is a great knife in all areas, especially at it's price point. I highly recommend it.

 

[Neuron604]

The jimping on the bottom of the handle bugs/hurts my fingers in a tight grip. the G10 does not.
It was said this knife is good for those of us with larger hands but the cut out for the 2 front fingers is too deep imo and I find it uncomfortable.
I plan to get custom scales to reduce that curve and cover the bottom jimping...then it will be a sweet knife.
Priced great for what it is.

 

[RogueBowie]

Thanks for the answers folks. They carry both the 710 and the 810 at the local shop so I think I'm gonna head in, pick each up and play with them one more time, and make the final call from there.

 

[loonybin]

I used to own a 710, and didn't care for it all that much. I carried a 810 that an acquaintance let me borrow, and I will own one of those and keep it.

 

[RogueBowie]

I used to own a 710, and didn't care for it all that much. I carried a 810 that an acquaintance let me borrow, and I will own one of those and keep it.

What didn't you like about the 710?

 

[RJ80]

Every time I read about this knife, I like it better. The Rift is very comfortable in my hand and the blade is a great design, so I'm half-way to the Contego.

I looked at and handled both on several occasions. I bought the Rift. I like the blade design on both. M4 steel would have been my preference, but I hated the handle on the Contego; both the jimping and the overall shape, so I went with 154CM and the Rift which fits my hand very well. I'm happy with the Rift and won't be buying the Contego.

I'd love to see another limited run (or production version) of the Rift with some variety of super steel blade and a different handle material like carbon fiber or blue twill.

 

[kro-bar]

The jimping doesn't realy bother me, but I do find the glass breaker somewhat annoying, since it tends to dig into my hand when I'm using the lock.
If you're using something like an Edge Pro, M4 isn't hard to sharpen at all... I haven't tried with simpler sharpeners, but I can say that it's a lot easier to sharpen than D2 (for me anyway).
It is a large knife, but it carries surprisingly well for it's size.
I can't say that I've ever felt uncomfortable using mine in public, but I have gotten comments like "You think you have a big enough knife for that"