Recommendation? Heavy duty folder 810 vs 275 vs 570

Which heavy duty folder?

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scsu74

scsu74

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Apr 29, 2012
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Hi all, it's been a bit of a windy journey, but I'm back looking at Benchmade's again. I'm looking to replace my Super Roadhouse that I'm currently carrying on duty as a police officer. It's a general use knife, no intention to use it for self-defense (I carry others for that). Ideally I'd like something that can be used for a variety of roles, I don't need paper thin slices of tomatoes or the ability to split hairs. Something that can be beat on and still hold a working edge.

I've narrowed down my search to the above mentioned Benchmade's, but wouldn't be opposed to Spyderco. I've carried a variety of Emerson's and prefer to get away from them. I've also carried Striders and ZT's, but think Benchmade would be the best fit due to their solid warranty and life sharp.

Overall I like the 810 the best, but it doesn't have a lanyard hole. Is there an easy way to add one? New backspacer maybe?

I've owned the auto version of the Adamas in the past and remember it being very bulky. Not a huge deal, but something I'm considering. How does the D2 compare to the 810's m4?

The 570 just seems like a cool knife with the aluminum scales and steel liners. For some reason I can't order plain edge with coating, does this model not exist?

Anyways, appreciate the feedback. Cost wise they are all around $100 for me to order direct. The 275 does have a 30 day wait, which sucks.
 
Very strange that the coated 570 doesn't come in non-serrated. That's unfortunate, as it eats up usable edge real estate. I had the predecessor to the 570 (the 520) and loved the knife, minus its propensity to turn my pockets into confetti. I'd have a 570 if it came in literally any steel but S30V.

I've had the 810 and the 275 and abused the hell out of both. I sold my 810 and kept my 275. Here's my take...

Pros:

810:
-M4 steel is pretty darn tough and holds a great edge forever
-slim for a huge knife
-good slicer geometry
-the blade is tip heavy, so it just needs a sharp flick of the wrist to open the knife without manipulating the Axis bar
-glassbreaker (mine broke the first time I used it. Apparently this was a known issue. Benchmade replaced it for free)

275:
-an absolute brute of a knife
-traditional blade shape with pointy tip
-handle ergos are spot-on (for me)
-supposedly the strongest Axis mechanism offered by Benchmade
-D2 is relatively easy to sharpen and stays sharp for an adequate amount of time
-lanyard hole

Cons:

810:
-M4 steel can be rough on sharpening equipment and takes a lot longer to work with
-handle is atrocious until you Dremel the proud spots of the liners and sharp edges of the G10, then it's still "meh"
-the tip is not awesome if you need to punch into something tough. It'll never break, but it's just not very usable
-if you cut into anything more robust than paper, the coating will immediately wear off
-ugly as a dogs butthole. It's the Janet Reno of knives. (my opinion)
-no lanyard hole if you need one

275:
-it's thick...like, really thick
-it’s heavy
-thick behind the edge making it not as great of a slicer (mine does just fine with a 40º inclusive edge)
-blade can be flung out with a wrist flick, but you really gotta practice it
-D2 isn't near M4 as far as edge holding, but it does ok
-weak coating, but not as bad as my 810 was
-lowrider clip makes it ride too low and can be hard to get at
-that big old caboose on the handle and no glassbreaker?
 
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Are the coatings different between the 810 and 275? Thank you for the detailed reply!
 
scsu74 said:
Are the coatings different between the 810 and 275? Thank you for the detailed reply!
Click to expand...

I saw conflicting info on the webnets, so I called Benchmade to confirm and apparently started a war within the customer service center :D

The overall majority at Benchmade agreed that the 275 comes with Cerakote, just like the 810. I'm not sure why my knives wore at different rates...probably just a difference in the materials I was cutting. It could also just be that the grey coating shows a better contrast in the scratches, making them appear worse than they are.
 
If I had to pick of the two I would be tempted to go with the Adamas at first because it is legendary in terms of toughness.

I would probably have to go with the 810 Contego though as it carries WAY better in the pocket.

(Ignoring steel for now) In short the Adamas is probably the better knife once it is open and in your hand. The Contego is a better POCKET knife in my opinion as it is way better to carry. 90% of a pocket knife's life is in a pocket. If I needed some heavier duty cutting done I would just use a fixed blade. (Keep it in the car or something)

That said if I was trying to cover both roles that a folder and a fixed blade would usually do, with one replacement knife, I would take the Adamas.

Edit: also I know you said you have other blades for this role, but if I had to use either the 810 or the 275 to defend myself, personally I would prefer the 810.
 
I like the Presidio line, always have. Not too large and a beautiful blade. I have no personal defence training, but watch out you slices of turkey lunchmeat! :D
 

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Loco?
It's built like an Adamas, but way more pocket friendly. The stop pin, pivot, Axis pin, liner thickness are all the same, on both knives.

As far as your suggested 3 go.....well I own all three knives.
However, I just received my 570 Monday evening.
The Adamas is definitely the most heavy duty of the three you have mentioned; and the heaviest and the most brick like.
I have yet to put a caliper on any of the 570's parts.
So, without any measuring of the 570 I would say the 810 and 570 are quite similar in stoutness.
I personally like the 570 over the 810 for several reasons.
The blade shape of the 570 is more appealing to me.
The 570 has jimping in the right places, instead of all over the handle.
The 570 has better blade retention (when closed).
I find the handle shape of the 570 more comfortable than the 810.
It's really all about personal preference.
What do you like?

I am a huge Loco fan (I've got 3 of them).
This knife gives me everything I'm looking for.
Super stout and it slices too.
 
I love the 810 as far as looks and ergos go. M4 is going to hold and edge better than all three but will require special care if you don't want it to rust. The peel ply G10 provides good grip but with tear up your pockets.

The 570 could take a little more abuse than the 810 and carries pretty well. The 570 is probably the best of the three for piercing soft tissue. We all know that Cypress hates S30V :rolleyes: but it really is a great overall steel. Nearly as good edge retention as D2 but will not rust.

The 275 is a brick but the strongest of the three. D2 steel is tough and will hold and edge well. Can rust if not treated properly although better corrosion resistance than M4.
 
Benchmade said:
We all know that Cypress hates S30V :rolleyes: but it really is a great overall steel.
Click to expand...

But I loooove you, Jimmy!

To be clear, I don't hate the steel itself...I hate the fact that it's still being touted as a "super steel" on newly-designed $200+ knives. I want the best, not "good enough."

Benchmade said:
The 570 could take a little more abuse than the 810 and carries pretty well.
Click to expand...

I'm curious about this... Can you elaborate?
 
If you need to be able to open the knife wearing gloves, this is done easily enough with the 810. This is also a pro for the axis lock in general. I only own the 810 so I do not know if the others can be opened wearing gloves.

It took me maybe 20 minutes with 400 grit sandpaper to make the 810 scales perfectly comfortable. Don't let this critique bother you.
 
Benchmade said:
I love the 810 as far as looks and ergos go. M4 is going to hold and edge better than all three but will require special care if you don't want it to rust. The peel ply G10 provides good grip but with tear up your pockets.

The 570 could take a little more abuse than the 810 and carries pretty well. The 570 is probably the best of the three for piercing soft tissue. We all know that Cypress hates S30V :rolleyes: but it really is a great overall steel. Nearly as good edge retention as D2 but will not rust.

The 275 is a brick but the strongest of the three. D2 steel is tough and will hold and edge well. Can rust if not treated properly although better corrosion resistance than M4.
Click to expand...

How come the 570 can't be ordered with coated plain edge?
 
What sort of duties will you be performing with the knife? As much as I hate to say it, I prefer the old Presidio to the new one, but it's also a shorter blade.

Were you happy with the 154CM? Are you looking for a blade over 4"?

Have you handled the Boost? Cabelas usually has a few Benchmades on hand if you want to handle them first.
 
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Cypress said:
But I loooove you, Jimmy!

To be clear, I don't hate the steel itself...I hate the fact that it's still being touted as a "super steel" on newly-designed $200+ knives. I want the best, not "good enough."



I'm curious about this... Can you elaborate?
Click to expand...

Yeah to clarify I was mainly referring to lock strength of the 570 vs the 810. The 570 has thicker liners and a slightly larger tang.
 
When I think of a heavy duty folder I think of my Adamas 275. I’ve had two and still have a very well used example. Both had some of the best actions I’ve seen with an Axis lock, which is saying something since Axis actions in general are really good.

With that said, I recently got a 808 Loco and I think I prefer it to the 275. It’s still beefy but much more ergonomic for me. I want a mini Loco now...
 
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The Loco has a build that's just as heavy duty as the Adamas; but has a blade grind that allows it to cut as good as (if not better than) the the 810 and the 570. I've carried all of them, but always seem to find my way back to the Loco.
 
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