M390 810-1401 Contego

Here is mine (Updated with better pictures):

These pictures are in direct sunlight and it makes the blue appear lighter than it really is IMO:


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These two photos were in the shade and the blue looks more representative of the actual color to me:


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RamZar said:
The blade on mine will not center! Just now I checked another brand new Contego that I got a month ago before the prices went up and it's perfect. If it wasn't for the blade centering I may have kept this M390 model but as is I'll send it back to KW and request one with blue down the middle of the handles and the blade centered. The off-centering is only at the tip and to the right. Any amount of loosening of the pivot screw creates noticeable side to side blade play! Very annoying!
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In order to center it, you have to loosen more than just the pivot screw. You need to loosen all the screws, slide the liners up/down/forward/backward until the blade is centered and then tighten the screws while holding the liners where you want it. This usually works. I'm probably not describing it well, but I believe there is a youtube video of how to do it.
 
It is a long knife with a relatively thin set of liners. If you hold in in both hands sideways in front of you, pivot to the right, with your fingers away from you and your thumbs on the backside of the scales (towards you), and gently press with your thumbs towards the center of the scale, you'll see how easy it is to "deflect" the blade to the center.

As others have said, the best way to adjust it is to loosen all the fasteners and pivot screw (but not remove any of them). Then apply pressure to the appropriate parts to center the blade, then, with the blade still centered tighten the screws, starting with the most rearward ones and make your way forward.
 
Officer's Match & loonybin,

Thanks. I'll give it a shot. I do want to keep this one and get another with blue down the middle.

It's just a crying shame that so many were let out by Benchmade's QC with the exact same blade centering issue!
 
With the knife closed.
I would losen all the screws including the clip screws
Now snug down on the pivot. Not real tight, just hand tight.
I then gently, but firmly, apply pressure to each side of the knife in opposite directions.
Left side up/right side down or Left side down/right side up; while at the same time seeing what combination gives you the desired results.
While holding the right effect, start tightening screws. If the tightening of one particular screw ruins the effect. Tighten this problem screw last.
Once all screws are tight, adjust pivot.
 
kreole said:
Best color scheme I've seen yet! Nice catch


Has anyone with an offcenter blade checked to see if the blade is warped? There was a thread about a year ago saying BM stopped using M390 temporarily because of warping issues http://benchmadeforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/638106573/m/617006457001/p/1
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I had that thought also and posted it above. But then I felt kind of stupid and deleted it. I haven't been able to inspect mine yet, but the blade doesn't appear to be warped giving it the eyeball test. Although, my eyeball tests often fail, so that doesn't necessarily mean much.
 
One of my standard 810s is off the same way. It looks like it is touching but it isn't as a standard sheet of paper slides by easily. There are also no wear marks on the Cerakote coating.
dfsutton, you got the color that I was looking for! Hopefully my exchange will look as good. Blade centering is not a big deal, I can fix that, but I can't fix the colors, lol.
 
dfsutton said:
I had that thought also and posted it above. But then I felt kind of stupid and deleted it. I haven't been able to inspect mine yet, but the blade doesn't appear to be warped giving it the eyeball test. Although, my eyeball tests often fail, so that doesn't necessarily mean much.
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I can tell you that it does happen, even though every knife manufacturer will say they don't let warped blades out the door. :) Several years ago I got a pair of 710HS knives that I couldn't get to center at all. I took the blades out and put them on a machinist's straight edge and they were reeeeally warped. I was lucky - Benchmade still had spare blades and replaced them swiftly and for no charge under warranty. :thumbup:
 
I agree I'd buy one if I could ensure I'd be getting a mostly black one like that, but the mostly blue ones just don't do it for me.
 
RevDevil said:
Moving is all kinds of fun isn't it? :p
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That ain't no joke there man - it's been too long since I've done it too. Also, 2 house payments (while I wait for the old one to sell) is not helping the knife-budget.


I had to chase mine down through 3 different post offices, but I finally got it (mail forwarding ended up completely failing). Cookie Monster Blue on the outside (a little darker than the Spyderco M390 PM2), and black layered underneath. It's not nearly as bright blue as I thought it would be, but it's still very aesthetically pleasing to the eye (especially with the satin hardware / deep-pocket-clip).

I will say that this is my first 810 Contego, and it's friggin huge. None of the pictures I've seen do it justice as to what a pocket sword it is. It's a touch longer than both my Bad Monkey and my ZT 0561. Strangely enough, it seems smaller than both when closed.

I believe I will both keep and use this one.
 
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The predominantly blue scales are just too bright for my taste. In my opinion the best looking ones are mostly black with blue in the relief areas. But, that's just my opinion.
 
That actually makes the two different colors kind of cool. Obviously it would have been better if folks had known the drastic difference in color in the first place - but it seems like this one might be reaching out to a wider audience if some want it more subdued and others like the brighter colors.

That might be a good way to do sprints/exclusives/limited-runs in the future - especially with layered G10. Benchmade might have stumbled onto some marketing genius here.
 
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