Thoughts on a Contego?

BMCGear

BMCGear

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Recently purchased a 940 Osborne and 950 Rift. Really dig both. The Osborne has been designated more for my office type knife as its kind of a pain in the @$$ with blue jeans as the aluminum handle sticks a bit and it's very office friendly. The Rift is great for jeans carry and I dig it but the Contego looks killer and I think I would like the handle a bit more. What do you guys think about the 810 as an EDC blue jean carry? I would probably go with the knifeworks blue model.
 
The 940 is a perfect office knife. It's a lot of blade for being so slim. I owned an early Contego and found it both too large for me and the G-10 destroyed the pocket of my jeans in no time. From what I've heard the Knifeworks version has smoother scales and the M390 blade in satin looks like the better buy for not much more.
 
jkarp_53 said:
The 940 is a perfect office knife. It's a lot of blade for being so slim. I owned an early Contego and found it both too large for me and the G-10 destroyed the pocket of my jeans in no time. From what I've heard the Knifeworks version has smoother scales and the M390 blade in satin looks like the better buy for not much more.
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Yes, the scales are what kept me from buying an 810 originally so I went 950. Discovering the KW special edition has me leaning towards trying it.
 
I like the contego and didn't find it more damaging to my jeans than any other textured g10 handles. Its a little tough to remove from the pocket with the lowrider clip. In my opinion, but a standard clip fits fine.
Here's a contego with a rift for comparison:
 
I'm a fan of the Contego.

It's a blue jeans knife just remember the jeans are to wear out before the scales
 
FWIW, the blades of the 810 and the Rift are very similar. Its the scales, grip, etc. that are different. I prefer the Rift, as it is "better" (i.e., slightly smaller) for EDC.

You want an 810, so you need to get one.
 
Between the M4 810 and the rift, I'd say the rift carries better. The reason for that is I was always getting poked and scratched by the glass breaker (which I have no need for on a knife.)

If you're considering the m390 version with no glass breaker though I would go with that.

ETA:
As for how they feel in use, the contego wins for me hands down. That little bump on the bottom of the rift ends up right under my ring finger, which makes for an awkward and uncomfortable grip.
 
The M390 Contego is probably your best bet and it's only available this year from KnifeWorks.

Here's a comparison picture of 810, 950 and 940:

3fd90d11-b96f-4800-b8d2-8744d59f6591_zps7edb2bee.jpg
 
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I agree with many here. Personally, 810 is a bit too much for EDC. I would take it if I know I would need Heavy duty knife, such as weekend yard work, camping, etc. Don't get me wrong, I love my M4 810 and as a fellow BKC enthusiast, you should get 810.

If you like low maintenance and don't mind satin finish and bright silver look of KW model, that would be good. If you are more Spartan in knife use, CPM-M4 can't be beat. Also Tungsten carbide glass breaker is nice and have 4 different combination of blade in original 810. (I have 810SBK, btw)

My complaints are two hold. One is as others mentioned, G-10 handle spreads jeans without sanding down. Also jimping on frame is very accentuated and that wouldn't help either. They make some hot spot, especially if you use the knife with bare hands. Secondly, unless you have relatively large hands, bottom part of the grip seems to dig into middle finger. So it is either you love 950 grip and shy away from bare hand grip of 810 (you can wear groves to make this perfect knife)

So, you should buy 810 anyway, but for a Work Day Carry, I use 940. General EDC would be 950, and Week End Carry may be 810.

MFL
 
bluemetalchurch said:
Which do you think carries better?
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Not everyone measures this the same way. I've grown accustomed to large folders and usually have one on me. I have no problem with it. It also depends a lot on hor you dress. If you are wearing Dockers Fatty pants, it may not be comfy. Traditional jeans and pants patterned after Levi'S 501 style (round vs slanted pocket), the rounded pockets are better.
 
I see what you guys are saying. I just got back from a hike and I will tell you that I hated the weight of the Rift in my pocket.
 
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I have both the Contego and the Rift and I carry the Rift more often. That said I would not be without a Contego as it has to be one of the best heavyduty knives I have owned short of a heavy duty fixed blade. The Contego is one Benchmade we should all have in our collection.
Frank.
 
Looking at the Contego now I think a opening hole would look pretty sweet.
Seems like it would have enough clearance/ space for one. Might be an
interesting mod.
 
bluemetalchurch said:
I see what you guys are saying. I just got back from a hike and I will tell you that I hated the weight of the Rift in my pocket.
Click to expand...

Tha's unfortunate. Here is weight on Osbornes

940 = 2.90oz
940-1 = 2.44oz
950 = 4.8oz (If you cross drill the frame, it can save approximately 1/2 oz)
810 = 5.8oz

MFL
 
MobileFireLord said:
Tha's unfortunate. Here is weight on Osbornes

940 = 2.90oz
940-1 = 2.44oz
950 = 4.8oz (If you cross drill the frame, it can save approximately 1/2 oz)
810 = 5.8oz

MFL
Click to expand...

It's definetly manageable. I'm overweight though so as I get in better shape it may not bother me as much. I'm generally not a big fan of heavy items in my pocket for longer excursions.
 


I love the Contego so much that I have 3 of them. I'm a tall guy with big hands so I prefer a larger blade. I don't carry anything under 3 1/2". I don't notice the weight in my pocket at all, and I just love the way it feels in my hand. I'd rather have too much blade than not enough.
 
I think it depends on usage...the Contego is really designed as a folder made for heavier and prolonged usage, IMO.


The Contego is a big, heavy, tough, hard-work knife that is designed to perform tasks in which a large and strong folder is needed in a steel that can perform long-term even when cutting materials that tend to damage edges.

The blade itself is similar to the Rift...extremely robust, a good slicer, a good heavy cutter, very strong tip, easy to move around and cut precisely with, and reasonably easy to sharpen despite being in pretty hardcore steels. It's a great all-around multitasker.

In terms of the handle, I think it's one of the best ever made for a knife that is going to be used for more heavy-duty/extensive work in which having a good grip is critical. Hands of almost all sizes work well, the grip is comfortable and extended usage is less fatiguing and less irritating to the hand. It's design also arguably makes the odds of a hand slipping onto the blade about as reduced as any folder possibly could. The textured G10 also helps with the grip/traction (over smooth) and especially when wet...but at the expense of being harder on fabric. It's also a larger knife to carry, and considerably heavier. In some legalities, it may not be legal due to some areas limiting blade length.

So if the tasks it will be used for are tasks in which that sort of knife will outperform a less beefy folder, it's golden. But if most tasks are something the 940 is better suited for, the 940 is an easier knife to carry and a lot less damaging to clothes. The 940's steel is also easier to upkeep. So I think it depends on what you will do with it.

Both the M4 and M390 steels are great choices for a knife that is going to see prolonged usage cutting materials that tend to dull knife blades.
 
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