Thoughts on a Contego?

bluemetalchurch said:
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.
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For edc, the Rift would probably be better, for weekends/outdoors/hiking/camping/etc., the Contego would probably suit your uses 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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bluemetalchurch said:
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.
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The KW version definitely has smoother scales, and the M390 can't be beat!

spketch said:
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:
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bluemetalchurch said:
Which do you think carries better?
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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.
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The Rift carries better. It is slimmer and lighter. You can always find someone to drill some skeletonizing holes in the liners of the Rift that will help lighten it (not sure why they didn't do that in the first place). Another option is to get a sheath from Benchmade and carry either one on your belt when hiking.

Personally, I don't really notice a Contego when I'm carrying it. However, my main reason for getting one was to use camping/hunting, and the M390 version is perfect for my needs. The Rift is my favorite knife, but until the steel is upgraded, I can't justify carrying one over the M390 Contego. I may end up getting a HK14715 which is almost identical in specs to the Rift but with D2 steel, so we'll see how that goes.
 
Ok, I carried my Rift yesterday and the extra bulk over the 940 wasn't bad with jeans. I like carrying a bigger knife and I am looking at the Contego again. The Contego actually shows it is a hair slimmer than the Rift.
 
bluemetalchurch said:
Ok, I carried my Rift yesterday and the extra bulk over the 940 wasn't bad with jeans. I like carrying a bigger knife and I am looking at the Contego again. The Contego actually shows it is a hair slimmer than the Rift.
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I don't think so, but I'll check my son's Rift against my Contego when I get home. It is noticeably heavier in the pocket, BTW.
 
OK, measured the Rift and the Contego. At their widest point, they're both 0.545"

The difference is that the Rift tapers toward the tail, while the Contego tapers toward the pivot. Granted, we're talking a taper of about 0.01" or so, so the difference is not much.
 
loonybin said:
OK, measured the Rift and the Contego. At their widest point, they're both 0.545"

The difference is that the Rift tapers toward the tail, while the Contego tapers toward the pivot. Granted, we're talking a taper of about 0.01" or so, so the difference is not much.
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I appreciate you taking the time to measure and respond. I'm not sure if I should take the plunge or not. I would rather have the KW version for the less aggressive handle although M4 steel doesn't bother me at all. Why do you choose to carry the Contego?

For me, even though the Rift if plenty comfortable the Contego looks a bit more comfortable handle wise.
 
I'm probably going to get both the contego and rift down the line. But contego first. Better steel and i like bigger blades. Both look like they"ll chew up your pants. Espeically the contego but my recon 1 and adamas already do that anyways and it doesn't both me.:) Just some strands hanging here and there. And if the sharp edges of the handle do bother you just demmel them till their as smooth as you want to feel more comfaortable in hand or more forgiving on clothing.
 
bluemetalchurch said:
I appreciate you taking the time to measure and respond. I'm not sure if I should take the plunge or not. I would rather have the KW version for the less aggressive handle although M4 steel doesn't bother me at all. Why do you choose to carry the Contego?
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Frankly, because I don't currently have a Rift. I absolutely love the blade shape, and I wanted to use the Contego for hunting/camping. I sold my Rift to afford the 810 with every intention of getting another Rift. I sold my 810bk to fund the the M390 version since I prefer satin blades. I am a steel snob, so I find it hard to go backward from M390 to 154CM. If the Rift ever comes out in an upgraded steel, this Contego could easily end up being sold to get the better Rift if I need to choose (ideally I'll be able to keep both and use the Contego for weekend/camping/ hunting).

For me, even though the Rift if plenty comfortable the Contego looks a bit more comfortable handle wise.
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I actually find the Rift to be more comfortable, but I don't have large hands. The pinky bump fits right between my ring and pinky fingers, so I don't even notice it. The jimping on the KW version is still more aggressive than any Rift, and I can feel it during normal use. It just isn't as aggressive as the 810bk I had.

Overall, I would carry the Rift more if I had one. I actually struggled deciding to get a Morpho before a Rift, but I hadn't owned a balisong before.
 
Added bonus to the Contego is the wide blade shape is awesome for gardening as a mini trowel
 
loonybin said:
Frankly, because I don't currently have a Rift. I absolutely love the blade shape, and I wanted to use the Contego for hunting/camping. I sold my Rift to afford the 810 with every intention of getting another Rift. I sold my 810bk to fund the the M390 version since I prefer satin blades. I am a steel snob, so I find it hard to go backward from M390 to 154CM. If the Rift ever comes out in an upgraded steel, this Contego could easily end up being sold to get the better Rift if I need to choose (ideally I'll be able to keep both and use the Contego for weekend/camping/ hunting).


I actually find the Rift to be more comfortable, but I don't have large hands. The pinky bump fits right between my ring and pinky fingers, so I don't even notice it. The jimping on the KW version is still more aggressive than any Rift, and I can feel it during normal use. It just isn't as aggressive as the 810bk I had.

Overall, I would carry the Rift more if I had one. I actually struggled deciding to get a Morpho before a Rift, but I hadn't owned a balisong before.
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I appreciate your thoughts and honesty. I understand that M390 is better than 154cm but I have no problem with 154. I'm gonna have to think on this one as I prefer a fixed blade for hunting and camping purposes anyway. I want an EDC knife for blue jeans.
 
bluemetalchurch said:
I appreciate your thoughts and honesty. I understand that M390 is better than 154cm but I have no problem with 154. I'm gonna have to think on this one as I prefer a fixed blade for hunting and camping purposes anyway. I want an EDC knife for blue jeans.
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154CM is no slouch, especially the way Benchmade does it. However, I wouldn't sell a Ferrari in order to get a Mustang if performance was the deciding factor, especially if the prices were close.

Oh, and when I hunt/camp I also carry my GSO-4.1 in... M390.
 
loonybin said:
154CM is no slouch, especially the way Benchmade does it. However, I wouldn't sell a Ferrari in order to get a Mustang if performance was the deciding factor.

Oh, and when I hunt/camp I also carry my GSO-4.1 in... M390.
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Completely agree. In my case though; why buy the Ferrari when the Mustangs performance meets expectations. :)
 
I love Rift as many others here. Like Loonybin, I prefer better steel, given same design. If we are paying for design and better blade material, of cause I would chose better one, given its availability.

There are M4 Rift, but I am not willing to pay $300 just to get M4 when I have 154cm version that is done smoothing G10, EWL-ed washers, and added jimping in frame.

IMO, for debate between Contego vs. Rift should be pure discussion of knife design, rather than blade material. Yes, M4 is harder than 154, but unless you are pushing to the limit, this is not the major point. I would say if I live in more rural environment, frequently use gloves then I would chose Contego. Since I live in suburb, Rift is very fitting and cause less problem among sheeps. In my state, "blandishing or use to intimidate with knife...." can be used to against you. We do not have blade length limit, unless I go to urban area.

So,

Urban (Work Day Carry) = 940
Suburban, (Every Day Carry) =950 Rift
Rural (Week End carry) = 810 Contego

MFL
 
I've been really happy with my Rift and recently decided to purchase a used Contego which happened to come with a custom set of blue/black G10 scales and backspacer in addition to the stock ones. The knife looks and feels great but I've decided that it is just a big too big for me to carry comfortably. I'm most likely going to trade it or sell it.

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bluemetalchurch said:
Completely agree. In my case though; why buy the Ferrari when the Mustangs performance meets expectations. :)
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I agree, but when the Ferrari is only $13 more than the Mustang and gives a huge jump in performance...

MobileFireLord said:
IMO, for debate between Contego vs. Rift should be pure discussion of knife design, rather than blade material.
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To some degree I would agree with you. However, when the cost between the two is so close, and the performance of one steel is that much better than the other, it will definitely come into play. Design-wise, I prefer the Rift. The blade steel on the Contego, however, pushes it far enough ahead that I'm willing to forego my favorite design for the better performance.
 
I am always baffled by responses that a knife is too heavy when it is literally a matter of ounces. I have always made full use of my pockets. I mean what are they there for? I carry knives, keys, phone, flashlights, multi-tools, change, and usually always wear steel tips. I have had to wear them at various jobs most of my life so the weight is normal.. The only time I run anymore is if something I can't stop is after me, which is very seldom. My normal EDC stuff, which includes everything in my pockets, is always in excess of 5 lbs. It has been that way my whole life. All my EDC knives are 3"+ with no worries about weight or size. I have both the 950 and 810. To me the 810 is much better. Better steel, super smooth with a super tight lockup. I tried to get a blue/black one as they advertised with their pics, but got a black/blue one. I sent it back and got a refund because they could not guarantee I would get one like they showed on their website pictures. Spending $200 for a 50/50 chance of getting what I really wanted is just too much. I already have knives in both M4 and M390 and prefer the M4. An uncoated version of the M4 Contego would be great.
 
SOLEIL said:
I am always baffled by responses that a knife is too heavy when it is literally a matter of ounces. I have always made full use of my pockets. I mean what are they there for? I carry knives, keys, phone, flashlights, multi-tools, change, and usually always wear steel tips. I have had to wear them at various jobs most of my life so the weight is normal.. The only time I run anymore is if something I can't stop is after me, which is very seldom. My normal EDC stuff, which includes everything in my pockets, is always in excess of 5 lbs. It has been that way my whole life. All my EDC knives are 3"+ with no worries about weight or size. I have both the 950 and 810. To me the 810 is much better. Better steel, super smooth with a super tight lockup. I tried to get a blue/black one as they advertised with their pics, but got a black/blue one. I sent it back and got a refund because they could not guarantee I would get one like they showed on their website pictures. Spending $200 for a 50/50 chance of getting what I really wanted is just too much. I already have knives in both M4 and M390 and prefer the M4. An uncoated version of the M4 Contego would be great.
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Different strokes for different folks. I hate having a lot of weight in my pockets.

I do think the Contego would be a better fit for me handle wise over the Rift.
 
I think the Contego is the best currently in production, production knife in the BM line up.

It excels in all the areas that are important to me and on many levels. materials, blade geometry, I like everything about it. The Reverse Tanto offers a very broad range of utility with no trade off that I can see. It's a great design.

I recall absolutely loving the Rift when it first came out, but also recall thinking, If the blade and handle were just a bit larger it would be perfect.

The Contego came out and I've been a big fan ever since.

While working I carried what some might consider a larger sized blade. An AFCK close to 4" or a 910 Stryker among others and the size has never been an issue for me. Daily I walked up and down stairs and ladders, even rope ladders and never felt my pocket knife uncomfortable.

Maybe it's just me because I'm used to it but I don't think a 4" blade all that large. For me it's just about right but I know some prefer a smaller sized blade / knife.

If the size doesn't bother you I don't think you can do better then the Contego.

All the best!

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