Which 810? Dilemma....

Buffalohump

Buffalohump

Joined
Sep 7, 2006
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Was looking at picking up an 810, but I'm a bit stuck on whether to go with the regular production or the Knifeworks limited one.

My initial thinking is I wanted a user and particularly something in M4. I have a lot of knives in super steels but pretty much ALL are limited runs and collector's pieces. The 810 seemed like a great idea although my initial feelings about were lukewarm (wasnt sure about the handle design).

My other reservation is that I normally hate coated blades. So that's why the KW version is appealing. BUT I already have a couple of knives in M390 and would like to get a user in M4.

I can't afford both....!! Ya, sucks I know.
 
Contego M4 (about $179-$183 new) come with coating and you have a choice of blade coating and serrations.

The M390 ($196 new) version does not have any coating and has a more comfortable and nicer looking handle.

You can probably get an M4 user for $125. There's one at that price in the Exchange.
 
Yeah, I think I'm gonna shoot for the KW one .... really like the blue scales and M390 is damn near as good as M4 anyway. A satin finish blade is always gonna get more love in my house. :D

Like you say, I can always pick up a M4 user.
 
I've got a coated M4 810. If you like your knives to appear new all of the time (I don't), get the M390 version. When Benchmade coated my 810 I'm pretty sure they accidentally used sugar, or a soft starch instead of Cerakote.

All of this wear happened in two days of use.

 
^^^ This is what I was afraid of. Pretty much the only coatings I can tolerate is the 'real McCoy' DLC or PVD. Spyderco do a terrific DLC on their Military, etc. Wish BM would adopt it too.
 
If you are going to use the knife for a lot of cutting, and you don't live right on the ocean, then I would get the M4 version.

If you want a pretty knife, pick something other than the 810.
 
The KnifeWorks version is the better knife, IMO. I love M380, the handle scales are easier on the hands. I owned an M4 810 and the coating was just too fragile. If you're looking for a great user over time, give Roger and staff your business.
 
I reckon its worth the extra bit of dough.... a fragile coating will just give me heartburn. KW are good folks, got many a cool knife from them over the years.

jkarp_53 said:
The KnifeWorks version is the better knife, IMO. I love M380, the handle scales are easier on the hands. I owned an M4 810 and the coating was just too fragile. If you're looking for a great user over time, give Roger and staff your business.
Click to expand...
 
Cypress said:
I've got a coated M4 810. If you like your knives to appear new all of the time (I don't), get the M390 version. When Benchmade coated my 810 I'm pretty sure they accidentally used sugar, or a soft starch instead of Cerakote.

All of this wear happened in two days of use.

Click to expand...

.....
 
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Buffalohump said:
Yeah, I think I'm gonna shoot for the KW one .... really like the blue scales and M390 is damn near as good as M4 anyway. A satin finish blade is always gonna get more love in my house. :D QUOTE]

Trying to get a true blue over black scales is a 50/50 or less crap shoot. IMHO the M4 is better steel anyway. The only problem is the poor Cerokote finish which does scratch and wear very easily. My 810 M4 tore up just like the previous pics shown. I have found that if you use a 1700/3500 RPM buffer on the Cerokote to smooth out the finish it does hold up better.
Click to expand...
 
BM should pay attention more on putting cerakote. They're ruining cerakotes status of being one of the most durable knife coating. Second to DLC
 
If you are looking primarily for a cutting tool, I say get the M390 version. M390 seems to offer the awesome wear resistance of many other super steels, but also improves upon having balanced properties and better ease of upkeep. If you need something with more toughness tho, IIRC my limited knowledge of steels says that CPM-M4 is considerably tougher (not that M390 lacks toughness...more like M4 is just really tough.) The looks of the M390 version is also a plus.



Cypress said:
I've got a coated M4 810. If you like your knives to appear new all of the time (I don't), get the M390 version. When Benchmade coated my 810 I'm pretty sure they accidentally used sugar, or a soft starch instead of Cerakote.

All of this wear happened in two days of use.

Click to expand...

Yikes! They must have made a booboo when applying :(

Cerakote isn't supposed to do that :( :( :(
 
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