Contego Good?
Hi Guys,
Now that you've put some miles on your Contegos, what say you, are they great, good, or just interesting?
Are there multiple generations out there with different levels of handle gimping?
I've held off 'til now, but wondering if I should start watching the Member WTS forum for one.
Thanks!
Now that you've put some miles on your Contegos, what say you, are they great, good, or just interesting?
Are there multiple generations out there with different levels of handle gimping?
I've held off 'til now, but wondering if I should start watching the Member WTS forum for one.
Thanks!
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I would say - good, and there are multiple versions of the knife.
I've owned two (both the early "rough" versions, before BM went and made them Barbie friendly lol). The G10 on the first model I bought lost its darkness (and faded very very fast), without any real use.. Which was weird bc G10 doesn't usually do that, it looked as if they didn't even coat it with anything..
The second one I picked up was two months later, and the G10 looked jet black, and it still looks that way (and fortunately it was still one of the rough ones). I ended up selling the first one bc the G10 was inadequate - wasn't happy.
The knife is great if you're in LE/military, but too big for EDC, IMO. Honestly, I bought the knife for the large slab of M4. But, it does perform, and the large blade locks up quite nice (also flips open fast due to the blades weight).
I like smaller blades for EDC, but if bigger ones don't bother you, go for it. Go to your local dealer and handle one to see if you dig the size.0 -
From the pictures, it looks as though the the traction grooves are in the liners only, so they could be ground down flush with the scales to smooth out the handle correct?
...except for the back spacer?0 -
quote:Originally posted by Po:
From the pictures, it looks as though the the traction grooves are in the liners only, so they could be ground down flush with the scales to smooth out the handle correct?
...except for the back spacer?
I'm sure that people have sanded down the jimping in the liners, but it would probably be a bigger job on the backspacer part - you probably can. Honestly though, it doesn't hurt your hand enough to bother with it.
The grooves aren't a big deal at all, I think people who didn't like the knife in the first place created unnessary drama over some ridges. That's what makes this knife great for cops & military, if you have gloves - you'll have great grip.0 -
After a couple weeks ago, I am anti-thumb ramp jimping, with dry hands I was playing with a knife stabbed it into a cardboard bale and literally tore a gash into my thumb... I don't like bleeding from just holding something, in the future, I'll be looking for less jimping or be forced to remove it so I can play in safety. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Skimo:
...I am anti-thumb ramp jimping...
I have had the same experience. Personally, I don't believe in creating grip by adding potato graters to a tool handle. That is the primary reason I do not have a Contego now...but if it can be melted...it might be worth a try. As long as the treads are on the liners they can be removed without fu$%ing up the scales. Mr. Dremel and I are adept at such things.
The Rift provides excellent grip just with the ergonomic shape of the handle. I'm not an emergency responder, and I live in a warm climate...so I almost never wear gloves.0 -
No wonder BM has no success with thumb-ramp grooves/jimping, people complain with the mere cosmetic approach, and hefty-grip approach lol, the only knife that they came close to success was the LFTi, those didn't hurt all too bad..
I dunno about most guys but I don't stab cardboard-bails with my EDC, and I only wear gloves sometimes when doing cursory searches - and the 810 has never caused me physical pain lol
It's a good overall knife, but doesn't excite me much anymore, I didn't really feel anything when buying it either.0 -
I was playing around, just checking to see how far I could get it into compressed cardboard. Knives are pointy and while a reverse grip wouldn't have gouged a bloody rut in my thumb, if for some odd reason I want or need to stab something in the future, I don't want to worry about tearing my hand up in the process.
Sure there was positive traction.... Too much and however much force that thrust had was enough to jack up my thumb.
I don't have girly fingers, just too aggressive jimping.
The jimpless 3550 is made for stabbing.... Something tells me it was designed that way for a purpose.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Skimo:
The jimpless 3550 is made for stabbing.... Something tells me it was designed that way for a purpose.
You nailed my next acquisition
After I picked up the 530, I was in awe of the size, weight, and simplicity, (not to mention, the slice-ability of the spear point) - I figured the 3550 would be pretty nifty as well. I put in an order with my dealer the other day.
I’m really diggin’ these simplistic designs, totally a selling point for people who actually use their knives for regular everyday tasks. - I’m not a fan of overkill seen on most blades nowadays0 -
Wow...not exactly a stampede of cheers for the Contego...
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I'm really liking my 810. I got it primarily for hunting/camping/outdoors use, and it works quite well for that. I still love the Rift, and I'm saving up for another one when they offer it in M390.
The jimping doesn't seem to be as aggressive as I expected. It doesn't hurt my hand at all. If it ever gets to be too much of an issue, the dremel will take care of it. The scales are smooth with no jimping on them, so the liners can be ground down to the level of the G10 and still provide some traction.quote:Originally posted by Skimo:
Sure there was positive traction.... Too much and however much force that thrust had was enough to jack up my thumb.
Pics or it didn't happen!
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I like the knife and I like the jimping.
I wish all knives had jimping ......just my humble opinion.0 -
The 810 is a nice addition to any man's edc collection. I thought the G-10 was a little sharp cornered, but 10 minutes with some coarse sandpaper fixed that.
The jimping is borderline on being a little too agressive. I think Skimo hit on it pretty well saying that the jimping would only do you harm if you stabbed something. I'd agree with that. In fact, I'd also say if you were pinching down on that jimping pretty tight and someone or something yanked the knife out of your hand, some of your thumb pad might go with it.
For now, I'm leaving mine as is since I don't want to dog up those nice black liners.
As far as the knife itself, it's something like an 806 on steroids...kind of a big badazz knife. My 810 weighs 5.7 oz. and an 806 weighs about 5.1 oz. If you have a 520 bone collector in G-10, those weigh 5.6 oz, so hopefully you can get some comparisons.
There's not enough o's in smoooooth to describe the way the 810 deploys. It's like swinging open a metal gate on a corral...once it starts moving, it opens all on its own from there.
As far as the sides of the handles, the 810 has plenty of hand traction but it shouldn't bother any but the most pussiest of us.
The closed knife seems pretty long at 5-1/4", but keep in mind that an 806 is 5-1/2".
I just noticed that the 810 has a larger diameter Axis bolt than does the 806...so it should be a strong mutha.
Po, I hope this added a little more insight into this knife. I consider it a "must have".0 -
quote:Originally posted by fastjan:
As far as the sides of the handles, the 810 has plenty of hand traction but it shouldn't bother any but the most pussiest of us.
T-h-a-n-k-y-o-u-!
Not a big deal at all folksIf you have man hands you should be fine.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Painstakingly Meticulous:quote:Originally posted by fastjan:
As far as the sides of the handles, the 810 has plenty of hand traction but it shouldn't bother any but the most pussiest of us.
T-h-a-n-k-y-o-u-!
Not a big deal at all folksIf you have man hands you should be fine.
LOL....agreed ......LOL0 -
quote:Originally posted by fastjan:
...it's something like an 806 on steroids...kind of a big badazz knife...a strong mutha...I consider it a "must have".
Thanks, F_J_! That really helps. You filled in every blank for me.
My carry rotation is a bit light on big nasty right now, so that is definitely what I am looking for from the 810. If the handle is actually a little smaller than on the 806, then the proportions should be very nice.
I ordered the non-coated version so that I can grind down the tread teeth flush with the scales. I may smooth down the teeth on the back spacer as well, but there is not a lot of pressure there during hard cutting so those might be okay. Will undoubtedly be beveling the G-10 edges as well. Did that with my two 950s, and the result is great.
I like the blade profile a lot. The wide tip makes for both a strong tip and excellent function as a spreader. Hopefully the ergonomics on the 810 will be almost as perfect as they are on the 950. If so, once the meat grinders have been removed, this should be just what I'm looking for, a big nasty hard use EDC.
Sorry, I just don't believe in tools that chew the skin off my fingers. The shape of the handle should provide grip security without flesh tearing spikes. My experience working hard with knives, CQB training, and testing where you do hard cutting for extended periods has made it plain that if you want to work for a long time with a tool, it has to be comfortable. The handle on the 950 is a good example. No "jimping", great grip security because the shape fits the human hand. There is no "jimping" on the handles of my hammers, axes, or handsaws. I've done hard use testing on knives with jimping - hate 'em, and I've done hard use testing with knives with smooth, well-designed handles - love 'em.
But, bottom line, the flaws on the 810 are very small and easily corrected. I'm looking forward to having this big strong, yet refined knife in my hand.0 -
quote:There is no "jimping" on the handles of my hammers
There are on mine ......LOL I use a hammer quite a bit and if its hot and sweaty out side , its possible to lose your grip and have that sucker fly out of your hand. I cant really say jimping , but Ive textured the handle of my hammer , so it dont slide so easily.
Iam not trying to start an argument either ......LOL0 -
A friendly argument is good for everyone. You make a fair point, dj.
...but your hammer doesn't f-up your hands so you can't work the next day, right?0 -
correct...........LOL 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Po:
Sorry, I just don't believe in tools that chew the skin off my fingers. The shape of the handle should provide grip security without flesh tearing spikes.
The issue has long since been corrected by BM. The 810's they sling out now are less like sabor-tooth scales. You should have no worries. My brother recently ordered one an his was no where as rough as mine (and I bought mine the first month they were out).
The thumb-ramp ridges/jimping whatever, on his are reprofiled. Your flesh will stay intact.
It's a good user knife.0 -
Thanks, Pain...having looked at the pics available on the Internet, I'm confident that the traction features are only physically part of the liners, and can be ground off without having to remove any material from the scales, so I'm good to go. Got the 810 ordered and shipped.
So now it is just a matter of whether the handle profile works with my hands.0 -
After reading this I opened an 810 and a 950 side-by-side and compared the profile. For me, since the 810 handle is a little larger and straighter, it was more comfortable. Now if the jimping on the back-spacer bothers you, you might consider removing it altogether and replacing it with some kind of threaded barrel spacers (0.190" by my measure, so maybe a little larger than the 0.165's we usually use). The back-spacer is made of aluminum or steel to make a strong platform for the glass breaker, so it might be hard to grind down. Personally, I be glad to get rid of it for any weight savings and since I'm not a fan of the glass breaker.quote:Originally posted by Po:
So now it is just a matter of whether the handle profile works with my hands.0 -
That's a good point. I had it in my mind to ditch the glass breaker if possible. Modifying the back spacer would be no problem for me and my big bas+ard file. But I like some shape or other on my back spacers, so I was thinking, just file off the tips of the spikes almost flush with the spine maybe stiking up 1/16" or so, more like the back spacer on the Bone Collector folders.
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Contego=great. I had to grind down the glass breaker and make the metal liners flush with the G10, with just a slight bit of grooves as I often overgrip(too hard). The handles are now great and that new clip and thin profile has my three 810's riding low and quiet in my front pocket. 0 -
K.H., did you try grinding off the bumps or jimping on the back-spacer? I was just curious as to how difficult that would be.quote:Originally posted by K . H.:
Contego=great. I had to grind down the glass breaker and make the metal liners flush with the G10, with just a slight bit of grooves as I often overgrip(too hard). The handles are now great and that new clip and thin profile has my three 810's riding low and quiet in my front pocket.
I imagine the glass breaker was hardened and difficult to grind...right?0 -
Ive had the Contego for several months now and ive carried primarily on duty. There are many things about it, that i like and a few things i do not like. Nevertheless, its in my top 5 duty knife rotation.
Here are my thoughts on it.
It lacks a lanyard hole. I also do not understand why a knife marketed towards LEO/Military should have a deep carry clip. IMO every knife with a deep carry clip, should have a lanyard hole as a minimum to facilitate drawing the knife. Drawing the Contego as it is now, while wearing thick winter gloves or with slippery hands can be hassle. The good thing though, is that a regular Benchmade clip can be mounted, as the 2 holes have the same spacing. That leaved a bit more handle sticking out to aid in drawing it.
Yes, i agree, the jimping is aggressive, but it does not bother me. Maybe its because i lift weights and my hands are already rough, but i do not see it as a big problem. I had to deflate a motorcycles tires once, and stabbing through the the sidewall i felt my hand slip a bit, then the jimping dug in and the tip pierced the sidewall. The circular part, where your index/middle finger rests also provides a better grip while stabbing.
The G-10 was literally a pocket shredder and had sharp edges everywhere. 10 mins with some sandpaper fixed the problem though. The scales ended up a bit too smooth (my fault), but i bent the clip and filed the scales where they contact each other, and now its great.
The knife is BIG. Maybe a little too big. It eats up alot of pocket space and looks intimidating. I have never been in a situation, where i needed all that blade. It feels like overkill sometimes, when i whip it out to cut a piece of string or slice a tomato and i often prefer using my Leatherman Charge for 90% of the tasks. With size comes weight too, and as a LEO im already carrying too much. Nevertheless, despite the Contegos size and weight, im still carrying it. Its that good
The M4 blade is absolutely wicked. Edge retention is important to me, as i dont want to take my duty knife home with me every day to sharpen it. I bought the combo-edge version and it cuts like crazy. M4 holds an edge for ages...add serrations and you'll go a long time before you need sharpening. The Cerakote is pretty tough too, and i havent noticed any chipping or flaking whatsoever.
I have not used the glass breaker yet, but it looks like it works. By that i mean, that the carbide tip is slightly rounded. Sal Glesser from Spyderco once mentioned, how a carbide tip should be formed. Too sharp and it would splinter. Too rounded and it wouldnt shatter glass. It appears to me, that Bencmade hit the nail on the head, and that is by comparing its shape to those glass breakers, that i know have worked.
In conclusion, a great knife. Add a lanyard hole and make it a bit lighter and itll be a perfect knife.0 -
Thanks, PtP! 0 -
Fastjan...I did not try anything on the back spacer as it didnt bother me. The point on the bottom center where your middle finger hits was the sharpest for me on all three of the first release 810SBK, 810BK, and 810S . I guess there is a newer, slightly smoother version out now.
The glass breaker rounded down pretty easily..I didnt go all the way flush. Just starting to grind is the hardest part. I wish the breaker could be screwed on/off. Someone will post pics of their slightly smoothed frame Contegos.0 -
Great information, PtP & K.H. 
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quote:Originally posted by fastjan:
Great information, PtP & K.H.
I agree, excellent critique.
We knife collectors/users tend to critisize, which is all good but sometimes miss the point, the Contego is excellently designed for it's intended purpose, hard use knife fo LEO/military/rescue services who most times times wear gloves and are not concerned about hard jimpimg eating away at their nice dress pants.
That does meen that we civilians cannot use/enjoy/collect, a minor pimping and it's all good to go.0 -
quote:Originally posted by archer:
We knife collectors/users tend to critisize, which is all good but sometimes miss the point, the Contego is excellently designed for it's intended purpose, hard use knife fo LEO/military/rescue services who most times times wear gloves and are not concerned about hard jimpimg eating away at their nice dress pants.
That does meen that we civilians cannot use/enjoy/collect, a minor pimping and it's all good to go.
Exactly0
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