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Contego Good?

June 13, 2013 21:01

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!

Comments

47 comments

po

June 20, 2013 06:20
Arrived tonight...

I really like the size. It is big, but not spilling out of my hand. Actually, I think it is the ideal size for a large folder. A small amount of the handle protrudes from your hand, top and bottom, but your hand still pretty much fills up the handle. Not like, say, the Bedlam where you feel like there is room for a whole fifth finger.

I really like the blade too. Blade and handle, I think the proportions are almost identical to the 800/805/806, but the lack of the opening hole, and the "reverse tanto" tip shape really inspire confidence in the strength of the blade. The M-4 edge is extremely sharp, effortlessly tree-topping arm hair. The "clear" cerakoat is very nice. A dressed-up carbon fiber LE would be fantastic on this model.

I like the shape of the handle. The contours of the belly really lock the hand in position on the knife. The belly peak is not quite in the ideal spot for my hand. I think it should be about 1/8" rearward. That would put it perfectly in the gap between my middle and ring finger in a normal grip. But it is close enough. As with the 950, with my hand in the natural position, by thumb falls right on that little saddle in the top of the blade over the thumb stud.

The grippiness of the G-10 texture on the handle flats is extraordinary. I don't think Benchmade has employed that texture on a previous model. I remember it on an old Kershaw Speed Safe model from the early '90s. It is genuinely non-slip, like skateboard tape.

Which brings me to the "jimping"...Between the G-10 texture and the handle shape, your hand is not moving on this handle. The shape of the handle locks your grip in all by itself. The traction treads in the liners are severe, and totally unnecessary. I'm sure somebody important impressed on Benchmade that these things were really important, but...they were wrong. With gloves or without, dry, wet, whatever.

The treads on the backspacer are also very aggressive, but they don't cause any trouble, and they are pretty cool. Same with the glass breaker. The balance is great, about an inch back from the pivot. I really like the stainless steel back spacer. Very solid.

The natural comparisons are with the 806, and the 275. The 810 is confidence inspiring with the strength of the blade. The 806 is beautiful, but this knife is ready. The same is true of the handles. The 806 handle is comfortable and secure. I am very familiar with the 806 in all situations, and it is a superb design, and it is more comfortable than the 810 handle. But again the 810 handle locks your handle in postion, and you just know that tool is not going anywhere. I get the same confident feeling from the 275 handle however, and the "jimping" on the 275 is much smoother and less severe. Both the 806 and 275 are equally good handle designs, and less punishing to the user's hand.

The big blade is very smooth, like the 806. It has very appealing lines. I think it is pretty, both open and closed. I was worried that I would find the handle slab sided, and bland, but I do not. The shape, the lines, the texture are all very interesting and pleasing. The tolerances are small, and the blade is perfectly centered between the liners, though the tip is a long way from the pivot. The handle is fairly thin, so it will carry well. I find myself looking for a place to tie on a paracord fob/lanyard, but I have many knives with a lanyard hole on which I have not bothere to tie a lanyard so...

I think that is about everything. So far the 810 is exactly what I hoped it would be, a big nasty strong, sharp, afraid of nothing, cutting tool. I think this beast is gonna get a ton of pocket time...as soon as the handle is made comfortable.
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fastjan

June 20, 2013 13:58
Thanks for the report, Po. That's a big reason I come to the forum is the interesting "knife talk".
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propthepolecat

June 20, 2013 15:45
Congratulations on your new knife and nice write-up!
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po

June 20, 2013 20:07
Hey, that was fun. I haven't gone out the shop and taken a Dremel and some files to one of my knives in a while.

I smoothed the scale flat under the pocket clip a little bit. Ground all the "jimping" down flush with the edge of the G-10 scales, beveled the edges of the scales in the fluted areas, and did some grinding on the back spacer so the peaks rise toward the butt.

The knife is a lot more comfortable now. At least my hands do not feel sore just from handling it now. Now to put some miles on it, see if takes pocket time from my 806-1101.
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reinan

June 25, 2013 01:54
Po hit the nail on the head, I'd have to agree with everything he said. Just got my 810bk out of the mail this evening. Love the blade, I think I'm going to be a BIG fan of m4. I really don't mind all the jimping, reminds me of my other EDC, locks up in your hand front and back; grip panels are more for aesthetics and to keep it from feelin like a piece of bar stock. I'll carry it for a bit and see how the grip panels suit me, maybe I will order a set of scales for it, maybe not. I really love the look of the tan scales on my 275 really offsets the lines of the knife, possibly will look into something like that.

Might have to figure out a way to drill a hole in the backspacer for a lanyard, rides so low in the pocket it's a little tough to get to.

RE
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markg

July 12, 2013 14:12
I sold mine because I needed the funds. However i will say it was one of the best knives Benchmade has made in the last few years, it is a strong knife that as Po points out, is ready for anything. Also love the low ride clip. A winner all around.
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mcm

July 13, 2013 02:51
It might also be worth mentioning, the 1st batch may have had more agressive jimping & textured G-10.
Have found this on other brands as well.
1st run a bit different than the rest.
Not 100% sure, just a guess.
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geocyclist

July 13, 2013 18:29
Everyone has mentioned both sides of the argument here. I believe it comes down to "what is your intended purpose?"

If you are LE or any other that will use the knife for a few cuts then put it away and/or you need grip with wet hands/glove hands this is good for you.

If you use a knife for 15 or 30 minutes not stop, like camping jobs, bushcraft, etc. the scales may be a little rough after extended use.

I have heard the same as MCM that first gen had rougher scales.

I am just wondering: "Where is Keyman?" This knife has a nice blade shape and some custom scales in micarta or anything smoother would be a welcome addition for many.
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mcm

July 13, 2013 19:41
I had the 1st run. When I 1st handled it at SHOT or Blade (don't remember) Had to have one!
It was ruff even on Levis, and was too aggressive for normal use. So I made it more of a giant 940.
Really like it now. Am pretty sure there not the same as it was on its initial run.
(Like the ZT560) Had one of the 1st as well...
Here is the one I enjoy on an every day basis.

You can call me a wimp. Really don't care.

Mine is pure heaven to use.

With a great scale shape, liner jimping not required.
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dj

July 13, 2013 20:32
quote:

You can call me a wimp.

"WIMP" ................LOL
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mcm

July 13, 2013 20:40
Will catch up with you at Blade 2014 dj...
Seeing as were Blade show roomates now.... LOL LOL
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tbroadman

July 16, 2013 17:01
I just ordered mine. I'm excited to ged down and dirty with it and see how it holds up. If i can split wood with it as well as my rift can I'll be pretty happy.
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trailboss

July 16, 2013 21:53
I don't have much to add that hasn't already been said in this thread. But it's a heavy duty knife that will take whatever you can dish out. I've used mine a lot, and have always been impressed with it.

Go figure
, but I love the aggressiveness of the jimping plus the G10 texture.
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oleary761

July 17, 2013 22:08
Ive had my 810 for quite awhile now. I think i bought it right when they came out. I personally think it is a bit to big, and i am a pretty big guy. I am more interested about the different generations or versions of this knife. can anyone elaborate?

Also, here is it in my hand. Yes i have a huge hand, but i still feel its to big.
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conrad

July 18, 2013 20:59
trevor, are the liners black on that knife?

quote:

Originally posted by oleary761:

.
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oleary761

July 19, 2013 00:44
Yes, the liners are all black.
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keyman

July 20, 2013 12:25
quote:

Originally posted by Geocyclist:
I am just wondering: "Where is Keyman?" This knife has a nice blade shape and some custom scales in micarta or anything smoother would be a welcome addition for many.

I've got one of these in line now.
This is the first time I've handled one of these.(No pun intended)
It is a very nice knife.
It's similar to the Rift, but more aggressive.
This should be interesting......more later.
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