Contego 810-1401
I am looking to get a Contego and really want the M390 steel so I am looking at getting the 1401. Are there any other models of the Contego that offer then M390 steel that are not black and blue?
I liked the brighter blue that I have seen on some of the pictures from 2014, not sure I like the current blue that is being offered.
I liked the brighter blue that I have seen on some of the pictures from 2014, not sure I like the current blue that is being offered.
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Just the forum contego. 0 -
There is only the -1401 and the -1602 forum knife in M390.
Depending on how much you want it, you could get a standard 810 and a -1401 and swap the blades. Then sell the -1401 handle with the M4 blade. It would make for an expensive Contego, but you would have a more or less one of a kind.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Po:
There is only the -1401 and the -1602 forum knife in M390.
Depending on how much you want it, you could get a standard 810 and a -1401 and swap the blades. Then sell the -1401 handle with the M4 blade. It would make for an expensive Contego, but you would have a more or less one of a kind.
This. Or custom scales for a -1401. Or dye them.0 -
Ah, yes, good call, dying is fun and easy. And a lot less expensive than a blade swap. 0 -
I don't dislike the new blue enough to spend a lot of extra money to get rid of it. Dying might be an option, I have never done it, what sort of color options could you get from the black and lighter blue combination? 0 -
Welcome to the board.
The 810-1401 is a great knife.
Dying the scales is a great, affordable option. RIT brand is a proven product. Comes in a powder or liquid. It come in many colors..unfortunately, you would only be able to dye a color darker than what is presently there.
I took my scales off to do this. Ive heard of others whom have soaked the whole knife assembled.
You heat the dye, stove top..simmer/soak to desired result..usually the better part of an hour. I added a splash of vinigar, as I heard somewhere that helps the G-10 take the dye.
Order the knife..you may be happy w/ th color..never know what shade or Blue/Black ratio you'll get..I recieved a 710-1401 I was positive that I would dye black..was suprised that I like it..and could always dye it later.
Keep us informed..good luck, great choice.0 -
Do like Po said. Buy two, swap em out. I've done that with different knives to get just the combination of blade and scales that I want.
Also, thank you for posting a real topic with a real question.0 -
Thanks for the comments, I really appreciate it. One more question about the blade steel, my knowledge is extremely limited but from what i have read, the M4 is supposed to be awesome but prone to rusting which is why I am leaning towards the M390.
This knife will be used for camping and outdoor activities and since I live in the Seattle area I can guarantee it will see some wet conditions. Is my though process correct on the blade steel? There is a good chance this knife will be used, cleaned and then put into a bag for weeks without use and I don't want to come back to a knife that has rusted.
Again, thanks everyone for the comments and insights, this board is very helpful for a newbie like me.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Patrick:
Welcome to the board.
The 810-1401 is a great knife.
Dying the scales is a great, affordable option. RIT brand is a proven product. Comes in a powder or liquid. It come in many colors..unfortunately, you would only be able to dye a color darker than what is presently there.
I took my scales off to do this. Ive heard of others whom have soaked the whole knife assembled.
You heat the dye, stove top..simmer/soak to desired result..usually the better part of an hour. I added a splash of vinigar, as I heard somewhere that helps the G-10 take the dye.
Order the knife..you may be happy w/ th color..never know what shade or Blue/Black ratio you'll get..I recieved a 710-1401 I was positive that I would dye black..was suprised that I like it..and could always dye it later.
Keep us informed..good luck, great choice.
That looks really nice, thanks for the pictures of the before/after.0 -
You're most welcome.
I'm no steel expert, but if rust/corrosion is of any concern...M390 would be the way to go, for sure.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Minatophase3:
...M4 is supposed to be awesome but prone to rusting which is why I am leaning towards the M390...I live in the Seattle area I can guarantee it will see some wet conditions...There is a good chance this knife will be used, cleaned and then put into a bag for weeks without use and I don't want to come back to a knife that has rusted...
My choice in your place would be M390, for sure.
So, M4 is extremely wear resistant and fairly tough. It is the best Benchmade offers in terms of balanced performance. My favorite. It is not stainless. It does not contain the required 13% Chromium or so required for that classification. If it were left damp, especially in something like a gear bag, for a prolonged period, you would likely find corrosion on the edge when next you used it. That would only be on the edge though, as the rest of the blade will be coated with cerakote to prevent corrosion. Oh, on the edge and the hidden uncoated spots inside the pivot. However, if you cared for the knife as you described, cleaning it and drying it before storing, and if the bag stayed dry, you wouldn't have any problem at all.
M390 would probably be virtually as wear resistant as M4. The edge may tend to micro-chip more, but that can be dealt with by sharpening at a slightly larger angle. And of course it would be very rust resistant.0 -
Thanks Po. I will most likely order the 810-1401 tomorrow, have an e-mail into the seller to see how I can order the one with the black handle and blue markings as they show several pictures of one with a blue handle and black markings, but don't seem to give a choice when you add to the cart. If I like this knife as much as I think I will, it may work its way into the EDC rotation and not spend as much time in the gear bag. 0 -
The differences in the handle colors are just different production lots or something. If you have a preference, just pop them an email or phone call, and they'll find what you want. They may be running low on the predominantly black handles however...Good luck! 0 -
quote:If I like this knife as much as I think I will, it may work its way into the EDC rotation and not spend as much time in the gear bag.
Oh, I think you'll like it! One of my very favorites. Hope it works out for you.
Yeah, carry that bad boy.
M390 is meant to be used... over, and over, and over again.
Let us know what you think of it.
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I was on the fence on getting the m390 or M4 steel version for about a year (I had the black/blue combo). I finally took the plunge and got the BM810-1401 M390 from Knife Works. The steel is great! I use it as my EDC knife along with a 940-1 and 940-2. BM spray on coatings do not hold-up to the level I would like in an EDC knife. I do wish the forum knife was more readily available as I would love to have a DLC contego. I just can’t justify the 500+ price for CF and DLC on ebay. 0 -
/|\ Delos, welcome to the BKC's Forum.
For the past few months there has been basically 2 prices on the 810-1602. Some of the Forum members have sold an 810-1602 on this Forum for their costs (approximately $300) to other members who have been contributing to the Forum for years & missed out when they sold out in 2 hours.
I think the $500+ on eBay will look like a bargain in a couple of years. The $500+ maybe steep for an EDC but as a collector piece I would not blink. As to the 810-1401 with M390 is best Benchmade knife for it price out there. Enjoy collecting.0 -
The knife has been ordered and it looks like it should ship today, can't wait to get it! 0 -
It is interesting for 810 to have 2 end of "Super steels"
Here is unrequested 2 cents worth of quick review of M390 & M4.
M390 has very resilient to corrosion, above that of wear resistance compare to S30V, yet no so difficult to re-sharpen. It has quite a bit of chromium that helps to be corrosion resistant and enough to also aids in having carbide. Because M390 is made even finer particle that is sintered, "fused" to prevent over growth of chromium carbide.
M3 on the other hand, it has tungsten and as you might have guess it, it is substantially hard carbide particle. Unfortunately, M4 is older "tool steel" and corrosion resistance is not too high compare to stainless steel. It has minute amount of phosphor and Sulphur to make it easy to sharpen. M4 is more tougher than M390 (assuming geometrically identical) It can have very acute edge angle compare to many other steel and can retain it.0 -
The knife arrived and I love it! The blue is much darker than it appeared on the website and looks very nice, am carrying it today! 0 -
Congrats on the new knife!
If I grab a knife for general use, I usually go with M4...but if I know it is going to a wet environment, I will switch to M390 or any of about a half dozen other favorite steels that are stainless.
Remember, stainless doesn't mean that it absolutely won't rust. It is just less susceptible to rust and corrosion. So, it still pays to take reasonable care of it, especially if you have been cleaning fish or game. Wash it in soap and water, wipe it down and dry it. A heat vent is great for this. Then give it a light coat of oil.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Minatophase3:
The knife arrived and I love it! The blue is much darker than it appeared on the website and looks very nice, am carrying it today!
Congrats. Welcome to Hotel California Oregon
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