From the Sharpening Bench: Benchmade 810 Contego -- Great Blade, Flawed Handle

[@SweetSpotSC]

I love your honesty in these reviews. You're not afraid to point out a problem when it exists. Nicely done. Thank you.

[@TheApostleP]

You're more than welcome, my friend! Thanks for the kind words :)

[@Steeltoothees]

I must have hands of leather. Just got the knife and find it grippy but comfortable. No sharp points or hot spots.

[@jimyocum9556]

There's a difference between user hands and a collector hands that's for sure, I find the grip perfect and assuring as well..

[@CASTRO45ACP]

It's made for a real man's hands, I loved mine, had to sell it for personal reasons, it was the knife works exclusive version in m390 steel.

[@brettclemens194]

Yeah grow a pair guys, I have zero issue with this knife, my edc for 5 yrs.

[@GirthThrustwell]

Yeah. The "apostle" has bitch hands.

[@555Gear]

To my eyes the 810 lacks the refinement of the 710 from a design standpoint, but I love the muscle car vibe of the Contego-- beastly, brash, and doesn't make a lot of sense, but ya love it anyway. Enjoyed your breakdown of M4 too, nice explanation.

[@iannluci]

Oh my great stuff !! at end of video you pointed out how some are slightly off center. well mine was ....I just by hand very gently flexed the handle with blade out and voila closed it and is perfectly centered !!!

[@TheApostleP]

Ian mauk SSSSHHHHHH!!! Don't give away my secrets! 😉

[@jesusgarciajr]

Yes, that was me that bought that knife. Great review and the your work looks awesome. Can't thank you enough.

[@TheApostleP]

No problem, buddy! Thanks for your business :)

[@jtscustomcutlery317]

Nice work removing those two peaks on the inside. Looks great and i cant wait to do this on mine

[@Oliver-jv5ww]

if you edc this knife i guess you could say the benchmade contego is always contigo

[@TheApostleP]

I guess you could... because it would be "with you" every day :)

[@iaxable]

Another great review Rob! And it looks it could easily peel a potato. Many times the knives you review mean absolutely nothing to me, but the reviews you do on them are very profesional!

[@ianarno]

The edge you put on that knife, as mirror-finished as it is, is something you should be proud of.

[@xxbryan715xx]

From my experience with Emerson's cerakote. It is ok. I have found that it actually wears a little bit fast. My favorite coating is benchmade's BK coating. It's pretty tough and very stain and rust resistant

[@aaricky]

Nice looking knife and I hope Jon passes on the 25 w/inlays also. Would love to see some footage from him on it when he gets it though ;) God bless

[@jeffcon123]

I’m gettin one in a trade.. I want to get grey g10 and dye is dark red.. I think mine has the black coating.. excited to try the m4

[@pauldayton5285]

I currently have a Spyderco Manix 2XL CPMS30V I'm a lefty so the axis lock , ballbearing lock design is what I've always preferred when choosing my EDC knife. With the Spyderco Manix 2XL you can put on a aftermarket part that makes it like the Emerson design. I absolutely love the Manix 2XL & it has been my EDC for 5yrs now. I only have a couple of thing's about the knife that I wish were different. It's a wide fit in your pocket I wish it was slimmer & having to get the aftermarket piece to give it Emerson capability. Is there a company that makes any Emerson parts for the Benchmade Contego 810 knife? In your opinion how does this 810 Contego compare the the Manix 2XL?

[@AB-hu4fc]

Do you still take orders for the Benchmade 810 Contego?

[@Nudel-nc1cp]

I agree with you sir. Cerakote is really tough, much better than chromium-nitride coatings.

[@johnnyfedpost1776]

I loved my Contego when I still had it, the only thing I didn't like was the handle was a bit too skinny for my meathooks. I'd like to see AWT come out with some aluminum scales for it, that would be reeeeeaaaal nice

[@CampfireTalk]

The blade shape does have a bit of a sci-fi worldly look to it, but I kind of dig it. It's a HOSS though.

[@TheApostleP]

Yes it is... Maybe a little too much so for me.

[@jasonflessner6336]

I think that is what drew me to it in the first place was the futuristic/SiFi look to it then when I held it it was a done deal I love the knife! It is second only to my Adamas 275

[@roughroosterknifesharpenin5531]

Im also curious about the 808 i bought one last week, their are no reviews or anything on it yet. Its a sweet blade tho

[@MrMatthew7000]

I challenge you to review the 808 loco sir...

[@TheApostleP]

***** I'm eagerly anticipating that one, Matthew!

[@TheMultisportGeek]

Nice polish on that blade bro.

[@AMRonin]

Excellent review.

[@hillbillyknifenut83]

I might have to send my Knifeworks exclusive Contego 810-1401 in M390 to ya to put a nice edge on it ... Maybe even get rid of some of the crazy Jimping or at least make it smaller like on a manix or manix 2 .

[@edarenlackey]

Can these super steels or tool steels be stroped to maintain ?

[@TheApostleP]

daren lackey Absolutely they can. They don't respond to stropping quite as well as steels with finer grain structures, but all steels can be stropped if the abrasive used is correct for the steel application.

[@MrPronoob3]

I am interested in getting a few knifes sharpened I was wondering on pricing and contact information I know you said in an earlier video you had a video on it but I was unable to find it

[@TheApostleP]

If you go to my channel page, search "TheApostleP Sharpening Service." All rates, shipping and contact info are in the description.

[@MrPronoob3]

Ok thank you

[@murrayannandale]

I really want this knife and contrary to everyone else I would love a knife with rough handle scales in my line of work. I have a manix 2 G10 S30V and I think the knife could use a bit more body on the handle when I have to make real heavy cuts. The only concern I have with the Contego, as well as all other benchmades, is how easy does the blade fall out of the handle. i.e. How weak is the detent. I don't want a knife with the blade just flopping out by itself.

[@TheFiendRacer]

If you have a Manix I’d say the contego will be exactly the same detent wise. The blade will not flop out until you disengage the axis lock.

[@greasemonkeymc]

i just picked up the same knife and i love it

[@1allspub]

I was wondering if you were going to draw the comparison to the F3's handle ergos. :) I don't understand why designer/makers build them like this... do they not actually hold the handle in their hands before settling on the design? I do love the blade shape though. Also sorry I interrupted the Contego's 15min of fame (actually 25min) at the TAP sharpening bench. :) And for the record... I was not trying to "justify" getting a Sebenza 25 w/ Micarta inlays (wise acre ;-) )... I was trying to justify why I "won't" be getting one. But you are right... it is quite unattractive. ;-)

[@TheApostleP]

Had to jab you just a bit, brother... LOL! If I didn't, you'd think I didn't love you anymore :)

[@James-lo5ne]

Odd the one i took apart for a friend was fully coated even in the pivot hole.

[@aidanlaramie6490]

Can I get a contego pocket clip and put it on my mini grip?

[@TheApostleP]

You should be able to just call Benchmade, and they'll send you one :)

[@simonlabonne78]

I think here come payday I'm going to be sending you a few to sharpen, and as always, I would welcome your opinions on them. Benchmade 810-1401 Contego M390 Zero Tolerance 0620 CF Emerson M390 Zero Tolerance 0801 Elmax Zero Tolerance 0770 CF Elmax I can get them pretty sharp on my EPA, but I just can't seem to get that mirror polish. I've thought about upgrading to better stones. Any opinions?

[@TheFiendRacer]

Buy higher grit stones and also get diamond paste compound on a strop. With those you can get mirror edge. Polishing tape works too

[@coreyholthaus7534]

man I wanted this until I seen rob and nutnfancys review. im a stickler for centering. and rob says its handle is weak. DAMN!nutn had to tear it apart to fix the action. the liners are small because the weight was already substantial imo I don't mind heavier blades. especially when knives like this are being under engineered to save some of that heft

[@havemikki]

I'm afraid I have to disagree with the comment of the manix 2xl's handles being flimsy... I've used mine hard for over a year and have had no issues and my centering was and still is perfect. thanks for the video though

[@TheApostleP]

Mikki Have I must take exception with your exception. You can bend that handle from side to side and watch the blade tip go from liner to liner when closed. It's not really debatable. It's a flimsy handle. It doesn't make it a horrible knife. It just has a flimsy handle. "I ain't sayin' Little Bill's scared... he just ain't no carpenter." -- Clyde the one-armed deputy, "Unforgiven"

[@gunsngearchannel]

Between this and Adamas what do you like better

[@wrjames38]

The Adamas is nice..but this will be a much better slicer for 90% of EDC task because of edge shape and geometry.

[@Kamikazekman]

Sorry Rob, I have to be a little blunt here but I have a slight issue with the Contego being labeled the heir/successor to the 710. Both are drastically different knives in purpose and in style! I personally view the legendary 710 as more of a large utility knife with its slender profile and fine tip where as the beastly 810 as a pure "tactical" companion due to its robust reverse tanto. Love and cherish them both but for different reasons. Saying that, keep up the great work mate. I do enjoy your in depth knife views! :)

[@TheApostleP]

Interesting take, and proof that there's a lot of subjectivity in the knife world. I would see the 710 as more of a pure fighting knife and the 810 as more of an all-purpose tactical tool. I do agree that they're quite different, and I also appreciate them both. Thanks for checking in, buddy!

[@londiniumarmoury7037]

Handle was designed to be held with a glove not bare hands, that's why it feels off in your hand.

[@AndrewsArachnids]

yeah i have this knife and the handle is great, your hands must be really sensitive. the handle ergonomics are awesome. there aren't any actual sharp edges on any part of this handle. that being said, i did take dremel and beveled the edges a little more than they came stock. it was completely unnecessary though, as nothing was greatly uncomfortable stock i just did it to even out the bevel on the edges of the scales.

[@TheApostleP]

andrew l. Interesting perspective, but not shared with most owners of this knife. On well over half of the Contegos I sharpen, the owners pay me to alter the handle for comfort. The edges are sharp, and the finger groove/hump are poorly sized and located.

[@TheHindy]

Oh man...I've been wanting one of these things in the WORST way for a looooooooooong time! After the tax return comes back..I might just have to grab one!

[@forrest225]

Currently knife window shopping, I wish this thing had a nicer handle, that usually seems to be the biggest complaint. A 710 in M4 steel would be cool, though I do thing the contego blade shape is cool. This is confusing.

[@TheApostleP]

There are some sprint run 710's in CPM M4 out there on the used market, but they ain't cheap! I love the 710, but it doesn't have the best handle ergos either. For a 4" Lightweight tactical blade in the sub $150 range, it's hard to beat the Spyderco Military in my book. But if I had to choose between the 710 and Contego, it's definitely the 710. I actually prefer D2 as a user steel to CPM M4. It's purely an edgeholding vs. sharpenability trade-off there, but the D2 will be a bit more corrosion resistant.

[@forrest225]

TheApostleP Thanks for the quick reply! I'm not crazy about the lock on the Spidy, but it does seem like a really nice blade. I may end up fudging the budget and get an adamas. A buddy of mine has one an he's let me fondle it a bit, and I really liked how the handle felt. Goodness, too many nice blades to choose from haha.

[@forrest225]

TheApostleP I ended up buying a contego. Just got it this morning from a local gun show for under $150. Black blade instead of the "clear". I prefer the "clear" but they only had it in combo edge so I got the black plain edge. So far I don't mind the aggressive grip. Definitely wouldn't have bought it without having held it first. I'm almost considering buying another clip and polishing it :D

[@jimyocum9556]

forrest225 it's just a popular complaint by KZbin reviewer's most who use the knife for nothing but making a video or the fanboy viewers who never even had one in hand but their favorite reviewer said so..if you do any kind of work with your hands it's fine ( grippy not sharp)..

[@abc456f]

I have the knifeworks contego with blue and black g10, m390 steel. Love the knife but tbh, the jimping is very sharp. If I had to use the knife for any length of time I'd need to wear a glove. It's also impossible to close the knife using thumb AND index finger on the lock studs while holding it in the same hand. It's just too big. Thankfully as you can see in this video, you can use just one stud on the axis lock and it will close. On my griptilian 553bk tanto I can use my thumb and index finger. But when I first take the knife out, that first pull down on the axis lock studs is extremely stiff. After that first pull it's no problem. I'd hate to have to take it apart again since I've done it once and have it drop shut smooth. It's just that first pull on the studs that's bothering me. I've seen someone lightly sand the top space in the frames where the bar of the lock rides. I'm going to wait and see if it loosens up on its own after some time. When I first got the knife it was very gritty and sticky when closing. A good cleaning and oiling and getting the pivot screw in just tight enough to hold and no further with blue loctite fixed it up nicely. Just wish that initial pull on the lock wasn't so stiff.

[@TheFiendRacer]

Apostlep, the only man in the world to complain about the m4 being too hard... Smh..

[@TheApostleP]

But I absolutely love it

[@perspicacity89]

This knife is also available in M390 with black/blue scales as Knife Works exclusive. What's a better steel overall, M390 or M4?

[@peterisrael2012]

+perspicacity89 Theres no such thing as better steels . M390 is a super steel that's easier to sharpen than M4 and has great corrosion resistance and M4 has a higher edge retention but can rust very easy and is very hard to sharpen .

[@AndrewsArachnids]

the backspacer is stainless

[@koalainthenet]

Shiny!

[@elchedeny9424]

I wish I could sharpen knives ha

[@jeffd3802]

great knife. just handle sucked for hard use...

[@TheApostleP]

I have a handle mod I do for $10 that makes it a whole different knife in hand. I round over all the edges and remove the rearward last two peaks from the jimping in the finger groove. Works great.

[@znon5876]

copied many times, never duplicated. TNP

[@AndrewsArachnids]

everything you've said here is wrong in my experience