“Benchmade 810 Contego: Embracing Tactical” by Nutnfancy

Benchmade flat out declares the 810 to be a tactical blade. That is refreshing. Instead of running away from that all important emergency defensive role, they embrace it. In fact it rides in the Mil/LE Black Line of blades. I fully concur with this POU. The 810 Contego is a larger version of the also-excellent 950 Rift. It also improves upon the size and some ergos of the McHenry W. 710. The 810 has a 4″ reverse tanto blade reminiscent of an all time favorite EDC blade, the Osbourne Axis 940 (discussed!). The blade shape has proven to be an outstanding slicer and stabber in TNP under hard use and in years of testing. The blade steel choice is unusual: CPM M4, a powder metallurgy high speed tool steel. It takes a fine edge and should hold it adequately. But it is not stainless and rust can be a huge problem with it. As such it wears a CeraKoted finish. My fave is shown: the black on black version. The satin version is actually grey in color. The ergos stretch out comfortably from the Rift especially with the Contego’s longer handle with jimped liner and finger guard. The spine has a steel backspacer that I wish was made from purple titanium for both looks and weight. The G10 scales are excellent on the side but suck on the corners. I discuss and show a necessary sanding job to radius them to make the 810 comfortable. Speed, lockup, and durability are in line with standard Axis lock excellence. Weight is a reasonable 5.8 ounces thanks to fully skeletonized liners. Often 4″ folding tactcal blades weigh much more. The clip is perfectly situated and carries very deep. It needed more bending to make it carry tighter and it is perhaps to deep from the handle. Value is excellent, coming it at the price point of the 950 Rift. Some competitive options are shown. But in looks, function, strength, and value, this Benchmade 810 unabashedly embraces the serious life of a tactical folder and I applaud its arrival.//////////////////////Nutnfancy Likability Scale: 7.5 out of 10 from box, with my mods: 8.5 out of 10; with S30V steel, tighter pocket clip, titanium backspacer, rounded G10 scales: 10 out of 10