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183 Fixed Blade Contego
- Thread starter harris2
- Start date
Doesn't seem to be much interest in the 183. Well, anyway my satin, plain-edge version arrived. Not much use for it other than allowing me to reminisce about the good old Rambo days, sans serrations.
After looking it over there is both positive and negative points.
Positive:
- Beautiful shaped and balanced blade - perfect length for a woods knife.
- Blade is mildly stonewashed. Not anywhere near as much as a "Ritter" blade - it is hardly noticeable.
- Blade is really stout, and is sharp with an even edge-grind on both sides.
- The handle is G10 and nicely shaped (except for the negatives listed below.
- It could be used to dress and skin larger animals. For Deer using a forward hold with the thumb on the thick flattened spine it could actually work well for skinning. However, there is other knives that would work better.
Negative:
- The handles hump at the center-bottom is not comfortable when holding in some ways. It is most comfortable with a forward hold. I have average size hands (size 5 gloves).
- I would prefer the smooth G10 had a little more texture for an outdoor knife, but it is still OK.
- The Kydex Sheath has two square "mounds" that a regular belt passes through (one for regular height and the other for higher carry) but since they are hard they will probably dig into your hip/side making it uncomfortable. Also both "mounds" have a large opening that is covered by the belt, but the one not used will expose the blade to water/sweat/mud/dirt and are too high up on the sheath to allow water drainage. All the pictures I've seen of the sheath show the side without the "mounds" so it was a surprise to see them. Two Molle clips is included.
So overall, I'd say Benchmade designed it more as a tactical knife than an outdoor knife but it could be used for either purpose.
After looking it over there is both positive and negative points.
Positive:
- Beautiful shaped and balanced blade - perfect length for a woods knife.
- Blade is mildly stonewashed. Not anywhere near as much as a "Ritter" blade - it is hardly noticeable.
- Blade is really stout, and is sharp with an even edge-grind on both sides.
- The handle is G10 and nicely shaped (except for the negatives listed below.
- It could be used to dress and skin larger animals. For Deer using a forward hold with the thumb on the thick flattened spine it could actually work well for skinning. However, there is other knives that would work better.
Negative:
- The handles hump at the center-bottom is not comfortable when holding in some ways. It is most comfortable with a forward hold. I have average size hands (size 5 gloves).
- I would prefer the smooth G10 had a little more texture for an outdoor knife, but it is still OK.
- The Kydex Sheath has two square "mounds" that a regular belt passes through (one for regular height and the other for higher carry) but since they are hard they will probably dig into your hip/side making it uncomfortable. Also both "mounds" have a large opening that is covered by the belt, but the one not used will expose the blade to water/sweat/mud/dirt and are too high up on the sheath to allow water drainage. All the pictures I've seen of the sheath show the side without the "mounds" so it was a surprise to see them. Two Molle clips is included.
So overall, I'd say Benchmade designed it more as a tactical knife than an outdoor knife but it could be used for either purpose.
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2012
- Messages
- 241
I use my 810 for dressing and skinning whitetail and the blade is actually perfectly suited to the task. I think any larger though would be counterproductive.
I agree with you on the balance. I picked one of these up at a gun show and had an incredible urge to throw it at something, but I'm not willing to pay that much for a throwing knife. It's a nice blade, but sadly, methinks it will only appeal to a limited clientele.
I agree with you on the balance. I picked one of these up at a gun show and had an incredible urge to throw it at something, but I'm not willing to pay that much for a throwing knife. It's a nice blade, but sadly, methinks it will only appeal to a limited clientele.
KAEDC
Gold Member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2013
- Messages
- 1,188
I think BM disappointed alot of the ppl who really like the folding version by not use M4 in the fixed version. I think that stiffled some of the initial interest give it some time and interest will pick up. Tho I do have to admit I'm personally leaning to try the newly annonced ZT/Hinderer fixed collab as a 1st fixed blade.
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2012
- Messages
- 490
M4 is one of my favorite steels, not to mention almost perfectly suited for a small fixed blade like this. S30v is my least favorite steel. I've chipped it multiple times on even light use folders.
I won't be buying one.
I won't be buying one.
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2013
- Messages
- 14,830
I love the Contego but not the included Kydex sheath.
Mine is #155 out of First Production run of 300. I'm not so sure about the comparison to an outdoor knife as 'Black Class' knives are not designed for that purpose. You might be more satisfied with a Bushcrafter. I like the slim design of the G10 as I carry mine against my back. And it was for that purpose, an EDC Fixed blade CCW that I ordered this knife. To me the Contego fits this role perfectly. I carry it in a Ferguson side draw leather custom.
This knife is a companion to the Nimravus IMO. Personaly I really like the knife. Grip feels good in my hand. There is a finesse to the shape and feel.
I do agree with your assessment of the Kydex sheath. Those 'mounds' are huge! No belt I have will fit thru those 3/4" slots. That made the sheath fairly worthless to me and it has remained in the box it came in. Mine came with 2 little plastic straps one long one short, that reminded me of my grandaughters Barbie playhouse. They fit in those 'mounds' but I could not see any real way to utilize them. They're not belt loops and not Molle vest friendly. No instructions as to what they are for. Oh well, back in the box they went too. I don't buy knives because of the sheaths they come with but I did expext more from a $300 BM tactical. Those nodules make sliding the sheathed contego into a back pocket impossible. So for me, it was 1-800-Spec Ops.
Mine is #155 out of First Production run of 300. I'm not so sure about the comparison to an outdoor knife as 'Black Class' knives are not designed for that purpose. You might be more satisfied with a Bushcrafter. I like the slim design of the G10 as I carry mine against my back. And it was for that purpose, an EDC Fixed blade CCW that I ordered this knife. To me the Contego fits this role perfectly. I carry it in a Ferguson side draw leather custom.
This knife is a companion to the Nimravus IMO. Personaly I really like the knife. Grip feels good in my hand. There is a finesse to the shape and feel.
I do agree with your assessment of the Kydex sheath. Those 'mounds' are huge! No belt I have will fit thru those 3/4" slots. That made the sheath fairly worthless to me and it has remained in the box it came in. Mine came with 2 little plastic straps one long one short, that reminded me of my grandaughters Barbie playhouse. They fit in those 'mounds' but I could not see any real way to utilize them. They're not belt loops and not Molle vest friendly. No instructions as to what they are for. Oh well, back in the box they went too. I don't buy knives because of the sheaths they come with but I did expext more from a $300 BM tactical. Those nodules make sliding the sheathed contego into a back pocket impossible. So for me, it was 1-800-Spec Ops.
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That is strange... your 183 Contego is laser engraved First Production Run #155 of 300? The 183 I received was one of the first available and it does not have that and neither does my Bushcrafter, I thought they didn't use the "First Production Run" on their "fixed" blade knifes, but that was just a guess after not seeing it on both the 183 and Bushcrafter - both early production. 
I experimented with the included "long" Molle clip and it can be threaded vertically through both plastic mounds so it forms a loop that will allow a larger belt to be used. It's still not a very good way, terrible actually to attach the sheath to a belt. I am leaning toward buying a kydex sheath for both my 183 and Bushcrafter from "Godspeed TAC". A photo of it is below. To me the best sheath is Ballistic Nylon because the safety strap they use (like on a leather sheath) provides more confidence in retaining the knife. It seems like Kydex is taking over the sheath industry.
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums...e-29d4-49fd-ac70-8d1960eca9bd_zps5c2d7866.jpg
If your interested, more pictures of his work can be seen in the thread below.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...Inquiry-about-the-Sibert162-Bushcrafter/page5
Edited to add disclaimer: I have no affiliation with "Godspeed TAC" and will not receive a stipend for mentioning his sheaths.
I experimented with the included "long" Molle clip and it can be threaded vertically through both plastic mounds so it forms a loop that will allow a larger belt to be used. It's still not a very good way, terrible actually to attach the sheath to a belt. I am leaning toward buying a kydex sheath for both my 183 and Bushcrafter from "Godspeed TAC". A photo of it is below. To me the best sheath is Ballistic Nylon because the safety strap they use (like on a leather sheath) provides more confidence in retaining the knife. It seems like Kydex is taking over the sheath industry.
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums...e-29d4-49fd-ac70-8d1960eca9bd_zps5c2d7866.jpg
If your interested, more pictures of his work can be seen in the thread below.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...Inquiry-about-the-Sibert162-Bushcrafter/page5
Edited to add disclaimer: I have no affiliation with "Godspeed TAC" and will not receive a stipend for mentioning his sheaths.
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- Joined
- Sep 25, 2013
- Messages
- 516
I think BKC is pushing new batch of S30V. I know there are folks who attest to claims of S30V chipping, but certainly Crucible would not sit idly basking ion glory. From many tests conducted by reputable knife evaluating folks claims improvements in S30V performance.
Perhaps Crucible have refined the size of S30V grain and sintering process. BKC is promoting and most of Hunt series knives are S30V. It is highly corrosion resistant (Blood act as salt water, after all) and very wear resistant.
I do love M4, but for any use that expose to corrosive material, S30V (or M390) would be better choice?
MFL
Perhaps Crucible have refined the size of S30V grain and sintering process. BKC is promoting and most of Hunt series knives are S30V. It is highly corrosion resistant (Blood act as salt water, after all) and very wear resistant.
I do love M4, but for any use that expose to corrosive material, S30V (or M390) would be better choice?
MFL