About a year ago I chose to add a defensive folding knife to my EDC.  After a long decision process, I finally settled on the BM810 Contego from Benchmade’s Black Class (military and law enforcement line).  After almost 12 months of carrying this blade, it’s time that I give the Contego an objective review.

The Blade
     The Contego has a huge blade!  At 3.98”, it’s not your typical EDC utility knife, but it wasn’t designed to be.   The long blade gives you the reach that you would want should the blade ever need to be deployed in a defensive role.  The edge is long and is great for cutting and slicing.  The blade is made from CPM-M4 high-speed tool steel and takes an awesome edge.  The Contego’s CPM-M4 blade holds its sharpness longer than any other blade steel I have ever used (D2, 154CM, S30V, AUS-8).  In the year (almost) that I have owned the Contego, it has only needed sharpening twice – most of the time, a few strokes on the strop does the job.  The only warning that needs to be heeded about the CPM-M4 is that it is not stainless steel and the edge needs a light coat of oil every so often to keep rust away. 

The “reverse tanto” is an awesome blade design.   I have always loved the tip strength, and thrusting performance you get from a tanto blade; but they are hard to sharpen, and you lose a lot of the cutting surface.  Benchmade’s reverse tanto fixes that problem.  The angled tanto tip is on the non-cutting side of the blade, while the edge itself has a more traditional look and feel.

Anyone that has been a part of American gun culture knows that there are a lot of hotly debated issues in regards to firearms and related equipment.  Everyone has their opinion about what’s “right,” or what the “best” is, but the reality is, most of these debates are based largely on subjective arguments.  What works for one person, may not work for another.  The topic addressed in this article is no different.

     I have a lot people ask me how I feel about installing a laser on a carry gun.  First of all let me say this: there are a lot of people, that know a lot more than me about concealed carry and combat tactics – A LOT OF PEOPLE!  That being said, I usually answer that question with the standard, “You just have to find what works for you, and see if the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.”  

Personally, I like having a laser on my everyday carry pistol.  Here are five reasons why you should consider adding a laser to your carry gun: