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Post by YlliwCir on Nov 23, 2008 21:23:27 GMT
Cold Steel Laredo Bowie reviewed by Big Rick Williams of Southwestern Indiana USA. I've had my eye on this knife for a few years. A friendly SBG forumite mentioned it the other day and it was enough to push me over the edge. I ordered it from Bladematrix on 11/14 at a price of $118.75 plus $8.49 shipping. It arrived 11/21. Vendor description: Weight: 16.3 oz. Blade: 10 1/2" Thick: 5/16" Overall: 15 11/16" Sheath: Leather Steel: SK-5 High Carbon Faux Cocobolo Grip I liked this one right off. It feels substantial in hand, the fittings are tight and came very sharp. The grip was of and attractive wood and smoothly finished. It tapers from 4 1/8 in. at the butt to 3 1/2 in. at the collar. On the butt is what appears to me to be a tang peened thru a brass ring ground flat. I have no idea of actual construction. There is no gap at the joint of blade and brass guard. Ricasso is 5/8 in. long. Guard is 2 1/2 in. by 1 in. and 3/16 in. thick. The blade is 1 1/2 in. wide at the ricasso, 1 5/8in. at it's widest. False edge starts at 4 3/4 in. from the guard. There is an obvious blemish (grind mark?) below the false edge, it can't be felt. The false edge get sharper as it goes toward the tip. I was able to cut paper with the last inch or so. The edge has a secondary bevel and is very sharp. Knife comes with a basic leather sheath. I do like the brass belt peg. Testing the sharpness of the edge video. I used three mediums - paper, a leather belt and a real thick leather belt. No fingers were harmed in this video, kids don't try this at home. Now for the fun. Cutting and thrusting test. I was very impressed with it's cutting ability and the thrusting as well. I'm gonna have to get a new tire, it's getting hard to find a place without a hole. Did you see the cat? Report card; Historical accuracy - No opinion. Fit and Finish - 4/5 Minus 1 for the blemish on the blade. Handling - 5/5 Sweet. Structural integrity - 5/5 Rock solid so far. Value for money - 5/5 Very good value for what I paid. In the immortal words of Crocodile Dundee "That's a knife".
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Post by alvin on Nov 23, 2008 21:48:53 GMT
Another great review Big Rick !! Appears to be a very formidable knife. Could that stud at the mouth of the sheath be a frog stud ? I haven't seen one on a newer knife sheath since - I don't know when. Great choice in music and hat !
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Post by YlliwCir on Nov 23, 2008 22:04:14 GMT
Thanks, Jim. I've seen that stud discribed as a "belt peg", although I suppose it could be a frog stud. Either way I think it's a nice touch. Overall I'm very pleased with this one. I still like that grip on your Trailmaster.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2008 23:32:48 GMT
He he nice review Big Ric, yeah got a Laredo myself and ironically its one of my best cutters, wouldnt wanna get in a knife fight with a guy armed with one ............ I see the refreshing sip of water is the "RicWilly Trademark in Cutting Sessions" very slick man ...... great vid
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2008 0:51:43 GMT
Indiana Williams and the Bowie of Doom! ;D Great review, Ric.
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Post by YlliwCir on Nov 24, 2008 5:13:47 GMT
Thanks, Brissybeater, well cutting makes me thirsty. I don't have to tell you how good this knife is then, eh? Wicked cutter it is.
Krieg, lol, thanks. My woman called me Indiana Jones, I told her I was goin for Jim Bowie.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2008 13:34:52 GMT
My woman called me Indiana Jones, I told her I was goin for Jim Bowie. Indiana Bowie. +1 Karma, Rick. Great pix. Since this is high carbon steel, what do you intended for blade care? Treat it like a sword?
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Post by YlliwCir on Nov 24, 2008 16:31:14 GMT
Thanks, Larry. I am treating it like my swords, using silicone spray and tuffcloth on the blade and Ren-wax on the hilt and scabbard.
I am storing it in the scabbard for now, I do that with a couple my swords without issue. Seems it depends on the sword or maybe the scabbard as to whether this causes a problem.
I couldn't leave my Gen2 Pompeii in it's leather scabbard for a day or so without having problems. My VA viking and Windlass gladiator and CS cutlass stay in their leather scabbards without incident.
I'd be interested in hearing anyone else's experience with this particular blade.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2008 23:57:07 GMT
Are there any residual agents in the treatment of leather which might over time damage the steel? I purchased a Carbon V version of this knife when I heard that Cold Steel's source of Carbon V steel was going out of business. My Laredo has a noticable gap between the blade and brass guard, whereas yours does not. Mine was considerably more expensive. Everything else looks identical, except for the cosmetic blemish. All in all I think you did well. My only nit is the minimal articulation between the blade and handle. It's almost straight. I'd prefer it to look like this:
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Post by YlliwCir on Nov 25, 2008 9:45:07 GMT
Larry, could be on the leather damage, time will tell. If I start to see a problem, I'll quit keeping it in the scabbard. That is a real good looking knife there.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2008 11:05:17 GMT
With a correct locking sheath in an upside down carry that would be a weapon to fear in the hands of someone who knew what they were doing. Light and fast in the hand and able to be used orthodox or unorthodox grip and false edge for return slices. Quite easy to conceal as well especially hanging down the back so that the curve of the shoulders hides the handle. Nice find, I have always wanted a bowie but more highly figured and in damascus.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2008 13:52:13 GMT
Larry, could be on the leather damage, time will tell. If I start to see a problem, I'll quit keeping it in the scabbard. That is a real good looking knife there. Rick, it's an Ontario Bill Bagwell bowie, "The Gambler". It has a 9.5" blade--kind of on the small side. I like the handle geometry and brass guard coverage. I just wish the blade were a high carbon steel, not a stainless steel. Ontario says it's made with QS13 prioprietary stainless steel "which approximates 440C" (in one ad). Don't know much else about the steel. One owner of another model (Hell's Belle) was working out with his against a stump and he bent the tip. The Cold Steel Laredo is made with SK-5, a 1080 equivalent according to CS. Although stainless looks good and requires less care, the Laredo should be the more robust knife.
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Post by YlliwCir on Nov 25, 2008 18:06:27 GMT
Ahhhh, good ole stainless. I used to like that stuff before I got all "educated". I have a Boker cowboy bowie I've had for years. Good looking knife, 420 stainless. I don't know much about steel, so I don't even know what that means. I'm thinking of doing a review.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2008 19:02:03 GMT
Nice reveiw Ric
I want to get one for a long time but all this swords get in the way. How sharp is the false edge on this bowie ? I have heard that the false edge back cut of Bowie probably the most deadly of all feature in the bowie 'cause it came at unexpected speed and angle.
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Post by YlliwCir on Nov 25, 2008 19:45:23 GMT
Thanks, Thana, as it came the false edge started out not so sharp toward the hilt but got sharper as it progressed toward the tip, the last inch or so being able to cut paper. I hit it a few licks with a diamond sharpener and it got sharper quick. Definitely do some damage.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2008 4:20:08 GMT
Exellent review Rick. If I had the money I would definatly pick this monster up. It would make a nice addition tucked into my gunbelt with my Ruger Vaquero! Keep up these reviews, they are a great help to the community. +1 karma!
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Post by YlliwCir on Dec 8, 2008 6:53:44 GMT
Thanks, Hillronin, sounds like it would look good in that gunbelt.
To whom it may concern, Bladematrix now has these for $71.39. Rats!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2010 3:47:30 GMT
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Post by YlliwCir on Aug 3, 2010 9:30:41 GMT
Thanks for the info, Tech. I've never seen anything like that before. Just goes to show, you never know whats under the hood untill someone looks.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2010 10:07:35 GMT
Hi Indiana Williams.. Very good review for a awesome knife its allways pleasure to read your reviews mr + 1 to you my friend..
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