2015 American Lawman & AK-47 G-10 Scale Strength

MementoMori99

MementoMori99

Joined
Nov 1, 2014
Messages
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For 2015 Cold Steel has decided to employ thinner, more streamlined g-10 scales on both the American Lawman and AK-47 series of knives. Common sense would suggest that thinner is weaker. Can anybody confirm or prove otherwise? Any input would be very much appreciated. Thank you.
 
After buying a Recon 1 and loving the thickest G10 I've ever seen, I bought a 2015 Lawman. I was quite disappointed at the thinness. I'm sure it's plenty tough - not gonna break it to find out. Anyway, I got lucky and found a new AUS8 version. Just got it. Love it. It just feels better and friendlier in the hand. Sorry if I didn't answer your question, but I sure like the thicker one better.
 
I just took my 2015 Lawman, popped the blade open, and pressed on both scales midway along their length with my thumbs as hard as I could. I could detect a tiny amount of flex and heard some faint creaking near the spine side of the handle, but I don't think there was more than maybe 1mm of actual flex between the scales. I guess you could possibly get the G10 to crack around the stop pin via positive or negative force on the blade if you used it hard enough, but I can't think of a realistic scenario where you'd be using that much force. I have no doubt that the thick original scales have greater overall strength, but I see it as a case of the original ones being over engineered, rather than the new ones being inadequate in any way. As more of these get abused over time, perhaps I'll be proven wrong, but I have no concerns about the strength of these scales as it now stands. :thumbup:
 
Has anyone checked to see if the new blade will fit in the old grip?
Bob
 
rdg said:
Has anyone checked to see if the new blade will fit in the old grip?
Bob
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There was some discussion of that in another thread, but I don't know what came of it. I may try a swap this weekend (XHP Lawman blade in AUS-8 Lawman handle) and see how it goes. :thumbup:
 
I've tried blade swapping between old and new versions in the American Lawman and the Hold Out III and they work fine.
 
DocT said:
So, we buy 1 old and 1 new and swap the blades, right? I can dig it.
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That's right. And for anyone buying a 2015 version second hand, check the blade markings/coating to be sure you are getting what you paid for. I'm sure there are some who would do the blade swap and try to pass off the 2015 handle with AUS 8 blade as a true 2015 model.
 
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Anybody have pictures of the new AK-47? I lagged and haven't scooped one up. Time to remedy that oversight...
 
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