2015 American Lawman

jstn

jstn

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Jun 27, 2012
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I've been awaiting the new CTS-XHP American Lawman since it was announced, and today I received it in the mail. It does not disappoint. I am a big fan of the new steel, but I especially love the new, less aggressive G10 and the very thin handle profile. This knife is now very EDC friendly, while remaining incredibly strong. If you are on the fence about getting one, go for it! It looks to be a great knife. Nice job on this Cold Steel!
 
I'm looking forward to the new Hold Out 2 that is getting the same treatment. Should be a winner as well.
 
Question: If buying a "new" American Lawman, how can I tell that it is the new one?
 
The new ones have smoother G10 handle scales and the blades should be marked with CTS-XHP too.
 
I haven't purchased a blade from Cold Steel in awhile, but the new American Lawman looked pretty nice, especially with the XHP steel, and I wanted to try out the Tri-ad lock. Mine also arrived today. I'm liking it. I too like the thin profile and light weight. The handle seems comfortable. The blade locks up with a very solid pop and feels like it will not be going anywhere. The grind is clean, smooth, and symmetrical and thin enough to be a decent slicer. The edge grind is also well done. It shaves arm hair and slices paper pretty well. The DLC coating (if I correctly remember, that's what it is), appears smooth and polished. For the price, I think it's a good value. It will be in my pocket for awhile.

One way to know if you're getting a new 2015 model is that the blade is CTS-XHP. I don't think this steel was available on this model before now. Mike
 
I just got my XHP Lawman in the mail today, too. Over the last couple of years I've come to love the thick, aggressively textured G-10 Cold Steel uses, so I was a little concerned about how the new version would feel. Well, it feels great in the hand and is much more pocket-friendly. Yup, it's a winner!
 
Everyone is commenting on the thinness is it thinner than the last model, the G10 with no steel liners and AUS8 blade?
 
I feel badly about not posting any pictures of a new knife. Here are some quick terrible ones. Might be worse than not having any at all. Please excuse my finger prints all over the blade. They make the finish look dull when it really was quite smooth and shiny out of the box.


The knife only weighs 3-7/8 ounces. I'm not familiar with the previous models so I don't know how that compares. It appears to be liner-less. The handle is about 0.393" thick give or take a few. The blade is about 0.131" give or take at the spine by the thumb studs.

Tip up carry, right or left side. The clip is not ambidextrous so a spare clip is included with the knife for opposite side carry. A nice touch, I think. As I said before. I'm pleased with this knife. It will be an easy every day carry. Hope this helps a small amount. Mike





 
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Nice.... looks like a winner! I must confess I wonder why they don't just do a plain stonewashed blade as an option. From what I understand the blade has to be stonewashed before they apply the PVD anyway.
 
Buffalohump said:
Nice.... looks like a winner! I must confess I wonder why they don't just do a plain stonewashed blade as an option. From what I understand the blade has to be stonewashed before they apply the PVD anyway.
Click to expand...

I agree. Dlc is nicer than the previous coating, but I would prefer a stonewash option. Nice improvement though.
 
DLC is a winner! CS's DLC coating seems to be more durable that the "Tungsten DLC" on Spydie or Kershaw. I've seen a video of someone opening a can with XHP recon 1 and there is not a scratch on the coating after that. I did the same with my kershaw blur DLC, and it was all scratched up after that(yes, after removing the metal particles the DLC "scratched" off the can).

Here is the video BTW: http://youtu.be/lakJu_l41Xo?t=11m53s
 
I noticed that the pivot pin for the lock bar has been moved about a quarter inch back towards the thumb cut out. I haven't compared the two versions closely, but I think the new version needs slightly less depression of the lock bar to unlock the blade. To me it's a good thing because the Tri-ad can be a bear to unlock. Still requires a lot of pressure to depress the lock bar.
 
Just some quick and dirty cell phone comparison pics of the new AL to the previous version. The new model is on the top or to the right in all pics. Because of the light the blade on the new version appears lighter, it is actually the same dark hue as the AUS 8 version.
















It is definitely thinner and lighter, and feels more nimble in the hand. The DLC seems to attract marks and finger prints more easily, or maybe that is just me :). The pocket clip is still very tight, but it is MUCH less of a shredder. VERY much improved overall, and I was a big fan of the first model.
 
Nice pictures. Where is everyone getting these? Directly from CS or are they in dealers yet?
 
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