2015 American Lawman

I'm surprised to hear so many dislike the thinner handle. I do find the old handle a bit more comfortable, but I never carry my old one because I find it too thick in the pocket, and I still find the new handle VERY comfy. My new Lawman has broken in nicely and it is going to be one of my go-to EDC knives for awhile. I love the new steel as well.

For those that don't like the thinner handle, I would pick up a Recon 1 spearpoint. Thicker handle, and nice sturdy blade.
 
I like the design of the recon 1 better, but can't deal with the overly aggressive g-10.
 
To me, the pinnacle of this knife, were the final generations of the steel liners. Much more smooth of an action, and lock release.
 
jstn said:
I'm surprised to hear so many dislike the thinner handle. I do find the old handle a bit more comfortable, but I never carry my old one because I find it too thick in the pocket, and I still find the new handle VERY comfy. My new Lawman has broken in nicely and it is going to be one of my go-to EDC knives for awhile. I love the new steel as well.

For those that don't like the thinner handle, I would pick up a Recon 1 spearpoint. Thicker handle, and nice sturdy blade.
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I'm prob one of the few people who only carry knife in the back pocket, so i never minded the coarser G-10. I can understand that it's not a majority way of carrying a folder. It's weird that ever since i started carrying the new Lawman, i always unconsciously check whether the handle is bent after carrying it in the back pocket for the whole day(and sitting on it in the office/car), even though i know it's unlikely to happen. It just doesn't feel as solid/robust as the older one. I had the same feeling when carrying the 100% plastic handle SOG Flash II.

I would definitely pick up the new Recon 1(i had 4 of the older models, 2 tanto & 2 clip), but they don't offer anything in the 8-inches range. Normal Recon 1 is ~9.5 inches, and mini R1 is only 7.125 inches. Plus, lawman has the perfect shape, with finger choil etc...

For now, i may have to see if the blade will fit the older lawman handle. The lockbar design has changed slightly, but the blade tang still looks the same.
 
hkyew said:
I'm prob one of the few people who only carry knife in the back pocket, so i never minded the coarser G-10. I can understand that it's not a majority way of carrying a folder. It's weird that ever since i started carrying the new Lawman, i always unconsciously check whether the handle is bent after carrying it in the back pocket for the whole day(and sitting on it in the office/car), even though i know it's unlikely to happen. It just doesn't feel as solid/robust as the older one. I had the same feeling when carrying the 100% plastic handle SOG Flash II.

I would definitely pick up the new Recon 1(i had 4 of the older models, 2 tanto & 2 clip), but they don't offer anything in the 8-inches range. Normal Recon 1 is ~9.5 inches, and mini R1 is only 7.125 inches. Plus, lawman has the perfect shape, with finger choil etc...

For now, i may have to see if the blade will fit the older lawman handle. The lockbar design has changed slightly, but the blade tang still looks the same.
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I carry knives this way too. Back right pocket, with the clip set up for right handed tip up carry, and the back of the handle nested up against the rightmost seam.

Also, let me know if the blade fits. I prefer the steel liner model of the American Lawman, that immediately proceeded the linerless version.
 
ursamajor said:
Also, let me know if the blade fits. I prefer the steel liner model of the American Lawman, that immediately proceeded the linerless version.
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I'm curious about this as well. I'm returning my new lawman because i just don't like how thin it is. But comparing it to the aus8 version for a possible blade swap, it doesn't seem different. The cutouts and dimensions look identical.
 
Feuerfreiguy said:
I'm curious about this as well. I'm returning my new lawman because i just don't like how thin it is. But comparing it to the aus8 version for a possible blade swap, it doesn't seem different. The cutouts and dimensions look identical.
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If I come across one of the CTS XHP ones on the secondary market, and the price is right, or its up for trade I'll most likely pull the trigger, and check out swaping blades. Although, I am a bit conflicted, because the AUS8A in my American Lawman, has been equal to any task I have put it to.
 
ursamajor said:
If I come across one of the CTS XHP ones on the secondary market, and the price is right, or its up for trade I'll most likely pull the trigger, and check out swaping blades. Although, I am a bit conflicted, because the AUS8A in my American Lawman, has been equal to any task I have put it to.
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I'll probably end up doing the same. At some point or another I'll grab another xhp lawman and give it a shot.
 
ursamajor said:
I carry knives this way too. Back right pocket, with the clip set up for right handed tip up carry, and the back of the handle nested up against the rightmost seam.

Also, let me know if the blade fits. I prefer the steel liner model of the American Lawman, that immediately proceeded the linerless version.
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That's exactly how I carry my knife everyday. I was gonna swap the blade out, but found that all my other lawmans has been stripped of its coating, including the lock bar, so i gave up on that idea.

You kinda get used to the thinness after a while, especially if that's the only knife you EDC, but you will realize again how much more solid and comfortable the older one is when you pick them up. Also I rotated this with my new Ultimate Hunter, and the level of comfort is a big difference.
 
I just got in my 2015 American Lawman a couple days ago and it seems to have all the facets of a perfect edc knife. The thinness of the handles is noticeable compared to a para 2 but it handles well with the balance point at the secondary finger groove. The level of comfort does differ from the original American lawman but the G10 is far more fine and manageable to pocket on a daily. I would base it on the same level as spyderco's G10. It feels just as solid as any other cold steel knife I have owned. The triad lock is quite a bit stiffer than my tuff lite or previous american lawman were out of the box though during closing/no where as smooth. Hoping the break in will remedy such or I might leave it open for a couple days or so.

At the weight, nimbleness, and upgraded steel it only confirmed my belief that this is a big winner.
 
I'm curious how much "less strong" the Triad Lock will be on the CTS-XHP model, based on the thinner g10 supporting it. Am I right in understanding that the CTS-XHP model is less rigid than the previous generation due to the thinner scales?
 
ohmyheckinslc said:
I'm curious how much "less strong" the Triad Lock will be on the CTS-XHP model, based on the thinner g10 supporting it. Am I right in understanding that the CTS-XHP model is less rigid than the previous generation due to the thinner scales?
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I just attempted to flex the G10 scales but no flex whatsoever. If you're really that concerned about rigidity..go google/check out cutlerylover's video "I broke a cold steel knife" The knife breaks during abusive prying at the blade, not the G10 scales. They're plenty thick in terms of G10 scales for a knife.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCTOiymTJSo
 
I just got my American lawman a couple of weeks ago. I really like it as an EDC. For the first time I'm comfortable carrying a black bladed knife. I'll be getting the ultimate Hunter soon.
 
I received my 2015 Lawman today. I was surprised how smooth it opened. My ultimate hunter is much harder. The dlc blade looks good, I would still prefer stonewash. I hope it holds up well. The g10 is plenty grippy, any more and it would be too much. I appreciate the thinness as it will carry easy. I am going to bend the clip a little as it doesn't want to go over my pocket.
 
Well I taped the clip before bending it but it still got scratched. I ended up taking the black off of the clip and going with a satin finish. I'll probably buy another from Cold Steel at some point. The more I handle this knife the more I like it. It is apparent that a lot of thought and experience went into the design. It is quickly becoming one of my favorites.
 
I just picked up the new American Lawman however the back lock or lock lever is a pain in the ass to depress. I have to use the hard middle bone part of my thumb where there is not a whole lot of flesh and apply quite a bit of force to disengage the lock. At times I have to use two hands. I have left the knife in a half-open 90 degrees state for 24 hours and the lever hasn't eased up one bit. Should I return this knife as I still can? Any of you experience this with your Lawman or Cold Steel knife?
 
Bruennis said:
I just picked up the new American Lawman however the back lock or lock lever is a pain in the ass to depress. I have to use the hard middle bone part of my thumb where there is not a whole lot of flesh and apply quite a bit of force to disengage the lock. At times I have to use two hands. I have left the knife in a half-open 90 degrees state for 24 hours and the lever hasn't eased up one bit. Should I return this knife as I still can? Any of you experience this with your Lawman or Cold Steel knife?
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Don't bother returning it, unless you dont want to deal with this at all. All Lawmans are like that.
If this is your first Triad lock folder and you plan to have more, then just practice closing the knife more. This will improve your finger strength, like any other lifting. Trust me it gets easier once you are used to it and developed finger strength. Not a bad thing IMO, unless there is a medical condition that is preventing you from being able to apply force with you finger.
If you prefer a knife that's easier to close, then triad lock may not be for you. Just like learning to play guitar, you are not choosing it because it will go easy on your fingers. Everything has a tradeoff.
 
shootist16 said:
Well I taped the clip before bending it but it still got scratched. I ended up taking the black off of the clip and going with a satin finish. I'll probably buy another from Cold Steel at some point. The more I handle this knife the more I like it. It is apparent that a lot of thought and experience went into the design. It is quickly becoming one of my favorites.
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Post some pics of yours, man! Let's see it with some other folders.
 
I really like the new handle design. The thinner profile make the blade much more compact and unobtrusive in the pocket. If I have to nit pick, it would be the over strong back spring, the strongest I've experience on a CS folder so far (I've Recon 1, AK-47, Rajah 2&3, Espada Large & Code 4, none is as stiff), really need to press down on it to disengage the lock, maybe it was just my copy(?).
 
kerberosWXIV said:
I really like the new handle design. The thinner profile make the blade much more compact and unobtrusive in the pocket. If I have to nit pick, it would be the over strong back spring, the strongest I've experience on a CS folder so far (I've Recon 1, AK-47, Rajah 2&3, Espada Large & Code 4, none is as stiff), really need to press down on it to disengage the lock, maybe it was just my copy(?).
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My backspring was very strong as well. Much stronger than the 10 or so other Cold Steel folders I own. It has broken in a good deal in the time I've carried it, so give it some time and keep using it!
 
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