- Joined
- Oct 5, 2004
- Messages
- 513
A few things I'll admit to up front. I don't collect or own any customs, due to the cost, but I do have a small collection of high end production knives that have caught my fancy. I have been partial to Cold Steel knives for over a decade. Also, I'm very partial to big bowies. So, yes, I'm predisposed to liking this thing--guilty as charged--but that said, this is one hell of a knife.
Out of the box the Natchez is a very impresssive, massive knife at 17 1/4" in length. The blade is 11 3/4" long, almost 3/8" thick, and 2" broad before the sweep of the false edge. Cold Steel describes the VG-1 San Mai III laminated blade as being "virtually indestructable". Hyperbole aside, the factory edge is razor sharp and shaved an nice bit of the hair off my left forearm with no effort. My prior experience with San Mai knives has been very good -- they offer excellent edge retention and seem highly resistant to oxidation or damage, though I'll admit to not torture testing them.
The Natchez weighs in at a hefty 19.9 ounces, but the balance is perfect, sitting forward of the guard just an inch or so, and feels very much at home in my hand. The black linen micarta handle is sleek and graceful to look at and hold. The double guard and pommel are polished 330 stainless steel.
Unfortunately there are a few issues that make this knife less than perfect in my opinion. This knife features a partial tang. The false edge is not factory sharpened, as it is with the Laredo bowie, one of Cold Steel's other big bowies. Like the Laredo, the sheath is of excellent quality leather, thick and well stitched with a sturdy silver/brass belt peg, but has no loop or clip to otherwise affix to a belt.
Overall, my initial impression of the Natchez Bowie is very positive. Aesthetically, the blade and handle are very attractive. While I have yet to put this knife through it's paces, I imagine the cutting, slashing and piecing potential to be just enormous with the mass, balance, sharpness and reach of the Natchez. The fit and finish of this knife is outstanding; this is a really solidly put together item. Having owned and used various big bowies including the Camillus OVB Fisk SouthWestern Bowie, the Boker Western Bowie and Cold Steel's Laredo and Recon Scout Bowies, I can say this is my favorite of the bunch so far. Fans of this sort of knife should consider it for their collections.
See other my reviews on the Rajah I, Hatamoto, Black Sable, Voyager and the Large Espada.
Out of the box the Natchez is a very impresssive, massive knife at 17 1/4" in length. The blade is 11 3/4" long, almost 3/8" thick, and 2" broad before the sweep of the false edge. Cold Steel describes the VG-1 San Mai III laminated blade as being "virtually indestructable". Hyperbole aside, the factory edge is razor sharp and shaved an nice bit of the hair off my left forearm with no effort. My prior experience with San Mai knives has been very good -- they offer excellent edge retention and seem highly resistant to oxidation or damage, though I'll admit to not torture testing them.
The Natchez weighs in at a hefty 19.9 ounces, but the balance is perfect, sitting forward of the guard just an inch or so, and feels very much at home in my hand. The black linen micarta handle is sleek and graceful to look at and hold. The double guard and pommel are polished 330 stainless steel.
Unfortunately there are a few issues that make this knife less than perfect in my opinion. This knife features a partial tang. The false edge is not factory sharpened, as it is with the Laredo bowie, one of Cold Steel's other big bowies. Like the Laredo, the sheath is of excellent quality leather, thick and well stitched with a sturdy silver/brass belt peg, but has no loop or clip to otherwise affix to a belt.
Overall, my initial impression of the Natchez Bowie is very positive. Aesthetically, the blade and handle are very attractive. While I have yet to put this knife through it's paces, I imagine the cutting, slashing and piecing potential to be just enormous with the mass, balance, sharpness and reach of the Natchez. The fit and finish of this knife is outstanding; this is a really solidly put together item. Having owned and used various big bowies including the Camillus OVB Fisk SouthWestern Bowie, the Boker Western Bowie and Cold Steel's Laredo and Recon Scout Bowies, I can say this is my favorite of the bunch so far. Fans of this sort of knife should consider it for their collections.
See other my reviews on the Rajah I, Hatamoto, Black Sable, Voyager and the Large Espada.
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