Bowie Fans

L

logos

Joined
Nov 9, 2001
Messages
194
I just saw literature that must have just come from the S.H.O.T
show Cold Steel has a BIG OL BOWIE coming soon.
 
Supposedly the most unique thing about the new Bowie (Laredo?) is that the brass guard is formed by some new injection molding process. It looks really nice.

The false edge is sharpened moderately and can be brought up to the same sharpness as the primary edge, if one is so inclined.

The coffin-style handle is pretty nice and feels a bit thicker than the one on Ontario's Hell's Belle.

Cold Steel also has a barong in development, based upon an authentic piece in Ron Balicki's collection. It looks outstanding, but they couldn't give any estimate of MSRP.
 
Cold Steel Laredo Bowie
16CC.jpg
 
Damn.
No Spanish Notch, no quillions.

Just a (neoprene?) coffin handled, XXL Trailmaster.

:(
 
I dunno...I kind of like it, but they DO need to bring the price down by about $100.

Also, if the blade is 5/16th inch thick like the "standard" Trailmaster Bowie, then it seems like it would be alittle too heavy (slow) as a "fighting-Bowie", which it's blade-shape/length shows it to be.
 
I have the new Cold Steel catalog, and noticed this bowie immediately. The handle is not rubber, but is rosewood or cocobolo, I think. I will find a way to obtain one of these knives. They look great to me.
 
The problem with the Trailmaster is not the 5/16" thickness, it's the lack of taper. Ontario's Hell's Belle is the same thickness yet it is balanced much better. I, for one, prefer the heft of a 1/4-5/16" bowie vs. the thinner 3/16".

I like the looks of the Laredo. Better handle shape and material than the Trailmaster. The only thing is the point is too high. They probably did that for increased strength.

Other than that, it looks good. I want to handle one.

David
 
Loki,
Remember thats retail find a good dealer who will make it
more realistic.
 
The Laredo Bowie is a little heftier than the Ontario Bagwells, which are pure fighters, so it should be good for double duty as camp knife as well. The sheath that comes with it is the same as the stud sheath that comes with the OBs. I've got a few of these on order and will be setting them up with my Southern Comfort sheath system for those that are serious about carrying them on a long term basis or in humid environments. The Laredos should start hitting the street in about sixty days according to Cold Steel. Nice piece!!
 
I have a Linder Yukon bowie with a 9 1/2" blade that is extremly light and well balanced. I think Linders are under-rated here in this forum for some reason.
 
Nice looking knife, but the MSRP is way out of wack.
For my money I'd much rather own a Camillus/OVB/ Fisk Bowie.
 
Does anybody know what kind of sheath CS will be shipping with this knife? I have their trailmaster in carbon-V and the sheath that came with it was a total piece of s**t. Mike Sastre and Normark will be getting a lot of requests for sheaths on these I bet!;)
 
Mongo,

The sheath that comes withe the Laredo Bowie is the traditional belt stud sheath that slips behind the belt or IWB, with the stud preventing the knife and sheath from slipping below belt level. It appears to be the same manufacture as the sheath that comes with the Ontario Bagwells. This is an excellent way to carry a big knife, as it can be placed in a variety of positions and angles, with the added benefit of being easy on/off. I first became aquainted with this carry when I met Bill Bagwell, and after using this type of sheath for a number of years, I'm quite surprised that more big knives are not sheathed this way. Supremely comfortable, this form of carry is one of those things that you have to experience before you can truely appreciate it. I call my version "the Southern Comfort".
 
The grip on the prototype barong is larger than on most Filipino originals, so it should fit larger sized hands pretty well. In fact, I might thin it down a bit for my smaller hands. Blade shape and sheath look excellent. I hope the production model is as nice.
 
Thank you Mike, it is good to see that CS is producing/obtaining sheaths of better quality and design. I think this has been one of their major short-comings. I too am very interested in this new bowie, hopefully I'll get a chance to see one in real life.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top