Cold Steel AK-47 as an EDC?

RevDevil said:
Pick the Recon 1, it's got the most comfortable handle and has an arguably better blade shape. :thumbup:
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which blade shape are you talking about? clip point or tanto,

also, i have knife laws (NY) that only allow for a 4 inch blade, this is exactly 4 inches, if the cops catch me with this, i'll be ok right?
 
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col902 said:
right now its between the recon 1, ak-47, and American Lawman, im kind of leaning towards either the lawman or recon 1 because the ak-47 seems a lot bulkier, for those who have had experience with all of these, please help me decide
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The AK is a bit bulky for it's length. The Recon 1 is noticeably light for it's size & length. People comment on it when they handle it.

If you're worried about legal concerns go with the Lawman. Having a knife that measures right up to the legal limit puts you at the cop's discretion. The Lawman leaves slack & is the same length as the AK with less weight & bulk. Haven't handled the Lawman but it's a full 1/2 inch shorter than the Recon & has gotten good feedback on the design. Here's Demko's over-the-top torture test:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNV6gNrObu4
 
OK, i've not handled the Recon 1, but i can tell ya this: The American Lawman is about as large a folder as i feel comfortable pulling out.

The blade is at ~3 1/2" - usually within legal limits, but the handle is fairly large to me so overall, the knife is on the large side for a folder (again, to my taste).

Honestly, if the Mini-Lawman had the exact same shape as the original American Lawman i would've choose it simply b/c the AL is pretty large for my tastes. That being said, i really, really like how solid that handle feels in my hand and the blade length is pretty good - not too much nor too small. I guess there's no free lunch....
 
what do you think of carrying 4" blade where the limit is 4"? will the cops get suspicious if they find me with this? or is it ok to go up to the limit?
 
Recon 1 Clip Point
imag0911.jpg


NY knife laws are a little rough these days from what people say. I have no clue, in Arizona you can pretty much carry whatever you want.
 
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jakeyjake4528 said:
i think youre still missing the point that their aus 8 steel is perfect for the way they advertise their knives, and few people whove used it would consider it a low end steel. their is far too much importance placed on "better" steels, when every steel has its strong and weak points, and clearly some steels are better suited for specific blades then others. itd be great if i could get a spartan in A2, but that doesnt mean the spartan i have in aus8 isnt worth it.

i mean if one is basing their decison entirely on blade steel, i feel they are missing out on a large spectrum of great knives. what would you say if i said i regret buying my manix 2 and zt200 because they only have 154cm and not s30v? clearly id be a fool to say that, these knives would be solid in 440c, vg10, whatever.

its very easy to slam on a knife because of blade steel, and can be done on just about every low end, middle, even high end. all kinds of perspectives.

the tri ad lock is not getting its proper due because cold steel picked up on it. if it were spyderco, folks like you would be praising it through the streets. its an extremely strong lock, damn near eliminates any blade play, and is self adjusting.

i used to be just like you, i would never even look at cold steel or any knife that didnt have premimum everything. and i was missing out big time.

and youre right, super lock strengh isnt important, but you sure dont see too many slip joints and friction folders dominating the knife world, even though they are just fine for 99% of ones knife usage. spyderco didnt need to put in a ball bearing lock on their manix 2, but innovation is innovation. cold steel didnt need to pick up the tri ad, but innovation is innovation. people dont need a whole lot of stuff thats offered in the glorious world of knife addiction, but that doesnt mean its not appreciated.
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You know what ? Kudos to you jakeyjake4528 This is one if the best posts I have seen on BF in years.
The 'high school' like snobbery has toned down a bit the last year or so ( it was rampant a few years ago ) but it still rubs me the wrong way , especially the threads where someone asks what knife they should buy for a hundred backs and some gellhead drones off in sycophantic manner " buy a Sebenza!".

If all there were in the knife world was folders made of "premium" materials costing $400 or shoddy materials costing $12 nobody but a select few would be into collecting knives at all and BF probably would not exist. Brands such as Kershaw , Spyderco , Cold Steel and to an extent BM try to offer knives of varying material and cost so that they , as a brand , can try to appeal to all the different types of folks using knives out there.


Now I step off my box and ask the OP if he has made his mind yet !? :D

Seriously , buy what you think you will like. Take your time looking at different pics and specs and decide which would be best suited to you.

Tostig
 
col902 said:
just one last thing, i dont have a knife store around, so does the extra half inch of blade on the recon feel like a lot or is it not to noticable
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AK47 vs Recon 1. You get more blade length in a slimmer package with the recon 1.
 
I think you'll like that knife. - - -

I have the AL and the AK-47. I wanted a very tough EDC folder with a 3 1/2" blade (since that is the length restriction in one area of my state where I might carry it sometimes). If I choose to carry a longer knife (such as for use in the mountains) its usually a fixed blade. - - I really like both of my CS knives. The AL feels nicest in my hand, but I like the speed and ease of deployment with the waved AK-47, so that's the one I carry the most. A waved American Lawman might just be the perfect tough, modestly priced EDC folder for me, - if they ever made one.
 
My choice for an EDC knife in that size range would be a Spyderco Paramilitary 2.

These are my reasons for liking it:

-fit and finish
-wicked strong compression lock
-light weight and still strong
-flow through design for ease of cleaning
-S30V steel and G-10 scales
-full flat ground blade
-excellent value for your dollar

Just my opinion. Check one out for yourself.
 
Jet, the OP is asking about a specific knife, and he is on a budget. I agree that the Para2 is a great knife, I own a couple of them myself. But they cannot be had for the budget the OP is sticking with.
 
RevDevil said:
Jet, the OP is asking about a specific knife, and he is on a budget. I agree that the Para2 is a great knife, I own a couple of them myself. But they cannot be had for the budget the OP is sticking with.
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I think you make a great point. - - I have a large Sebenza, and its a terrific knife. But for some uses S30v isn't as appropriate as other steels. Besides, the thing cost close to 10x that of an Amer Lawman or AK-47 and I would *&^% if I ever lost the thing. Many times 'good enough for the tasks to be done, at a good price' wins out in the end. I have lots of gear on my Wish List. Personally, I've satisfied my curiosity about high dollar production knives. (Got a few custom fixed blades, but still have an itch for a custom folder, even though I don't 'need' it ;) ) More modestly priced knives that will hold up to hard use, frees up money for other gear on my list. YMMV and all that . . .
 
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Out of all CS's folder designs I like the AK the best. Dunno why.... it just appeals to me. I like the pommel. That's a useful thing on a folder IMO, and you can crack more than skulls with it...

The biggest fail with the AK is the clip. On the one I had it was so tight it was ridiculous. Combined with the super grippy G-10 and it was totally impractical.

I think a kydex sheath would be a good option for this knife. Unless that clip can be adjusted in some way. I didnt keep mine long enough to fiddle with it. If a knife doesnt work for me right out the box, I generally sell it.

Other than that, it was pretty cool. The AUS8 I'm not so fond of. I had a CS El Hombre for a time that I used pretty hard and it wouldnt stay sharp for long. Great design for a knife BTW and the pocket clip on that one was fantastic, but the steel let it down...

Personally if I was after an EDC for around $70 I would get a Benchmade Griptilian. Fantastic knife for the money.
 
I've never been a big fan of the ak-47's looks, It's just too tacticool for me. Not to mention if you have very large hands like my XL glove sized hands any handle that has specific sized hands in mind usually isn't too accommodating.

I would recommend a ZT 0200 or 350 if you want a heavier edc knife. BM 710, BM 950, BM Nitrous Styker are all knives I have and really like that would be good large EDC choices. I got the Rift for a birthday present but I think it was about $118 so slightly over your range bit close enough to be considered.

Seems I was late to this party since you already ordered one.
 
I'm so jealous of all you bastids legally brandishing the new Recon 1's..........over 3" is illegal here, so I have to go with the mini AK-47 :/
 
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