Cold Steel All G-10 Frame American Lawman Preformance Test

[Aku]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNV6gNrObu4

 

[ROBB]

That is very impressive. Sturdy G10 and lock. I would like to see how it cuts and holds an edge.

 

[orthogonal1]

That is impressive.

 

[yans]

Where is it made?

 

[STR]

If it were any other company every major player in the industry would be all over these Triad locks and they'd be on the covers of every magazine in the country! For 60 bucks plus or minus you can have a knife that is probably stronger than anything else being made currently. Its very impressive Andrew! Especially the lateral stress test.

AUS8 has been tested over time many times and Cold Steel did a good part of it by proving to the industry that the steel holds it's own in many ways. It would be redundant to try to find out what we already know about it with more testing really. Its a fine steel very tough and capable and certainly nothing to be concerned over. I personally feel it out performs 440C and is at least the equal to 440B if not slightly better since it has vanadium in it. I know this much, Many times I am much more satisfied with the biting edge I can get on many AUS blades compared to 440C and many times also with other steels as well.

The opportunity came up to get another original American Lawman and I have four now. This is what a hard use knife should be IMO, at least regarding the capability of the lock you trust your fingers to.

STR

 

[AF]

You often hear people complain about how their lockback knife has a little bit of blade play. All of my lockbacks have some vertical bladeplay. My American Lawman has none.

 

[orthogonal1]

You often hear people complain about how their lockback knife has a little bit of blade play. All of my lockbacks have some vertical bladeplay. My American Lawman has none.

I think that is due to separating the bladestop from the lock.

I think other companies could add that feature to more conventional lockbacks without intellectual rights violation.

I mentioned the concept in a thread way back - late 2003, I think.

 

[Ankerson]

If it were any other company every major player in the industry would be all over these Triad locks and they'd be on the covers of every magazine in the country! For 60 bucks plus or minus you can have a knife that is probably stronger than anything else being made currently. Its very impressive Andrew! Especially the lateral stress test.

AUS8 has been tested over time many times and Cold Steel did a good part of it by proving to the industry that the steel holds it's own in many ways. It would be redundant to try to find out what we already know about it with more testing really. Its a fine steel very tough and capable and certainly nothing to be concerned over. I personally feel it out performs 440C and is at least the equal to 440B if not slightly better since it has vanadium in it. I know this much, Many times I am much more satisfied with the biting edge I can get on many AUS blades compared to 440C and many times also with other steels as well.

The opportunity came up to get another original American Lawman and I have four now. This is what a hard use knife should be IMO, at least regarding the capability of the lock you trust your fingers to.

STR

Yeah you are correct.

Finally, I have been waiting for a G10 version to come out. :thumbup:

 

[Any Cal.]

I love the design of those locks, and the full g-10 frame is an interesting concept. Is there any chance of those coming in a flat grind?

 

[AF]

I think that is due to separating the bladestop from the lock.

I think other companies could add that feature to more conventional lockbacks without intellectual rights violation.

I mentioned the concept in a thread way back - late 2003, I think.

I agree with the why but not sure about the legal aspect.

 

[Switchblade61]

Very impressive!
I have the older version with the steel liners and I'm very happy with it. This full G10 frame version must be a lot lighter, thus even better for EDC.

 

[3Guardsmen]

Very impressive!
I have the older version with the steel liners and I'm very happy with it. This full G10 frame version must be a lot lighter, thus even better for EDC.

Depends on whether you consider 1 ounce "a lot lighter." I don't. I just consider it "lighter."

 

[Brad "the butcher"]

good post STR, I agree. the lawman is one of the best affordable lockblades around. My sisters LEO husband wanted one last x-mas and 2 other officers grabbed them as duty knives.
one of the grippiest handles I have.

 

[JD Mandrell]

Anyone know if they have changed the model number or given some way that you know if your ordering the older version vs this new one?

 

[STR]

Some have written me asking me to describe the changes better on this model. So ok, here goes. First off though before I say anything about that let it be known for the record that this model is my favorite production folder currently regardless of whether its the original or one of the new liner less models. They are all well done highly reliable, strong, heavy duty folders. Also, for all I know there are other minor changes that have taken place and there may be subtle improvements or variations I should say from month to month. I can only speak for the four I own myself.

Personally I feel the knife speaks for itself. I've said for years I judge the knives. Not the name on the knives. This goes for anyone and any company and forgetting all about ego, or names/logos and anything else stamped on the blade, looking at this model it comes for $60 to $70 with everything I want in a folding knife excelling in every category. With that said lets examine three of my American Lawman models. Two of my current safe queens are identical so I'll focus on the three models shown discussing the changes. Please know I mean no hijack of a thread here as I thought about doing this myself but I think it belongs here and fits with this subject and will best serve those using this model or wanting to collect them.

The bottom folder in these pictures is the original first run of this model to the best of my knowledge. The middle folder pictured here is the same knife with liners with some changes to it. Most notably those changes are:

1) correcting the tang protruding out from the handle,
2) removing the serrations off both the spine of the blade and the liners and leaving them on the G10 alone.
3) You may note the difference in the width of the handle compared to the original model also.
4) And of course then there is the weight differences. The bottom knife pictured weighs on my digital postal scale 5.6 ounces. The middle folder 5.9 ounces. The liner less model 4.5 ounces as shown.

5) looking at the stainless lined models you may also notice that the lanyard hole is a bigger diameter compared to the newest model.
6) note the pocket clip change as well.
7) unseen to anyone in the pictures is the pin for the blade to rest on when closed that is installed in the G10 liner less model. I do not see this in either of the other models sporting stainless liners.
8) you can note the new model without liners has screws on both sides for the pocket clip. So, you get double screws, lighter weight, a smaller lanyard hole, sterile spine and:
9) note the differences in the tang contact areas on each knife. I have measured best I could the depth of the cuts. While I forget those measurements at this writing I can tell you the new G10 model has the stop pin positioned slightly different and the lock bar falls into a deeper notch and the blade has a much more profound hook to surround the stop as you can see. I would be very interested in hearing more about the improvements made from this because it appears the lock contact on the G10 model is the best of all of them. This takes nothing away from the first models because they are good too. Heck they are great but what I'm saying is that the new models seem to really have some refinement the first runs didn't have.

This is what I see. Add to it if you happen to own one different than these.

STR

 

[STR]

Here are the weight shots for the record. There could be other subtle differences and refinements I've missed. From the pictures it appears there are some subtle differences in the handle shape to further help it progress as a production piece but they are not as noticed as other more major ones.

I don't know about you guys but I find these Triad locks to be some of the most exciting things to come along in knives in a lot of years. I'll be watching these hotly through 2010 and beyond I'm sure.
STR

 

[Herr_Noobien]

Very impressive...I may not like the way cold steel markets their products, but they sure know how to make a knife.

 

[THE PUNISHER]

good review,i like cold steel,some of there knives are out there,but they make a good knife plus customer service..........

 

[Switchblade61]

Depends on whether you consider 1 ounce "a lot lighter." I don't. I just consider it "lighter."

If that's the only difference, you're right, I wasn't sure about how much it is.
:thumbup:

 

[Cotherion]

I actually prefer the one with the SS liners. Though G10 is strong enough, I think the G10 will deform more compared to the one with SS liner over time.