Cold Steel Espada Folding Pocket Knife, Extra Large

H

Hypermole

Joined
Aug 23, 2012
Messages
662
Hi All,

I am having difficulty deciding between the two versions of this knife.

I would appreciate your thoughts and recommendations.

http://www.coldsteel.com/Product/62NGX/G-10_ESPADA,_EXTRA_LARGE.aspx

http://www.coldsteel.com/Product/62NX/Extra_Large_Espada.aspx

I have a small collection for mainly investment purposes but would like to add this knife for both investment and a addition in my soon to be bug out - survival bag. I do not own any knifes with the all rubber scales yet.

Thank You
 
The CS Espada line is inspired in part on the classic Spanish navaja. I have the Large version of the model in your second link. Since you are acquiring it for your collection, not as a user knife per se, my recommendation would be to go with your preferences in this regard. I considered the X-Large too big. In fact, the Large is almost too big, but it does fit my hand better and it can be concealed if the need arises. And to me the Large version has better handling qualities. The X-Large is virtually a small sword, as the name Espada suggests.
 
I have the XL but I am very experienced with knives and maintain 3 active knife specific forum memberships...
 
I'm looking at the Extra Large Version only.

I just am not sure if the polished G10 has enough added value, features, or ease of use to get it over the Cheaper rubbery traction handle model.
 
The XL is rather large , IMHO to large more of a novelty

The large is still a huge folder
 
Hypermole said:
I'm looking at the Extra Large Version only.

I just am not sure if the polished G10 has enough added value, features, or ease of use to get it over the Cheaper rubbery traction handle model.
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The handles on the cheaper Espada are not rubberized at all actually, it's two solid slabs of grippy, hard textured g-10, and yes I would say it very worth it for the price difference.
 
recon1s14 said:
The handles on the cheaper Espada are not rubberized at all actually, it's two solid slabs of grippy, hard textured g-10, and yes I would say it very worth it for the price difference.
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Sorry but I'm not sure if your saying the polished g10 with aluminum bolster are better or not and why?
 
JParanee said:
The XL is rather large , IMHO to large more of a novelty

The large is still a huge folder
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I understand and am still considering the purchase. I was told this before on a few in my collection that have increased in value by 100%.
 
Hypermole said:
I understand and am still considering the purchase. I was told this before on a few in my collection that have increased in value by 100%.
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For a collection, I think the polished g-10 would be a better choice. More eye appeal and the price should reduce the number purchased.
If you are planning on using it or stuffing it in a BOB, I'd opt for the bead-blasted regular g-10. Just as functional and less expensive.

At ~$270-280 for the polished g-10, you may see an increase in value eventually if and when they are discontinued or at least it may hold its value. But I doubt you will ever see a 100% increase.

IMHO, CS's high end "handmade" knives are really over priced (especially at anything close to MSRP).

"Investing" in knives (like any collectible) is a tricky business. As long as enjoyment is your primary objective and the return on investment is secondary, have fun and enjoy.
If return on investment is your primary objective, there are better places to put your money...be it knives or more conventional options.
 
Hypermole said:
Sorry but I'm not sure if your saying the polished g10 with aluminum bolster are better or not and why?
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The polished G10 looks nicer in a collection, the less expensive plain textured G10 one is more comfortable and practical to actually use. Also it is lighter without losing any noticeable amount of strength. Consider that the less expensive Espadas are built stronger than the new Voyager series, and those perform like tanks.

So if I wanted one to look at and show off, I'd get the polished one if I could afford it. If I wanted one to carry, use, or just play around with, I'd get the plain G10 one.
 
I have a large one and unless you have multiple pockets you will not want to edc this.

The quality is awesome but for the sake of collection/ use i will go with large or even medium.XL has a wow factor but do you plan to carry them everywhere?
 
I think you'd have to be crazy to buy the more expensive one. the only difference is a polished blade and aluminum bolsters.

cold steel knives are generally not a worthwhile "investment" especially with the poor value of both of those knives to begin with.
 
Thank You for everyone's comments.

The Cold Steel knifes I own that have increased in value are no longer made. Same with the SOG and a couple other.

I was unaware that they would be as much of a good investment when I bought them. I just enjoy having a few knifes of differant styles that are very well made. My daughter is also a big knife enthusiast and this gives us something in common that is fun.

I would not feel comfortable carring a knife worth more than $100.00. When I found out what the SOG was selling for I put it away and switched to my Kershaw Random Leek Knife with Partially Serrated Tanto Blade as my everyday use folder. I am waiting for the new Kershaw Cryo II to be instock to hopefully be my everyday carry. I also carry a SOG Specialty Knives & Tools SOGAC77 Access Card 2.0 Knife Tactical Black in my wallet. It is very sweet and unnoticable. I often forget it's there!

I am hoping to find one of these XL knifes at a very discounted price. I do not own any knifes with just the g10 soft scales and am not sure I would like them. Without being able to see one up close I would think it would be harded to pull out of a pocket. They look like there would be added friction with the texture but it would also be easier to hold on to.

If I do end up buying one I will update my post.

Again
Thank You
 
Hypermole said:
I do not own any knifes with just the g10 soft scales and am not sure I would like them. Without being able to see one up close I would think it would be harded to pull out of a pocket. They look like there would be added friction with the texture but it would also be easier to hold on to.

If I do end up buying one I will update my post.

Again
Thank You
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Just an fyi, no g10 scales are "soft". They are all hard as a rock, the difference between the polished and textured g10 is simply that, surface texture. The polished ones are polished smooth and shiny, the textured ones are flat and grippy, but they're both the exact same material. There is no "soft" g10.
 
Hypermole said:
The Cold Steel knifes I own that have increased in value are no longer made. Same with the SOG and a couple other.
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That's interesting and sort of surprising. CS and SOG would not seem likely candidates for increasing in value. Except for the SOG fixed blades which have a pretty large collector following.

When I found out what the SOG was selling for I put it away and switched to my Kershaw Random Leek Knife with Partially Serrated Tanto Blade as my everyday use folder. I am waiting for the new Kershaw Cryo II to be instock to hopefully be my everyday carry.
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KAI makes some awfully good knives in both the Kershaw and ZT lines. Excellent value thru the entire price range. The lower priced Kershaws frequently seem like real bargains.
There are a number of collectors of the Leek in its MANY variations.
The Cryo is one of those I was really surprised by at the price. Likely I will pick up a II when it comes out.

I am hoping to find one of these XL knifes at a very discounted price.
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:thumbup: Thats the trick, getting them at the right price, which apparently you are doing.
When CS does closeouts the prices can be quite decent.
The last big closeout they did I picked up a Black Rhino for $65 (Orig $260), and I should have ordered two at that price. :D
Got a Talwar for $170, which still seemed pricey to me, but I'd always liked the look of it and the price was way better that the original $530.
Got a Spectre that I would never have considered at the original price of $400, but for $99 I couldnt resist it.

I do not own any knifes with just the g10 soft scales and am not sure I would like them.
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I guess I have no idea what g10 looks or feels like.
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As others have pointed out G10 is not soft.
How it looks varies a lot since it can be finished a variety of ways, as you can see in the two examples of the Espada you're considering.
You can find examples that are highly textured and provide great grip. Others can be smooth and polished looking very attractive and almost like Micarta.
G10 is an excellent durable handle material and relatively inexpensive.
 
Try to track down a CS Rajah I or II. Same premise with most of the same materials, but much cheaper. Or just get a fixed blade. To me personally, the Espadas are overpriced and just not worth it.
 
If I were to buy one it would be the first one. The second one just looks to pretty to carry. Cold steels aggressive g10 gives you a good grip which you need to control such a big blade.
 
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