Cold Steel Laredo Bowie: SK5 vs San Mai III Tang Type....

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blades4brains

Joined
Nov 7, 2011
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I saw this on the cold steel forums "The SK-5 Laredo bowie is made using cable full tang, but as for the San Mai III Laredo bowie, it follows the same construction, but instead of cable a solid rod is used."

Can any of you guys verify this?


I have the San Mai III Laredo Bowie, and I'm interested in what type of tang my knife has. - I know the SK5 version has a wire tang, but I'm not sure if the San Mai III has a different type.

It would be awesome if somebody could x-ray the knife if possible; to see the exact tang construction. (destroying the handle on a knife like that is a waste)


Thanks guys


-b4b
 
SMIII bowie has about 2.5" of tang that is the back end of the blade, and then a steel rod fastened from there that runs to the pommel.
 
In that a steel bar is more substantial than a cable? Yes.

From descriptions of why they use the wire tang, you wouldn't notice any difference in the actual use of the knife, provided you're using it for the role that it's designed for... which is knife fighting. If you want a more utilitarian bowie, I think the Trail Master is recommended.
 
Freman Bloodglaive said:
In that a steel bar is more substantial than a cable? Yes.

From descriptions of why they use the wire tang, you wouldn't notice any difference in the actual use of the knife, provided you're using it for the role that it's designed for... which is knife fighting. If you want a more utilitarian bowie, I think the Trail Master is recommended.
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I have used the San Mai III Laredo for battoning & chopping in cold weather and can report no problems. The acute tip held up fine too (worried about it breaking). I would have no problems using this as a woods knife (doesn't matter anyway because I have an axe), but if need be, the San Mai III Laredo would probably not be the knife to let me down. Overall awesome knife.

-b4b
 
Freman Bloodglaive said:
provided you're using it for the role that it's designed for... which is knife fighting.
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I wonder if, well, anyone has ever used it for the role it's actually designed for? I mean, I'm Texan so I'm a big fan of Jim Bowie and all, but the Sandbar was just shy of 200 years ago, and you don't hear about too many duels being settled with a blade these days...
 
That's true, but then Cold Steel do tend to make knives based on the idea of "wouldn't it be cool". In truth, if people did use a knife in self defense, it wouldn't be a foot long Bowie fixed blade, it'd be more likely to be something like a kitchen knife during a home invasion, or a folder on the street. If you can carry a firearm that would be my first stop.

They did design the Laredo and Natchez with features like the wire tang that are intended to make them better in a fight. Their utility value might be slightly compromised as a result.
 
Freman Bloodglaive said:
That's true, but then Cold Steel do tend to make knives based on the idea of "wouldn't it be cool". In truth, if people did use a knife in self defense, it wouldn't be a foot long Bowie fixed blade, it'd be more likely to be something like a kitchen knife during a home invasion, or a folder on the street. If you can carry a firearm that would be my first stop.
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Yeah, that's what's always amused me about the "these knives are for fighting!" thing...people don't knife fight anymore, even in war knives are rarely used as weapons, and for self defense situations, like you said, it's more likely to be a folder in a confrontation on the streets, a kitchen knife in a home invasion, or a traditional hunting style knife/machete in an hiking/camping situation.

So basically people, don't worry about the tang-you ain't Jim Bowie. If you're wanting a knife for actual hard outdoor use, buy a knife MEANT for it(like the Trailmaster). If you wanna drop a couple hundred dollars on a Laredo/Natchez, fine go for it, but accept that they are specifically designed as weapons, and in the real world, you may as well consider them showpieces, no more likely to see their intended use than a modern day sword, mace, or halberd. Fun to own, sure, but unless you're taking a trip back in time, they're not exactly practical blades to carry.
 
A lot of misinformation in this thread. The "problem" with the laredo and natchez tang has been responsible for more false information and conjecture then perhaps any other coldsteel product. I really want to hear the first-hand experiences of the nay sayers using the laredo and natchez (sk5 or san mai, either version of both) where they failed being used as utility knives. The only thing I have ever seen happen was a handle break off an sk5 natchez when the guy was hammering on the handle with a baton.This was also apparently the first run of sk5 natchez's that had some initial flaw. I have used the sk5 laredo for hard chopping before and it held up fine. No rattle or looseness. Feels just as solid as ever.
 
Poleaxe said:
A lot of misinformation in this thread. The "problem" with the laredo and natchez tang has been responsible for more false information and conjecture then perhaps any other coldsteel product. I really want to hear the first-hand experiences of the nay sayers using the laredo and natchez (sk5 or san mai, either version of both) where they failed being used as utility knives. The only thing I have ever seen happen was a handle break off an sk5 natchez when the guy was hammering on the handle with a baton.This was also apparently the first run of sk5 natchez's that had some initial flaw. I have used the sk5 laredo for hard chopping before and it held up fine. No rattle or looseness. Feels just as solid as ever.
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Same here with the San Mai III version. Also saw a vid of the trailmaster breaking in half @ the blade-tang-transition point wile battoning through a piece of wood. As I said before, I was doing the same thing except in cold weather with my San Mai III Laredo and it held up fine. Just putting things in perspective. Not every single knife produced is perfect, and in some cases even the "ultra tough woods blades" will fail when the so called "fighters" will work very well.

-b4b
 
On that I agree completely.

I was just pointing out that the Laredo and Natchez have a different design ethos than normal fixed blade knives.

Both are perfectly capable of being used as large hunting/utility knives and are more than strong enough for that, and yes whacking on the handle (trying to drive the blade like a nail is how I saw it described) is the one area where there's a risk of damaging the knife, but then nobody with at least half a brain uses any knife, full tang or not, like that.
 
Freman Bloodglaive said:
On that I agree completely.

I was just pointing out that the Laredo and Natchez have a different design ethos than normal fixed blade knives.
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Exactly. It's not misinformation, the very same things have been stated elsewhere on this forum by the actual CS rep. He specifically told some dude if wanted a knife for outdoors use, buy a Trailmaster, not a Larado or Natchez because they are fighters.
 
What my personal philosophy is? Use a (TOOL) For that tool's intended purpose! Simple as that! And yeah, CS Has QC issues... frankly, knives are not supposed to be the "one tool option" no such thing as that my friends, knives are to cut,slice & dice, And stab if permitted necessary... if you want to hack, slash and whack your way through a forest with a 7in knife? be my guest! i'll take an axe,saw or chainsaw out to task, before EVER thinking a knife is made for such things. just use common sense! besides, CS and MANY,MANY other knife company/makers? will typically fix or replace what your stupidity caused... so, beat on it, whack on it, take a chainsaw to it, a blow torch...drop a nuke on that knife... i'll just sit back and laugh my ass off and have a cup of coffee in the morning! all the best -Todd G
 
I just bought a Laredo bowie to add to my collection. Thus far I am most impressed with it. I was raised in TX, and studying the Alamo is a hobby of mine. That is what started me collecting various bowie knives. The Laredo is one of the finest, and best made bowies in my collection.
 
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This is an economical solution of shorter stock ,and the cable just work as glue and rivets.

more wider and longer of a tang will make blade more stronger, no mater what you said about your positve expriences on your cable tang knives.

dingy.
 
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DShiflet said:
Exactly. It's not misinformation, the very same things have been stated elsewhere on this forum by the actual CS rep. He specifically told some dude if wanted a knife for outdoors use, buy a Trailmaster, not a Larado or Natchez because they are fighters.
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a rat tail can make it differ, or worse?
why in old days there are few things with cable tang ?
katana and dadao made and use for fighting , why those things not ues cables on ?
 
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Technology hadn't advanced that far.

And lets not bring up the katana. It's sole claim to fame was being secondary to the Samurai's bow and spear.
 
DShiflet said:
Why in old days did people ride horses and not cars? Why in old days did people start fire with flint and tinder and not a Bic?
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good Q man , and do you think this "car" really advaced to hores ?


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my Qs there are that the cable tang design is the only way to make fighters? and RAT TAIL tang is worse or lower grade than cable tang ?:D
 
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my conclusion here is the cable tang is not a good way to make knives , even figher , this is a faster and cheaper way to make knife , cause if use rattail on knife will consuming more manpower .
 
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