Cold Steel Mini dilemma

H

Humint

Joined
Apr 1, 2011
Messages
959
Hey everyone hoping someone can help me out with a little dilemma I am having. I have been edcing my American Lawman and I absolutely LOVE this knife (over my CRKs, Spyderco's you name it). However there are some times (very rare, but some times) when I would like to carry a smaller knife. The problem I am having is that I do not know which one would work better for me. I have tried the Mini Recon 1 and it is just a little too short in my hand (I like having a four finger grip). I like the Mini Lawman but the grip looks too short in that I would not be able to get a full 4 finger grip. Then there is the Mini AK47, it looks like it can offer a full 4 finger grip but it also looks close in size to the American Lawman. So what one do you think would make a good smaller substitute to the American Lawman that offers a full 4 finger grip and is smaller than the American Lawman? Also, if someone has a picture of an American Lawman, Mini Lawman and Mini AK47 that would be extremely helpful

On a side note, I have just recently did a 180 in my knife purchases and needs. I used to be a strict CRK, Spyderco and custom knife purchaser. I always shied away from Cold Steel because of their mall-ninja like "proof" videos and at the time I thought bloated boasted claims of the best knives in the world. It wasn't until I changed to carrying traditionals only and grabbing a Large Voyager on whim that I completely changed my views on Cold Steel...These are amazing knives! The Aus8 is nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be, the fit and finish on these knives rival and surpass Spyderco in my opinion and the TRIAD LOCK is the best lock I have ever used in my life. With that said if Cold Steel started using S30V (with Spyderco's heat treat) these knives would absolutely be the best knives ever produced. (I would be willing to pay 3X the cost of the current knives for S30V) however their Aus8 is not too shabby! Sorry, just thought I would share my views on Cold Steel and their amazing knives since this is the first time posting in the forum.
 
To get a "full 4 finger grip" you're not really going to be able to get much smaller than the Lawman. The Mini-Recon 1 has a 4 1/8 inch grip, which you say is too short. The Lawman has a 4 5/8 inch grip, and that's too big. So...the Mini AK47 has a 4 3/8 inch grip, which puts it right in the middle. It's overall length is an inch shorter than the Lawman, so...yeah, it's gonna be close in size, but based on your requests, there's really no way you'll find something that isn't close in size.
 
Cold Steel designs their smaller folders for you to get as much grip as you can on 'em while still keeping the folders small. I would recommend the Mini AK47; I am considering buying one for myself.

Cold Steel does a good HT on their AUS8A; using it on everything has pretty much allowed them to master it. One of the reasons Cold Steel is my favorite is because I know I can expect great fit & finish, superb lockup, good heat treatment and just general quality. :thumbup:
 
The Mini Tuff is likely gonna be a bit too small. The regular Tuff Lite would be my suggestion. It's 6" open vs. the Lawman's 8+", but the large choil at the base of the blade allows a full 4 finger grip, unless you have gigantic hands. My hands are just shy of 4" wide across the palms (average size, I guess), and I have about 3/8" of handle extending beyond my pinky when holding my Tuff Lite in a 4 finger hammer grip, which means I still have all fingers firmly on the handle in the more common handshake or saber grips. :thumbup:
 
I've gone through a lot of knives, some stay and some go, and like you, I was leary of the mall-ninja advertising of Cold Steel for a long time. One day, I decide I had to have a Mini AK-47 and it changed my outlook. That knife is near-perfection for my EDC role. It regularly makes trips with me and gets the most rotation time combating the seat time with my Delica. I find knives of this size to be most regularly carried as their weight/size in the pocket is unobtrusive and they offer a good amount of useable blade. I have Enduras and others that are also lightweight and offer more blade length, but often feel these are too large for daily carry and always go back to a slightly smaller blade. I carry a small penlight and Leatherman Juice S2 every day, too, so any extra ounces start to take down the pants if you know what I mean. I'd say the only reason the AK probably gets the second seat and not the crown is the grippy G10 that Cold Steel produces tears up my pockets. I'm 5'11" with lengthy fingers/hands. On the Mini-AK47, my pinky curls the end/pommel where it starts to curve inwards when using a 4-finger grip. It feels like the knife was formed to my hand. Very comfortable during use. I don't have any experience with the Lawman, but I do find the Mini-AK47 to be a constant reoccurrence in my pocket. HIGHLY recommended. Also like you, I've found these Taiwan mall-ninjas at Cold Steel produce some of the finest blades in terms of fit and finish, all at amazing values. It'd be nice if they offered slightly upgraded super-steels some day, but for now, the AUS8 variety are incredible values that I dare say no one else is getting close to reaching in the market.
 
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