Coldsteel espada ultimatum

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Nternal

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So you guys know that me and a lot of other people are excited for the new g-10 espadas coming out in a month or two.The thing is I am really contemplating whether to get the large g-10 or normal large. The difference is about 70$ but the aluminum models just look so much nicer and have stronger,heavier and more solid handles.I also like the polished finish better than the bead blast. The question is for people who own the originals or people who own g10 handled knives. Would the g-10 be strong enough and does it have better resistance to the elements? Does aluminum in a knife handle have any advantage or disadvantage to the g-10 other than weight and some strength? Is there anything I should be worried about when it comes to those handle materials?
 
Nternal said:
So you guys know that me and a lot of other people are excited for the new g-10 espadas coming out in a month or two.The thing is I am really contemplating whether to get the large g-10 or normal large. The difference is about 70$ but the aluminum models just look so much nicer and have stronger,heavier and more solid handles.I also like the polished finish better than the bead blast. The question is for people who own the originals or people who own g10 handled knives. Would the g-10 be strong enough and does it have better resistance to the elements? Does aluminum in a knife handle have any advantage or disadvantage to the g-10 other than weight and some strength? Is there anything I should be worried about when it comes to those handle materials?
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Unfortunately, I don't own either so all my thoughts are just speculation. I would guess that the G-10 models will be lighter than the Al. Both have steel liners and should hold up to the same abuse. I am liking the look of the G-10 as more of a carry knife that I wouldn't fret scratching but will need the usual work to keep it from shredding my pockets:)
 
Kyui Su Kim said:
Unfortunately, I don't own either so all my thoughts are just speculation. I would guess that the G-10 models will be lighter than the Al. Both have steel liners and should hold up to the same abuse. I am liking the look of the G-10 as more of a carry knife that I wouldn't fret scratching but will need the usual work to keep it from shredding my pockets:)
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Yeah I would think the g10 would be a lot rougher on the pockets.
 
Just sand the G10 a little. The aluminum model scratches the instant you look at it wrong. :p
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Just sand the G10 a little. The aluminum model scratches the instant you look at it wrong. :p
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Yep, 150grit sand paper for about a minute seems to fix all my pocket problems on my recons. Imagine it would be about the same for these.
 
I'd also go G10 and sand it a bit. It'll be scratch resistant, won't transmit heat or cold, and give you a better grip. Plus its cheaper, and considering the strength of the pure G10 handles of the lawman and recon series, you aren't giving up anything meaningful in terms of strength.
 
I have the original large Espada, but I have to say that I actually like the more 'tactical' look of the new models better. I'm not that crazy about shiny blades and bolsters. I'm planning on buying the new model XL Espada when it comes out.
My feeling is, that in both versions , the large and XL Espadas, rank among the most awesome folders ever made.
 
The originals are all aluminum, the G10 is dovetailed in. The polished Al scratches pretty easily and will get a little hazy. I'm thinking of getting both an L and XL in the G10, I did like the XL original I had. I do worry a little about the blade, sandblasted stainless seems to rust much more easily than polished.
 
Which is why, the first thing I did when I got my Large Espada, is take it apart and use some fine brillo pad to put a "satin" finish on all of the aluminum parts. This essentially pre-scratches them eliminating the need to worry about it any further. Looks decent and makes it more of a user. Did the same to my Black Rhino, which has been my edc knife of choice ever since I bought it during the close-out sale. I cannot take the Espada where I work and be able to use it, the Rhino I can.

As soon as Cold Steel gets over their back-order problem with the XL Espada, I'll be ordering on of these in the original format.
 
I don't really mind it scratching so is there anything else to worry about when it comes to aluminum?
 
The aluminum is 7075, its used to make aircraft structural components. All kinds of high-stress parts on aircraft are made of this. So, no, there is nothing else to worry about with aluminum. It scratches easily, thats about it. Where I work, we go to great pains to avoid scratching parts, as they become stress risers. Our Lead Program Engineer hates scratches and dings more than anything else, and if you submit paperwork for a scratch repair, you'll get a big lecture from him, every time. :-(
 
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id say go for the original, simply because its just a very fine, well made knife. i love the large and medium i have, and when i get the xl g10, the first thing im going to do is take it apart and sand off that bead blast. did it to my spartan, looks much better.

as far as strengh, the g10 models arent giving up much at all. look at the rajah 2, or even the spartan. both are very strong folders. even the linerless cold steel folders are brute tough.
 
Saw these today at NRA national convention. They have a total different look than the original - style is just way different. The XL is almost a joke it is so big. Lynne was there - got to talk to him for a minute. He's very high energy and a flashy dresser. I bought a trail hawk.
 
paperairplane said:
Saw these today at NRA national convention. They have a total different look than the original - style is just way different. The XL is almost a joke it is so big. Lynne was there - got to talk to him for a minute. He's very high energy and a flashy dresser. I bought a trail hawk.
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You say they look a lot different but is it in a good way? What did you think of them?
 
Nternal said:
So you guys know that me and a lot of other people are excited for the new g-10 espadas coming out in a month or two.The thing is I am really contemplating whether to get the large g-10 or normal large. The difference is about 70$ but the aluminum models just look so much nicer and have stronger,heavier and more solid handles.I also like the polished finish better than the bead blast. The question is for people who own the originals or people who own g10 handled knives. Would the g-10 be strong enough and does it have better resistance to the elements? Does aluminum in a knife handle have any advantage or disadvantage to the g-10 other than weight and some strength? Is there anything I should be worried about when it comes to those handle materials?
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cbxer55 said:
The aluminum is 7075, its used to make aircraft structural components. All kinds of high-stress parts on aircraft are made of this. So, no, there is nothing else to worry about with aluminum. It scratches easily, thats about it. Where I work, we go to great pains to avoid scratching parts, as they become stress risers. Our Lead Program Engineer hates scratches and dings more than anything else, and if you submit paperwork for a scratch repair, you'll get a big lecture from him, every time. :-(
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I prefer 6061 over 7075 for knife handles. 7075 Aluminum is a high strength aluminum alloy, much used in aerospace for it's strength. You don't really need that added strength in a knife handle and 7075 has a tendency to corrode because of the copper content. 6061 is pretty bombproof from a corrosion standpoint and it's plenty strong enough for a knife handle.

7075, scratched through the anodize from use, sweaty palms holding it. Sweat is a nice source of chloride ion, which catalyzes the corrosion reaction. It won't weaken it enough to affect its use as a knife handle, but you might get some dark lines.

I dunno, from a functional standpoint G10 and 7075 will both work fine. The G10 will look nice longer. The G10 might be grippier. The G10 might change the center of balance. I've never handled an Espada. Don't know if the aluminum handled one is handle heavy or not.
 
I haven't handled the G10 one, but the aluminum model is super light for its size.
 
I've had my Large Espada for what seems two years, ever since they first came out. I've yet to see a spot of corrosion on any of the aluminum, including the bolster where it rides against me on the inside of my pocket. It gets sweaty, but I just wipe it off frequently. Don't know if the scotch-briting helps in that manner or not? I do put a bit of Tuff Glide on all the metal surfaces weekly, including lubricating the pivots.
 
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