CS G10 AK47 first impressions

A

archimedes

Joined
Aug 12, 2006
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Dont want to start a flame up on the morals/shortshorts of Lynn Thompson and Cold Steel here, just giving my first impressions of the G10 AK 47 I picked up from Jay at warriors n wonders 2 hours ago.

I am comparing it to the original aluminum slab AK 47 that I also have had for about a year and which has earned a spot in my top five EDC rotation.

1) Fit n finish, quite good for the money, grind lines even and symetrical, the ussual CS Aus 8 level of sharpness, not quite Spydie sharp but shaves arm hair no problem. Locking mechanism idiot proof and ambidextrous.

2) Weight G10 to aluminum, the specs call for about a two ounce difference , that is readily noticeable with both in hand, G10 a winner here.

3) Grip n comfort, the G10 is very grippy in comparison to the Al slab version, feels much better for my personal tastes. Tip up carry, ambidextrous.

4) My old Al slab is very smooth now that its broken in, no wobble, tight lockup , etc after some very heavy use, I expect the G10 version to come up much the same only difference is the G10 slabs. I have no problem with the 8A blade, has proven to be a user friendly steel IMHO.

5) The G10 comes with blackened blade vs Als bead blast, time will tell how well this holds up, looks good when new, not sure how well it will hold up to abuse and still look good.

6) External dimensions/pivots identical between G10/Al but the G10 doesnt wave out quite as easily so far, query the G10 gripping the pant pocket too well, might need more break in time for the G10 exterior to wear in a bit. I have found my Al slab waves out very well.

7) The AK47 is so fugly it has developed a charm that grew on me, G10 or AL the G10 looks a bit nicer.

8) I ditched the "grivory" pinky hook from my AL slabber and made shims of brass tubing, this is planned for the G10 version. I find the pinky hook catches on things to much and creates a much higher ride profile than I like
getting rid of that thing is an easy mod.

9) Price difference G10 to AL , about twenty bucks

10) Say what you want about Cold Steel but they do make a reasonably priced solid performer in the AK47, I liked the original enough that I have gotten the G10 version as a second " user knife" with the Al slab to be relegated to left side carry now.

A
 
I'm glad you're happy with them, but I just picked one up at a gun show today to feel the heft, didn't find it comfortable in the hand at all, can't imagine trying to actually use the thing. I did like the large blade on it though.
 
I have mixed emotions about the CS AK47 (I have an alu handle modell).

I like the design (altough the handle too big for my middle size hands).
The Ultralock BADLY need ~300 open/close to the smooth operation! :O
The clip is too hard, even for a blue jeans, so I had to bend it slightly.
The "wave" feature works only ~50%, it depends on the pocket!

But it cuts like hell >:), it's scary-looking, and it's a big chunk of steel. :)

So, I like it and hate it. :O

It needs some refinements, and it will be a trusty companion - but not in the office. ;)
 
I have large hands so the knife fits me like a glove.

I thought it was the ugliest knife i've ever seen in my life until i held it and felt just how ergonomic and effective it is.

Love the open straight out the pocket feature. Improvement from their ti-lite series. If kept in the right spot, you only have to pull up instead of pull back and up.

Hollow ground blade for easy sharpening.

Like the above poster said, it has a fuglyness that grows.

Love the sturdy lock.

Love the Grivory "Pommel" that it has. Very effective less than lethal option. Hurts like hell when hit anywhere.

All in all, it's the ugliest knife i've ever seen, but i love all the features.

Will probably buy G-10 version also.
 
i have the aluminum ak and wouldn't buy g10 because aluminum is stronger. i carry it everywhere. i have shaved my head with it and it worked better than the new gillete fusion razor and didn't cut me when the razor did, carved 2by4s and still shaved, chopped stuff, scored sheetrock and still shaved. the only thing wrong with this knife is the person using it and their judgemental opinions. first hand experience is truth not opinion. you can have your opinions and keep them too cause i'm not buying them unless i can witness first hand.:cool:
 
So what you all are saying is,its a great knife that is so ugly its good looking.I like that. Maybe they should have called it an Edsel. Now I am going to get me one. Thanks!!
 
Oh, have I got some choice words for Mr. Thompson on this one. I like Cold Steel knives, but this one badly needs some design changes. The fancy-pants Grivory pinky grippy thingy on mine broke (read: I broke it), and the aluminum scales are too thin in places. An example would be right around the pivot bolt...where mine is now in more than one piece. The only thing holding the left grip on is the two bolts in the rear of the handle. And that's another thing: TWO bolts? There should be at least three -- four is better. And yes, from two bolts to three bolts IS a big difference. And the pivot wobbles like crazy. I would gladly tighten it, but my special smaller-than-tiny screwdriver seems to have grown legs and walked off. I may beat the crap out of my knives, and I should have paid more attention to these details when I bought the knife, but there's just no reason for crap like that to happen. The Grivory is getting replaced by hard aluminum by my machinist brother -- easy job.

Aside from that: I love the blade design -- mostly. I rounded up the handle-end of the edge to eliminate that stupid little choil thing that grabbed every rope and string I tried to cut. Now the blade has a nice rounded swoop all the way from hilt to point. I removed that stupid "wave" thumb-stud. I started by grinding down the sides so it does NOT function as intended. Then the screw came loose. I haven't put it back on, but I think the wave is a crappy idea anyway. The last thing I want to do with my shiny new knife is put a 1 1/2" slice in my mother's leather couch. I don't need a wave to open that knife quickly. It's instantaneous with a flick or with a simple thumbstud-- has been since I bought it. The lock is AWESOME. That's not exaggerating. I love the lock.

I don't care how ugly this thing is. Knives are 5% art and 95% function. With a few design changes, it would be spectactular. And yes, I love AUS 8 in folders. It's functional, easy to sharpen, tough, corrosion resistant to the proper degree (for me), and I've said it before: if you bitch about sharpening a knife, find a different hobby/obsession.
 
smithd50 said:
Oh, have I got some choice words for Mr. Thompson on this one. I like Cold Steel knives, but this one badly needs some design changes. The fancy-pants Grivory pinky grippy thingy on mine broke (read: I broke it), and the aluminum scales are too thin in places. An example would be right around the pivot bolt...where mine is now in more than one piece. The only thing holding the left grip on is the two bolts in the rear of the handle. And that's another thing: TWO bolts? There should be at least three -- four is better. And yes, from two bolts to three bolts IS a big difference. And the pivot wobbles like crazy. I would gladly tighten it, but my special smaller-than-tiny screwdriver seems to have grown legs and walked off. I may beat the crap out of my knives, and I should have paid more attention to these details when I bought the knife, but there's just no reason for crap like that to happen. The Grivory is getting replaced by hard aluminum by my machinist brother -- easy job.

Aside from that: I love the blade design -- mostly. I rounded up the handle-end of the edge to eliminate that stupid little choil thing that grabbed every rope and string I tried to cut. Now the blade has a nice rounded swoop all the way from hilt to point. I removed that stupid "wave" thumb-stud. I started by grinding down the sides so it does NOT function as intended. Then the screw came loose. I haven't put it back on, but I think the wave is a crappy idea anyway. The last thing I want to do with my shiny new knife is put a 1 1/2" slice in my mother's leather couch. I don't need a wave to open that knife quickly. It's instantaneous with a flick or with a simple thumbstud-- has been since I bought it. The lock is AWESOME. That's not exaggerating. I love the lock.

I don't care how ugly this thing is. Knives are 5% art and 95% function. With a few design changes, it would be spectactular. And yes, I love AUS 8 in folders. It's functional, easy to sharpen, tough, corrosion resistant to the proper degree (for me), and I've said it before: if you bitch about sharpening a knife, find a different hobby/obsession.
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i personally like the wave for speed of drawing and opening in case of split second thinking, i agree with you on the handle end of the blade it gets caught on everything so i ground it off as well,having a custom less than lethal thing a ma jigger on it sounds pretty cool as well.:thumbup:
 
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