CS Laredo Bowie- handle material?

Ok, thanks for replies and help.

I decided to get one, since the price was really low and the exchange rate in my favor.

BTW, it seems that the current model of SK-5 Laredo Bowie has also been discontinued like the SK-5 Trailmaster, as reported here some days ago. New version with the same specs and a higher price is to be expected. I think I purchased mine at about the right time.
 
I had the carbon version once, but quite soon sold it. The sheath was the worst I'd ever seen, propably made of chinese pork skin or something because it rotted and deformed without even much using it. Oh yeah, and it had those genuine old west plastic inserts in the sheath too... I would have wanted a bit more for a knife with that price (luckily got it pretty cheap then).
And I've never seen any blade corrode that fast and I've used loads of carbon blades..
 
From what I've seen, the Laredo bowie uses a variation of pakkawood for the handle.

Gerber 'Utility' Bowie instead:
Instead of getting the Laredo, I would just do a search for one of the old Gerber 'utility' bowies with the coffin-shaped handle. They made two types - one with the rubber-type handle
sample pic:
http://www.youwantit2.com/G5978.jpg
And the other was made with wood.
Very nice looking bowies and I wish I had bought a few when they were being discontinued...
This is a sample of the cordia (bocote) wood handled bowie:
http://cutlerscove.com/bowies/gerber-bowie2.htm

I think some had a stag handle, too (limited edition)

Regards,
Mike
 
Good looking knife, that Gerber with a wood handle. But limited numbers and discontinued, pity about that.

My main interest is just getting some impressions on the "Bowie-type" knife. The Laredo should do ok as an entry-level item. Who knows, maybe I won't even like it or become more interested in bowies. If it does spark an interest, then it's time to think about more refined versions and custom makers.

For now, an affordable "beater" is what I'm expecting to get. Will report later if I remember. :)
 
bitter1 said:
We have a couple of these bowies in the carbon v and we are sending one back because the blade has rusted from sitting in the showcase for 2 or more years and yes I know that we should have taken better care of it.
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Ups....

Are they for sale ? I am interested :)
 
My friend who has a dealership ordered three of the Laredo's, he already had one of the Carbon 5 Laredo's. He laid all four of them out and told me to take my pick. Each blade was just slightly different in the belly and the amount of grinding on the false edge. Each handle was slightly different in how round and how thick they felt. I have very small hands but I found one with just the right combination of features to suit me. It feels really good for such a large knife.

The sheaths seem to all be of uniform good quality. A little tight, but they appear to be well made of good material.

Because of the size of the blade they do seem a little blade heavy, a threaded tang with a little more weight in the handle might have helped with that. I'm still considering beveling down the back of the blade, there's plenty of material there and taking those corners down on the top should make some dramatic differences. My friend has a nice little shop where I can do this, but for right now the weather here in the Willamette Valley of Oregon (while not anything as extreme as back east) has resulted in the roads being sheets of ice and very little driving is occurring.

Each knife was good and sharp so I am quite happy with my purchase.
 
"I had the carbon version once, but quite soon sold it. The sheath was the worst I'd ever seen, propably made of chinese pork skin or something because it rotted and deformed without even much using it. Oh yeah, and it had those genuine old west plastic inserts in the sheath too... I would have wanted a bit more for a knife with that price (luckily got it pretty cheap then).
And I've never seen any blade corrode that fast and I've used loads of carbon blades."

I've got to question where you found ANY CS Laredo factory sheaths with "those genuine old west plastic inserts". In addition to being a sheathmaker, I also sell knives, among them a lot of Bowies, and I've NEVER seen one of these with plastic inserts. Kinda calls into doubt the rest of your post. My experience with the CS Laredo is that it's a heck of a lot of knife for the money. The sheath's not bad - it loosens up after a while. I make one that is similar, but works better for hard use. Any carbon steel blade takes more care than a stainless one, but if you let it go to rust, that's on you, not the manufacturer.
 
+1 on that, Mr. Sastre.

Besides, if someone has a good knife with a bad sheath, isn't that good for business? :D

On the factual note of the Laredo Bowie sheath, it seemed of similar quality to the all-leather model that came with my old-stock Master Tanto, my only other Cold Steel besides my X2. It was thick leather, and, although tight, I didn't find it too bad. I liked the brass belt stud well enough.

On another note, I'm fairly certain I saw some of you work at the Knob Creek Range several years ago. Do you plan on showing there anytime soon, Mr. Sastre?

Thanks and God bless.

KATN,

Wade
 
Call me Mike, Wade. The Knob Creek Machine Gun Shoot is my favorite show!!
I set up there every Spring and Fall - booth B-12. Next shoot is 3,4,5 April. Stop by and say hello.
 
There is a G Sakai HSEK Bowie for sale in the exchange right now. It might be a nice alternative to the CS. Its been reduced to a steal of a price, also its made with 440C, which is decent in my opinion.
 
I had the picture somewhere, but naturally when I need it, it's lost. In the picture I had cut the side of the leather exposing the insides of the shealth where the plastic layer was. If I ever find the photo, I'll post it for you.

My point is that is it really too much asked to get a decent sheath for retail price of $200? Sure, the knife might be excellent but lame work with everything else is not an excuse.
 
A.L.,

It appears we are both correct on the sheaths. I had not looked at one of the factory sheaths in a long while. Earlier ones were definitely all leather. In the interest of giving you benefit of a doubt, i opened the cellophane on one of the latest SK-5 factory sheaths to inspect it. Sure enough, it had a plastic lining - not an insert. My guess is that the lining is there to both make installation of the stud easier, and more importantly, to prevent the point of the blade from coming through the sheath (i've seen this happen on a couple of similarly made all leather sheaths). The all leather ones loosen up after a break-in period, but doubt you'll get much loosening with the plastic lining in place. That would account for one poster's complaint of it being somewhat tight. It would also contribute to your complaint of rusting too easily, because there is no "weep hole" in the sheath to let any moisture out. Doesn't absolve you completely, but gives a probable reason as to why it happened.
 
Masteroffajitas said:
What's wrong with CS? They offer some very nice knives, like SRK, Trailmaster.....don't see them any different then say, Gerber or CRK&T...
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ROFL.gif


Now where's my beating the dead horse smily...

dedhorse.gif


Kind regards,

Jos
 
I agree with Mike on the general quality and performance of the Laredo. I've owned it in Carbon V, SK-5 and VG-1 San Mai III, and all of them, even the lower priced model is an excellent value with a nice level of overall fit and finish. Plus a well-sharpened swedge. The Laredo may not be an indestructible full tang brute like a Busse, but there is no question in my mind it can be put to good, hard use, and look good while doing it. The Laredo was my favorite bowie-style production knife until Cold Steel came out with the Natchez.
 
Mike Sastre said:
A.L.,

It appears we are both correct on the sheaths...
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So lining is the term, sorry about that. Im sure the knife could have worked well but I guess I was just so upset and maybe I needed money too at the time. It chopped damn well thought, but I didn't get much use experience on it.

Im just saying that Im not criticizing your taste, if it works for you then Im really glad. I love the looks of that knife. Gotta love bowies!

Cheers!
 
A.L.,

Until you said something about the plastic in the sheath, I had no idea they'd changed the construction. An insert is basically a sheath within the sheath, and since the plastic is a layer incorporated as apart of each side, it is a lining. Just semantics, no big deal. I would advise anyone with one of these sheaths, who might be using it in a wet environment, to put a "weep hole" in one side of the sheath so moisture does not collect. Better yet, see me about a Southern Comfort - already has a "weep hole". :)
 
Yeah, I agree with the hole. Mine got a bit wet and it took quite long to dry up.
 
anybody know what a new Gerber Coffin Bowie with Cordia wood coffin handle is worth? I need to sell the one.
 
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