Espada g10 or Polished finish?

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Sasuke13Uchiha

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Jun 8, 2014
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I have been considering an Espada for a long time now mostly for novelty but also for some hard use, i know g10 is strong but i do prefer the looks of the polished finish one. but at almost twice the price i dont know if it would be worth it? any comments?
 
Cold Steel knives are stupid tough. Knowing that both Espadas use g10 for handle materials and Aus-8A blade steel, I'd recommend the g-10 version without the aluminum bolsters. It's less expensive and will afford you the same cutting preformance.

That said, if you really believe that you'd enjoy the polished version more and can happily pay the extra cash for it, there is nothing wrong with that.
 
The aluminum bolster of the polished version will get scratched up quite easily.

(I polish aluminum and stainless steel parts for a living and let me tell you that aluminum is quite difficult to polish and keep that way!)

The G10 version is a much better choice if you plan on using it. Especially now, since they went with stone-washed blade finishes.

I consider the Espada a pure fighting design, not an EDC at all.

Only the 3.5-inch version would I consider for an EDC and I already have the 4-inch Voyager Clip-Point.
 
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There is a difference in the handle construction that you may want to consider, not just the bolsters.
I carry my Extra Large Espada daily.

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I prefer the micarta, polished aluminum version. Feels much better in my hand than the G-10 version.
 
Freman Bloodglaive said:
The Ti-Lite is a very nice knife, but it's nowhere near as strong as the Espada.
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That is absolutely true and the G10 Espada isn't as strong as the original Espada. If you compare the liners, or lack thereof, between the two Espada models you'll see that it's a no brainer on which one is more durable. Either Espada will serve well, it's just that one will serve better than the other. This is one example where you do get what you pay for.
 
well of course it is not even in the same league in terms of lock strength and that also is something to think about...:confused: as for the price i would not mind paying more for the original, i just want to know if it is worth it
 
Sasuke13Uchiha said:
yeah thats a good point no point in paying for the nicer one if im going to use it hard thanks!:)
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If your intention is to use it hard, pass on the G10 model, it has next to no liners to reinforce the handles. The original model has full length and full height liners, this is a knife for hard use and of the two, worth every penny that you'll invest in it.
 
Sasuke13Uchiha said:
mostly for novelty but also for some hard use
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It is definitely a novelty. I have both the G10 and aluminum bolster flavors. For "hard use", there is really no practical basis for using an Espada over a fixed blade or other less expensive knife. But for the fun/novelty component, the aluminum bolster flavor probably prevails. It is goofy big, like clown shoes. So absurd to hold and to play with that you just giggle like a Catholic school girl. The G10 version does carry quite a bit easier, but I think you will find that very few people will carry a large or XL Espada in either version for the long term. They are krazy fun, but not very practical except to de-limb trees or humans.
 
MOUNTAIN WILLIAM said:
If your intention is to use it hard, pass on the G10 model, it has next to no liners to reinforce the handles. The original model has full length and full height liners, this is a knife for hard use and of the two, worth every penny that you'll invest in it.
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For the XL Espada, I have the G-10 version.
The blade will break before the handle becomes an issue...seriously.
Chopping through a hawthorn tree to make a walking stick, the blade edge got a ripple in it that had to be pounded out with a brass hammer, and then sanded a bunch to get back to pretty much normal (some of the ripple is still there...whatever, I bought it to use, not to admire).
If you try prying, that blade will go "SNAP!!!" before the handle is fazed at all.

I have the Large Espada in the polished G-10 and aluminum handle, and it is very nice...much nicer,

But the blade is the limiting factor in either, not the handle material.

Buy the polished one if you like it, and because it won't rip your pants apart as much.
The strength of either handle material will exceed the blade though.
 
The strength of the original (aluminum) Espada comes from the integral frames, bolster and liner/frame are milled from single piece of hardened aluminum. Drawback is the lack of traction because of the polished G-10 scales and the mirror polished aluminum scratches easily. Looked around eBay if you are interested in the classy version, you might find 2nd hand one for a good price. The best size is probably the 5.5 in large version, imho; it feels like the Model 19, just perfect.
 
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