Espada medium

S

snakemanstu

Joined
Jan 13, 2015
Messages
7
Hi all new to the forum but been having a good read and some great info here.Only just started to get a collection going and thought I would share few pics of my latest purchase.Love the knife,lock was hard to release but found a thread on here regarding triad locks which suggested leaving it partially open and it certainly seems to have helped.

untitled-0215 by StuartHowePhotography, on Flickr

untitled-0221 by StuartHowePhotography, on Flickr

untitled-0217 by StuartHowePhotography, on Flickr

untitled-0212 by StuartHowePhotography, on Flickr
 
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Beautiful pictures. I'm thinking about getting the medium once the xhp version is released. I never really noticed the medium before. The L and Xl look kinda goofy to me so I suppose I just overlooked the medium. But its a beautiful blade.
 
Very nice [awesome] pics, Stuart, and welcome to Bladeforums. I have the large version of the polished Espada, in addition to the medium and large G10 flavors. Now I want one like yours, but that's how I ride.

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Large G10 Espada. It does not have the panache of the polished version, but is easier in the pocket. Note how I sanded the G10 under the clip to reduce pocket shredding.

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Large Espada and XL Voyager. A high degree of care must be exercised when deploying and closing the large Espada due to its guillotine-like action on the fingers.
 
How is the blade of the large espada compared to the voyager for doing actual work? Not for fighting but just doing normal cutting tasks.
 
I have not used my large polished Espada, but the full flat grind Voyager is awesome especially for hacking and chopping vegetation. Maybe Mr. Stu could comment on the usefulness of the medium Espada. I think that most of these polished Espadas will be fondled much and used little, just by virtue of what kind of knives they are. At 5.5 ounces or so, the medium polished Espada could be carried on a daily basis for someone who was committed to it, but the large and XL are just so dang big that they are more useful for fondling and collecting than carrying and using. Just my take on this.
 
The Espada series was one of those diamonds in the rough that took a long time for me to recognize but, once I did, wow did it grab hold! When they first came out, I thought they were ugly and I didn't understand the ergonomics at all. A subhilt in the middle or near the bottom of the handle of a folder? Huh? I handled one at a show and thought, 'Nope, not for me.' Plus they were Taiwanese-made when most of the line was still Japanese, which I considered to have superior craftsmanship.

Fast-forward several years. I was thumbing through the Cold Steel catalog when for some unexplained reason the Espada photos just spoke to me. All of a sudden the knives were beautiful! Sometimes that happens, much to my wallet's chagrin! I purchased a polished Large, and that was that. What I discovered was that the ergonomics, once I handled it for a little while, were actually tremendous and offered a variety of grip options completely unheard of on other folders. I also discovered that Tawainese fit and finish have risen to standards unmatched in most of the world, comparable to the best that Japanese and American craftsmen have to offer. And the strength of the Tri-Ad lock coupled with the cutting power of a 5.5-inch polished blade make the Espada a force to be reckoned with in the "pocket knife" category. It has rapidly become one of my favorite folders, one of those that I would replace first if I lost my collection.


kakefat said:
How is the blade of the large espada compared to the voyager for doing actual work? Not for fighting but just doing normal cutting tasks.
Click to expand...

She'll do everything you ask of her and more. If you're looking to use the knife for a lot of outdoor activities (woodcraft, cleaning fish and game, etc.), then the Voyager might have a slight edge in ease of carry and use. But as a general-purpose cutter for both urban and rural environments, the Espada will serve you very well. As Powernoodle said, just be careful of the opening and closing force until you get used to it. I've never seen a folder close with more authority! Also, the bead-blast finish on the blades of the non-polished versions tends to develop rust when not cared for. If you're in a moist environment, I suggest you get the polished version (the beauty and more comfortable handle make up for the added expense) or wait for the new DLC CTS-XHP version.

Stu, welcome to the Forums and thanks for those beautiful pictures of your new Espada! Enjoy it!

-Steve
 
Thanks all for the warm welcome..the polished G10 on the espada handles fine..it is very smooth but the contours of the handle design make up for this as it has a very solid grip. I am contemplating getting the large version but not sure yet.Also just been looking at the Marauder bowie!Looks a nice fixed blade.:cool:
 
Looks great. I had the large and it was a tad too big, I like the medium, but its a tad smaller than I like. If they would have made a 4" model with the thumb-plate instead of the stud, I would be all over it.
 
Having just started collecting I am bit like a kid in a candy store at the moment..:D But really like some of the cold steel knives.Pretty tempted with the spartan also.:o
 
The more I look at it the more certain I am that I will get a medium Espada. And if I like it I will probably get a large one too sometime in the future.
 
The Whip said:
The Espada series was one of those diamonds in the rough that took a long time for me to recognize but, once I did, wow did it grab hold! When they first came out, I thought they were ugly and I didn't understand the ergonomics at all. A subhilt in the middle or near the bottom of the handle of a folder? Huh? I handled one at a show and thought, 'Nope, not for me.' Plus they were Taiwanese-made when most of the line was still Japanese, which I considered to have superior craftsmanship.

Fast-forward several years. I was thumbing through the Cold Steel catalog when for some unexplained reason the Espada photos just spoke to me. All of a sudden the knives were beautiful! Sometimes that happens, much to my wallet's chagrin! I purchased a polished Large, and that was that. What I discovered was that the ergonomics, once I handled it for a little while, were actually tremendous and offered a variety of grip options completely unheard of on other folders. I also discovered that Tawainese fit and finish have risen to standards unmatched in most of the world, comparable to the best that Japanese and American craftsmen have to offer. And the strength of the Tri-Ad lock coupled with the cutting power of a 5.5-inch polished blade make the Espada a force to be reckoned with in the "pocket knife" category. It has rapidly become one of my favorite folders, one of those that I would replace first if I lost my collection.




She'll do everything you ask of her and more. If you're looking to use the knife for a lot of outdoor activities (woodcraft, cleaning fish and game, etc.), then the Voyager might have a slight edge in ease of carry and use. But as a general-purpose cutter for both urban and rural environments, the Espada will serve you very well. As Powernoodle said, just be careful of the opening and closing force until you get used to it. I've never seen a folder close with more authority! Also, the bead-blast finish on the blades of the non-polished versions tends to develop rust when not cared for. If you're in a moist environment, I suggest you get the polished version (the beauty and more comfortable handle make up for the added expense) or wait for the new DLC CTS-XHP version.

Stu, welcome to the Forums and thanks for those beautiful pictures of your new Espada! Enjoy it!

-Steve
Click to expand...

Same applies to the xl voyager. At first I thought the curved handle with extra finger slots was goofy, but after using it it's the most utilitarian handle I've ever used. It makes what would be a big clunky knife a great knife for small detail work.
 
Well, my new polished medium Espada has been ordered. Let it never be said that I am immune from peer pressure. :thumbup:
 
Welcome aboard, Stu. :thumbup: The med. Espada is a beautiful little (relative to its brothers) knife that's sadly been totally overshadowed by its larger brethren. Thanks for the excellent pics. :cool:
 
powernoodle said:
Well, my new polished medium Espada has been ordered. Let it never be said that I am immune from peer pressure. :thumbup:
Click to expand...
:D Lets us know when it arrives and what you think of it!
G. Scott H. said:
Welcome aboard, Stu. :thumbup: The med. Espada is a beautiful little (relative to its brothers) knife that's sadly been totally overshadowed by its larger brethren. Thanks for the excellent pics. :cool:
Click to expand...

Thanks mate..:thumbup:
 
G. Scott H. said:
Welcome aboard, Stu. :thumbup: The med. Espada is a beautiful little (relative to its brothers) knife that's sadly been totally overshadowed by its larger brethren. Thanks for the excellent pics. :cool:
Click to expand...

Its really strange how overshadowed it has been. I dont really feel like I've given it more than a glance before while looking at the larger ones.
 
I picked up one of the discontinued Medium G10 Espadas. They can still be found for between $50 and $60.

I think they skipped the thumb-plate opener on this model because it would be too similar to the 4-inch Talwar. The handle shapes are almost the same on them as it is.

As far as using it for utility use is concerned, it works very well because of the thin hollow grind. I used it for cutting up peppers. No problems at all. I really like the blade shape and size of it.

The only problem I have with it is that there is a rattle that I can't figure out. I don't think that it is the stop pin. It has to be from something on the inside. It will rattle if shaken when either open or closed though.

I may pick up one of the newer, saber-ground, CTS-XHP versions with the Coyote Tan or Olive Green handle scales later on and depending on if the prices come down.
 
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