First CS - need some information before I pull the trigger

Humppa

Humppa

Joined
Jul 25, 2010
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Hi guys!

I´m almost long in knives. Mostly traditional but also Spyderco and the usual suspects ;)
I´d like to get my first Cold Steel Knife at the beginning of next year; the American Lawman would be my fave so far, from what I´ve seen on youtube.

It won´t be a Save Queen - I plan to use it as a replacement of my RAT-1, which I use as a building lot knife.

Here beginn the questions ;)

How does the AUS 8 compare to the blade steel RAT-1 (which is the same) - HT I mean...?

The construction on the American Lawman is linerless - how does it perform in point of robustness to the RAT-1?

The linerlock of the RAT 1 loosened up after months of hard use, no abuse. I cut concrete bags, stripped wires, hard cardboard, opening blister packages, opened beer bottles with the spine and so on... I´ve seen on youtube that the Tri-Ad-Lock is kind of tough. How will it perform?

It might be a little strange, that I compare to the RAT-1, in case of price the American Lawman costs double of the RAT-1. But it´s the only knife I use in that way. Most of other knives are EDCs and no "real" building lot folder. G10 is a great and tough material, I know. But the linerless construction could make me miss something, what makes me a little concerned.

Thanks for your help in advance :)
 
The aus 8 on the two is definitely different. I'm not sure how to say it. I guess I prefer the rat. The liner less ness won't be a problem most likely. Was the loosening of the lock up and down or side to side?
 
The problem with the lock is a side-to-side play. Not that bad, but still to realise and I couldn´t fix it to adjust the pivot screw.

What do you mean with definitely different, in what kind?

Thanks for your reply :)
 
Have you seen Nutnfancy's review on the American Lawman? It might answer a lot of questions for you.

[video=youtube;HLJGywHXe3I]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLJGywHXe3I[/video]
 
Humppa said:
The problem with the lock is a side-to-side play. Not that bad, but still to realise and I couldn´t fix it to adjust the pivot screw.

What do you mean with definitely different, in what kind?

Thanks for your reply :)
Click to expand...

Well, comparing my rat to my voyager. I would say the rat chipped easier but was easier to sharpen. Both held a very good working edge for a very long time.
 
Don't worry about the linerless G-10 handles. Something else will give out long before the scales do. I don't mean that in a bad way, just saying that the scales are plenty strong. Cutlerylover has a vid on youtube where he tries to snap the scales on a Recon 1, and the blade ended up breaking off instead, with no apparent damage to the scales.:thumbup: The Tri-Ad lock will also be stronger than any liner lock out there. I don't own a Lawman, but I've never had an issue with CS's AUS-8 in the many other knives of theirs that I do have. I think you'll be very pleased if you decide to buy one. :cool:
 
Take a hard look at the Code 4 series with the aluminum handles. I prefer them over the G-10 models. My Code 4 has become my new fav edc.
 
Good tip, Cold Steel measures edge length for blade length, not end of handle scales to tip.
 
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IMO I think you are overthinking this purchase. You made a great choice. The Lawman is a special knife. I have 60-70 value knives and everytime I rotate this knife, (right now) I am amazed at what a great mid-size knife this is for the money. I don't like black blades too much, but I am still waiting for the perfect $55 knife. The Lawman is very close.
 
I would suggest the Recon 1 clip point.

"Overbuilt" like a S&W 610 N Frame!

The only time Ive ever seen a Recon 1 snap or chunk out is when some individual clearly laking in the "sense God gave a billygoat" was batoning it into a notted up LOG on *You Tube*. Blade snapped. Handles and lock looked fine.

How is it that a given CS knife always manages to fail w/ exactly the same stressors over such a *wide sample of viewers*?

Its like the old Tootsie-Pop commercial....the world may never know....

Maybe its the idea that one shouldn't hammer on a folder...??....

No....that just can't be the answer...
 
Buy it, you won't regret it. I bought a Rajah II for $100 and never looked back. Holds an edge better and takes a sharper edge than Spyderco's 8Cr13MoV. I've used it extensively to chop down small (3"-6" diameter) trees and split them, performed several spine whacks and overstrikes and the lock is still SOLID. No play at all.
 
I have a CS Recon 1 with the clip point. Plenty tough.

I also have an older Recon 1 with their ultra lock (axis lock), in tanto point.

Both are great knives, that I have gotten years of use out of (13 years on the older Recon 1 tanto). That lock is still tight and solid.
 
THanks for your great replies, fellows. I´ve looked a little over the whole CS lineup - many great looking knives and the opinions on youtube seem to be all positive. I gonna give the American Lawman the very first try. Many other knives from CS seem to be really nice as well.
 
Got this one recently and I realy like it. I removed the thumb stud to make it legal to carry where I life





Will be a great EDC next to my traditional knives :D
 
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