how strong is the laredo bowie tang?

ManRay

ManRay

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I picked up a carbon V laredo bowie a while back for $40 from a flea market and want to know if it is good to go for hard use. I know the primary function is a fighting bowie, but would it be strong enough to chop/ baton wood?


Thanks - Hunter
 
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ManRay said:
I picked up a carbon V laredo bowie a while back for $40 from a flea market and want to know if it is good to go for hard use. I know the primary function is a fighting bowie, but would it be strong enough to chop/ baton wood?


Thanks - Hunter
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That would depend on how you do it. It is probably at least as strong as a more traditional rat-tail tang, but even a full tang knife can be easily damaged by improper batoning. Knives are not splitting mauls,

n2s
 
not2sharp said:
That would depend on how you do it. It is probably at least as strong as a more traditional rat-tail tang, but even a full tang knife can be easily damaged by improper batoning. Knives are not splitting mauls,

n2s
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Do you think it would hold up to the same abuse as my Trailmaster or not?
 
ManRay said:
I picked up a carbon V laredo bowie a while back for $40 from a flea market and want to know if it is good to go for hard use. I know the primary function is a fighting bowie, but would it be strong enough to chop/ baton wood?


Thanks - Hunter
Click to expand...

Just OOC, why are you wanting to chop and baton wood with a knife that is very particularly NOT meant for it? I mean, I understand people who like having 1 "do it all" tool rather than carrying a separate knife/axe combo, I get people who don't like swinging an axe, I'm not saying don't baton or chop with a knife, but...use a knife that's meant for that kinda use? Taking something that is very specifically designed for 1 role, with literally it's entire design process based around that 1 role, then putting it into a complete different role that it is in no way designed for just kinda seems like you'd be asking for trouble.
 
ManRay said:
Do you think it would hold up to the same abuse as my Trailmaster or not?
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Most likely, No. Although, if you do it right, it should put very little stress on either knife.

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n2s
 
I don't understand why one would want to use a more expensive knife designed exclusively as a weapon to pound into wood with another chunk of wood. Froes are available for far cheaper.
 
For only $40.00 why not try it and see and let us know how it works out. You could do a test till destruction and chronicle the process for everyone wishing they new what the consequences would be. Maybe a youtube presentation. The only real way to answer your question is to do it!
 
I've already done severe testing with a Laredo, though not to destruction .. that's stupid behavior, but I did everything I would do with a Bowie, only extremely harder. The Laredo held up very well, and that was with an SK-5 "China Doll". You made a great score with getting a Carbon V for $40 .. congrats. It will cleave and do power cuts, but don't get silly with it. I personally don't baton with my knives .. axes and hatchets do a much better job.
 
Kwon Kwang said:
I don't understand why one would want to use a more expensive knife designed exclusively as a weapon to pound into wood with another chunk of wood. Froes are available for far cheaper.
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I only paid $ 40 for it, I wouldn't have bought it otherwise. And I'm not asking for your opinion on chopping / batoning just if you think it will hold up.
 
I recently did some batoning with my laredo bowie and after a short time the hand guard came slightly loose not terrible but noticeable. But I am not soncerned with the tang of the knife
 
The Laredo is a fighter and not meant for *batoning. The Laredo will hold up just fine for its intended use.

'Chopping' replaced with batoning.
 
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I have chopped a variety of stuff including water bottles, cardboard and tatami mats with my Natchez bowie such also has a cable tang/ wood handle. So far it held up great. Everything still solid.
 
I do wish cold steel would ditch the cable tang in the Natchez and Laredo. I really don't think it would affect the balance too negatively if they had a tang like the trailmaster.
 
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