how strong is the laredo bowie tang?

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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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

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
 
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

Do you think it would hold up to the same abuse as my Trailmaster or not?
 
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

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.
 
Do you think it would hold up to the same abuse as my Trailmaster or not?

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.
 
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.
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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