The 0-1 Natchez I ordered from Midway arrived after only 5 days.. surprised at the speed of delivery, especially at Christmas-time. I have coveted one of these for years and it is the largest bowie Ive ever had, for sure.. at a weighed 1 3/4 pounds!
Cold Steel isnt putting the edge on like they used to when I was buying TrailMasters, or even the SK Laredo..so that's a bit of a disappointment but I'll work on it with a ceramic stick and see what happens, it is still sharp, just not the "hay-er poppin" sharp Ive been used to. Had the same issue with the AUS-8 Kobun I bought last month.
The tip on this bowie was too thin, and a bit blackened from too zealous sharpening/shaping... the end of the tip flaked off and I had to touch it up a wee bit on a fine stone, no sweat but for a Natchez? Cmon CS! Quality control, anyone??
I'm not sure about the balance of this beast- seems a bit large and handle-heavy, certainly compared to previous CS bowies.. it may take some getting used to...
The back-edge (clip) isnt sharp, unlike my Laredo.. but it is contoured to take an edge so I'll work on that too.. Still, not what I expected considering all the hoop-la about the Natch as a fighting bowie over the years!
The thing I really dislike, altho I knew that going into it- is the "kydex" sheath. As arrived, the sheath held the blade too firmly to remove... I had to partially disassemble the lips of the sheath to remove the blade! The problem is the four pressed-in tabs in the lips of the sheath, put there to hold the quillions tightly- but they are TOO tight for quick or easy removal. I didnt expect to have to wrestle with the knife in order to draw it! A little dremel work to reduce the tabs should fix that. But still... not everyone has shop-tools available. If one had to emergency draw this knife, as it stands, from the sheath- it could result in a very bad time! Again, "Cmon, Cold Steel!"
With warts and all, I like this knife.. it's a real honkin bowie! and feels solid in the hand. Certainly worth what I paid for it from Midway. I'll be liking it more once I make a leather sheath- or more properly for a short sword- "scabbard" for it.
A little work and it will be just fine, I think. Gonna try it out on some brush and branches to see how it acts as far as balance and edge-holding. I don't plan to baton the blade- something I never do anyway.. It does feel solid enuff to baton on the blade however, hopefully I'll never have to go there with any bowie!
I had been thing that this would be my last acquisition from CS... however, I have wanted one of their Gurkha kukhris for a long while too.. so, maybe if The Old Woman remains distracted, I will slip into one of those too, if only to compare it to my other kukhs...
Other comments from people who own or have used the Natch regarding any experiences with this knife (or any CS bowie) are welcome.. Happy Christmas, all!
Cold Steel isnt putting the edge on like they used to when I was buying TrailMasters, or even the SK Laredo..so that's a bit of a disappointment but I'll work on it with a ceramic stick and see what happens, it is still sharp, just not the "hay-er poppin" sharp Ive been used to. Had the same issue with the AUS-8 Kobun I bought last month.
The tip on this bowie was too thin, and a bit blackened from too zealous sharpening/shaping... the end of the tip flaked off and I had to touch it up a wee bit on a fine stone, no sweat but for a Natchez? Cmon CS! Quality control, anyone??
I'm not sure about the balance of this beast- seems a bit large and handle-heavy, certainly compared to previous CS bowies.. it may take some getting used to...
The back-edge (clip) isnt sharp, unlike my Laredo.. but it is contoured to take an edge so I'll work on that too.. Still, not what I expected considering all the hoop-la about the Natch as a fighting bowie over the years!
The thing I really dislike, altho I knew that going into it- is the "kydex" sheath. As arrived, the sheath held the blade too firmly to remove... I had to partially disassemble the lips of the sheath to remove the blade! The problem is the four pressed-in tabs in the lips of the sheath, put there to hold the quillions tightly- but they are TOO tight for quick or easy removal. I didnt expect to have to wrestle with the knife in order to draw it! A little dremel work to reduce the tabs should fix that. But still... not everyone has shop-tools available. If one had to emergency draw this knife, as it stands, from the sheath- it could result in a very bad time! Again, "Cmon, Cold Steel!"
With warts and all, I like this knife.. it's a real honkin bowie! and feels solid in the hand. Certainly worth what I paid for it from Midway. I'll be liking it more once I make a leather sheath- or more properly for a short sword- "scabbard" for it.
A little work and it will be just fine, I think. Gonna try it out on some brush and branches to see how it acts as far as balance and edge-holding. I don't plan to baton the blade- something I never do anyway.. It does feel solid enuff to baton on the blade however, hopefully I'll never have to go there with any bowie!
I had been thing that this would be my last acquisition from CS... however, I have wanted one of their Gurkha kukhris for a long while too.. so, maybe if The Old Woman remains distracted, I will slip into one of those too, if only to compare it to my other kukhs...
Other comments from people who own or have used the Natch regarding any experiences with this knife (or any CS bowie) are welcome.. Happy Christmas, all!
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