Video review of the Cold Steel SK5 Natchez Bowie

I

Idiot1jerk2face3

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Nov 2, 2011
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[video=youtube;f6oTbSjZxd4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6oTbSjZxd4&feature=plcp[/video]

BowieNatchezSk5.jpg
 
I have a San Mai version of this knife, its a magnificent piece of steel, I love it. All I need is to get a decent sheath made for it so I can actually carry the thing once in a while. I bought it used and the guy had a sash style kydex rig made for it by Mike Sastre but it doesnt feel secure enough to me.
 
I owned the SK5 version, Taiwan, when they first came out. Not to impressed with it. Mostly finish related stuff. So I sold it shortly after for what I paid on another forum. It is a hunk of steel though. Nice review and keepem sharp
 
[video=youtube;AepChU3lJr4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AepChU3lJr4[/video]

[video=youtube;Jhdgf2WBMHk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jhdgf2WBMHk&feature=channel&list=UL[/video]
 
I was waiting and waiting to get the SK-5 version then i found out they had the above pictured half-tang with wire-cable.
I love the Natchez but that tang was a deal breaker for me.
 
tholiver said:
I was waiting and waiting to get the SK-5 version then i found out they had the above pictured half-tang with wire-cable.
I love the Natchez but that tang was a deal breaker for me.
Click to expand...
That configuration is plenty strong, that person was batoning the knife by hitting it on the handle with a log.
 
Once before I had a knife with the same kind of tang set up. When you swung the knife the wire cable would actually tap/click against the inside of the grip, drove me nuts.
To me the small weight savings and slight balance change aren't worth the cost of lesser durability. Also the more-complicated-to-manufacture tang set up must add to the manufacturing costs.
I do still love the aesthetics of the Natchez, if they ever offer a full tang version i will buy one for sure!
 
tholiver said:
Once before I had a knife with the same kind of tang set up. When you swung the knife the wire cable would actually tap/click against the inside of the grip, drove me nuts.
To me the small weight savings and slight balance change aren't worth the cost of lesser durability. Also the more-complicated-to-manufacture tang set up must add to the manufacturing costs.
I do still love the aesthetics of the Natchez, if they ever offer a full tang version i will buy one for sure!
Click to expand...

I have the san mai version and have yet to hear a tap or clang.
 
(Sorry for the poor drawing)
SK5.jpg


The part of handle inside the guard is too thin(1~2 mm) to do chop or any heavy work.
I don't think this is a strong configuration.
 
It's shameful really that CS cuts so many corners in their designs. The worst thing about this tang design is that now the knife is useless, because engineering a new handle over this tang would be very difficult. My CS SK-5 Kukri has a rather pathetic tang as well, not as bad as this though. The handle would have just fell off of it, if it wasn't for the brass lanyard rivet. As much hype as CS promotes, their knives could never be heirloom quality. CS won't get anymore of my money!
 
I'll still buy CS Hawks, Machetes, triad lock folders and anything else they make that i find interesting, but as i said a few posts above i was waiting a long time for the SK5 version of this knife and then i found out about the cable tang which subsequently made me lose interest. CS do us a favor and make a full tang version of this otherwise cool knife!
 
Imo, I don't think a full tang is absolutely needed for a bowie that was designed since the beginning to be a weapon. I have a sk5 laredo and sm3 Natchez both have been used to cut through tatami mat and beef and pork flesh and bone. They both are superbly designed and balanced and are more then strong enough for there intended role.I'm sorry to see that some people have had some handles break off the sk5 version even if they were using it incorrectly or batoning it when they should have used an axe.

I'm not sure that I understand the mindset that people have of trying to use a knife for everything else but what it should be used for.I don't think too many people ( I am sure it has happened) have tried to baton with there katana's or other bladed weapons so why try to baton with a fighting bowie? The grind,handle configuration and overall shape and design are not ideal for such abusive wilderness tasks. I know some people may say" If a knife can't handle Insert X then how am I going to trust it with my life in a self defense situation?" My answer is that certain designs are better at different tasks, simple.

What it really comes down to is using the right tool for the job, I honestly believe the SM3 Natchez is one of the best production bowies ever made.
 
tholiver said:
I was waiting and waiting to get the SK-5 version then i found out they had the above pictured half-tang with wire-cable.
I love the Natchez but that tang was a deal breaker for me.
Click to expand...

This. I cannot, for the life of me, fathom why the decision was made to construct the knife this way.
 
Bigfattyt said:
This. I cannot, for the life of me, fathom why the decision was made to construct the knife this way.
Click to expand...

Me neither. It seems both weaker and much more complicated to make than a normal full-length hidden tang that's threaded on the end. :confused: That's too bad because it's a very nice blade design.
 
Poleaxe said:
To be honest I have to agree but it is quite strong and balances the knife very well
Click to expand...

Thread bump. My understanding is that the balance of he knife is specifically why they chose the tang construction. The Natchez is a fighting tool, not a bushcraft tool. It was not designed to hack through several tree limbs a day. It was designed to give the user the ability to hack through another type of limb, before the user's opponent could reciprocate.
 
I have to agree with this assessment. My hand axe is a terrific tool but I'd never want to use it to shave my face, preferring instead to use a razor. Since I have a razor this seems reasonable. It dosen't diminish the quality or effectiveness of my hand axe when I don't use it to shave.
I have a Natchez bowie and it is indeed an impressive and lively piece of steel, certainly capable, strong and well built enough for any number of defense scenarios, animal or human. But not designed to chop trees, dig in the dirt and other like chores.
I do have one question though- my Natchez blade steel is 01.. is that the same or different than SK5 ?


Wabbit69 said:
Thread bump. My understanding is that the balance of he knife is specifically why they chose the tang construction. The Natchez is a fighting tool, not a bushcraft tool. It was not designed to hack through several tree limbs a day. It was designed to give the user the ability to hack through another type of limb, before the user's opponent could reciprocate.
Click to expand...
 
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