What's CS's Best Bowie?

Drdan

Drdan

Joined
Dec 24, 2003
Messages
1,390
I have a late 1980's Trailmaster, which at the time, was an excellent knife at an excellent price point. I now see that there are are other CS offerings... The Nachez Bowie looks like an exceptionally designed and well made knife, although I would prefer a more ergonomic handle.

I would appreciate knowing what is the best Bowie in CS's lineup, and the best steel CS is using to make them. One thing is sure...CS comes up with some exceptionally designed knives!
 
I believe your Trailmaster is still the best if one wants the best Cold Steel Bowie for all around use. Their tangs are thick and seems to add to their overall robustness. The Natchez, on the other hand, seems to be specifically designed as a greater fighter purpose knife. You would not likely get anywhere the durability that the Trailmaster would give if used more roughly. Their 1917 Frontier Bowie is obviously styled to look more "old school", while still adding in some unique touches. They do have full length and thick 1/4 " tangs that allow their screwed on wood handle to be removed and pretty easily replaced if ever need be. The steel on the Frontier Bowie started with the 1055, then was switched to the 1085... So it may be found that the 1055 versions will be tougher in the long run, where as the 1085 versions may be more favorable for their being better at edge retention (the Frontier Bowie not having been out long enough to have yet gained much reputation on the user side of things). I believe the Laredo has a similar tang method as the Natchez... So it would seem again that the Trailmaster is the king of the group when speaking of an all around purpose big knife with great toughness.
 
Arguments will very starting with one's definition of "best" and "best for what?".
My personal "best" is the VG1Sanmai Trail Master.
 
Man with no name said:
If I could only have one I prefer the Natchez! It's one of the most regal knives available today!
Click to expand...

Difficult to choose only one, although I very much like my Carbon V Trailmaster. I do see Cold Steel continuously coming up with some outstanding designs that must make their detractors take notice. :) I see CS constantly improving on their steels and handle materials too. I like all their Bowies... :thumbup:
 
My pick is the San Mai Natchez, simply the most beautiful production bowie, just wish it came with the hamaguri/convex of the San Mai Trail Master...
 
I had the San MaiIII trail master for 10+ years.

The Naches and Loredo bowie have great shapes. But I won't ever buy one. The cable tang design just does not appeal in any way shape or form to me (I am not alone in this).

If they were a through tang, or even a stout stick tang I'd own both, likely.
 
I thump on both my natchez and laredo bowies with cable tangs, comfortable and more than strong enough for me to abuse.

The sm3 natchez is my favorite, I have a huge love affair for that knife.
 
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the cable tang construction. I severely tested a Laredo when they switched to the Japanese SK-5 steel and had then put together in China, testing both the steel and how the handle would hold up. I'm totally satisfied with the way it is constructed. The Natchez has a great balance, moves very well for a knife of it size, but I carry a Bowie, and it is just a little large for concealed carry. My favorite CS Bowie is the Laredo, in either Carbon V or the San Mai III.
 
Mike Sastre said:
My favorite CS Bowie is the Laredo, in either Carbon V or the San Mai III.
Click to expand...

Would the San Mai III version have any advantage over the Carbon V version besides that of enhanced corrosion resistance? The Laredo, fitted to one of your holsters, would make for one impressive EDC! I've been gleaning information on the Laredo, and I'll probably get one in SM III with the micarta handle. For me, it's another one of Cold Steel's exceptionally designed and functional knives that's also easy on the eyes.
 
I carry the San Mai III the most, mainly because of the corrosion resistance. It is also fairly "flesh hungry". It is never too far from me

Death-Wish-Coffee.jpg
 
The San Mai Laredo is an excellent knife. You can use 3m rubbing compound, by hand, and restore the handles original appearance without damaging it. Large but EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE cutter. PIGS pray to the barbecue gods that you don't show up LOL
 
Mike Sastre said:
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the cable tang construction. I severely tested a Laredo when they switched to the Japanese SK-5 steel and had then put together in China, testing both the steel and how the handle would hold up. I'm totally satisfied with the way it is constructed. The Natchez has a great balance, moves very well for a knife of it size, but I carry a Bowie, and it is just a little large for concealed carry. My favorite CS Bowie is the Laredo, in either Carbon V or the San Mai III.
Click to expand...

Isn't O-1 supposed to be an upgrade from SK-5?
 
Natchez bowie if the size isn't an issue. It's like a short sword or a baby saber. With the right technique a bowie of this size could take off a limb or a head in one slash. No doubt the Laredo is great as well in a more compact size. But faced with a wild animal in a sticky situation, I will take the Natchez.
 
Man with no name .. my post was about cable tang construction; not O1 vs SK-5 ... read first sentence.

Michael ... if I absolutely knew there would be a confrontation of some kind, yes, the Natchez is the best choice, due to blade length and shape, but it is not as portable as a Laredo. The Laredo I can have with me all the time for those unexpected moments. Love the Natchez, but since I do carry, size is an issue.
 
Mike Sastre said:
My favorite CS Bowie is the Laredo, in either Carbon V or the San Mai III.
Click to expand...

I was referring to the last sentence. Just curious why no mention of O-1 and why you prefer SK-5 is all. I have no problem with cable tang as I own several Natchez and Laredo Bowie knives.
 
I said I severely tested an SK-5. Nowhere did I say that I preferred the SK-5 over all the others, though it makes a great Bowie that I'd be willing to bet my life on. I have some O1s in stock, but no need to use one as I already have other Laredos in use, and I'm not going to make any evaluations on something I have not used extensively.
 
Looking back on this thread what I meant to ask about was Carbon V and not SK-5. In any event you more than answered my question. Sorry for the confusion.
 
I'm with Mike Sastre (post #9) on this question. Laredo bowie is my pick. I like it in SK5. I haven't put my laredo bowies through extreme use yet, but the SK5 seems to perform very well and by all reports is very tough. I also have it in the new O-1 steel. Not sure which would be the tougher steel, but according to people who've done some cutting tests, they say the O-1 seems to cut a bit better and maintain an edge longer. I have weighed my laredo bowies, and the SK5 versions were slightly lighter than the O-1 or SMIII. I think the SK5 clocked in at 17 oz and the others were about .5 to 1.5 oz more. They all feel slightly different in hand. I prefer the feel of the SK5 laredo. It has outstanding balance. And no one need worry about cable tang construction. As long as you don't hammer on the pommel end like a giant nail, the handle will not fail.

As for the Natchez, it's definitely more of a home defense type knife or camp knife. Great knife but a bit too large for edc.

And regarding the San Mai III steel, if you watch the CS videos, they do bend the SMIII blades a lot further than the carbon steel versions. Does that mean the SMIII is "tougher" than the carbon steel? I'm not sure, but maybe.

Which CS bowie you pick should depend on your main usage and personal preferences. If mostly for wood chopping, then go with the trailmaster or laredo. If mostly for defense carry while camping, then either the laredo or the natchez. There is a book by James Ayres called "The Tactical Knife", available on amazon. He is former special forces and he says he prefers the Laredo over the Trailmaster for woods use.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top