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Hell yeah bro, I’ve had my American lawman for sooooo long. The black has worn off a lot but yeah don’t care about that so much. I just commented on how I got the lawman, Ak-47 mini and spartan all about 10+ years ago maybe 12+ and they are all good to go still
Code 4 S35VN has become my (literally every day) EDC work knife. I beat on it daily. In a mechanical construction field, this has proven to be the best hard use folder I’ve ever used. Amazingly, when I properly clean it, it looks and flips like brand new!
I have no need for an American Lawman, but now one is on its way. Plus I can’t stop saying the name like I’m singing “American Woman.” Thanks for what you do, I appreciate your passion for these tools. As a dairy farmer who has recently broadened his knife horizons from Case, Victorinox, Gerber, and KA-BAR to Spyderco, Benchmade, Chris Reeve, and Hinderer; it’s great to see others find joy in the ingenuity of knife makers
Dude that’s hilarious. LMFAO. I ordered a miguron velona and was singing my Verona . 😂 bunch of weirdos we are . ❤ thanks for putting that out there . I wish more people would make funny comments and comment more freely .
Lawman is stupid durable and useful. I use it all the time and beat the crap out of it, even to the point of digging and cutting roots with it when I'm working in the yard. Just clean it off with a little dish soap and water and put back in your pocket. I cut everything with it. I just love that knife! Great video as always by the way!
That wouldn't surprise me in the least. I love that guy....when he sold his company it broke my heart.... I was glad for him....but sad at the same time.
I already knew which Cold Steel knife was my favorite before I watched this video. I am very happy to see you agree. The American Lawman does not disappoint!
Their warranty is also no joke. I took a massive half quarter size chip out of a Spartan while battoning hard wood and they replaced it no questions asked And then I did the same thing to the replacement while chopping through heavy sappy brush and they replace that one too! The lock up was still perfect in both but the Aus8 blades with that very thin hollow ground edge just could not hold up to getting beat up with intensive chopping or splitting. I did beat up on the BD1 replacement a bit and had no problems, but I still wouldn't and do not trust it like a full flat grind though.
My regularly used knife is the CS Ultimate Hunter. It's beefy enough without being ridiculous. I was lucky enough to buy it when was in CTS-XHP and I believe I paid around $95.
I am a Cold Steel fan myself. I own a Voyager Large and XL Tanto folders, Voyager Large and XL Drop Point folders, Counter Point 1 and XL folders, SR1 Lite Tanto, Immortal, and 4max Scout. I had others, but these 9 folders are what I have now. I also own 3 fixed blades (Drop Forged Survivalist, Kobun, and Recon Tanto San Mai 3), 3 Machetes, and various other sharp edge and blunt tools. Cold Steel makes good products for reasonable prices!
I have 23 DIFFERENT Cold Steel Espadas. They have manufactured them in 4 different blade steels. Aus8, CTS-XHP, Aus10 and S35VN. Here are all of their part # Polished - 62NM Aus8 Medium - 62NL Aus8 Large - 62NX Aus8 XL - 62NCM CTS-XHP Medium - 62NCL CTS-XHP Large - 62NCX CTS-XHP XL - 62MB S35VN Large - 62MA S35VN XL Black G10 - 62NGM Aus8 satin Medium - 62NGL Aus8 satin Large - 62NGX Aus8 satin XL - 62NGCM CTS-XHP black Medium - 62NGCL CTS-XHP black Large - 62NGCX CTS-XHP black XL - 62MGB S35VN black Large - 62MGA S35VN black XL - 62MGD Aus10A satin Large - 62MGC Aus10A satin XL Grey G10 - 62NGMLV CTS-XHP black Medium Coyote G10 - 62NGMVB CTS-XHP black Medium - 62NGLVB CTS-XHP black Large Flat Dark Earth G10 - 62NGLVF CTS-XHP black Large - 62NGXVF CTS-XHP black XL OD Green G10 - 62NGMVG CTS-XHP black Medium - 62NGLVG CTS-XHP black Large - 62NGXVG CTS-XHP black XL
2008 they were introduced 2015 the espada went from Aus8 to CTS-XHP and the Large changed blade shape. They different blade shape meant they had to redesign the handle and frame.
cold steel ak-47 is probably the most slept on model. out of the three models (ak47, lawman, and recon), ak-47 is the only one with the wavable feature; and has a metal pommel, aka the perfect bottle opener.
My all-time favorite that did not make your list is the AK-47. This knife is an excellent EDC and you can beat the crap out of it. It also comes in a fixed blade, but in my opinion, that is more of a tactical knife. It would be great for military personnel.
Give the Kobun a try it's a good fixed blade. For $45 or less it's a good value. It's lightweight and has enough of a blade to take care of interpersonal issues. I would recommend changing the clip on the sheath to an Ulticlip but just about everything I own has an Ulticlip.
I have only three Cold Steel knives, but the Recon One (drop point) is in my edc rotation. Yes it is big, but it has never been bothersome to me. I love it.
I work in the woods and regularly EDC my 4-Max Scout. I have used it to chop wood, cut rope, straps, irrigation tarp, and in one instance cut through a double strand of splice wire. Love the dumb usability of that knife😂
The Polished Espada Series have one piece 7075 Aluminum Frame, Liners, and Bolsters. They are designed after the Spanish Navaja. Check those out. They were super large like the Espada XL. They were used for self-defense; they were not meant to be compared to little EDC Pocket Knives that were created to be Utility Folders... :-) :-) :-) Peace, Stiletto :-)
My Cold Steel Recon 1 tanto is my work knife that I throw around and beat up on a daily basis! The ergos on the handle are the best I've ever handled on any knife Those 2 cutouts for your pointer and middle finger make it an ergonomic masterpiece!
If you are in the market for a larger and very durable knife, this review will provide you with all the options you would ever need. I have the AD 15 lite that has gotten unbelievably smooth after a few weeks of playing with it. It was $93 from Amazon but they are down to $88 I just noticed.
It was $50 @ midway USA which was a steal imo after breaking it in and taking some 2 k paper to the sharp edges on the scorpion lock 👍👍 super nice and sturdy , good size , smooth a f
i just recently got my hands on a (unfortunately discontinued) broken skull. let me put it this way: everything the benchmade bugout promised to be, but as a 4" blade device. sub 100grams (whatever this means in ounces) with a triad lock, g10 scales and good steel. i am impressed!
@@iamfuckingyourwaifuandther2743 IMO, if they had to discontinue the broken skull for some reason, they should have brought back the Lone Star Hunter rather than downgrade to the range boss.
@@iamfuckingyourwaifuandther2743 I'm sure they could figure out how to lighten it some. But the range boss is a big step backwards as far as I'm concerned.
The Cold Steel Spartan is a heavy beast but this knife gives you a great feel in the hand. The American made SRK is the best model for tactical use. Now of the best Cold Steel knives is my favorite Tuff Lite! The Tuff Lite is the best knife for your money.
The san mai steel they use is a laminate carbon steel designed to be like the steel used in traditional, functional samurai swords. It's higher carbon center is harder to provide strength, cutting power, and edge retention. The outer layers are of a lower carbon steel to provide flexibility and impact resistance. I have one of their recon tantos in this steel. You could not wish for a finer blade.
Great video, thanks!!! The thought occurred to me, a long time ago, that the American Lawman was the ideal pocket knife, the knife to beat, and, after a while, just a legend. More and more I find others who agree with me. One of my favorite knives of all time and, in my opinion, what someone thinks of when they think “pocket knife.”
This felt 🧂-y. 🤙🏻 I carry a code 4 Tanto s35Vn every day. It's comfy, the anodized scales haven't discolored at alI, I prefer clip points any day but the two I've ordered both had deformed bevels. All my nice knives are hiding in my room
I would add CS Voyager - the Tanto. More compact Aus10A amazing grip and ergonomics. It is 'the' knife that got me into knives and I finally bought one! It does not disappoint. Amazing action opens with just flick of the thumb. CS Lawman - great choice. One of my first knives. Brought to me from USA to S Korea by a friend. Ergonomics - the very best grip shape of any knife period. Wonderful design. Great job Andrew. Thanks for very watchable video.
A really good top ten list considering that there are so many Cold Steel knives to choose from. Two of my favorites that did not make the list are the Bush Ranger in S35VN and the Broken Skull.
I’m not even going to list all the different Cold Steel knives I own. But my most carried folders are my clip point or tanto XL Voyagers, 4 Max Scout and AD 10. The fixed blades I carry most are the SRK, Magnum Tanto 2, Drop Forged Survivalist or the Outdoorsman.
Just bought the AD10 in AUS10 I love the spartan, the blade is thin and cut like it's a laser, unusual for a CS. Fixed blades I also like them even more than folders
Not having the ti-lite on this list is almost sacrilege 😆 I used to have the aluminum 6" version and you could stick it through a car door 😐 You click out a 12" stiletto on someone in a dark alley , they are going to reconsider how they got in that situation in the first place 😆 Unfortunately my house was broken into a few years ago and it was stolen but I plan on buying another one eventually. In my opinion the big aluminum scale ti-lite trumps all the knives on this list.
I can only speak for the AD15 since it’s arrived and it’s super well built and solid . This is my first cold steel knife and I like it a lot and it just worked out to be in pocket when I needed to remove some like 1” spots of rotted cedar and it dug and made good cuts . I might not use a utility anymore .
I have no idea why amazon had a Cold Steel sale recently but almost all their knives were $7-$8 a piece. I ordered 21 of different knives for $150 like the Bush Ranger, Code 4, SR1, Espada, AD-10, AD-15, OSS, AD-10 Lite, SRK San Mai, Magnum Tanto San Mai, AK-47, Air Lite, Recon 1, Drop Forged... they kept selling out of different models and types and I just ordered some as fast as I could. They literally sold out of Cold Steel knives in the matter of minutes, sometimes seconds with some models. I have no idea why it happened but I'm waiting on 14 orders of Cold Steel now just waiting to see if it's real yet.
Very interesting compilation, MC! My favorite "budget" EDC is the CS Crawford Model 1. A bit less beefy than most of those on your list, but the lock switch on the liner lock seems pretty robust for at least light to moderate use. My "Beefy" choice would be the CS AD15 LITE...The AUS 10A blade is quite thick and robust, and the Griv-Ex scales are comfortable in hand, as is the Scorpion Lock. Razor sharp out-of-box as well.
I own the American Lawman and absolutely love it, but use it as a back up to my PM2. I recently bought an SR1 and can't wait to put it thru some hard use! I think it's on another level from any folder!
i just picked up the AD-15 for $129 on an amazon prime day deal (the regular version not the lite version). and then of course immediately rushed to youtube to watch some metal complex videos. 🤘 but passing on: amazon has deals on cold stone knives OFTEN. i also got the AD-10 a few months back for something like $105. if you're patient and set up some camelcamelcamel alerts, you can buy a lot of these for almost half their retail list price. the AD-15 at $200+ was never tempting to me, but i couldn't pass on $129 with free shipping.
I have been waiting for them to release the Natchez Bowie in CPM-3V.... I have zero practical use for something like that... But with 5/16 blade stock (0.313) and with an almost foot long blade, it will be my magnum opis of fixed blades lol.... that blade stock is noticably thicker than a BK-2... And the blade is 2.25" longer than a BK-9 .... What a BEAST !!! 😍😍😎😎😁😁 $ 535.49, plus S&H and tax is going to hurt ... But it will be beyond awesome.
but the Cold Steel "AK 47" folder though...aluminum pommel to emergency break windows or crush adderall xr beads with ease, also open up my beer with it!..hollow grind wide modern clip point very slicey. best ergos comparable to my Manix 2 XL! especially with that pistol grip! 60hrc tough S35VN steel...and it comes out ready. ready for anything! super tough knives made for a reason!
I have a American Lawman as an edc and i take my SR1 with me when i go camping. The mora garberg is always in my backpack but i think i will survive a apocalypse with the SR1..
The 20cv 4 Max is no longer available. The s35vn 4 Max elite is currently on sale for $250 right now at Midway USA asking with many other Cold Steel models
I drive for a car service and have used the slightly less expensive version of the espada igt was the 71/2 inc. Some one pulled an av erage size knife and he had a crocodile dundee moment when he saw my knife.
My finger paid the price when I first tried to one hand close my SR1, that thing is a guillotine with that thick slab of razor sharp steel swinging down. I can do it NOW, but only VERY carefully. Still a great knife.
The only thing cold steel does not do right is not having higher steel grade models for the finn wolf tuf and mini tuf and the small versions of the recon 1. Those and other models would deserve a higher end version. On the lower end versions they should stick with nothing less than 440C or AUS10 which are very usable. For me, the best folders are the lawman, code 4 (clip and spear point), recon 1 (clip and spear point) and (surprisingly) the ak47, these are great cutting/slicing knifes, especially the lawman and the ak47. The ultimate hunter has the best handle and is very stout it is probably one of the best heavy duty folders they have ever made. I'm not a fan of the handle in the ad10 and I think CS should have used stainless steel for the liners instead of aluminium (I'm not sure of how good/deep is the anodization on the liners), galvanic corrosion will kick in and that knife will be either permanently closed or open in less than a day if you use it in a marine environment or if you take it for a long excursion in a wet environment. As for the fixed blades, a s35vn, cts-xhp, or elmax version (with a leather sheath and g10, or micarta, handle) of the max hunter and (surprisingly) the pendleton hunter (drop the 3v version, it's ridiculous for a blade with that size) would be very welcome... These knifes are absolutely great in every aspect, higher end user focussed (stop thinking of a knife as something you want to use to chop/baton through wood, any $20 saw or axe is much better at it. That's what people use in real life) versions would be extremelly welcome.
I got the old voyager xl half serrated tanto made in Japan, and the new model tiger claw karambit. Both knives are absolutely stunning in every way. The price is right for that quality, under payed imo. I've had a Benchmade double the prize of the voyager, bit the voyager is the one still alive and well
@@michaelyoung5298, Well, I like it, but someone else thinks it has crappie steel. I'm fine with it, but the clip over the scale makes it too tight on the pocket. I used a little sand paper under it and sprung the clip open very carefully. (slipped another blade sideways under it and gently pried it a bit)
Lynn Thomson carries two Espada XL’s 😂 They can be fully deployed from pocket, btw. So if it’s about deployment in as few steps as possible, that’s probably it, right?
Great presentation! Your #1 pick is the toughest opening knife in my small collection (right thumb of mine doesn't help). The lock is tough to disengage also. It's sharp as can be and built like the proverbial $..t House! I believe I can hammer nails with it. Tough to deploy in my opinion but well deserant of it's position on your list. (Rather have the #2 or 3) knife on your list... Thanks!
