Reviews, discussions and other content related to my speculative fiction writing, various creative pursuits, prodigious martial studies or random bizarre experiences throughout history. (Really just trying to sell more novels, but if there's anything meaningful I can share from my long, strange existence, I'll give it a shot.)
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THANK YOU , I WON'T BE BUYING ONE NOW
Nice Video as allways. Could you test the new Joker Bowie 9.45 in N695 Steel? It looks like an awesome Bowie.
I just added it to my wish list. Thanks for the recommendation!
Hope to see the Tanto Lite reviewed or compared to this.
Next up is the Outdoorsman Lite
Wish they'd release an additional version with a slightly longer blade.
Agreed. Love the knife, wish it were bigger
Excellent review! I’m buying one 😁
Thanks! It's a nice knife.
Bill Bagwell style, "Hell's Belle", Bowie! Everything your blade is and everything your blade should be, because yours was designed by the military, which has always failed in their blade designs for knives, not just our military, but everyone throughout history, because they think with their purse!
Why do you insist on making such mean faces at your testing mediums? All they wanna do is help you assess you blades and they are met with such disdain from you .
That snarl is me trying to keep my glasses from sliding off my nose. It's extra special when I do it in public and don't realize it.
They sell a bunch more if they would ged rid of the stupid cable tang construction.
Something that really helped me enjoy my spartan more was grinding down the hook on the pommel, essentially giving it a similar shape of the voyager xl series, just in a smaller package. Hope this helps!
That is a good idea!
@@michaelrizzo5523 keeps the awesome blade shape, but makes the handle a bit more user friendly. I can’t take credit for the modification. Comes from a now deceased friend of mine. Look up “Fresno felon mod” for the cold steel spartan
I have a sword that was made by Hanbon Forge to look like a "kai gunto" that has some major inaccuracies (The kabutogane is totally different, and so are all the metal fittings on the saya) which have only started to bother me recently. I live in Oregon, so I contacted the Fred Lohman company because I know they make repro shin gunto fittings (so I could have it converted to an NLF style gunto) but when I reached out, I received an email back saying that the company has shut down for the foreseeable future. Do you know of anyone in the PNW that might be able to install reproductions of those parts I mentioned? I know there's also repro Kai Gunto saya fittings on ebay, but I'm assuming shin Gunto parts are easier to come by.
I know Matthew Jensen has had custom work done with a lot of high quality craftsman in the US. The only one I personally know that works on Japanese style swords it Adam Novath, as I (questionably) do all my own work. I've seen good quality brass, copper and antique original fittings online from time-to-time, but they may or may not fit your sword as there's some variation in saya and tsuka thickness. The hardest part is getting the ashi and semegane slipped onto the saya and snugged down in the right places without chewing up the saya finish.
you think you might ever review the Natchez?
Since I was able to fix my main issues with the Laredo easily enough, and it's proven itself in long term hard use, I am considering the Natchez, but the Trailmaster is ahead of it on my wish list.
I just got my large G10 espada and am carrying it and it's just the right size. I believe that the xl version is too big and heavy to edc but I will probably still get one for the novelty of it
Mike thanks for your commitment to doing these excellent and intelligent reviews. I think your knife channel is among the most interesting in having diverse types of blades for martial applications. You have a very interesting choice of blades, even though I picked on you for buying a Laredo Bowie in 4036 stainless a while back. I've had lots of problems with Cold Steel this year and I really need to expand into other knife brands to expand my collection. Mike I know they are pricey but check out WORKTUFF GEAR if you get a chance.
16:55 This is a finishing knife. Designed purely for dispatching game. I've seen more than one us video mistaking this pattern as a fighting knife due to its shape and gaurd. But its traditiknal in Spain and Portugal for hunting bosr with dogs where dispatching with a gun could injure the dogs.
If I’m understanding correctly, you don’t like liner locks on knives but you should give the Ti-Lite a go.
Not a fan of frame locks, but liner locks are fine if they're well fit and reasonably sturdy. I had lock jam issues on both my CS Luzons, and one of my friends had the same problem with his Ti-Lite, so I'm a bit wary of CS liner locks.
@@michaelrizzo5523I haven’t had any trouble with the 3 ti-lites I own, 2 are older 1 is newer. If anything changes I’ll be happy to let you know. The ti-lites can be had for fairly cheap these days.
Such weird sheaths !?!! I had been looking at these when they came out but had no clue the sheaths were so strange (bad). Kind of on a bit of a cold steel boycott the now anyway but thanks for the video !
Really aggravating sheath design. Makes me not want to carry them.
@@michaelrizzo5523 I understand that.
Love your Videos. Greetings from Germany
But either one are easy to sharpen
Mora carbon black blade it seems to be full tang and thickness is nice but cost a bit more
3:25 ...... yep it's my pecker...😂😂😂
Mora's own website agrees with your calipers, the blade is 2.5mm thick. There's also a Companion Heavy Duty, which is 3.2mm thick and costs 50% more. If you (for some reason?) need the full tang, there is the Garberg, which is also 3.2mm and is available with Mora's "multi-mount". Both are sturdier than "traditional" Mora knives, which are 2.0mm. Check out the Basic 546 for a modern interpretation, or the Classic 2F for a...well, classic version of the Companion.
I Love Mine Too 😊
I think what appeals to Becker knives is how fun they are to mod. Bushcrafters love to customize their knives and these are great for that. I wrapped the grip, sharpened a tip of the false edge for better penetration, removed the serrations from the thumb ramp. I'm going to make a leather sheath for mine. Yep, inflation sucks.
You won’t get upset if you lose, destroy or damage a Mora. That’s why I love them. And so easy to maintain.
I've never seen anyone throw a Mora Companion into a target before. Well done!😅 Speaking of throwing, I've been thinking about getting a few inexpensive Esenihc outdoor knives to use in that capacity to see how they perform as dedicated throwing knives are generally frowned upon if not outright prohibited in some areas. :) Yeah, the scandi grind bites into wood, but does not like striking bamboo too much. :)
I can't find anything wrong with a mora. Except the sheath (im lefthanded). As far as the knife goes is a great time tested design. Instead of mora i now use Hultafor OK4 it's a couple dollars more but a better sheath. Lately ive been on a puukko trend. I just bought the BPS Aura. I believe they are delivering in by row boat and bicycle. I hope it is worth the wait. Ive never used N690 . Great video as always 👍
My absolute favorite is the Voyager Vaquero XL serrated. But I never sharpen it. Is only for self-defense.And I live in Germany. Unfortunately I'm not politically correct Lynn 😅😉🫡
It took me years to drink the Mora koolaid but since then I've bought 3. The 511 basic with carbon takes an amazing edge and is my go to carver. The pro s with stainless is a very comfortable edc. It can be carried on belt or in pocket. Best of all Moras don't scare people when you use them. They present as a common tool while being able to provide security if needed.
MADE in CHINA...I'll pass
I've only seen a black bladed version on the xl espada. If you've seen the large with a black blade can I ask where please?
Looks like only the XL is available in black, which is frustrating.
@@michaelrizzo5523 Yeah that stinks. Knife Center has the XL in different colors and a black blade. Nice though
Just ordered one for myself. I have 2 kukris from condor knives and 3 folding kukris from coldsteel knives and I think this new 5 inch traditional style kukri from Nepal is going to be great. I'm also looking at the pocket kukri from the kukri house. As a LEO and a edged weapons instructor I can tell you that the kukri even on a smaller scale is a game changer in a defensive role. Those snap cuts that you talked about are huge in real edged weapon defense and that deep belly will render horrific results on your attacker. That's why the coldsteel rajah 1 an 2 folders are excellent for defensive carry. This was a great video and helped me make my decision to go ahead and purchase one. Just for the record, off duty I carry one if not both my condor kukris on my person every day. Are they large yes do they conceal well, no. But with a little imagination you can accomplish conceal carry. Because I carry a concealed firearm, I wear a cover shirt so concealing a large kukri is possible. Do i mind the weight, not really but then I'm used to carrying extra weight. can the weight of the items be uncomfortable, yes but there not supposed to be comfortable. They are supposed to be comforting. Sorry for the long post. Again thank you for this video.
Let me know what you think of it. I did a follow up video after I re-profiled the blade on mine to a keener convex.
Another great review, of a knife that I have been thinking about for quite some time. So thanks ! I have been collecting Cold Steel for many years, and more recently the Spanish made Knife Brands. Muela, Joker, and Cudeman. I have spent way to much, way to fast lol.... But, the Buffalo Hunter has caught my eye. I'd prefer a full guard, vs. the half guard, and perhaps a little heavier. Yes, I like a well built, heavier knife. As you showed with the SR1 Lite, it may be called lite, but it is heavy duty. Thanks again !
Cant here ya han
Tern ya volume up cant here ya
Can the blade be turned around in the sheath for left hand carry?
It's not meant to, but you can make it work
Some videos, you just have to see more than once... Like this one!!!
i like the grip.
I've added some slight relief cuts top and bottom on the sides of the grip to hug my fingers better. Really like it now, and it's taken hard use.
@@michaelrizzo5523 i may have to try that on mine, i might like it better.
Shouldve went with the trailmaster
GSM is Horrible.
The Tanto XL is the best of all the voyager series.
It's on my list to review
Man that’s cool!
Fail, I don’t see a Klingon bat’leth in that collection.
Just ordered mine $58.56 from Amazon on Prime days deals
I just grabbed a deeply discounted Outdoorsman Lite
The tanto lite is pretty discounted as well.
Man those are cool looking! A pirate knife on roids!
Beautiful knife. How many inches wide is the blade? How many inches long is the blade? How many inches long is the knife handle?
I loved your reviews of the APOC swords! Would be excited to see the APOC Sirupate reviewed! I think the longer and more graceful blade profile might lend itself to better martial applications. Anyways, Cheers!
I've been looking at that one
You edc an Espada? You sir, are a badass! Subbed! I will pick this one up as a daily carry reliable folder. As a self defense knife, I would say: There are better knives out there more suited to that task. Ex. Sallywag Tactical: MDV Plus One, Fisher Knives: Beckwith Covert, Tops: El Pionero, Colonel Blades: LowVz, and even Colonel Folder. TKell is another great brand of Tactical knives. I have a few. All knives I carry (except the Beckwith Covert) that one is on the list. Am I a badass? No. But, you aren't gonna take me without a fight!
Great review as always, Mike. I had a Peacemaker 2 for a year or so, but the bottom part of the handle tore off from general wear. Overall I liked it for what it was. Do you own any folders with a Wave feature? I recently purchased a Cara Cara 2 and it might not be the most robust knife that I own, but it is without a doubt the fastest and easiest to carry. These urban combative knife fighting systems recommend that with a wave feature, you should reverse the pocket clip, so you are drawing the knife forward into the palm in a blade down, edge in grip, as opposed to the standard wave feature draw, where it is dangling from the fingertips upon drawing. Made the biggest difference IMO. The draw and strike become one fluid motion. I have found that practicing with a wave featured knife becomes like Japanese Iaido. Practicing and perfecting the speed and efficacy of the draw/strike, made into an art form. I am really enjoying it.
So are you reversing the clip right to left (which tends to put the knife in a reverse grip on deployment) or tip up to tip down (that one I can't quite figure out)?
@@michaelrizzo5523 Sorry for the confusion. Kind of hard to explain. Yes. Right handed. Right pocket draw. Reversing the clip from right to left. Knife would be in a tip up orientation and the wave would be snagging on the front of the pocket instead of the back. Search: Libre fighting pocket knife defense. Guy explains it perfectly and demonstrates. I'd link it but I know it'd get deleted. He has great channel to btw. All martial blade combative style content. Let me know if you find it.
@@mrjackolanterns Makes sense! And thanks for the suggestion, I'll check him out!
@@michaelrizzo5523 You bet. If you ever decide to purchase a blade with a wave feature, I'd recommend the Cara Cara 2 if you are on a budget. The only downside is the blade is very thin, so keep that in mind. Thin enough in fact to produce a very audible 'tachikaze' I have discovered. It seemed to hold up to multiple hammer stabs on my oak target though. I like it so much I think I am going to upgrade to the Endura Wave model which has a better and thicker blade steel.
@@mrjackolanterns My Espadas, Spartan and Rajah came with the Cold Steel version of a pocket wave opener, and I got some Snaggletooth samples to try on some other knives. The Espada L is my favorite EDC.
Good review cold steel needs to be listening
Thanks!
I'm not surprized that the III did not like its encounter with the bamboo pole. If you stick to a test procedure regardless of blade geometry, you will sooner or later run into knives that can't take the abuse. Glad you were able to mend the edge. :)
Had a similar result with another Scandi edge. I haven't been a particular fan of the grind, but I may need some more test samples.