Cold Steel American Lawman - First Impressions

A few impressions after working with it for 2-3 weekends....

[@joshuabriggs7114]

Recon 1: One Folder To Rule Them All! Thanks four your thoughts on the Lawman. It's a good one.

[@rustyknifelover4463]

I would choose the AD10, but do love the Recon 1

[@joshuabriggs7114]

@@rustyknifelover4463 I have two early hollow ground Cold Steel AD10's as well as a custom Demko (in CPM154) so you're preaching to the choir! Lol ;) I wish CS would still do hollow grind on the Recon, AD10, American Lawman etc.

[@rustyknifelover4463]

@@joshuabriggs7114 Have you tried the folding pry bar the SR1?

[@joshuabriggs7114]

@@rustyknifelover4463 handled one briefly. Not really a good balance for me. It's really chunky and Sabre grind is really thick.

[@sputumtube]

Excellent review of the American Lawman. I have the older (cheaper) AUS8 version but I love it all the same. Your opening comment about 'the less you pay for a knife, the more likely you are to use it' was spot on. I've found that using the (Tri-Ad) lock is easier if you use the inside joint of your thumb rather than the tip of your thumb. But that's just me. Thanks for posting. :)

[@xmateinc]

I got an ESEE fixed blade and this at the same time. And the bushman was sharper out of the box. Liking it so far.

[@SpartanJohns]

The only Cold Steel knives I got which were not sharp where the Bushman, Kukri Machete and the SRK. But all their folders were sharp out of the factory. I also still like the American Lawman.

[@crispincoleman]

I've had mine for almost ten years and it is still going stong!

[@brianf9619]

YES , We have another Cold Steel Fan. If you want a more comfortable knife , the Recon 1 is my favorite model , the handle is thicker and there is still a space for you to choke up on it.

[@meiowalot7570]

Brian F is the recon comfortable for every day carry? It looks like a great knife.

[@Brian-xplor278]

Recon 1 spear pt. is by far my absolute favorite knife, but to your point... found out "comfort" depends on your every day life for carry. Below is just some perspective found along the way. Construction, outdoors, hiking, emergency, survival, hard use... Recon is perfect. Moved over to the office & production work and it is not the most professional/socially acceptable while being fairly large in the pocket with other items. Switched over to the bugout, which is even fine with gym shorts and pj's and seems MUCH more acceptable in that somewhat annoying blue color. Working around the house/garage, and backup for office or woods the lawman is a great in-between knife... not as light, but acceptable utility of which you can beat on. The bugout is enlightening... since it carries better than everything. Afterwards you realize lightweight and pocket realestate is actually a thing. But any of the light duty edc (fidget bearing) knives have some play and are too fragile to beat on for legit utility use. Seems like in the beginning, one knife will do it all; but after you start becoming more particular you start rationalizing out to two knives, and then three, et cetera. Once you loose your edc it is mental not having a backup. And once you waste one or two light duty knives $ it just reiterates the whole right tool for the job thing.

[@FlyRiverFly]

Probably the most detailed review I have seen on any knife. You gave the Good and the Bad'ish of the knife which I appreciate. I do accept a knife for what it is vs findiing things I do or dont like about it. Different handles will provide different levels of comfort based on the handle design and the activity. If a knife lacks a great feel doing a firm drive into wood but is comfortable doing push cuts or slicing I accept that it is what it is. I can always adapt but the knife cannot. For a folder, if it does 80% of what I do with a knife and it retains an edge, that is a win. Just my two cents on folders

[@mikeborrelli193]

I love all my Cold Steel folders.. My Recon 1 XL clip point can easily replace a fixed blade for all but the most hardcore use/abuse..

[@totizabayle377]

My newest addition to my carry knives along with the cjrb crag and cold steel SLR1 lite. Good presentation.

[@SpartanJohns]

Thanks! I still like this one very much! Dropped the edge angle to 12dps. No problem with the steel so far and it cuts like crazy.

[@TimothyRyanFisher]

I’ve got a Finwolf, same lock, very strong, I think one of the strongest on the market.

[@grahamospreay9381]

A good straightforward review, no nonsense and says what a review should say about a knife. I subscribed based upon your review.

[@paddyspotatopeelers2154]

Really enjoyed your review I do fancy one myself,I have the finn bear in aus8,a nice knife.atb paddy☺👍🍀

[@atypical_moto]

I had the American lawman when it first came out like 10 years ago. That knife was a tank. They've gone through a few generations since then with blade steel and frame alterations. Still a good knife though. That lock will self adjust and have no play for years to come.

[@ischariotpasadelski6960]

I got the cold steel recon not long ago. The Kife came also flawless and normally I always find something. I am super happy with it.

[@SpartanJohns]

I also got actually 2 Recon 1. One second hand, DP S35VN and one Clip Point, CTS XHP, new. The CTS XHP model, as it is new...it is fantastic. I fell in love with the rough texture of the handle and the feel in hand. I was also surprised to see that the lock was much softer than that of the American lawman

[@mayo470]

Hey Denis just wanted to say again how I love your videos, I've watched this one about 5 times now and think your style is fantastic. - Mike, Pennsylvania U.S.

[@MichaelTravis12c27]

Beware the Finnwolf. I’ve found the scandi ground Aus8 to be very prone to edge damage. I wish they would upgrade the steel. I have a Recon 1. It is the toughest folder I own, including all my Benchmade and Ganzos. Take a look at the Ganzo 763. I think it’s their best edc blade yet. Original design, bearing washers, perfect lock tension and lightweight. That knife puts some much more expensive blades to shame.

[@mistersmith3986]

I carry the Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter in CTS-XHP daily. I believe you would absolutely love it in your cabin area. You won't find a stronger locking system than the Tri-Ad lock. I also have the Finn Wolf. I don't buy knives for flicking or playing with. I buy them for hard use and Cold Steel has ALWAYS fit the bill for me. Thanks for the video my Bladed Brother ⚔️

[@rustyknifelover4463]

Still need to get an American Lawman. My favorite Cold Steel is the AD10.

[@SpartanJohns]

The American Lawman is a great one. Slim carry for sure. I haven't gotten around yet to the AD's. I am looking at them and when I can get one for a lower price i surely will

[@southernyert7597]

Grt video. The lawman is a grt knife. The lock is incredibly strong. As always thx for your opinions

[@meiowalot7570]

Thank you for a very thorough review. The lawman is on a short list of Cold Steel knives I really want. I think it will be lawman or Recon 1, probably just boiling down to the size of knife I want. That triad lock is solid. Even the sound of the knife opening sounds reassuring. :) Even my cheap little Tuff Lite, the lock up is really tight.

[@joostalibaba5998]

Thanks dude you give great review! For my folders its important to open easily and that they stay open this one seems very save. Buying it! Keep up the good work 👍

[@frankwoods135]

One of the best edc knives it's light it's relatively cheap tuff and slices good what more do want

[@ACGREAPER]

Cool video finally got a cold steel! I go for either my recon 1 or zt 350 folders for outdoors, liked your take on it keep up the vids always a pleasure to hear no matter how long

[@HunterRyngo]

Great video as always! Thanks

[@rickboz4494]

I recently watched an older vid from Cedric & Ada Gear and Outdoors in which he did a Cold Steel - XHP vs S35VN - Edge Retention Comparison The XHP significantly cut more rope which I thought surprising Makes me wonder why XHP is no longer available

[@SpartanJohns]

To my understanding there is a "shortage" of CTS XHP. Not sure if that is the case or if it was more expensive then S35VN and that is the reason why they stopped using it. however I can tell you, from my own experience, that other companies use a different HT than CS. Spyderco's XHP, seemed to me, to hold an edge a bit more abrasion resistant. that is neither here nor there but my chaparral comes back to shaving sharp, on a strop, faster than the American Lawman

[@AlexT-md9df]

Huge cold steel fan. I carry the recon 1 and own the SRK, true flight, special forces shovel and parang

[@chrisorr4087]

That is a badass knife!

[@daveandmerlin]

Best review I've seen yet !

[@SpartanJohns]

thanks! glad you liked it. I will be uploading a review on the CS Broken Skull soon

[@jimmycricket7946]

Very good knife, for me it was a toss up between the American lawman and the recon 1, the AL won. I Also love the 4max and even more then the coveted ad10. I always thought the 4max to be better in the ergo dept. and a better chopper then the ad10.

[@SpartanJohns]

Of yes...the 4MaxScout is a beast. Very able to take abuse and also a decent performer. The AL is, however, something different imo. It is a slim, slicey(especially if it has a hollow ground blade), sturdy and stable folder. I had the AD10 to play with, belonged to a friend...it is nice...but not quite what I expected

[@Chineseknives]

Axis lock is very comfortable, that's true, very nice to play with him. But i have seen to fail some ganzos with battoning (axis lock). I don't know other system lock stronger than the tri-ad-lock, but not all the knives from cold steel are equal strong. A 4-max or SR1 is not a finn wolf, the amount of weight that holds by pulling the handle is not the same. Thanks for your videos, one of the best channel reflecting about knives.

[@jameshotchkiss5577]

First video I've watched of yours, I enjoy listening to you, loved the video keep it up man!

[@Martin23W09]

Very cool video again! I like the atmosphere there in the woods :-) But at 20:41 DLC is not the abbreviation for "diamond like coating" it is "diamond like carbon" :-) Thats the only point for me in this really cool, informative and great review of the American Lawman :-)

[@claymcculloch2729]

Incorrect mate, look on the website.😉

[@mikeborrelli193]

Victorinox would sell a boat load of those 111mm Rucksacks if they offered it with an S30v main blade.. That super thin flat ground blade profile would be a a fantastic slicer in one of the stainless super steels.. That company's sleeping on a lot of sales and innovation with a simple upgrade in some of their materials.. marine a Rucksack with S35vn and G10 scales..

[@londiniumarmoury7037]

The PM2 is boxy, it's very squared, it's not a prize winner for comfort at all. The edges are basically squared, it's one of my least comfortable knives I own.

[@wrjames38]

Thanks for video! Saying the AL is not an EDC option because it's not fidget friendly is misguided IMO. Most people use their knives as tools ...not toys.

[@SpartanJohns]

I think I clearly mentioned for which people it is not an edc option. When it comes to youtube: most people carry knives not because they have a lot of things they need to cut. But rather because they like to play with knives. This is true in my case. I carry and test knives not because I need to have a knife on a daily basis but because I just like knives. If I only had a 2-3 cm folding blade in my pocket that would be enough for the tasks I deal with 99% of the time

[@ashmerch2558]

excellent review !!!

[@GTMGunTotinMinnesotan]

Hey man, check out the Bush Ranger. Fantastic knife

[@SpartanJohns]

looks like it has a comfortable handle...at the moment they are a bit expensive...I will wait it out and maybe they drop in price a bit or i can get a second hand one...

[@szarak_jp]

In Poland this great knife price is 550 PLN (about 130 USD) :-(

[@lloydjacobson1812]

Great channel !!!!

[@nandoknives787]

Excelente mi amigo un abrazo😉👍

[@jeffmcgrath8718]

Good review thanks

[@SpartanJohns]

Thanks for watching!

[@hiramysumundowalky-talkytv7719]

Good video Sir. I just buy one whit CPM 535 VN. i am waiting for it!!!!

[@SpartanJohns]

Thank you! I hope you like it. Some people complain about the S35VN and say that it is far inferior to teh CTS XHP. imo the S35VN in regular use did just as well. I will have to keep tesing it but so far I think it is doing a great job

[@hiramysumundowalky-talkytv7719]

@@SpartanJohns ctsxhp is extremly expensive and my knifeseller cant found any lawman whit this steel!!!! i hope s 35 v n will be a great steel!!!

[@hiramysumundowalky-talkytv7719]

@@SpartanJohns this people complain about s35vn?¿ what did they do whit their knifes?? cut rocks?¿?

[@hiramysumundowalky-talkytv7719]

i am from Argentina!!!! Thanks for answer me!!!!

[@hornsby5533]

Klasse Video! Ist schon verrückt, ja billiger ein Messer ist, desto härter nimmt man es ran. LG Bernd

[@richardhenry1969]

Cold steel thumb but once they break in your gold . Kinda funny overseas they want these two hand open knife yet coldsteel which are not fast opening knives then they want to charge a arm an a leg. But personally I have many coldsteel I have the rajah2, code 4, espada large g10 great knives I like way more then benchmade an spyderco are ok but over priced to me I don't get these crazy prices for production knives I have a endura emerson opening I carry for bad neighborhood but that is it for work knife coldsteel all the way you made some very fine points

[@SpartanJohns]

Unfortunately that is not a "Cold Steel thumb" ;) I had an accident a few years ago. That actually makes it harder for me to disengage the backlock. I have since acquired the Broken Skull and 2 Recon 1. They have less tension on the backlock. Personally I prefer the American Lawman. Slim, not heavy at all and very solid. But, as I said and it seems to me to be your opinion too, these are not toys. They are working knives. And personally I like that! I do like Spyderco and Benchmade. Those are more "fidget friendly". The Broken Skull really impressed me! A long blade, sturdy lock, slim and narrow design, good comfort in hand, for a lightweight package. I got that one out of curiosity and because I got it at a good price. But it soon began to impress me more and more. Looking at it from a practical POV other knives with similar blade lengths(Endura, Military), in a price/performace/weight contest, cannot beat it on any day.

[@richardhenry1969]

@@SpartanJohns look on line for snaggletooth it's a opener like emerson wave I have it on all my coldsteel knives have a good one bro

[@gabecastillo5082]

I’m getting this knife

[@SpartanJohns]

A good choice!

[@frankwoods135]

Recon 1 is to big and tactical for me also the hold out 4 inch xhp is also the bomb

[@tap42al]

What’s your favorite brand folder knife?

[@rihsatqvert4561]

👍 Thanks from Russia.

[@scottmoore5839]

lol......why would you baton a folder in the first place.

[@SpartanJohns]

why not? have you actually ever worked beside a guy who has that old pocket knife that he just uses? and he picks up a hammer and just uses his knife as a chisel to notch a piece of wood? Did you cringe? It happened to me. that was when I said: It's a tool! And sometimes you will just use it as such.

[@scottmoore5839]

@@SpartanJohns No sorry I cannot say I have ever worked with someone that desperate or stupid to do that.

[@bigcat99100]

I dont know of i want the knife or those biceps 💪

[@SpartanJohns]

Good one! :)) If it's one thing or the other....ordering the knife is easier and quicker. ;)

[@chiefslief1886]

@@SpartanJohns Hahaha ooww you👍👍🤗

[@chiefslief1886]

😂👍😊

[@mitchp85]

You talk and sound the same as that actor Cliff Curtis

[@SpartanJohns]

:)) I hope you mean when he played Smiley in Training Day!

[@mitchp85]

@@SpartanJohns Ahh yes, he was good in that 'lifes a trip homes'

[@SpartanJohns]

one of my favorite lines....

[@PotenzaVito]

always cool to see your reviews and see what you think about the knife , i have this same model , try the Ultimate hunter same steel and the large voyager ,the Finnwolf yes if you convex it i bit is great , the Cold Steel 62L SR1 is i beast ,i have all this model just mention , and i do agree on what you say about the knife ,still great folder to have ,all the best my friend