Cold Steel Wild West Bowie: Impressions and Mods
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
- I added this classic beast to my Bowie training rotation, and after a little custom fitting of the grip to my hand, I'm really glad I did. And for that extra antique flavor, I blackened the blade and guard.
Link to the knife at Chicago Knife Works: www.chicagokni...
The more big cold steel knife reviews the better.
I've got a few more coming. Thankfully Cold Steel has an impressive selection to choose from!
Thank you for this review,I just bought mine from Chicago Knife Works because they almost always have the lowest prices ,I paid approximately $96 including shipping and Illinois awful 11% tax ,others are charging far more,keep the Cold Steel reviews coming please and thank you again 👍
They just went on sale on Amazon lol 75 bucks
Wow! That blade comes alive in your hands. I thought it would be too big and cumbersome but it seems so swift and lively.
Thanks, but I think a lot of that is me being used to Chinese Butterfly Swords and other short swords. It is a heavy chopper. If you're looking for a big but nimble Bowie, I'd recommend the CS Trailmaster, Laredo and Natchez, though they're more expensive. In the same price range, I'd strongly suggest the Cudeman 106M, or the Bear & Son Gold Rush, which has a very similar design but is much lighter.
I am the only one in Israel, who has that model of Cold Steel. My good friend CBop Cowboy sent me this one. He is a veteran of Vietnam, and he is just feeling, what the knife must be. I asked him for the traditional american bowie, which will be large and brutal. I got it for 100$, but for Israel it's very cheap! Thank you for the video! Just found it in recommendation. American bowie is different from Spain made, but my collection is a competition between Muela and Cold Steel. But when you are the ONLY ONE, I could sell it for 300-400$. But I have so many feelings about it, that I prefer to be with the blade. American bowie is more brutal, than Spanish, but my friends are helping me to get the right choice! I used it for hunting, camping and its just amazing. The problem is that I can't make videos when I am in the process of hunting, and I don't like to make jealousy between my subscribers. If you want to see it, find Joe X. This guy killed hundreds of blades, and WWB survived his hard test. The only one thing which can harm it is shooting from the Glock 18c. All the other things are not harmful for this western sword.
If you can only have one American Bowie knife, you got a real good one. Sending you moral support from Texas!
@@bunsonhoneydew9099 😀 Yeah, people are really trying to take it from me by increasing the price up to 500$, but its easier to robb the bank, than to get another one. Cowboy knew, what I really needed.)) Cold Steel is very popular, the blade is great. The problem, that those big ones you must bring from US with someone, who will be cool enough for this mission. I was waiting 1.5 years, until I met the right man for the task. I will never give it away. My son will use it, when I'll be dead. This blade will stay forever.. ⚔️
BTW, Texas its ❤️👍! Maybe one day I'll be there. Really thank you very much for the support and sharing the experience. My BEST wishes to you, bro!
Brother I love this format I'm really really taking it. I will say this on the batoning. I have ran into that before with that same kind of box store hardwood people don't realize how hard that stuff can be. I do think you are correct I think it has to do with geometry as well as a few other factors thank you for putting that in because I have run into that same thing
I felt like I was hitting an ax head with a plastic bat. Definitely a "get a bigger hammer" moment. And that dried firewood is really inconsistent: sometimes it falls apart, sometimes it's concrete.
@@michaelrizzo5523 absolute facts brother
I always thought Bowie knives were stupid (I was always a sword guy) then a friend got me a mossy oak overwatch Bowie for a gift, as a new guy to knives that big I instantly understood the value of a big ass knife, soon after I bought the mossy oak wood Bowie to get a more traditional looking Bowie and started looking into Bowie history, origins and fighting styles . I was fascinated, Now I'm obsessed with the things and saving up for a higher quality knife and a gladius, lol. Now I think Every man needs at least one good Bowie knife in my opinion, your channel and a few others have really educated me on the matter. I just wanted to say thank you for your part in that learning process.
Thanks! I also had that early negative opinion being a "traditional" martial artist, but I've found HEMA much more pragmatic and accessible, and these Western Hemisphere "big knife" systems descended from Western swordsmanship during a time when effective handguns weren't yet available. A Bowie at close range is devastating. Always learning, even in my old age, in directions I never expected.
Thanks, Michael, for taking the time to review these knives. I haven't found many that do such an intelligent thorough review as you, keep up the good work. Continued health to you and your family.
Love the idea of the duel wield bowie/tomahawk. I've never tried doing it but I've been thinking about it for years.
I'm looking into my options for a useful hawk, might do some comparison videos since they aren't very expensive. I've worked with axes a bit in Chinese Martial Arts but I'm thinking my time training with various Kama in Japanese arts will definitely transfer. I expect I'll like the hawk a lot better than the kama.
... fantastic-review! I simply-love these bowies. Particularly... I love ColdSteel's commitment to producing something highly functional, yet-affordable. A focus nearly unheard-of in moder-business-practice... where a company isn't seemingly at-odds with the customers they should be listening to... and isn't consistently mis-aligned to core-company-directives with boldly antagonising and corrosive-acts of political-activisim.
I'll never tire of watching you review these.
Thanks! I really like this knife. Great value.
That's a stone-hoot, Trikk, when discussing the "new Cold Steel"...
I haven’t bought a cold steel since the Lynn days but just got one of these for $80 shipped new. I got out of knives a few years. Can’t believe Ontario is gone. The Rtak 2 is nice but you can get Junglss at the going price. Better get whatever Ontario you need while there are still some around. They made good stuff. I have talwar xl blue edition. It’s a great design for a huge pocket knife. Hopefully this new one proves worthy. I’ll convex it like I do all my knives and see how sharp I can get it
Edge definitely needs some work, and for whatever reason the hollow grind on this one works against me in chopping tasks. Yeah, the loss of Ontario is really shocking.
Interesting insight with the hollow grind blade revelation.
Now that I have a yard with lots of trees, I've been putting my big knives to chop test comparisons, and for whatever reason this one just doesn't chop nearly as well as my flat or saber ground big knives.
Ive got a western w49, and this does indeed flatter that design. I love big Bowies and this is one thats for sure. I may get a cold steel so I wont have to use my 49 and just keep it to hand down.
The CS is a great choice for an affordable stand-in to take the hard use. Save that W49!
@ Mike Rizzo - i have a cheap SMKW Rough Ryder Black Mule Bowie. It has a dangler as well, but my 1.5" wide conceal carry belt actually fits through the loop that holds the metal ring that connects to the dangler. I just cut off the metal loop. I'm wondering if there's enough room in the main part of the sheath to do that with this knife.
Lynn C Thompson also said that it has a spring temper and 1090 hc.
Good Modification on the Wild West Bowie
I like the idea of the false edge ,and I believe a martial blade should not be shiny so the cold bluing is really perfect.
🎯✂️⚔️✂️🎯
I have been on a kick of putting edges on all of my clip points that come blunt. Really appreciating the clip-point-forward grip mechanics.
Man that’s cool!
Excellent video! You've got "moves" Mike! You made a beautiful knife out of that Bowie too btw!!!
Thanks! It's got some competition in upcoming reviews.
Strange that Cold Steel says it's a saber grind, but it's actually a slight hollow grind. I know they're good for fighting, but the hollow grind ruins this for me. And despite skeletonizing the tang, the balance should be at the handguard,not 2" forward. I think the problem is that they oversized the brass guard, which makes the knife handle heavy.
There is a LOT of steel in that blade compared to the the similar-sized and shaped Gold Rush or W49.
@@michaelrizzo5523 the question is whether it swings and slashes like blade-heavy Bowies. I have the 1917 Frontier Bowie. That Bowie is very blade heavy, and is a great slasher. I'm still on the fence about the Wild West. My cheap SZCO high carbon Bowie seems to have better balance. As an example, I once bought the Timber Rattler Western Outlaw Bowie, as well as the SZCO Sable Bowie. They are the exact same knives, from the same Pakistani manufacturer. Timber Rattler just sources them from SZCO. I put them side to side, and they were identical. The sheaths were identical as well, except Timber Rattler put their brand name on their sheath. I returned both of them. The reason was that they were incredibly handle-heavy. They couldn't slash well, and would be terrible in a fight. I'm sure they chop wood just fine, but I want a traditional W49 style Bowie, that will be good at fighting and woodcraft. The original W49 seemed to do both things well, but the used ones are incredibly expensive.
😉 I'm back, playing catch up. Nice Bowie, nicer after you touched it up. Appreciate it's applications. Though I lean more towards your 1917 Bowie. My Bowie, is Navajo made, turquoise grip, 11-1/2 blade. And I pair it with either my tomahawk or my sixteen inch sheleighly. Honestly I prefer to keep one hand empty, unless facing multiple opponents. Until next time good Sir. Slan ☘️
Man this is one I want bad bad bad bad!!
It's a good, solid piece of steel, and the price didn't hurt too much.
Oh run, boys! Run for your life!
Here comes Jim Bowie with his Knife!
I have the original that Cold Steel copied. Aka, the Western W49 Bowie. Mine is dated 1984. And it was the first big knife I ever bought. Okay, you mentioned the W49 :) And you know for a knife to be effective, it has to be able to stab at least three inches deep. I prefer the slicing hacking attack. Wont kill em quick, but they will bleed.
I'll be reviewing the Bear & Son Gold Rush soon, which is supposed to be a more faithful copy of the W49, speaking of both penetration and a good slicer.
Other than the 5 mm thinness of the stock, thumbs up. Not yer best batoning tool! Otherwise, I like the 1090 steel, grip size and length! Still that thin blade might snap or bend under pressure. I too would sharpen that clip to engender nasty back-cuts in the misfortunate event of a "knife fight" and retreat or a pistol weren't an option.... That leg tie can be replaced with a length of para-cord... Actually not my favorite bowie design, I've been a Trailmaster guy since 1985 but you are very persuasive! It's longer than my Case bowie, and not stainless, those are good things... I wish there were stores around here so I could handle one. Still there's that thinness thing- fine in a woman, not so much in a bowie IMO...
Is this a product of Lynn Thompson, or a thing from the "new Cold Steel"?
I think it dates from Lynn's ownership but it's got "made in India" issues. Turns out it's not a very good chopper for its size, probably and edge geometry issue. Trailmaster's still on my wish list.
Hello Michael, almost forgot, curse of old age, cold steel has the Norse Hawk, if you weren't aware. I myself am fond of the CRKT woods chogan. Cheers ☘️
I've been looking at a few CS hawks, but thanks for mentioning the Chogan! Cheers!
@@michaelrizzo5523 🖖☘️
That lanyard at the tip is meant to tie to your leg so the drop down sheath doesn’t flop
Yeah, it's just mine was all fused together in a coil so I couldn't tie it to anything.
@@michaelrizzo5523 oh yeah same mine was kinda junk too but your mods to the knife have inspired me
@@michaelrizzo5523 I loved the video by the way
A Hatchet review would be interesting especially from martial arts perspective
Funny you should mention that... I happen to have several CS and SOG hawks and hatchets on my to-do list.
I love big bowies..and I cannot lie.. 🎶
Will you show is how you sharpen the false edge?
It's a very long, dirty and curse-filled process using my bench grinder and then my 4X36 belt sander with grits from 80 to 1000.
Hello you said the blades a good balance for you how tall are you please will help making a decision on purchasing one
I'm 5'7" but have very short arms. This is a heavy monster, reminds me of a Wing Chun Butterfly Sword. If you're looking for something similar size at a similar price that's lighter and more nimble, I highly recommend the Cudeman 106M and the Bear and Son large Gold Rush. If you want longer, consider the CS 1917 (heavier) or Laredo (lighter).
How did you blacken the blade on the wild west bowie?
I've been using an alternating treatment of vinegar and cold blue.
Great vid as usual ,seriously though you are going to cost me a fortune ..😀
Thankfully this one isn't too pricey comparatively speaking. I've been spending less money focusing on these big budget knives than my sword habit.
@@michaelrizzo5523I am also beginning to shift my attention from swords to knives. Besides the price, they also take up much less space 😂
@@Ooloncollu Very much so! And you can apply your HEMA sword skills to a big knife.
Small point to those who care but the knife is not true full tang it has a skeleton tang
yes, and to look at the tang of the 1917 CS bowie look at Donnie b all day's video where he puts a new handle on the knife ,,,,very small tang
Thankfully so, I prefer the superior balance and it's not any weaker than full tang.
So overall it's better.
Hello Michael SUPERBE BLADE je l'ai aussi
It is indeed superb!
The days of chonky leather from CS are GONE, you know like the old late 80s CSTM sheathes that were heavy? ...yeah no more. Ya want decent leather (and to me that means a LOT of extras, gluing and stitching with thread that won't rot, and 9oz veg tanned, dyed , with proper welting , and brass rivets, protected WELL before it ever gets a chance to get wet or draw moisture... done right😂) you're gonna pay money for it or make it yourself.
More inclined to the Natchez personally.
I've got a Laredo review coming up.
How about pairing it with some curved swords like you pirate cutlass, Sabres and especially the Talwar.
Absolutely! Given the mass and the guard, it's a great companion for a sword, functioning as a parrying dagger and a short sword in dual wielding. I will probably have to find myself the cutlass that matches the 1917 Bowie.
If you had to use a knife for real combat do you prefer this over the Gerber Mark 2 ?
Maybe not this one due to its size, but I've been looking into an ideal combat Bowie as they are extremely versatile, give you significant cutting power, and the wound channel from the thrust is massive.
Thank you for replying Mike, I appreciate it. Good stuff !
What was the price on this one
I got it for $80 at CKW, but it's currently sold out. Amazon is $96 at the moment. Usually $100 or less.
What do you think of the Cold Steel Rondel Dagger? SUBSCRIBING 👍🗡
I do not have the Rondel yet as I have no specific experience with the weapon. Maybe someday soon. It does look formidable.
This one gives me a cheap Rough Rider feel, don't like it.
Blade's finish isn't great, and it is pretty chunky and unwieldy as compared to other offerings.