I'm always impressed by your videos. Thanks for all the work you put into them. I have a Natchez San Mai (Japanese made) bowie with the leather covered wood sheath with the brass accents. I love the old/historic look to it. It doesn't have the swells in the grip but has a slippery horn grip. I took care for this with some A-Tac grip material. Mine also shows the screw so I guess you could tighten it. This is more of a show piece for me.
Thank You , I Wasn’t Aware That These Two Bowies Had The Cable End Of The Tangs - They Are Real Nice Knives , ( Bowies ) , But I’m Kinda Funny When It Comes To This Kind Of Modification , Especially In The Tang - So Thank You Again Michael , Time For Me To Do A Little Research 🤙🏻✌🏻🤠
I like the Cold Steel Laredo the best. But I really like the design of Bill Bagwell’s fighting Bowie. I don’t like the blade catcher guard on them though. I wouldn’t expect to try and catch anyone’s blade. I don’t want to be that close to an enemies blade. Better to move and try to respond after they miss. So a nice and light 9”-10” blade with a full tang and half guard would suit me well. I’m still looking for my dream Bowie.
Dang, you own a Trail Master...I guess I missed your tral master video...I did see your review on the recon scout...thanks for the review of the Natchez...I have a bit older version in SK5 and it lives on my wall...atvb...MTwoods
G10 sucks for control. I have several knives that had really pretty g10 handles, but couldn't use them for fear of launching them from my grip. Enter 100 grit sand paper and I gained some grip but lost the show glow. Worth it completely
My personal preference is to hold a knife, dagger or dirk in icepick grip I hold it so the edge faces away from me (assuming it's a single edged blade obviously). I feel it's safer as the edge is far less likely to be forced back into me but also it allows for close in upwards, diagonal & sideways slashing. I'm not saying my way is right & anyone who does it differently is wrong, I'm just saying I feel more confident & safer doing so.
Idea for video - show what and how you modify the knives and talk over the process of why exactly you did the mods and show before and after how the change made an improvement to your ability to use the knife (i.e. close up of how the rounding above the ridge and the side finger groove allows you use it better)
Of course we all value your opinion and would love to see which one of these large Bowie knives you think is the most usable appropriate and effective weapon but obviously we're going to have to wait until you review the Trailmaster
If I had to guess, I'd say all 4 (Natchez, Laredo, Trailmaster and Frontier Bowie) of these knives are not really meant as martial EDC blades for the average user. They are just too big and cumbersone and not light and quick which you would prefer in a situation of the gravest extreme. You did make me lol when you reacted to the criticism about quality. I have all these knives and I like them very much, I don't care what anyone says about them. :)
Have you ever had a chance to get your hands on a genuine Navaja with the ratchet action and all that? I would love to see your opinions on a traditional style one to compare it to the espadas you went over.
If I had the Natchez (an impossibility at the price) I'd be seriously thinking about altering the handle. Maybe remove the mid handle bump, and possibly make the handle thinner at the front end, but leave a fat rear, to prevent the hand slipping off. I wouldn't have any concerns about the cable tang, as anything I'm likely to hit with it would be soft and fleshy.
A novice says X is bad because of Y, a journeyman says X is ok when Y, a master says X is to be used for context Y. Perspective, experience and knowledge of the blades lauers open many doors. 😄
Apparently some custom makers had experimented with it as a shock absorber to improve rat tail handle lifespan if you didn't want the balance of a full tang, assuming the knife is getting hit on/near the guard. Seems like an over-complicated solution.
@@michaelrizzo5523 Not really. It does negate the problem everyone has with cross guards loosening since it’s all one piece. I think it’s a fairly amazing tool, not sure why it doesn’t get more recognition.
I don't have the VG1, but I'd say the CPM3V Trailmaster is a better overall knife, potentially more durable, better grip. Laredo is a fine knife, but better as a martial tool. Plus, I didn't have to mod the Trailmaster to make it just right for me.
I look at these videos in a real world situation as well. The Natchez is a little bit too big for me to conceal carry being a stature of 5 ft 7 in. I do carry a light and flexible handmade 9 inch Bowie with a sharpened clip. So when I'm talking about real world application I don't know of many other people who do that sort of thing meaning most likely you're not going to encounter a Bowie on Bowie encounter.
You should modify you knives how you want to, just do not expect others to want the same things done (and other should respect your mods, it aint their knife) - I have had some pretty spendy customs modified because I wanted them to have the features I wanted - a sharp swedge and some handle work and some other stuff - if I ever want to sell them that will probably reduce the price I can ask for them, but I think the knives are better for those mods
That Knife would do alot Better against Wood if you get a good Piece of Wood and not something so Dryed out and Hard...Get a more of Green or Fresh piece of wood and Don't Use a Hard Wood like OaK...because Wood Gets Dryed Out to a point that its like Rock and you can use it to get a Good Test with..its not fair to the Knife that's Being Used if you notice the Blade is just getting Bits and Pieces and not Sliceing so the Wood in the test needs to Be looked at as Well
No problem liking your video
I'm always impressed by your videos. Thanks for all the work you put into them.
I have a Natchez San Mai (Japanese made) bowie with the leather covered wood sheath with the brass accents. I love the old/historic look to it. It doesn't have the swells in the grip but has a slippery horn grip. I took care for this with some A-Tac grip material. Mine also shows the screw so I guess you could tighten it. This is more of a show piece for me.
You are uping your game Mike. This is what we like to see and hear! You definitely evolved into a better knife reviewer in the past year!
Thanks! And I hope I'm getting better at this!
Oh wow ! Awesome vid ! Cheers 👍 👍 👍
Thank You , I Wasn’t Aware That These Two Bowies Had The Cable End Of The Tangs -
They Are Real Nice Knives , ( Bowies ) , But I’m Kinda Funny When It Comes To This Kind Of Modification , Especially In The Tang -
So Thank You Again Michael , Time For Me To Do A Little Research 🤙🏻✌🏻🤠
I've heard murmurs that GSM has quietly replaced the cables with rat tails as the type of tang is no longer mentioned on their product listings.
Awesome video and blade. 👍
I just ordered the MKM TPF Defense as an EDC fixed. Looks like an awesome Design
I like the Cold Steel Laredo the best. But I really like the design of Bill Bagwell’s fighting Bowie. I don’t like the blade catcher guard on them though. I wouldn’t expect to try and catch anyone’s blade. I don’t want to be that close to an enemies blade. Better to move and try to respond after they miss. So a nice and light 9”-10” blade with a full tang and half guard would suit me well. I’m still looking for my dream Bowie.
The Katsu FB02 may be up your alley.
@@AesirUnlimited Thank you random UA-cam viewer!! I’ll check it out!
@@AesirUnlimited Sold Out.
@@FriedPi-mc5yt Darn. Hopefully you can get one eventually. The FB04 seems to still be in stock, but it is shorter so not ideal for your criteria.
Thank You for sharing! Grougous blade!
G R O U G O U S 😂😂😂😂
I have the san mai version with micarta handle. Great knife! I would love to see you review the Cold Steel magnum tanto knives!
Dang, you own a Trail Master...I guess I missed your tral master video...I did see your review on the recon scout...thanks for the review of the Natchez...I have a bit older version in SK5 and it lives on my wall...atvb...MTwoods
Trailmaster review is coming next!
@@michaelrizzo5523 Sweet!
G10 sucks for control. I have several knives that had really pretty g10 handles, but couldn't use them for fear of launching them from my grip. Enter 100 grit sand paper and I gained some grip but lost the show glow. Worth it completely
My personal preference is to hold a knife, dagger or dirk in icepick grip I hold it so the edge faces away from me (assuming it's a single edged blade obviously). I feel it's safer as the edge is far less likely to be forced back into me but also it allows for close in upwards, diagonal & sideways slashing.
I'm not saying my way is right & anyone who does it differently is wrong, I'm just saying I feel more confident & safer doing so.
Idea for video - show what and how you modify the knives and talk over the process of why exactly you did the mods and show before and after how the change made an improvement to your ability to use the knife (i.e. close up of how the rounding above the ridge and the side finger groove allows you use it better)
Of course we all value your opinion and would love to see which one of these large Bowie knives you think is the most usable appropriate and effective weapon but obviously we're going to have to wait until you review the Trailmaster
I think i like the Laredo more.
But my favorite is the San Mai Trail Master.
It's on my wish list
Great review! It's a beautiful knife, but the cable tang puts me off. I'm a full tang kinda guy!
If I had to guess, I'd say all 4 (Natchez, Laredo, Trailmaster and Frontier Bowie) of these knives are not really meant as martial EDC blades for the average user. They are just too big and cumbersone and not light and quick which you would prefer in a situation of the gravest extreme. You did make me lol when you reacted to the criticism about quality. I have all these knives and I like them very much, I don't care what anyone says about them. :)
Agreed. For EDC I wouldn't go much above 7 inches.
I recently -urchased the Joker Bowie 9.85, which is an awesome knife. You might want to check it out.
Bowie 9.45……..not 9.85
I was looking at the 9.45 but it sold out before I could grab one
@@michaelrizzo5523
@@michaelrizzo5523 I noticed that shortly after I ordered mine. Hopefully they get more.
Have you ever had a chance to get your hands on a genuine Navaja with the ratchet action and all that? I would love to see your opinions on a traditional style one to compare it to the espadas you went over.
There was a Joker I saw but it was pretty expensive and not that sizable. Keeping my eye out for one.
If I had the Natchez (an impossibility at the price) I'd be seriously thinking about altering the handle. Maybe remove the mid handle bump, and possibly make the handle thinner at the front end, but leave a fat rear, to prevent the hand slipping off.
I wouldn't have any concerns about the cable tang, as anything I'm likely to hit with it would be soft and fleshy.
I'm probably the pickiest person you will ever find when it comes to knife handles, and I absolutely love the Natchez' grip.
@@slappy8941 That's good. I might well feel the same if I got my hands on one.
A novice says X is bad because of Y, a journeyman says X is ok when Y, a master says X is to be used for context Y.
Perspective, experience and knowledge of the blades lauers open many doors. 😄
Question about the cable tang. Is this the product of a Lynn Thompson fever dream or is there some historical basis for this.
Apparently some custom makers had experimented with it as a shock absorber to improve rat tail handle lifespan if you didn't want the balance of a full tang, assuming the knife is getting hit on/near the guard. Seems like an over-complicated solution.
Just like choosing a handgun your hand must fit the weapon in order to deploy the weapon correctly😮
My first tests choosing a new one: how does it feel/point in my hand, trigger, other controls, and then the most important test: first shots.
I think I’ll just stick with my Drop Forged Survivalist.
Thinking about getting one. Any issues with temperature or handle shock?
@@michaelrizzo5523 Not really. It does negate the problem everyone has with cross guards loosening since it’s all one piece. I think it’s a fairly amazing tool, not sure why it doesn’t get more recognition.
So let me ask if you’d take one over the other, cold steel larado, or the cold steel trail master in VG1
I don't have the VG1, but I'd say the CPM3V Trailmaster is a better overall knife, potentially more durable, better grip. Laredo is a fine knife, but better as a martial tool. Plus, I didn't have to mod the Trailmaster to make it just right for me.
I look at these videos in a real world situation as well. The Natchez is a little bit too big for me to conceal carry being a stature of 5 ft 7 in. I do carry a light and flexible handmade 9 inch Bowie with a sharpened clip. So when I'm talking about real world application I don't know of many other people who do that sort of thing meaning most likely you're not going to encounter a Bowie on Bowie encounter.
I think I would also max my carry length at 9 inches.
What axe are you using in this video?
Walther. It's very nicely balanced. I really need to get to those hawk/hatchet reviews...
You should modify you knives how you want to, just do not expect others to want the same things done (and other should respect your mods, it aint their knife) - I have had some pretty spendy customs modified because I wanted them to have the features I wanted - a sharp swedge and some handle work and some other stuff - if I ever want to sell them that will probably reduce the price I can ask for them, but I think the knives are better for those mods
That Knife would do alot Better against Wood if you get a good Piece of Wood and not something so Dryed out and Hard...Get a more of Green or Fresh piece of wood and Don't Use a Hard Wood like OaK...because Wood Gets Dryed Out to a point that its like Rock and you can use it to get a Good Test with..its not fair to the Knife that's Being Used if you notice the Blade is just getting Bits and Pieces and not Sliceing so the Wood in the test needs to Be looked at as Well