Cold Steel Laredo Bowie

It’s a giant Bowie knife. Do I need something like this? Absolutely not, but I can’t deny the primal feeling of power you get when holding this. I know Cold Steel has had some quality issues in the last few years but I got lucky and received one with perfect grinding and finish work. The steel and build is far more durable than I’ll ever need out of it and it comes adequately sharpened both on the main edge and top clip. My only complaint is that the plastic sheath seems a bit “cheap” for this style of knife, but is far more practical in the long run. A good way to waste money if you like this sort of thing.

Overall I like the Laredo I received. It has good fit and finish, the blade is not overground like you see on some of the reviews posted here, there is no appreciable gap between the blade and the guard that would allow liquid to seep down into the handle, and the G-10 handle is a lot less slippery than the polished Micarta handle on the O-1 version I purchased. The guard and the metal piece immediately under the guard are NOT brass like on the O-1 version. It seems to be stainless steel since my magnet will not stick to it. I like this arrangement much better since the part where your thumb rests when using the sabre grip gives you a better gripping surface like it was jimping. It is much easier to grip the knife than with the brass version. One negative is that the blade is not really 10.5 inches like cold steel says. The cutting edge is only 10.0 inches. The last half inch of the blade is all ricasso, with no cutting edge. This compares unfavorably with another very well made top brand whose cutting edges on their knives are actually exactly what is stated. i.e both of the knives I purchased from them state their blade length as 7.5 inches. I measured the blade cutting edges at 7.5 inches, then the ricasso begins bringing the total length to 8.0 inches. I feel this is a bit deceptive on cold steel's part to state the blade length is 10.5 inches, when the cutting edge is only 10.0 inches and the other half inch is all ricasso. Just my opinion, but something I think the buyer should be aware of. I found this same discrepancy on the O-1 version of the Laredo as well as three other well know cold steel knives I purchased through Amazon. So, caveat emptor!

Excellent knife. Great steel (CPM 3V). Might be the best right now for large blades. A much better knife, overall, than when it was introduced. Cable tang is meant to buffer vibration. G10 handle is more than capable of surviving the impacts, where the older handle (faux Cocobolo) wasn't as sturdy. This version is well worth the extra money over the 4034 blade, which is a budget steel. Balance point is about an inch in front of the guard--a little blade heavy, as desired, and quick for a big Bowie. I nearly bought this a couple of decades ago. I'm really happy that I waited. It's designed as a fighter, really. Not going to baton logs with this. I just want to swing it around and, maybe, hang a chicken on a rope or something for my own Forged in Fire experience. I've held the Natchez bowie, which is a beast. It's a beautiful knife but the Laredo feels great and I'm glad that I chose it over the Natchez. The sheath is alright but I'm going to look for another one worthy of the Laredo--custom leather or kydex. If you're on the fence go ahead and jump over it. Fantastic knife and a great value.

This is a knife. The 3V steel is gets very sharp. The blade spin is thick so this is a good chopper, but with the point of balance only 1" out from the guard, it still feels quick. Only downside is that it is a bit expensive. There will be limited circumstances where you actually need all the performance this knife offers.

I saw a video on YouTube of an older man taking the handle off for a customer of his and it's half tang with a little spring attached to it. Wtf?

A violent tool of absolute destruction. When the troglodytes ascent from the earth and assault my abode, I pull this blade and hold it high above my head. The moonlight illuminates it, and the beasts recoil. I am the Highlander, and this is my grail

Love the classic handle and always wanted one

Looks pretty good - no badly uneven grinds or obvious flaws.

Siempre he sido un fanático coleccionista de Cold Steel, y no iba a dejar pasar la oportunidad de comprar esta belleza, me encantó

There's nothing much I can say about this knife as there are hundreds if not thousands of reviews. But this is highly recommended by martial arts knife experts as being pretty much the number one premium production combat Bowie knife on the market.

The knife is what I expected. Guess I'm lucky to have gotten the laredo bowie 3v from Taiwan and not China. I'll be smoothing the corners of the handle down a little bit to make it a little less blocky. As for sharpness, it needed a strop to make it hair popping sharp. I'm surprised by the sheath, I didn't think that I'd like it but it is light and holds the blade in good enough to not have to make 1 from leather. But think I'll make 1 anyway it looks better with a leather sheath. It's alot more expensive than some similar bowies and for the cost I think coldsteel should have been selling it with a leather sheath. Thx and keep slicing...