Cold Steel's Deadliest Weapon, The Laredo Bowie Knife

Man with no name said:
Click to expand...
Nice video of Lynn Thompson explaining why the Laredo is his personal carry knife. The man can still sell knives! He makes it sound like the Laredo is the greatest production knife of all time. IMO that's not a huge exaggeration. It's been his personal carry knife for a very long time. He's not just saying that for this video. I remember there was a magazine interview many years ago (maybe from twenty years ago) where he said that it was his personal carry knife.

According to Lynn, he likes the Natchez, but feels it's a bit "ponderous", whereas the Laredo is perfect for his hands. I agree 100%. I have yet to find a production bowie, or any large production knife for that matter, that matches up to the feel of the Laredo. It's pretty close to perfection. While the Natchez might be better for home defense, the Laredo is much easier to carry, lighter and quicker.
 
deadzonepatrol said:
Nice video of Lynn Thompson explaining why the Laredo is his personal carry knife. The man can still sell knives! He makes it sound like the Laredo is the greatest production knife of all time. IMO that's not a huge exaggeration. It's been his personal carry knife for a very long time. He's not just saying that for this video. I remember there was a magazine interview many years ago (maybe from twenty years ago) where he said that it was his personal carry knife.

According to Lynn, he likes the Natchez, but feels it's a bit "ponderous", whereas the Laredo is perfect for his hands. I agree 100%. I have yet to find a production bowie, or any large production knife for that matter, that matches up to the feel of the Laredo. It's pretty close to perfection. While the Natchez might be better for home defense, the Laredo is much easier to carry, lighter and quicker.
Click to expand...
Yes, I like that this video was just LCT talking about the design. It's the best format, IMO.
 
I'm waiting for the Laredo in 4034 steel, made in Italy to come out.
Yeah I know the steel isn't great, but its under $200 street price and should be pretty tough (for a stainless).

My Ontario Bagwell Hell's Belle was only 440A or 440B and most people seemed ok with it (amidst the howls for a better steel.) Yes even had the approval if Bagwell himself!
 
Daniel L said:
I'm waiting for the Laredo in 4034 steel, made in Italy to come out.
Yeah I know the steel isn't great, but its under $200 street price and should be pretty tough (for a stainless).

My Ontario Bagwell Hell's Belle was only 440A or 440B and most people seemed ok with it (amidst the howls for a better steel.) Yes even had the approval if Bagwell himself!
Click to expand...
For martial arts practice, it'll do. I don't know if they're getting rid of their MAP pricing. The price on knifecenter is only half of the supposed MSRP. But the question is, when will it ever arrive?

I already have the Laredo in SK5, O-1 and SanMai, so I'm waiting on the 3V version. With the ridiculous pricing, I'll have to decide whether it's worth it. Again, if it ever arrives.

I have been after the Hell's Belle for a long time now. When it does show up on flea bay, or elsewhere, the prices are ridiculous. I wish Ontario would put it back in production, even if it meant high prices. I'm sure there are a lot of bowie enthusiasts who would shell out for it.
 
The $200.00 price is still more than the price for the SK5 version that was discontinued.

I also wonder if Lynn carries the Laredo in a Secure-ex sheath or the original leather concealment sheath.

The pricing on the Ontario Bagwell Bowies included leather concealment sheaths.

The cheap stainless Laredo and Natchez Bowies might be at a good price range if they brought back the leather sheaths.
 
Lynn said he had the San Mai version - so I assume it was the leather sheath.
The upcoming Italy Laredo all have micarta handle instead of the laminated wood. I used to own the SK5 Laredo and didn't particularly like the wood handle, and at the time didn't want to pay for a San Mai version, so this was the tipping point for me.

In a perfect world, it would come with a Mike Sastre Southern Comfort kydex.... which I happily did more than 10 years ago for my Ontario Hells Belle. (I wish I bought the Gambler model too.)
 
Benjamin Liu said:
The $200.00 price is still more than the price for the SK5 version that was discontinued.

I also wonder if Lynn carries the Laredo in a Secure-ex sheath or the original leather concealment sheath.

The pricing on the Ontario Bagwell Bowies included leather concealment sheaths.

The cheap stainless Laredo and Natchez Bowies might be at a good price range if they brought back the leather sheaths.
Click to expand...
I remember that LT ordered a Mike Sastre sheath.

The Taiwan SK5 version with the leather sheath sure seems like a bargain compared to what is going on now.
 
Daniel L said:
Lynn said he had the San Mai version - so I assume it was the leather sheath.
The upcoming Italy Laredo all have micarta handle instead of the laminated wood. I used to own the SK5 Laredo and didn't particularly like the wood handle, and at the time didn't want to pay for a San Mai version, so this was the tipping point for me.

In a perfect world, it would come with a Mike Sastre Southern Comfort kydex.... which I happily did more than 10 years ago for my Ontario Hells Belle. (I wish I bought the Gambler model too.)
Click to expand...
I still like the faux cocobolo wood handle of the SK5. It looks and feels "warmer" than the micarta version. It is a bit slick, true, but then again I have very sweaty hands so it's not a problem for me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top