Large Luzon

AF

AF

Joined
Jan 14, 2000
Messages
6,016
Haven't seen much discussion of this XL but it appears to be quite popular.
Now that I have one I understand why. First off, it's priced well. It's very smooth on bearings and it looks cool.
Some things I've observed in the brief time I've had it.
Lock is a bit sticky. Combined with strongly sprung lockbar makes disengagement a bit uncomfortable if done repeatedly. Detent is not weak as some have reported. Yes blade can be shaken out but that's the nature of a large, thick blade with a liner lock. Surprising to me is that it's not ground thickly. Stock thickness behind the edge is about 0.022-0.025" and it remains that thickness out to the tip. It came dull. Sharpened up and it slices very well. Pocket clip is ugly but works fine. Flipper tab would benefit from some jimping. Balance is fairly neutral, similar to Ti Lite. The safety does not rattle on mine as I read some reports of.
Overall the knife feels somewhat cheap but it is cheap and you can't complain.
Gave it a satin finish, 220 grit.
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I really enjoy mine. I was playing with it just this morning. Mine came shaving sharp but I had an issue with the liner lock refusing to engage unless you gave it a vigorous snap. So I sent it to CS (their dime) and after a lengthy wait, I got it back with a properly adjusted liner lock. But it had an off-centered blade, not how I sent it in. That was a simple fix for me. However, the secondary safety won't engage unless opened rather forcefully. I like the knife for what it is, in spite of its warts.
 
The liner on mine will engage more deeply with a forceful open. I did notice upon reassembly both times that it was finicky with centering and lockup. I couldn't tell what was going on but after tightening the body screws the centering got worse and the liner barely engaged. I backed them off and retightened and it was fine. Same thing happened both times I reassembled it.
The pivot is a T8 and the body screws are T6. You need two T6 drivers because the body hardware is a long post with screw. They are free spinning.
 
From looking at photos, I had thought that the index finger cutout would be uncomfortable if gripped in that position. That's not the case. Handle is comfortable when gripped far up or back and pocket clip does not create any hotspots.
It's pretty bulky in Levis 505 with a wallet also in the front pocket. The Ti-Lite and especially the Frenzy carry better.
 
I picked up a 5.5" in XHP with coyote handles several months ago. It was NIB but I paid way too much for it. I just wanted to get it in the house! I figure I won't be buying too many knives when I'm in the nursing home...
 
I just received both the large Luzon, and the medium, both with black coated blades. I already love them. The 4" goes in my boot, because the length limit at my county park, where my daughter plays, is 4". In the rest of VA, any length goes. You can't conceal carry a fixed blade, so the large goes in my glove compartment. It's a bit too big for pant pockets, unless you buy special pants. I have an XL Voyager clip point for everyday carry. I know the steel isn't the best, but these knives are for 1 purpose, self defense. For that purpose, they're the best on the market for the money. I haven't had any problems with the locking mechanism. The large is a bit difficult to flick open with just your pointer finger. However, I'm so used to using a hand flick on my XL Voyager, it's no problem. I did notice 1 issue with the 4" model. The blade seems to stick in the closed position sometimes. I'm sure it's nothing a little gun oil can't solve.
 
DangerZone98 said:
Probably in the minority here, but I’d love to see a Tri-Ad Luzon in Aus10a or S35VN.
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They would be quite expensive, and these blades are really just for self defense, or opening packages. There are much better AUS-10A and S35VN options, if you want a steel that's going to hold up to more abuse. I have a CS XL Voyager clip point on AUS-10A. I love that knife. It can do pretty much anything. In retrospect, I wish I got the drop point, but you know what they say about hindsight. If you want a good, but affordable knife for outdoor use, the 4Max would probably be a good option. When you get to S35VN folders, with Tri-Ad locks, the price is double or more.
 
Sorry fellows but I cannot buy a knife that's made in China. That's the main reason why I haven't bought a Luzon. It's just not for me. But I will take a frenzy
 
I here you. I have the same hang-up. All my good knives are either USA made, South African, or Taiwan (Japanese steel). These are the only 2 Chinese knives I've bought. They were very inexpensive, so it doesn't bother me too much. I once bought a Cold Steel GI Tanto. It's made in China from 1055 carbon steel. It was a total POS, so I returned it.
 
DDDYLN said:
They would be quite expensive, and these blades are really just for self defense, or opening packages. There are much better AUS-10A and S35VN options, if you want a steel that's going to hold up to more abuse. I have a CS XL Voyager clip point on AUS-10A. I love that knife. It can do pretty much anything. In retrospect, I wish I got the drop point, but you know what they say about hindsight. If you want a good, but affordable knife for outdoor use, the 4Max would probably be a good option. When you get to S35VN folders, with Tri-Ad locks, the price is double or more.
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Yeah, and knowing GSM, that knife would probably cost 300 bucks minimum. Yikes.
 
whp said:
Agree. I hate that this seems to be the direction of the new Cold Steel. Higher prices and less value for the money.
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GSM Outdoors owns so much of the "sporting goods" industry. They own Bass Pro Shops, they own SOG Knives, they now own Cold Steel, and many other brands we've grown to love. It's truly sad, because profit is all they care about. I wouldn't even consider buying a SOG knife or machete these days, because I'd be getting far less than what I paid for. Sadly, that's the direction of Cold Steel too. I'm happy I bought most of my Cold Steel knives before the sale. That said, I really wanted the Cold Steel Jungle Machete, and it's no longer available. I guess I'll have to settle for my Royal kukri Machete.
 
I really like the Luzon. It is one of my favorite knives to play with, and it is certainly one of the best bargains around for a serious self defense folder. But I HATE HATE HATE that silly oversized pocket clip. I don't want to call extra attention to my knife.
 
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