Cold Steel Espada AUS10A Steel Ultra-Sharp Blades Matte Black G-10 Handle Scales Tactical Pocket Folding Knife with Tri-Ad Lock

This is magnificent. It's the most overbuilt locker I've seen. It's huge, larger than I thought yet it still fits in my pocket and also much lighter than it looks. Doesn't pull my pocket clip down and also it won't accidentally fall out until I take it out. It also has a nice feature that with a little technique, will deploy while taking it out of my pocket one handed. If you need something overbuilt, ready in a second with maximum usage, this is worth it. If I saw someone pull this out of their pocket, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near the pointy part... 5/5= reach 5/5=locker 4/5=discrete carry 5/5=carry-able, it's light enough to never have a reason to leave it at home 5/5=slicing steak, it will catch the attention of a few others at any BBQ when the host issues plastic knives for us. 5/5=value for this Espada... it's NOT for anyone who's never carried a pocket knife and if you're like me (whose had a folder since I was 4yo) it is the Claymore of folders.

I am an old guy and I have been carrying a pocket knife since I was 5 years old (a Texas "thang") and the Espada large never fails to bring a grin to my face and though I paid slightly over $100, it is more than worth it. I just got it as a moving-back-to-TX present (legal to carry in the state). I had always thought Cold Steel knives were a bit pricey for "plastic" handles (sort of influenced by a Zytel handled Black Jack Folding Mamba from decades back) but I read a lot of reviews and watched a number of videos and now I can say the positive points for the G10 were true. It is a large pocket knife but it will practically disappear in the right pants or shorts. While it is large over all it is thin enough that it clips in front pockets of a pair of Dockers ( 34 waist, not "size tent") with just the the tip end of the knife showing, no printing and room for other items. Useful hint, start the clip into the edge of the pocket nearest the zipper and then slid it around the edge of the pocket to come near the seam on the outer pant leg. The pocket clip is tenacious (well you wouldn't want to lose it out of a pocket) and trying to slip it in the lower pocket edge first is like trying to push the pant leg off. Works similar in jeans but check the pocket depth first, some back pockets are too shallow to allow the clip to catch. As to fit and finish it is very well built, robust construction without the weight, good handle texture, no flex in the handle or blade, no blade wobble, and it feels good in the hand. The handle shape provides multiple grip positions while functioning to keep the hand, even when wet from sliding onto that blade. For a large knife it feels very well balanced and graceful not bulky. As to function, I have a number of knives (expensive to cheap) that came shaving sharp, sort of the new standard, this one came "a very close shave sharp" seeming just a touch sharper. With the up swept curve of the blade it gives it a long cutting edge that seems to slice with ease. For the lockup, it is firm to say the least and the release takes a bit of effort which is fine, not an item to carelessly close with fingers in the way of the blade. Lastly, the Demko thumb disk works well for my hands (size XXL) and the fanning technique will work out of either front or back pockets with a little practice. The only negative, I have used the butt end of my Kershaw Oblivion as an impromptu ice pick, somehow I don't think I will do that with the G10 but then again I probably won't need an impromptu ice pick in TX.

Extremely good value for the money. I EDC the Espada XL and a serrated Tiger claw. Both of which are made by Cold steel. This is a very well made knife. Lock up is superb and very strong. There is no movement at all in the lock mechanism. The blade from tip to pivot is about 8 and 1/4 inches. From tip to end of the edge is 7 and a half inches. Overall length extended is about 17 in. It gives you about 13 in of reach when you're holding in a pistol grip. The blade came nearly razor sharp. It is a stone wash finish on the blade so it is not very reflective. The handle is it nicely textured very sturdy g10. There is a partial steel liner around the locking mechanism and the first half of the handle. The rest of the Spacer appears to be aluminum. The pocket clip is great for positioning the knife in the pocket for a draw. Or for positioning the knife caring it inside the waistband. I do not have a large enough thumb to open the blade using the thumb stud. I wave the knife open out of my pocket (with heavy pants or jeans that the material does not stretch). Or wave the knife out of my waistband (this works great if you have Dri-Fit stretchy pants on). The knife can also be flick open with inertia. Grip the handle tightly and snap your wrist or flick firmly downward and the blade will snap open (this is not a switchblade or a gravity knife it just takes technique to do so). This knife can be legally carried in several southeastern states. Including (Tennessee) as well as in California. This knife is great for defense and could also chop kindling in camp use aswell. The knife is very well balanced and has a thin profile. Most people think that it's maybe a cell phone in my pocket, if they see it at all. Great option for defense as a backup to a firearm or if it is your primary Carry. In places where it is against the law to carry a handgun. Very intimidating to looking at, which is perfect for violent conflict resolution in the street. Then everybody goes home safely with no issues. This is a very well-thought-out defensive knife. Definitely five stars! 👍

This thing is an absolute beast. It's scary sharp, and when I say scary sharp I mean first time you cut through meat with it, it makes you realize that human bodies are just me. I've lived outside for a while, and this has been my survival too. I use it to get firewood, build a shelter, construct things I need, split wood, cook, just about everything. It's excellent maintaining its sharp edge, and if you've got the right tools it will sharpen easily to razor sharp. The quality and durability are beyond description. It's great at cutting meat, including two-legged predators, if necessary. I named mine Goliath.

The classic Espada.i love this knife i have the XL version. As well. Even though this is still ridiculously large but manageable. All Cold Steel fans know about the sizes of some of there knives, but still great quality and usable. This knife been around forever so it isn’t a whole lot to say great fit & finish surgical sharp out he box i love clip point Bowie style blades, and Cold Steel ergos are second to none one. Nice slim handle profile for the size, good texturing G10, and the famous tri-ad lock bank vault tight. I had to jump o n this, because at the time i bought it there were a crazy low price of $60. NO Brainer.

great knife bigger than expected but feels great in the hand and decently sharp

Sharp as a razor! Well made

You either like it or don't like it because its big. I also have the Kershaw Strata XL, about the same length. I like the Espada for the grippy deep cut handle. If one ever had to fight with it, it would be harder to be disarmed. Even if you have big hands there is a pointy "pommel" end that sticks out. It could be a leverage point for the capable opponent. Nice for camping replacement for a full size kitchen knife in a folder. AUS-A10 steel. The new factory edge is super sharp and they put a warning wrap-around card on it about the sharpness. It has an opener tab but the opens and closings are stiff. On the first many tries to perform a fast-open one-hand maneuver, after a few minutes I cut my thumb real good. AH! The Strata is slimmer, lighter and easy on the pocket and still be a big folder and easier on the open and close. The Espada in the folded position is 1/2" wider and 1-1/8" longer on the handle tip than the Strata. Blade length on the Espada is only 0.1" longer. The Espada is going to ride in the backpack or other. Strata XL still OK for my pocket.

Well built

Das legendäre Cold Steel Espada XL mag nicht billig sein, aber meiner Meinung nach ist es sein Geld wert. Der Griff ist wirklich genial, das Messer ist mit unterschiedlichen Griffpositionen sicher zu handhaben. Für das Backlock braucht es allerdings einen starken Daumen, Schwächlinge bekommen das nicht wieder auf. Allerdings ist mir bei so einer gewaltigen, scharfen Klinge ein starkes Backlock wesentlich lieber als irgendein klappriger Schrottsicherungsmechanismus.

Excelente, la navaja esta robusta gran calidad la que maneja cold steel. Y es primera vez que la recojo de un locker que maneja Amazon, espero mas proveedores puedan enviar a este apoya que maneja amazon.

Für jeden Sammler bei dem Preis für 230 € sofort zuschlagen wenn denn noch welche da sind.

Was ein cooles also absolut nicht zu verstehen endes cooooles unnötig unnormales Messer Mein survival Tool für die Stadt wenn nichts mehr geht das geht und macht mal richtig Eindruck