Thanks for the comparison! Most people just meme about the XL, so it really helps to see a detailed analysis of the Large, which seems much more practical. I like to consider the premium Espada as a gentleman carry of sorts. What you lose in grip you make up for in panache! 😄
Great review as usual. I love all the thought about the metals and the finish and could listen for days. These weren't even on my radar. I ordered the G10 in AUS10a and while I'm waiting, someone randomly ordered me the S35VN version. I can't believe my good fortune. This is one bad-A*** knife.
Good review Michael. In regards to being worried about scratches on the aluminum version. Get some 2000 grit sandpaper, it will keep it looking good, mothers aluminum polish after using the sandpaper will keep it streamlined aswell.
I have the Espada L and XL in G10. Now i need the version with the black blade and hardware. Id like Cold Steel to consider black screws on their folders. Sometimes it works better in the pocket, when its not clipped to the pocket.
I’ve got the G10 version of the XL. I don’t carry it because it’s just uncomfortable for me. I carry a Voyager XL clip point pretty much every day. I’ve got the Talwar and the Rajah 2 as well. Tried carrying them and didn’t enjoy either of them. I might need to get that Espada L G10 version and give it a try. I’m fond of clip points for all the reasons you already know. So I might really like the large G10 Espada. Speaking of Talwar and Rajah 2……. Those might be two Cold Steel knives you could potentially look at in the future. I could like the Talwar if the pocket clip location would lift the knife in the pocket so it would ride a touch higher. The Rajah 2 as well.
Rajah 2 is coming up soon. Espada L carries just a bit bigger than the XL Voyager Clip Point, and they've become my favorite all-purpose big carry folders.
I have the G10 Espada Large and it's my EDC , I have the polished G10 versions also but they have never been carried because I don't want to scratch the Aluminum so like Mike said they are show pieces and I'm okay with that because they are functional show pieces with very keen edges. But I prefer the G10 Espada Large for using and carrying. 😊 Mike nailed the positive & negative of both Large Espada Folders. 😊
The problem with Cold Steels G10 is although it is very grippy at first, if you actually carry the blade for a year the handle wears down and isn't grippy any longer.
"GREAT" video Mike! Gonna agree on all points on the differences between the two blades. Although I am fully confident in the strength and sturdiness of the deluxe, I feel much more confident with the G-10 version in my hands if push came to shove! Yep, my deluxe is a "safe queen" and my G-10 is my pitbull... Btw, you made me cringe when you were smaking that deluxe on bamboo!!! You're a brave man...
Thanks! As expected, I've done more damage to thing just carrying it a few times. My aluminum curse persists. I've since rounded a few of the sharper Micarta corners to make it more friendly in hand.
I have the G10 version and I like it a lot. As much as I would really LIKE to have the fancy version, I probably won't buy it because I don't think I would ever carry it.
This is my benchmark for the biggest folder I can fit in a pocket. I used to consider their 4" models "big" but now they're a very comfortable all-around-use "medium large" size.
Thank you so much for the comparison. I’ve not made my purchase yet and am also considering the XL. Could you share your reason for choosing the Large over the XL? Thank you.
See my video on the G10 XL. The Espada L in G10 is (still) my favorite EDC, which is why I decided to try the Premium L. But given that Premium L isn't as comfortable in hand as the G10 version and the grip is a lot slicker (and I'm still afraid of mangling it), I don't carry it, so it didn't make sense to buy the Premium XL if it was just going to sit on a shelf looking pretty while the G10s get carried and used. I do carry the G10 XL sometimes, and it's an impressive cleaver and martial tool, but I get a lot more general daily use out of the L, and it fits better in pockets. I've put both the G10 L and XL to a lot of hard use in the new place, and I don't worry about them getting beat up.
@@edwardgomez3633 It's great idea. Put some sort of raised or reinforced lip on the mouth of the sheath on the blade side to catch the opening hook so you can deploy as you draw?
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Thanks for the comparison! Most people just meme about the XL, so it really helps to see a detailed analysis of the Large, which seems much more practical. I like to consider the premium Espada as a gentleman carry of sorts. What you lose in grip you make up for in panache! 😄
Great review as usual. I love all the thought about the metals and the finish and could listen for days. These weren't even on my radar. I ordered the G10 in AUS10a and while I'm waiting, someone randomly ordered me the S35VN version. I can't believe my good fortune. This is one bad-A*** knife.
Let me know what you think of them!
Good review Michael. In regards to being worried about scratches on the aluminum version. Get some 2000 grit sandpaper, it will keep it looking good, mothers aluminum polish after using the sandpaper will keep it streamlined aswell.
Good tip! Hopefully I don't gouge the heck out of it like I seem cursed to do.
I have the Espada L and XL in G10. Now i need the version with the black blade and hardware. Id like Cold Steel to consider black screws on their folders. Sometimes it works better in the pocket, when its not clipped to the pocket.
So we need to get some OJ gloves. Got it!
I’ve got the G10 version of the XL. I don’t carry it because it’s just uncomfortable for me. I carry a Voyager XL clip point pretty much every day. I’ve got the Talwar and the Rajah 2 as well. Tried carrying them and didn’t enjoy either of them. I might need to get that Espada L G10 version and give it a try. I’m fond of clip points for all the reasons you already know. So I might really like the large G10 Espada.
Speaking of Talwar and Rajah 2…….
Those might be two Cold Steel knives you could potentially look at in the future.
I could like the Talwar if the pocket clip location would lift the knife in the pocket so it would ride a touch higher. The Rajah 2 as well.
Rajah 2 is coming up soon. Espada L carries just a bit bigger than the XL Voyager Clip Point, and they've become my favorite all-purpose big carry folders.
I have the G10 Espada Large and it's my EDC , I have the polished G10 versions also but they have never been carried because I don't want to scratch the Aluminum so like Mike said they are show pieces and I'm okay with that because they are
functional show pieces with very keen edges.
But I prefer the G10 Espada Large for using and carrying. 😊
Mike nailed the positive & negative of both Large Espada Folders. 😊
The problem with Cold Steels G10 is although it is very grippy at first, if you actually carry the blade for a year the handle wears down and isn't grippy any longer.
It is oddly soft, comparatively speaking
nice review!
Thanks!
"GREAT" video Mike! Gonna agree on all points on the differences between the two blades. Although I am fully confident in the strength and sturdiness of the deluxe, I feel much more confident with the G-10 version in my hands if push came to shove! Yep, my deluxe is a "safe queen" and my G-10 is my pitbull... Btw, you made me cringe when you were smaking that deluxe on bamboo!!! You're a brave man...
Thanks! As expected, I've done more damage to thing just carrying it a few times. My aluminum curse persists. I've since rounded a few of the sharper Micarta corners to make it more friendly in hand.
Good comparison Mike 👍
Your very accurate in all your points. 😊
Thanks, my friend!
I have the G10 version and I like it a lot. As much as I would really LIKE to have the fancy version, I probably won't buy it because I don't think I would ever carry it.
Yeah, for me it's more of a collector piece. The G10 is a great tool.
I find the Cold Steel Recon 1 large in the pocket! Can't imagine that thing!
This is my benchmark for the biggest folder I can fit in a pocket. I used to consider their 4" models "big" but now they're a very comfortable all-around-use "medium large" size.
I have the premium Espada large too. Its very nice.
Youll probably like some of my videos.
Just subbed to your channel
Thanks! Cool channel! Subscribed, my friend!
Thank you so much for the comparison. I’ve not made my purchase yet and am also considering the XL. Could you share your reason for choosing the Large over the XL? Thank you.
See my video on the G10 XL. The Espada L in G10 is (still) my favorite EDC, which is why I decided to try the Premium L. But given that Premium L isn't as comfortable in hand as the G10 version and the grip is a lot slicker (and I'm still afraid of mangling it), I don't carry it, so it didn't make sense to buy the Premium XL if it was just going to sit on a shelf looking pretty while the G10s get carried and used. I do carry the G10 XL sometimes, and it's an impressive cleaver and martial tool, but I get a lot more general daily use out of the L, and it fits better in pockets.
I've put both the G10 L and XL to a lot of hard use in the new place, and I don't worry about them getting beat up.
@@michaelrizzo5523 thank you.
@@michaelrizzo5523 Thanks Michael. I’m a leather guy & was thinking of making a sheath/slip for the XL and carrying it scout. Any thoughts?
@@edwardgomez3633 It's great idea. Put some sort of raised or reinforced lip on the mouth of the sheath on the blade side to catch the opening hook so you can deploy as you draw?
I carry a premium version every Sunday to church as a security guard. Also if I'm going to a questionable area. Nobody wants to mess with that knife.
A "Sunday Knife"! I love it!
@@michaelrizzo5523 It's definitely a "Sunday go to meeting" knife 🤣