2017 - Tons Of New Items Listed!

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Yeah, but the thing is, CS usually doesn't even release the estimated dates for the models until they are close to release, so I'd take those dates with a grain of salt. After all, how many times have we seen someone on this forum ask "when is the XXX gonna be released?" to which the CS rep replies "We don't have an estimated date at this time, I will post more info when it becomes available".

 

That Night Force would interest me if it dropped a couple of bucks -- maybe by featuring a nice, mid-grade steel instead of the damascus?

 

I don't know but the Golden Eye, Night Force look like some Poltergeist models.

I just wish they made more folders out of premium steel.

 

BD1 is not premium and not talking about proliye but rather in folders on or around $100-200. And by the way out of those the 3V, 20CV and Damscus would be premium. S35VN and XHP would be medium in my book.

Look at Spyderco/Benchmade have some awesome steels at ~$150-200

The only premium steel folder i see is that one that Demko design forget name but something like 20max or something like that. And while it may be the thoughest folder its way to have to be an EDC. At that weight might as well have a fixed blade


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Seriously, people need to just chill out on the steel snob attitude cos it can come across as a bit un-informed. For 99.99999% of people who use a knife for EDC, there is no way that you would find XHP or s35VN "medium grade" and inadequate to cut EDC materials when profiled with a good cutting geometry, in fact XHP is a fantastic balanced steel for use. I think people spend too much time getting caught up in the steel race when they have little to no real world experience or actual long term use or sharpening with these steels. But hey, you might be in the 0.000001% of people that must have the top of the top steels just to cut a couple zip ties or cardboard. Can i ask what every day tasks you do that XHP cannot keep up with? I can tell you that using S90V, S110V and then XHP with a good geometry has made ZERO real word difference in cutting once the knife develops its working edge, all steels stop shaving when you actually start cutting anything besides cardboard and paracord. You get to a point with steels where it becomes an over-capitalization. But, if you're someone who just enjoys exotic steels for collecting and re-sale rather than use, then no worries that's your taste so more power to ya.

 

I like what i like. Just in general i prefer quality and i am willing to oay extra. I want something that doesnt require as much maintenance. Have had 8Cr13 and AUS8 and cant stand having to resharpen it frequently. Rather pay extra and be worry free so to speak for a longer period when it comes to edge retention.


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If you're forming your opinion on previous use of 8Cr13 and AUS8, i can tell you they are not in the same league as XHP. I'm not sure how much experience you've have with a variety of steel, but please don't think you're going to get worry free steel in terms of edge maintenance just by going with something like S90 or something like that, because ALL steels get micro rolls and dullness, no matter what. You'll be bitterly disappointed if you're not experienced at sharpening once you properly dull a steel of that nature. Not to mention be trading corrosion resistance and toughness just to have this sense of having a higher quality steel. Balanced steels like XHP, M390, 204P are much better steels for every day use and even heavy use, due to their other useful properties. I think people get suckered into steel properties on science sheets like they do brand names on clothing when you get to a certain level.

 

You can get an S110V Manix 2 at BladeHQ for $117.

http://www.bladehq.com/item--Spyderco-Manix-2-Knife-Dark-Blue--23409

 

I really like Spyderco too, Benchmade not so much. They always have "different" designs and use steels others don't. That being said, I'm not sure I know what in the sam hell they're doing as far as pricing. For instance the Lil Temperance. I was excited when I seen it was being released, but then my catalog came in and I saw the pricing, the LT isn't the only "are you kidding me?" priced folder. They instituted MAP last year at 60%. The LT which weighs 4 oz, has a just under 3" blade, S30V steel, and has an MSRP of $319.99. At map that's $191.99- no that is not a joke. I wish it was. Add in that it's made in Japan (the only place that has given me consistent problems with gritty actions and bad grinds) and the LT is a complete no go for me.

So I can get better "premium" steel, more of it, on a knife that requires more machining time, that's got skeletonized liners, and is made in the USA for $75 less? This isn't the only knife either. I have no clue who's doing the pricing but they're betting that on some fairly outrageous pricing when compared to knives in their own line up (let alone a competitor) that those asking prices will fly. They won't for me but I'm only one guy.

Now that CS has switched to CTS-XHP, I hate to say it but I haven't bought a single Spyderco. My first was a Recon 1 but the Broken Skull has been my EDC since the day it arrived. It beat out all of my Spydies, including the PM2, Endura, and Manix 2. Weight, edge retention, and size are just right for my uses. I still own quite a few Spydies but every time I want a new folder the comparison occurs and CS gets my money. Not only that but CS's XHP holds a edge longer for me than Spyderco's S30V. Ankerson's tests also seem to have the same outcome. Below are some "Premium Steel" Spydies and Benchmade test results along with the S30V.

CTS-XHP - 540 - Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter - 63.5 RC - .020" behind the edge

S30V - 300 - Spyderco Military - 60 RC
CPM M4 - 500 - Spyderco Gayle Bradley - 62.5 - .022" behind the edge
S90V - 460 - Military - 60 RC
S90V/CPM 154 - Para 2 - 460 - ? RC

S90V - 600 - Benchmade 940-1 - 59-61 RC - .018" Behind the edge
M390 - 400 - Benchmade 810-1401 Contego 60-62 RC

Unfortunately Ankerson hasn't ran as many tests on Benchmade's and Cold Steel's offerings. If it isn't heat treated to a high enough hardness premium steel loses the advantage that it should have. So you are literally paying more for less performance. Add in that the prices for CS folders that are in the same size range as Spyderco's offerings run between $10-$20 less or more and things really get difficult to justify. Benchmade is even worse, now that they've disco'd their HK line I have almost no interest in anything they make.

I didn't want to give Cold Steel a chance and I thought it was a bad idea for them to switch to a more expensive line up of steels. They were the "budget hard user" company and switching seemed silly. I was wrong, and I'm so glad that I gave them a try. Price to performance and performance in general is just as good as every other maker. Fit and finish has been very good although I can't say that it beats Taiwan Spydies, they are just insanely well finished. I just wish they made more US offerings, other than that CS has my business unless something drastic happens.

 

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^^^Well said. :thumbup: