5 MAX

vltor17

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2008
Messages
363
In a moment of weakness, I ordered this chubster. Always been a fan of overbuilt folders. Owner’s thoughts? Use pics? What is the down and dirty on this aesthetically pleasing delicate folder? 😂
 
I may or may not have one coming this Christmas, and I'm pretty stoked if I do end up getting one ;) We'll put it this way, if I don't have one for Christmas, I have a birthday coming up in February ;) I dropped some hints to my daughter, "When mom asks if you know what I want for Christmas...a big knife. Like, a folder would be nice (holds hands up about a foot apart). A big one..." So, I thinking it's either a 5 Max of an Espada of some flavor. I have a bunch of CS mega folders at the top of my wish list that my wife will pick off of. My gut tells me that they would go with the 5 Max.

Anyway, my thoughts on it and why think I might want one:

It's about as close to a fixed blade as you can get in terms of a folder. That thick S45vn steel, titanium liners, G-10, Axis lock...it's not going to fold on you.
I find that Cold Steel somehow makes folders with 7+" handles easily pocketable. I often carry an XL Voyager and I ended up taking the pocket clip off simply because it rides so nicely right inside my pocket that it doesn't even need a clip.
This knife tends to take a lot of the things I really like about the XL Voyager series and beefs them up to 11. It will weigh more, yes, but as a large knife that can do a lot of things easily and just be stuffed in a pocket, I think it makes sense. That extra long grip really counter balances the longer blades. So while I have never been one to choke back on a knife to chop with it, I like how neutral those monsters feel in in hand. Also, while I like the size of my Hold Out and Countpoint XL, I feel the Voyager type handle is both easier for carrying than the CP and more secure for stabbing than the HO (I still think that indentation on the HO could be deeper).

In short, you aren't going to any pushback from me for your choice;) It may be the most bombproof folder on the planet right now. That's probably hyperbole, but I really couldn't see how you could break this thing without going out of your way to do so.

Congrats and hope to join the ranks as an owner of one sooner than later.
 
The 5 Max is one of my favorite XL-folders in the Cold Steel factory line-up. It reaches the pinnacle of the Thompson/Demko evolutionary design philosophy. A serious piece-of-kit, under any criteria, where a folding-warblade is concerned. At a price-tag of $300 dollar plus, its everything you would expect-it to be. Tough, ergonomic, and ultra-reliable under the most-challenging circumstances. Cold Steel's motto: "Anytime . . . . . Anywhere!", applies rings-true; in spades. I routinely EDC the big-ones from Cold Steel, and pack the 5 Max with no problem. Its also, an item that would fall under the: 'Break Glass In Case of Emergency' scenario. Teamed up, with an adequate handgun, or an SBR inside a bugout bag, it would cover most of your defensive, and survival concerns. When I unboxxed my knife, I didn't find-it overly-weighty. In fact, it was quite nimble to manipulate. Also, honed razor-sharp. It gave me a little 'love-knick'. The steel swings-out with authority, and locks-up tight with the triad. Its beautifully, understated: must be seen; and held to-be-believed! Literally, a folding/fixed-blade! A martial weapon, under any definition. The green G10, is as smooth-as-silk with no hot-spots. Superlative, in every since of-the-word. If your into monster-folders; like SOG's Fat Cat from a few years back, then you'll be right-in-your-element. I didn't think, big-knife genre could be topped after seeing, and buying an Italian 4 Max Elite. But, I was wonderfully, wrong. Here are a few pics of mine:

aUVONlLh.jpg


ABSNHXZh.jpg


WrHTq9Lh.jpg


6quUADfh.jpg


b1zw0IZh.jpg


8vmskPFh.jpg

 
The 5 Max is one of my favorite XL-folders in the Cold Steel factory line-up. It reaches the pinnacle of the Thompson/Demko evolutionary design philosophy. A serious piece-of-kit, under any criteria, where a folding-warblade is concerned. At a price-tag of $300 dollar plus, its everything you would expect-it to be. Tough, ergonomic, and ultra-reliable under the most-challenging circumstances. Cold Steel's motto: "Anytime . . . . . Anywhere!", applies rings-true; in spades. I routinely EDC the big-ones from Cold Steel, and pack the 5 Max with no problem. Its also, an item that would fall under the: 'Break Glass In Case of Emergency' scenario. Teamed up, with an adequate handgun, or an SBR inside a bugout bag, it would cover most of your defensive, and survival concerns. When I unboxxed my knife, I didn't find-it overly-weighty. In fact, it was quite nimble to manipulate. Also, honed razor-sharp. It gave me a little 'love-knick'. The steel swings-out with authority, and locks-up tight with the triad. Its beautifully, understated: must be seen; and held to-be-believed! Literally, a folding/fixed-blade! A martial weapon, under any definition. The green G10, is as smooth-as-silk with no hot-spots. Superlative, in every since of-the-word. If your into monster-folders; like SOG's Fat Cat from a few years back, then you'll be right-in-your-element. I didn't think, big-knife genre could be topped after seeing, and buying an Italian 4 Max Elite. But, I was wonderfully, wrong. Here are a few pics of mine:

aUVONlLh.jpg


ABSNHXZh.jpg


WrHTq9Lh.jpg


6quUADfh.jpg


b1zw0IZh.jpg


8vmskPFh.jpg

Good pics, you seem to be a fan, but I’m not sure if you like it. 👍🏻😂
 
Well Merry Christmas to y'all, and I can confirm my suspicions were warranted. My last thing to open was this beast of a knife;)

Some initial thoughts:
It's a CHUNK. It's quite heavy, but it seems to carry jist fine in a dedicated pocket.
Everything about this knife seems overbuilt and hell for stout. Even longer, "larger" CS folders seem to give up something in terms of size be it tip strength or edge durability in order to maintain a reasonable to carry "pocket sword" status. The 5 Max just says to hell with it. It's chunky and it knows it. Thick stock, steel liners, robust tip, durable edge. It basically just went kitchen-sink in terms of toughness.

The G10 is comfortable in texture. I appreciate the smoothness of it as it comes with one of the white-knuckled pocket clips that clamps down like an angry rottweiler. It needs a bit of break in/bend.

I feel like the junction at the "main grip" could have been more contoured and scalloped like the Voyager. It's a bit blocky for my average/size large hands. However, I honestly don't see myself gripping it there often. The balance point is such that I find myself either wanting to hold back on it if I were wanting to strike/chop or choke way up on it for detailed with. The handle really balances the blade for that.

The blade cutting edge is actually equal to the 5.5" Voyager clip point edge due to the 5 Max bringing the cutting edge almost to the handle.

You aren't going to put a Snaggletooth on this knife. The super aggressive jimping on the spine sits right in the way. However, the blade is so damn heavy it actually flicks open better than my Hold Out, Counter Point, or Voyager of similar size.

The Triad on my particular sample is one of the best out of the box I have handled in terms of having to rock the lock bar to get it to disengage. Opens and shuts just fine.

Final thoughts:
This might be a bit overpriced for what you get. I mean it's HUGE, but it's a bit huge for huge sake in some areas. It's probably on par with most manufacturers, and there is really nothing like it on the market in the sub $400 range. However, scaling up the 4 Max to the 5 is stretching the knife to the ridiculous proportions. I see this as either a very specific or very general knife in terms of role and function. Either this is your go too knife for an adventure where you want to pack on knife that can do it all yet still fits in a pocket or pack if you aren't wanting to carry a fixed blade, OR if you were stuck in a situation with ONLY one blade, I don't think you would be under prepared.

I don't see how anyone could possibly break this thing without going out of their way to try.
 
Well Merry Christmas to y'all, and I can confirm my suspicions were warranted. My last thing to open was this beast of a knife;)

Some initial thoughts:
It's a CHUNK. It's quite heavy, but it seems to carry jist fine in a dedicated pocket.
Everything about this knife seems overbuilt and hell for stout. Even longer, "larger" CS folders seem to give up something in terms of size be it tip strength or edge durability in order to maintain a reasonable to carry "pocket sword" status. The 5 Max just says to hell with it. It's chunky and it knows it. Thick stock, steel liners, robust tip, durable edge. It basically just went kitchen-sink in terms of toughness.

The G10 is comfortable in texture. I appreciate the smoothness of it as it comes with one of the white-knuckled pocket clips that clamps down like an angry rottweiler. It needs a bit of break in/bend.

I feel like the junction at the "main grip" could have been more contoured and scalloped like the Voyager. It's a bit blocky for my average/size large hands. However, I honestly don't see myself gripping it there often. The balance point is such that I find myself either wanting to hold back on it if I were wanting to strike/chop or choke way up on it for detailed with. The handle really balances the blade for that.

The blade cutting edge is actually equal to the 5.5" Voyager clip point edge due to the 5 Max bringing the cutting edge almost to the handle.

You aren't going to put a Snaggletooth on this knife. The super aggressive jimping on the spine sits right in the way. However, the blade is so damn heavy it actually flicks open better than my Hold Out, Counter Point, or Voyager of similar size.

The Triad on my particular sample is one of the best out of the box I have handled in terms of having to rock the lock bar to get it to disengage. Opens and shuts just fine.

Final thoughts:
This might be a bit overpriced for what you get. I mean it's HUGE, but it's a bit huge for huge sake in some areas. It's probably on par with most manufacturers, and there is really nothing like it on the market in the sub $400 range. However, scaling up the 4 Max to the 5 is stretching the knife to the ridiculous proportions. I see this as either a very specific or very general knife in terms of role and function. Either this is your go too knife for an adventure where you want to pack on knife that can do it all yet still fits in a pocket or pack if you aren't wanting to carry a fixed blade, OR if you were stuck in a situation with ONLY one blade, I don't think you would be under prepared.

I don't see how anyone could possibly break this thing without going out of their way to try.
Merry Christmas and thanks for the very thorough report on this amazing one of a kind knife!
 
PXL-20241226-192004265-2.jpg

Here's a quick comparison shot I took with my Leatherman Charge TTi. That's not a small tool. It's the size of a Wave and sports a nearly 3" blade.

I'm not usually a fan of lanyards on knives, but I think I may make a simple one for this beast. Really falling in love with goofy thing.
 
Back
Top