A few observations about Cold Steel, Lynn C. Thompson, and Internet inquiries

[Alberta Ed]

Interesting topic. I have bought about a dozen CS knives over the years, and they all cut, well. I have also corresponded with Lynn, who answered my query frankly and fairly. IMHO he is one of the most innovative knife maker/designers of the last two decades, maybe three, and he is welcome at my campfire any time.

 

[Buffalohump]

Another week, another CS thread...

 

[Jaytaylor]

Isn't there a Cold Steel forum for this?

 

[DShiflet]

Isn't there a Cold Steel forum for this?

I think he wants this to be discussed by the community as a whole, not just the small group who frequent the CS specific forum(several people in this thread have commented they didn't know we HAD a CS forum, and generally speaking, most people on a CS specific forum are likely to be CS fans already, not the sort of people his post is really directed at).

 

[Gadfly22]

I think he wants this to be discussed by the community as a whole, not just the small group who frequent the CS specific forum(several people in this thread have commented they didn't know we HAD a CS forum, and generally speaking, most people on a CS specific forum are likely to be CS fans already, not the sort of people his post is really directed at).

True. I would likely have missed it, and it was a very good read. Glad it was posted where I was likely to see it.

 

[dingy]

CS have been produced many good products while they produces many bad ones also. but you remember that good or bad both are subjective conceptions.

i love those cheap things made of 1055 carbon steel. as one of manufactures here , you can just leave it , if you are not the fans of him , no need to do a thread complaining about , why , there are too many bad story aready , in blade industy , such as MadDog , bark river , strider, you can take it easy .

 

[Jaytaylor]

I think he wants this to be discussed by the community as a whole, not just the small group who frequent the CS specific forum(several people in this thread have commented they didn't know we HAD a CS forum, and generally speaking, most people on a CS specific forum are likely to be CS fans already, not the sort of people his post is really directed at).

I disagree, it is posted in general to stir the pot and it is not like we have not had numerous CS threads outside of the dedicated CS forum recently.

My personal opinion of Cold Steel was fairly neutral, nothing really peaked my fancy and that was that. Over the last few months the behaviour of the fan base and Lynn on the forum have frankly put me off.

I like Becker, Busse, ZT, Hinderer, Spyderco & Fallkniven to name a few and thankfully the fanbase conduct themselves without a chip on their shoulders, I rarely see the bad mouthing of other brands within these sub forums and the fan base seem happy and content with the products without the almost constant need big themselves up by knocking other brands.

Respect is maybe what I lack in CS, if the behaviour changes I may check them out but the knife market is full of far nicer, more innovative and interesting designs to keep me occupied.

 

[SBXT]

Interesting and informative post. I have never understood why so many people get emotional about the individuals behind knife companies. The knife industry, like many other industries, is full of colorful characters. The bottom line for me: if a company makes a design I like, and the price seems reasonable for the product, I'll buy it.

 

[The Mastiff]

I think the post was very one sided and twisted the facts a bit. Still, if you release the narrative as you would like it to be some will begin to think it's really the truth and the whole truth. So if Camillus would have only just listened to Lynn everything would have been fine eh? Heh heh heh.

I recall Cold steel being one of the , if not the first to file suit against Camillus to secure their properties from Camillus.

The narrative by the OP paints Cold Steel in the best possible light. I'm pretty sure there are other perspectives.

Also, when people don't always agree with someone why are they called Haters? Is that some new juvenile attempt to stifle others opinions? The same thing with "fan boy". Once you are ridiculed then apparently everything further you say must be invalid.

Please!

And I have bought Cold steel products since the early 90's best I can recall. Am I a "hater" since I didn't see eye to eye with the OP?

 

[LEGION 12]

Another week, another CS thread...

Im sure the Cold Steel fans begged to get there own forum but since you can hear nothing but crickets chirping there same as there own site just wasn't good enough. So we must just give in and sell off all are junk knives and join the Cold Steel minions. Just waiting for the spine whack argument to start and this thread will be complete.

 

[OHALLUM]

Controversial figures are alive and well in all types of companies today in the U.S. It is a way for an entrepreneur with little start up funds to become known to the general public. Nothing wrong with that as a way to promote your product. Doesn't make them less human or necessarily bad people.
I am reminded of a gentleman in Houston several years ago that would stand on the corner inside of a cheap mattress advertising his mattress store. He became known as "Mattress Mack". Today he is a multimillionaire with a very large furniture store. He was a huge basketball fan, and eventually built a large venue for the Rockets franchise to practice in. He has also given huge sums of money and merchandise away to needy families and people. Not knife related, but told to show that just because someone is strange and somewhat eccentric, does not automatically make them bad people. Hell, I am weird and strange sometimes, but I like to think that I am basically OK! :stupid:

Blessings,

Omar

 

[DShiflet]

Over the last few months the behaviour of the fan base and Lynn on the forum have frankly put me off.

Since when does Lynn post here?

 

[powernoodle]

I wish that people got as energized about the real problems we face in this world as they do about Lynn Thompson, Nutnfancy, Alex Rodriguez, and the Kardashians. Buy Cold Steel or don't. Watch Nutnfancy or don't. But what good does it do to incessantly bloviate about them on the internet? None whatsoever. We live in an age when we debate the color of the carpet while the house is burning down. I'm not immune, and I have my own opinions about these characters just like everyone else. And this is what guys do in a knife forum, because we'll come up with any excuse to talk about our toys. I get it. But maybe a little perspective is in order.


Cold Steel Rajah III.

 

[45Shooter]

I like Becker, Busse, ZT, Hinderer, Spyderco & Fallkniven to name a few and thankfully the fanbase conduct themselves without a chip on their shoulders.

Really? LMAO!

 

[RevDevil]

I agree with you man, I feel too many BF members believe that ALL people should stick with non-locking slipjoints and be stuck in the 1960's. If people didn't think differently there would be no innovation and this country would be down the gutter fast.

Sounds to me like you've not had a good experience with teh Traditional sub forum folks. Your example is more hyperbole than fact though.

 

[jdk1]

Pffff puny Large,,,XL version last week on the ex for $105 shipped


Next to a 1311/MOAD. So love it. New edc

OMG! I thought at first that was some miniaturized Busse letter opener next to that Espada. That thing's freakin huge!

 

[dericdesmond]

Im sure the Cold Steel fans begged to get there own forum but since you can hear nothing but crickets chirping there same as there own site just wasn't good enough. So we must just give in and sell off all are junk knives and join the Cold Steel minions. Just waiting for the spine whack argument to start and this thread will be complete.

Posts like this do nothing to lessen the effect. You kept it on track thats for sure

 

[dericdesmond]

OMG! I thought at first that was some miniaturized Busse letter opener next to that Espada. That thing's freakin huge!

Freakin huge does not put it into words. This is the most ridicoulous piece of cuterly I have ever owned, and to me thats a good thing

 

[Kwon Kwang]

I disagree, it is posted in general to stir the pot and it is not like we have not had numerous CS threads outside of the dedicated CS forum recently.

I'm pretty sure it was posted here to generate more discussion among people with different ideas and perspectives. If it were posted on the Cold Steel forum, there would be too many like-minded individuals for the thread to flourish like it's doing here, now. But you are entitled to your opinion.

I like Becker, Busse, ZT, Hinderer, Spyderco & Fallkniven to name a few and thankfully the fanbase conduct themselves without a chip on their shoulders,

...except when Cold Steel is mentioned.

Respect is maybe what I lack in CS, if the behaviour changes I may check them out but the knife market is full of far nicer, more innovative and interesting designs to keep me occupied.

I suppose not everyone is primarily focused on the intrinsic qualities of knives. To each his own.

Also, when people don't always agree with someone why are they called Haters? Is that some new juvenile attempt to stifle others opinions? The same thing with "fan boy". Once you are ridiculed then apparently everything further you say must be invalid.

Please!

And I have bought Cold steel products since the early 90's best I can recall. Am I a "hater" since I didn't see eye to eye with the OP?

So far on Bladeforums I've seen more people whine about being called haters, than Cold Steel (or fans of) calling people haters (which I've seen once, and I am constantly browsing General and the Cold Steel subforum).

Freakin huge does not put it into words. This is the most ridicoulous piece of cuterly I have ever owned, and to me thats a good thing

I know you mean it in a positive context, but I've never really understood why people call the XL folders Cold Steel produces "ridiculous". They're purpose built folding fighters. As a martial artist, I don't see anything odd about that, and in fact, I think it's pretty darn awesome. Barely anybody else is producing the kinds of knives Cold Steel is, and Cold Steel pretty much popularized the concept of the tactical knife.

We were tactical when tactical wasn't cool!

 

[cbxer55]

I am glad it was posted here. If it had been posted in the CS forum, all we would see is mostly fanboy's responses. I am no fanboy of any company or their products. I buy a knife if it catches my eye, no matter who. With exceptions for some WAY over-priced stuff like CRK, or companies who's CEO is a known liar and felon. Otherwise I have been buying Cold Steel stuff on-and-off for many years. I've sold or given away more than I currently have (wish I had not though). If you are a fan of BIG folders, where else you gonna turn? Just recently picked up an Espada XL to add to my collection. Will be getting a Pocket Bushman and a Espada Medium soon (next payday). Currently the Black Rhino is my right hand edc, along with a l/h Spyderco Military.

Lynn Thompson, overweight? Never really noticed, nor do I care. Some people are just naturally large, and others like myself go to great lengths to stay in shape and thin. Just like their knives are for the most part, creative and unique, so is the companies owner. Being tall, thin and in great shape, I am not one to go running around pointing my fingers at big people and saying "your a fattie". I just bet that if given the chance to have a conversation with Lynn, he would be one person that I would spend hours and hours talking to. And never a dull moment. During all the years I lived in California, and more specifically been in Ventura, I wish I had taken the time to do just that.