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

I really liked what you said about Cold Steel and Lynn Thompson, there is no way anyone could have said it better! Way to go! Thanks, more of the people out there in cyber-space should read this!
 
Nice! Someone ELSE who agrees that the XL Espada is not only huge, but a GREAT EDC blade! What do you think about Cold Steel offering one of these with about a half inch or inch of sharpened clip? PERFECT. Back cut heaven!
 
Silvanus said:
I couldn't agree more. I am far from an expert on knives and came here initially trying to seek out knowledge from others that share my passion for knives. Most of the posts are great and i have learned so much since coming here. However, I occasionally get fed up with the constant stigma some brands get just because of group think. Especially if its Cold Steel or Gerber.
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I dunno bout Cold Steel, but Gerber gets a bad rap because their steel and the construction of their products just plain sucks for the price point.
 
Alberta Ed said:
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.
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Right on. :thumbup:
 
Excellent post. I agree fully with everything you said. Very glad you posted where the whole community could read this!
 
GIRLYmann said:
A few observations about Cold Steel, Lynn C. Thompson, and Internet inquiries
The Whip

After hearing about a certain individual in seal team 6
who underwent a complete physical transformation.
http://syndicatednewsservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/navy-seal-transgender.jpg
i honestly wouldn't know
if it would be the best thing to continue marketing anything
with the seal connection just yet.
no offense intended,
but it's just my 2 cents worth.
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She served her country bravely and has the medals to prove it.
Do I think Lynn is an $&@hole? Yes. But that doesn't reflect on the quality of his Brandt's products. I own some Cold Steel knives (Recon 1 Spear point, Lg Voyager Tanto, Rajah III, AK-47, 4" Ti-Lite Zytel, XL G10 Espada) and am very happy with them
 
About 8 years ago a seller on eBay offered 12 Cold Steel Trailmaster knife blanks all stamped Cold Steel and all stamped Taiwan. No kraton handles just rat tail tsngs. For me it was an anticlimactic revelation. I bought them any way.
I'm not sure that stating a manufacturer does not make its own knives simply because the factory is overseas is an accurate declaration. SpyderCo started in SekiCity Japan but the shop and design was theirs. Al Mar started his post Gerber Productions in Seki City as well but his LLC Purchased the sword foundry he began in. Boker turns out a tremendous amount of product from Solingen. Maybe we need to get away from this 'Not USA not Original' mentality. SpyderCo churns out over 3000 knives a day in their Golden Colorado Factory but only ten models of the 2014 product line are produced there.
 
This is an older thread, and I have nothing against Cold Steel in general, but to insinuate that they do not copy designs...... well....

http://www.coldsteel.com/Product/80PGTK/G_I_TANTO_W_SECURE-EX_SHEATH.aspx

The write up, at least to me, is below the belt. It is a jab at a specific person and company, justified or not, it just seems ....unnecessary.

Edit to add: I do not post much, I prefer to read, but, I do want to voice my opinions sometimes :)
 
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navman said:
This is an older thread, and I have nothing against Cold Steel in general, but to insinuate that they do not copy designs...... well....

http://www.coldsteel.com/Product/80PGTK/G_I_TANTO_W_SECURE-EX_SHEATH.aspx

The write up, at least to me, is below the belt. It is a jab at a specific person and company, justified or not, it just seems ....unnecessary.

Edit to add: I do not post much, I prefer to read, but, I do want to voice my opinions sometimes :)
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Perhaps I read this wrong But the OP semms to be taking common NEGATIVE threads he has read about Cold Steel and it's CEO and trying to expose some facts that may refute those Negative claims. The original post reads like LT fan mail. Not a low blow at all, if anything it's applause.
G...
P.S. Lynn & Company have been jabbed at for years here on almost every sub forum. Is it ethical? Is it accurate? Well to take a man's cred down merely on the basis he's a fat guy seems a bit unfair in the least. But at the same time to parade and showcase in the manner he does may indeed invite criticism of the populace. It is what it is.
 
To clarify I meant the write up below the GI Tanto model on the CS website, the the OP's post.

At the direction of another member I read the post from 2007 about this very model. I do not wish to repopen old battle scars.
 
HHMMM?
Controversy is basically free advertising for your product. I've never met Lynn Thomas and any concerns I have about his or anyone else's character I reserve until I have personally met and dealt with the man or woman himself and any concerns about someones height,girth etc are really none of my business.

There is nothing wrong with being a knife designer and marketer as long as you just tell people that and don't give any false pretense about what you do and don't do.

Lynn has taken many ethnic patterns from around the world and put them into folders and such to bring them to market. There are almost NO truly new designs of any knife anywhere on out planet. Perhaps a locking system or new materials etc.

Since I am a knife maker, designer and sell a few production knives I am asked from time to time about Cold Steel knives & swords. I always respond, which one?

You have to look at each one of the CS products by it self.
Not a lot of consistence because he seems to cover very low grade entry level to maybe top of the middle grade? I am not really familiar with the entire current line with hands on experiences.

The best knife for the money I think CS ever put out was the old, Bushman that was made in Taiwan. 1095 stamped steel and for the money was the coolest inexpensive knife that you could beat the crap out of and use as a spear too. The one now made in china isn't half as good.

These are just my thoughts on the subject.
 
I live in the wrong part of the world to know Lynn Thompson, but I do have a few of his knives and I have to say that they are good strong and fun knives. Some, like the 7.5 Espada are quite crazy, but they still work. I'd say the Rajah 2 is well up there in terms of being a big useful knife.

AUS8 with a good heat treatment is good enough for most work, and it sharpens easily from dull, and it comes in at a great price point.

Other makers also make great knives, but Cold Steel works well enough for me.
 
Im a senior. My knife budget comes out of my Retirement. I have the time to take the grandaughter blade hunting, on occasion as at 16 she is a big pocket knife aficionado. We go around to Sportsman's Warehouse, Jax, Gander Mountain, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's Army Navy Surplus, all right here in Denver Colorado. Cold Steel is for sale in each and every one of those shops. Not Chris Reeves, not Emerson, not ZT, not ESEE, not BenchMade, but Cold Steel is in all of them. Whatever Mr Thompson's short comings, he markets his product well.
"Give the People what they want and they'll come back for more, add a little entertainment and they'll come back tomorrow" P.T. Barnum
 
Greykilt said:
Im a senior. My knife budget comes out of my Retirement. I have the time to take the grandaughter blade hunting, on occasion as at 16 she is a big pocket knife aficionado. We go around to Sportsman's Warehouse, Jax, Gander Mountain, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's Army Navy Surplus, all right here in Denver Colorado. Cold Steel is for sale in each and every one of those shops. Not Chris Reeves, not Emerson, not ZT, not ESEE, not BenchMade, but Cold Steel is in all of them. Whatever Mr Thompson's short comings, he markets his product well.
"Give the People what they want and they'll come back for more, add a little entertainment and they'll come back tomorrow" P.T. Barnum
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Maybe Lynn intentionally over eats and markets his knives the way he does. Whatever the reason is it works! He has created one of the most familiar knife companies in the world. He is the Dennis Rodman of the knife world. Love him or hate him we all know of him and his knives.
 
SixStringSamurai said:
Rhinoknives1 got it in one, with nothing but net.
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Perhaps. It's an interesting thread. July then Dormancy then October then Dormancy then April. Obviously something causes us all to periodically contemplate this knife brand and its Chairman. And in the add/ marketing world that's called "Branding".
 
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