Authentic Cold Steel Marauder?

[UCPOPO]

While I consider myself a bit of a Cold Steel expert, I have zero knowledge on this particular model. I recently received this Cold Steel Marauder in a trade from someone I would consider a reputable source but I'm a bit concerned with its authenticity. The concerns come from the handle being harder then any other kraton handles I've felt, the lanyard hole looking odd, as well as the sheath not saying Cold Steel or Secure-Ex anywhere and the she rivets being unfinished. The blade and finish are very nice but I'm still concerned. Here are a few pics. Any opinions?

 

[Cold Steel Knives]

Sadly, that looks like a fake.
It's actually the first fake Marauder I've seen.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news
Please email the seller info to our customer services team at customerservice@coldsteel.com so that they can pursue this
Thanks

 

[riversidedep]

Out of curiosity, what definetively gives it away as a fake?

 

[G. Scott H.]

Aside from the stuff UCPOPO mentioned, the Marauder is made in Taiwan, not Japan.

 

[Cold Steel Knives]

For me, the very first things I check are packaging, logos/fonts, materials and fit/finish.
This has the correct packaging - though it's older - but everything else just looks wrong.
Usually I'd say that it's impossible to be 100% sure without having the knife in hand, but this a lot of red flags straight away

The font on the blade is wrong.
It's not a standard sheath (both in terms of appearance and logos) and the handle material looks incorrect
Also, the country of origin is wrong. the Marauder uses Japanese steel, but it's country of origin is Taiwan.

 

[ursamajor]

While I consider myself a bit of a Cold Steel expert, I have zero knowledge on this particular model. I recently received this Cold Steel Marauder in a trade from someone I would consider a reputable source but I'm a bit concerned with its authenticity. The concerns come from the handle being harder then any other kraton handles I've felt, the lanyard hole looking odd, as well as the sheath not saying Cold Steel or Secure-Ex anywhere and the she rivets being unfinished. The blade and finish are very nice but I'm still concerned. Here are a few pics. Any opinions?

Was the trade through Blade Forums? I would look to reverse it. You just don't know what the steel is, or how well it was heat treated. In a knife that size, a failure could result in severe injury.

 

[upnorth]

Interesting post as I might be ordering one of these in a few days. I hope that it works out for you UC.

 

[buddha1percent]

I can't believe there are so many fakes.
What a dissapointment

 

[UCPOPO]

It was unintentional by the gentleman I traded with. He already made the trade right after I informed him it was counterfeit. I will get better photos to send to Cold Steel this weekend. It's easier to counterfiet the models that some of us are less familiar with.

 

[upnorth]

Ordered mine through my preferred vendor so no worries. I'm currently stitching together a loin cloth, so that I can swing on vines with it in my teeth.