Benchmade vs. Cold Steel

C

Colt

Joined
Nov 15, 1999
Messages
73
Just wanted to get some opinions from others concerning these two makers. I am new to knives and have only owned a benchmade and like it alot. I am in the market for another folder and am considering the cold steel line.

Thanks
 
I prefer BM to Cold Steel folders by a large margin. I'm not thrilled with CS's (or anyone's) Zytel or Kraton handles. CS uses mostly AUS8 or 420hc, neither of which is anywhere near as good as BM's ATS-34/154CM or M2. Your average CS folder has plastic handles, inferior steel, and a lockback. Your average BM folder has double SS or Ti liners, G-10 scales, & good steel. And don't forget the Axis lock, IMO, the best folder lock on the market. I think CS would be a step down from BM. If you want to try something else, look at Spyderco, SOG, MT, REKAT, or Kershaw, as they all make good folders.

Edited to add - If you're anywhere near La Mesa, go to Wright Knives & Sporting Goods (619-465-6905 or wrightknife@ixpress.com ) - the best knife store in the San Diego area. You can handle for yourself a lot of quality folders (but no CS) and decide what you like. And the owner, Dennis Wright, is a great guy to talk to about knives and stuff.

------------------
Jason aka medusaoblongata
-----------------------
"Is not giving a need? Is not receiving mercy?" - Thus Spoke Zarathustra
"Cutting his throat is only a momentary pleasure and is bound to get you talked about." - Lazarus Long
"Knowledge is not made for understanding; it is made for cutting." - Michel Foucault

[This message has been edited by medusaoblongata (edited 06-06-2001).]
 
Benchmade knives are generally of higher quality than Cold Steel. When it comes to folders I think you should go Benchmade.

Cold Steel makes a few fixed blade knives that I think make good "use and abuse" knives but when it comes to folders I've never seen much in their line I'd consider.

 
Benchmade.

------------------
Have you noticed that time flies like the wind, but fruit flies like bananas ?
 
If you use your search function, you will find a wealth of information concerning both companies. It will help you decide for yourself which might better serve your particular needs.
Hope this helps,
David

------------------
AKTI# A000150
NC Custom Knifemakers Guild member
NC Knife Knuts member
 
I would choose Benchmade. Cold Steel makes good stuff despite the hype, but their Voyager series of knives do not impress me anymore and have a tired look. I like a variety of handle materials, but most of Cold Steel's knives have Zytel or Kraton handles only. I would definately choose Benchmade, Spyderco, SOG, Al Mar, and Kershaw over Cold Steel.
 
As an old-fashioned lockback kind of guy, I like the Voyagers.

Rather than comparing manufacturers that each offer a wide variety of products at varying price & quality points (all you BM fans, I don't hear you raving about the Ascent), you should give us a choice of a handfull that you might be considering, and they can each be judged on their merits.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by RH:
(all you BM fans, I don't hear you raving about the Ascent)</font>
Click to expand...

Ouch, RH! That was harsh.
I still have one of the first Ascents (It was called the Eclipse then) and I like it. I own 2 Voyagers and a Gunsite folder, but I wish Cold Steel would use G-10, Carbon Fibre or even release a new line of drop point Zytel handled folders that don't look like the Voyagers. I don't like the Scimitar and I don't like the Vaquero series. I do like the new Ti-Lite and I would probably like the new Recon 1 if the weren't coated in black teflon. I just think other knife brands offer a wider selection of blade steels and/or handle materials. Cold Steel knives are good and always scary sharp, but they seem to be stuck on AUS-8 and Carbon V.
Also, their Classic Stockman and Trapper is not impressive at all. I would rather get one from Camillus. (Hmm. Who makes Cold Steel's Carbon V knives anyway?)
 
Benchmades are usually a bit more expensive but are a much better buy as, of the ones that I have seen and the ones that I have bought from both companies, the Benchmades are much, much better made of better materials and, despite some slips, quality control. And the designs are ever so much nicer.

------------------
Walk in the Light,
Hugh Fuller

[This message has been edited by FullerH (edited 06-06-2001).]
 
My Voyagers have always cut whatever I wanted them to. The Zytel handles may not be especially pretty but they are tough. Both my tanto and clip (4") show absolutely no signs of wobble after thousands of openings and closings, they lock up solid and take a scary edge. AUS8 may not be as sexy as ATS34/55 etc., but it's an excellent high chrome-vanadium alloy, well heat treated. I have had no problems with corrosion at all on these knives. And the price is right. Call me old-fashioned (too), but they do the job.
 
All I was trying to say was to compare fairly, you need a basis for comparison. You can't really compare a G10 Axis to a Voyager - an Ascent would be a fairer comparison. It all depends on what you want, and what do you want to spend.

It's like asking what's better Chevrolet or Dodge. Well, do you want to go fast - let's talk Corvette vs. Prowler. Do you want to transport your family? Let's talk minivans.

Comparing brands in this instance is just too vague, and too subjective.
 
I WAS a big Cold Steel "fan", but have since made the switch to REKAT knives, and have been very pleased with them. It wouldn't hurt to give REKAT folders a "look".
smile.gif
.

------------------
Dann Fassnacht
Aberdeen, WA
glockman99@hotmail.com
ICQ# 53675663
 
RH, good point. I have to say that before Cold Steel updated their Voyagers with metal clips, I would have gone with the Ascent. The reason for this is mainly because I dislike integral clips and the fact that the Ascent (formerly known as the Eclipse) was more ergonomic and I liked the Spyderco hole in the blade. The satin finish on the Voyagers is much nicer than on the Ascent, but, again, the Ascent has a pivot screw which allows the user to adjust the tension on the blade. On the other hand, the Voyager is well balanced, unlike the Ascent.

Now if I was to compare the Benchmade Griptilian to the Cold Steel Recon 1, I would still go with the Benchmade. The Axis lock is smoother and I don't dig the teflon coating on the Recon.



[This message has been edited by el cid (edited 06-06-2001).]
 
I'm not a huge fan of either company's zytel lines, greatly preferring Spyderco's offerings in this area. But if pressed, I'd grudgingly pick the Voyagers. Yes, action is stiff, yes that tiny rounded thumb stud is less than optimum, and no, 8A is not the best edge-holding steel in the world. On the other hand, the handles are reasonably secure, not overly large (have you seen the handles on that abomination they call the large Ascent ???), edge geometry is excellent, and 8A takes a killer edge.

At a price point above the zytel folders, I'm a great fan of Benchmade, and their axis line particularly is killer. I haven't handle Cold Steel's axis-variant folders yet, though. Note that I feel it is rare that a company that is playing me-too (which Cold Steel has been for years when it comes to folders) can come up with something that can really compare well with proven leader like Benchmade (or Spyderco). I've been surprised before though!

Joe

Joe
 
Benchmade hands down.

On the other hand, if you want something cheap that you can abuse the hell out of, Cold Steel makes a durable knife. However, they look old, clutzy, you can't flick them open like an Axis lock or a Liner lock....

If you want something you will actually LIKE, go for a Benchmade. I carry a 940 or 710 almost every day and love them. They hold a nice edge too....lasts a LONG time if you are just using it for "normal" everyday stuff. Benchmade also makes knives with reversable pocket clips, something that Cold Steel does not do (I have two front pockets...that means a righty and a LEFTY knife hehehe).

Good luck,

KM
 
Since you are fairly new to knives, I recommend getting a Large Voyager. You already own Benchmade. So, this will give a good work knife when you don't want to F-CK up your Benchmades. And they are strong and reliable.
For those of you who say the steel isn't as good, well it is. It is as strong. It may not hold an edge as well, BUT for a beginning knife owner, it will help build his knife sharpening skills much faster. And a lot of folks prefer a softer steel because it is MUCH easier to sharpen.
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Pergatory:

For those of you who say the steel isn't as good, well it is. It is as strong. </font>
Click to expand...

Pergatory: There's no way Cold Steel's 8A is as strong as Benchmade's ATS-34. But their 8A is tougher, and it takes an edge that I just can't get on my Ascent -- that's mostly due to the edge geometry, but I'm convinced 8A takes a noticeably better edge (many others are less convinced, however). And you're right, 8A is noticeably less wear resistant ... but it's noticeably more rust resistant.

All told, I'd pick Benchmade's ATS-34 before Cold Steel's 8A, but 8A is definitely "good enough", and the other qualities of the Voyager series just eek it ahead of the Ascent for me. PLus, you're also right about the Voyagers being easier to sharpen -- it's not just the softer steel, it's definitely the edge geometry.
 
I have both a CS XL Voyager clip point and several BM models.

1. Apples and oranges - must compare price/quality ratio for value. Both are decent values, but you will tend to move towards more quality the more you hang out here. Therefore, BM Axis models at a little over twice the price of CS is my favorite.

2. What do you want the knife to do? How long of a blade do you want? I have the XL Voyager because it has a 5" blade and a nice curved handle. More reach than most other folders.

You have read the posts about materials. Clearly BM has better materials, but you will pay for it too.

Final word - after you have enough 'beater' knives, fewer better ones seem prudent.
Hope this helps.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top