Best cold Steel

When I think of Cold Steel the Voyager series immediately comes to mind. Old or new generation, I think they are one of the best values out there.
 
I have a Trailmaster and Master Hunter in CarbonV. The newer ones in SanMai and S5 get good reviews. Excellent knives, although the MH is honestly a bit on the large side for general utility, food prep and EDC.
Wolf Trait said:
I was just looking at the Trailmaster earlier. Have you used one yet?
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Try before you buy. The blade is an excellent design but I really don't care for the stock handle shape... some folks love it. I replaced mine with one that doesn't seem like it wants to leap out of my hand every time I use it. The MH handle shape is just about perfect, though.

I have a Rifleman's hawk, which is great for leaving at the campsite (it's pretty heavy). My Trailhawk is nearly as effective, but much lighter, so better suited for carrying around in a backpack. There is a whole thread full of cool ideas for modding them, as well. :thumbup:
 
The BEST to me is the Recon 1 or the Khukri, but I just am a fan of Khukris. If you're looking for cheap, try the Bushman. I've never had one problem with my Bushman.
 
If the question were "which knife does CS do so well that it's hard to beat?", than it's the Gurkha kukri hands down for me. I haven't tried them all, but don't know of a modern production khuk which can compare to the CS version. It has incredible steel and a superb design. If it was a full-sized tang, as opposed to the full-length type it currently has, it may be close to perfection. Take care.
 
I have a Master Hunter, Trailmaster, Recon Scout, Recon Tanto, Gurka Kukri, Sure balance, Sisu, SRK, True Flight, K4s. K5s and K7s and have had, and sold, many others. Of all those fixed I would say I like the Master Tanto IX best of all. It is the knife that started it all for Cold Steel (the americanized tanto), but then perfected.

Of the many more folders I have had I only retained a few (LOL only 8 at last count) The Talwar folder I think is the best of them. Of the current crop I think the original Large Espada is the best. So if you want their BEST folder now selling I would get Large Espada with the Polished G-10 and 7075 Aluminum Bolster and Frame and hope you don't get one with a overly stiff Tri-ad lock.

Over the last 2 to 3 years Cold Steel has Discontinued every one of their best "high end" folders. These days the social media boys in Ventura will Pronounce and Proclaim the "value" Voyagers as a being a "high end" knife. Sad to say that may be true in the near future when you look myopically at Cold Steel Folders as some are want to do.
 
Bigfattyt said:
I don't think the hawks can be beat for the price. I have a rifleman that I have been throwing for about a decade.

I also have a norse and spike hawk, and the CS special forces shovel and bad axe (both super fun).
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That's good to know. I'm definitely getting a pipe hawk when I get the chance.
 
I consider the Pendleton Hunter in VG-1 about the best small outdoor blade available for the price.

Outstanding Japanese stainless steel, full tang, very comfortable handle, great blade shape for general use. Not too big, but just big enough. All for less than $55.

The only drawback is the sheath, but it's workable.
 
That is a pretty vague answer to "Best for what?" considering Cold Steel's vast line of very different blades.

But for the sake of an answer try the SRK or Recon Scout. Both can easily be carried [the SRK being smaller and lighter has an edge here] and they are both as tough as any knife on the market. They are both versatile and can handle big and little jobs well and they have fantastic edges that hold up even after prolonged use. If things go wrong while you are in the field either of these will function in a survival role and never let you down.

There are others that would work but on the bigger side like the Trailmaster but you should be familiar with larger Bowie type blades before you consider this. Also don't overlook models like the Master Hunter, they are smaller and less glamorous but great all around field blades. Others such as the OSS, OSI and Military Classic are good field blades but more on the self defence or tactical side. (although not 1 in 50 people that buy tactical knives actually use them for that purpose).

As JDK mentioned, if you are stuck in the middle of nowhere and only had one blade, hands down, no contest, 100% of the time I would choose the Gurkha Kukri. {not the cheaper kukri machete} But that is a large heavy knife that is not easy to carry in the general hiking role and it also has a learning curve in order to use safely and correctly.

But as I said in the opening, give the SRK or Recon Scout a try and you will not regret it.
 
the shovel.
processes wood and throws like a hawk
will make shavings and drill divots in hearth and bearing block for a bowdrill fire kit
can be used as a knife for food prep
can be used to transport coals or heated rocks
can be used as a skillet for cooking on.
 
There was a TV survivalist show where a couple was down in Tasmania. If memory serves, they had a CS kuk that was their main survival blade. Not sure if it was the San Mai version or not. In the back of my mind I always thought that this might be a great survival tool. The price tag on the San Mai version allowed a frown to cover my visage, so I recently gave the Magnum Kukri a whirl. Nice feel to this long, machete style blade and the steel seems quite tough. I did some slight mods to the handle for a better grip.

If you like stainless aspect of a survival tool, the CS kuk in San Mai might be close to perfect to fit many needs and situations that might arise. It certainly packs well and seems almost wonderfully balanced in the mit.
 
I really like the Recon 1 and American Lawman both. Both are great knives. Like others have said Cold Steel has alot of haters, but I have nothing against them. The American Lawman is also ground pretty thin behind the edge. I think it is thinner behind the edge than my Military from Spyderco.
 
I only have one cold steel. An early All Terrain Chopper Kukri. It is a thick beast but really haven't used it. I should give it a work out.
 
should say the trailmaster.
but found it large, tad heavy n cumbersome.
so to me at least i settled for...
the old bushman.
now, that's a real knife tool.
 
Some years back I got a CS Recon Tanto in trade. This knife has a matte finish, brass fittings and looks like the original master tanto. Made in the USA, Ventura, CA. At that time, people were talking about how tough these blades were, so, I decided to test the blade out.

The first and only time I ever put a knife through the top of an old car hood found me using this tanto style tool. We were in an old junkyard and I had brought some gloves with me to protect the hands. I know I pryed around with the six inch blade and felt the flex as I applied all the pressure I could on the 3/16th inch thick spine. No problems at all...the edge stayed sharp after forcing it through old wire and tin sheets. After that, I carried it on two hunting trips. This tanto then took a trip over the 'big pond' for a tour in the sand-box...more miles for the frequent flyer. No issues, and everybody wanted to use my knife for all manner of chores.

While I don't advocate these 'tests', they were a bunch of fun and proved to me that CS was the real deal. I don't see this exact model currently for sale but it would make a great knife for military service. I assume it is made out of some high end stainless. The pommel is more rounded than the original master tanto and I am happy that I did not mar up that surface by using it as a hammer! One more thing...this knife came with one of the leather sheaths sporting the velcro tab. This is a very secure system for carry.
 
Wolf Trait said:
Has anyone bought any of the training knives from coldsteel yet?
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I have, got the Black Bear Classic trainer for $6 at the sidewalk sale this year. It's well made and fun to play with. It's the type of thing that self defense classes keep handy for drilling disarming techniques.
 
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