Big Cold Steel

chasden

chasden

Joined
Oct 5, 2004
Messages
513
I posted this pic a while back, but I'm thinking it needs more exposure to be truly appreciated. Cold Steel has made some really nice stuff. Pictured, top to bottom: Gurkha Kukri, Natchez Bowie, Laredo Bowie and Recon Scout.

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Reviews to come for all these bad-ass, big-ass knives.
 
Cold Steel makes some fine Bowies and Kuks!! See you're a San Mai fan - good stuff.
 
I've heard people complain about the Kraton handles used on some Cold Steel knives, but if it's the same rubber that's used in Pacymayr revolver grips, they should last a life time. Has anyone had any bad experiences with the rubber handles/grips?

Beautiful knives, BTW.
 
One thing I like about Cold Steel is they aren't afraid to make a big honkin' knife. They don't tiptoe around about political correctness. There is just something a little refreshing about that. Great looking knives by the way.
 
Confederate said:
I've heard people complain about the Kraton handles used on some Cold Steel knives, but if it's the same rubber that's used in Pacymayr revolver grips, they should last a life time. Has anyone had any bad experiences with the rubber handles/grips?



I have had them get loose on me

I just had Justin of Ranger Knives replace th rubber grips on Both My Trailmaster and Recon Scout(as well as remove the coating and remove the top portion of the guard)

Before

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after

Middle and bottom knives

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Here are 2 Recon Scouts--one original--one Modified by Justin

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Click to expand...
 
Mercy! That's a walloping big difference.

Very nice stuff.
 
I'm impressed. Wish I knew how to do that kind of stuff!

When you said they came loose, how loose did they get? Did they get loose with use or over time?
 
Jeez...nice knives!!! I was thinking of the same thing. I hope to get a Trailmaster/Recon Scout combo someday and send them off to BRKT to get stripped and the handles redone. I saw a Trailmaster that was customized by BRKT here somewhere and it looked awesome...not to mention it looked a helluva lot comfier!!!
 
I would love to see a comparison between your Laredo and Nachez bowie, and your Busse knives of similar size. (both look like great fighters, and fun choppers)

I loved my Trailmaster in sanmai, and used it for 7 years. I got it for a real steal of a deal at less than 1/2 price from Sportsman's warehouse, and at that price it was a great deal. The Kraton handle gave me hot spots after longer heavy chopping. I had always wanted to get it rehandled. http://www.sunrisecustomknives.com/repairs/repairs.php this guy seems to do a great looking job.

I ended up getting a Busse FBMLE, that covered that size. So, I passed that Trailmaster on to a good home. The handle shape tended to twist a bit under heavier chopping. I also would have liked to change the guard. Remove the top portion. I don't anticipate doing any knife fighting, so don't really need the top guard.

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The Busse lighter cuts on the left. they are cleaner, and no twisting. You can see the CS cuts on the right. The knife tended to want to roll in the cut. Not really a fair comparison, because the Busse FBMLE had much more mass, and a wider blade for better shearing. (these were not full power swings with the busse, as a bit harder swing went right through the shipping tube easily).
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Harder swing with the Busse went through easily.
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Full strength swings with the CS did not shear through (If I had a stronger grip to prevent the tendency to roll, it likely would have, but do have strong hands, and it still rolled)
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Not a scientific comparison, at all. The busse is not the same weight, or over all length and has a much wider blade from spine to edge.

People bag on CS, but they have some really great stuff, at great price points (especially the really fun stuff, like shovels, hawks, throwers, and strong folders). I still use a lot of their knives, even though I have stuff that is way way more expensive. I mean, hello, can anyone say $29 dollar pole axe when it was on sale (might still be for all I know). I took that head and mounted it on a shorter pick handle I whittled down to fit the eye for a fun large throwing axe.
 
Hi Guys,
The Voyager is my everyday carry knife and I keep the Natchez Bowie in my computer bag.
I can't wait to get the XL Espada. Their website says it will be available Oct. 31 but I still can't find it anywhere. The BladeShop says it is now scheduled for a Dec. 15th release date.
Does anyone know if the XL Espada is available now and if so where? Also, if the knife is delayed does anyone know why?
Thanks!
 
Here you go, bigfattyt, here's a pic with the NMFBM and the Natchez and Laredo:

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And yeah, I have respect for the Trailmaster, just don't own one right now. Maybe I need to fix that...
 

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