Cold Steel 3V

[Moses2792796]

Never been particularly interested in Cold Steel's offerings before but some of their designs (Master Hunter and Pendleton Hunter particularly) look pretty tempting in 3V at the price. Does anyone have experience with Cold Steel's 3V and if so what is it like?

 

[awareunlikeu]

I just ordered my Master Hunter in 3V based off Gideon Tactical's field review of the knife. I will come back with impressions.

 

[Tachead01]

Not sure about their 3V but, there handle material, while quite grippy, is not that durable and wears much faster then other scale materials. The grip wears off over time(especially if you wear it on a belt) and it will easily take damage from moderately sharp objects. I almost wore right through the Kraton handle on one of my CS knives that I used to EDC. Plus, fat, blood, and guts gets stuck in between the handle nubs and is annoying to clean. I'll take micarta, G10, exc. any day over any kind of rubber/polymer.

For me, Cold Steel was an ok starter knife hobby company but, as I learned more and put more and more use on my blades, they just didn't cut it. There are just a lot better options imo for a number of reasons.

 

[philwar]

The heat treatment CS chooses for their knives has always been of a high level. This is no guarantee that the same goes for their 3V, but I would not be worried in the slightest.

 

[Tachead01]

Check out the Benchmade Saddle Mountain Skinner.

S30V, Dymondwood or G10 scales, Leather or Kydex sheath, and North American made.

It's a much better knife imo. Better edge retention, better corrosion resistance, better scales, better sheath, great warranty, not made offshore, better company for the knife industry in general, and all for less then $30 more(probably the same if you find a sale) .

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Not sure about their 3V but, there handle material, while quite grippy, is not that durable and wears much faster then other scale materials. The grip wears off over time(especially if you wear it on a belt) and it will easily take damage from moderately sharp objects. I almost wore right through the Kraton handle on one of my CS knives that I used to EDC. Plus, fat, blood, and guts gets stuck in between the handle nubs and is annoying to clean. I'll take micarta, G10, exc. any day over any kind of rubber/polymer.

For me, Cold Steel was an ok starter knife hobby company but, as I learned more and put more and more use on my blades, they just didn't cut it. There are just a lot better options imo for a number of reasons.

G10 and micarta are both polymers.

Personally, I've found the 3V in my Master Hunter, as well as several kraton or similar handles from a few different companies, to hold up very well. I haven't gotten to really put the 3V through a bunch of abuse yet, but the edge retention has been easily good enough that the stropping I've done has been because I want to rather than the knife exhibiting any kind of need for it. They've also changed the geometry pretty drastically from the previous generation. The stock is still 3/16", but there is a significant distal taper and the grind is quite lean. Makes it a much better slicer than almost anything else you'll find in this price range.

Between the steel and the geometry I think the 3V models are easily some of the best values on the market right now.

 

[KenHash]

Have had Cold Steel Kraton handled knives since 1989.They're still in great shape, no problems. Durable, light, easy to clean.
But the handle has nothing to do with the blade material.

 

[Tachead01]

G10 and micarta are both polymers.

Personally, I've found the 3V in my Master Hunter, as well as several kraton or similar handles from a few different companies, to hold up very well. I haven't gotten to really put the 3V through a bunch of abuse yet, but the edge retention has been easily good enough that the stropping I've done has been because I want to rather than the knife exhibiting any kind of need for it. They've also changed the geometry pretty drastically from the previous generation. The stock is still 3/16", but there is a significant distal taper and the grind is quite lean. Makes it a much better slicer than almost anything else you'll find in this price range.

Between the steel and the geometry I think the 3V models are easily some of the best values on the market right now.

No they are not man. You need to do some research my friend.

Micarta is generally either linen or canvas(sometimes snakeskin) laminated, in layers, with phenolic resin and G10 is fiberglass laminated, in layers, with epoxy resin. The finished product or billet is then milled into its desired shape.

And, I am sure it's an ok knife(I like 3V a lot) but, there are just better knives, from better companies, for the same or little more money imo.

 

[Tachead01]

Have had Cold Steel Kraton handled knives since 1989.They're still in great shape, no problems. Durable, light, easy to clean.
But the handle has nothing to do with the blade material.

You don't use your knives like I do then. The wear is really bad if you EDC them on a belt. Trust me, I almost wore threw one just from wearing it. And, if an accident happens(a sharp rock/bone), you will cut through it like nothing unlike other scale materials. I really don't know why people argue here. It's soft rubber and not that durable for hard users. Any rubberish polymer is a bad choice for a hard use knife if you ask me.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

No they are not man. You need to do some research my friend.

Micarta is generally either linen or canvas(sometimes snakeskin) laminated, in layers, with phenolic resin and G10 is fiberglass laminated, in layers, with epoxy resin. The finished product or billet is then milled into its desired shape.

And, I am sure it's an ok knife(I like 3V a lot) but, there are just better knives, from better companies, for the same or little more money imo.

I know that. Do you know what a polymer is?

Almost more importantly, are you familiar with a chemical process called polymerization?

 

[craytab]

And, I am sure it's an ok knife(I like 3V a lot) but, there are just better knives, from better companies, for the same or little more money imo.

Prove it. Like what.

You don't use your knives like I do then. The wear is really bad if you EDC them on a belt. Trust me, I almost wore threw one just from wearing it. And, if an accident happens(a sharp rock/bone), you will cut through it like nothing. I really don't know why people argue here. It's soft rubber and not that durable for real users. Any rubberish polymer is a bad choice for a hard use knife if you ask me.

Ah, the old you don't use your knives argument. Seems to be a lot of that going around. Not saying this is the case here but what a lot of folks who claim others "don't use their knives" treat their own knives like poop. I use my knives but I take care of them. Just because a knife is on my belt doesn't mean I am going to smash it into things. If it weren't there, that would be my hip, or butt, or wherever I choose to carry it.

I have had this schrade old timer for over 20 years (don't get too excited Boris, this was when schrade was schrade). It has been across the country twice, on more camp outs than I can remember, and even been on my belt a time or two. The green rubber handle has held up fine. I don't know what some folks do with their knives but for me, a person who takes care of their stuff, rubber handles have held up....

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Fun fact, wool and silk are polymers as well.

 

[KenHash]

Sorry but I do use them. And I'm sorry that my 25/26 year old handles haven't fall apart like yours. This topic has been discussed to death in various threads and one can only conclude that you either abused them, got a foreign substance on them, or you are simply
cursed with the "bad luck with Kraton" jinx. If your experience with Kraton was common and widespread, the use of Kraton would have been dropped by many manufacturers ages ago. I appreciate that Kraton isn't as attractive as other handle materials, leather, micarta,
various woods from cocobolo to boxwood to quince and mahagony, all of which I own. But my experience has been that the worst Kraton
has going for it is aesthetics. And I repeat, handle material has nothing to do with blade steel type.

 

[Tachead01]

I know that. Do you know what a polymer is?

Almost more importantly, are you familiar with a chemical process called polymerization?

Yes, I do. I took both industrial manufacturing, as well as an introduction to aerospace manufacturing technology in school(albeit many years ago). I even made a few polymers in chemistry from scratch. You are getting way to technical here man. Most layman's see polymer as a homogeneous plastic like used in FRN but without the fiberglass reinforcement(nylon in this case). That's is what I meant, I guess I should have been more specific. The rubberized plastics like Kraton, exc. are what I speak of. No one I know classifies micarta or G10 or any other laminated/impregnated material plastic whether or not the resin used to bind them falls into the polymer category.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Yes, I do. I took both industrial manufacturing, as well as an introduction to aerospace manufacturing technology in school(albeit many years ago). I even made a few polymers in chemistry from scratch. You are getting way to technical here man. Most layman's see polymer as a homogeneous plastic like used in FRN but without the fiberglass reinforcement(nylon in this case). That's is what I meant, I guess I should have been more specific. The rubberized plastics like Kraton, exc. are what I speak of. No one I know classifies micarta or G10 or any other laminated/impregnated material plastic whether or not the resin used to bind them falls into the polymer category.

Then don't tell me to do my research if you have that background and insist on misusing a simple technical term.

 

[Tachead01]

Prove it. Like what.



Ah, the old you don't use your knives argument. Seems to be a lot of that going around. Not saying this is the case here but what a lot of folks who claim others "don't use their knives" treat their own knives like poop. I use my knives but I take care of them. Just because a knife is on my belt doesn't mean I am going to smash it into things. If it weren't there, that would be my hip, or butt, or wherever I choose to carry it.

I have had this schrade old timer for over 20 years (don't get too excited Boris, this was when schrade was schrade). It has been across the country twice, on more camp outs than I can remember, and even been on my belt a time or two. The green rubber handle has held up fine. I don't know what some folks do with their knives but for me, a person who takes care of their stuff, rubber handles have held up....

I listed one suggestion already in this thread.

I take good care of my stuff as well.

I don't know why I waste my time arguing. I was just trying to be helpful. My opinion is that Kraton is a poor handle material choice for a hard use knife. Years of personal experience have brought me to this conclusion.

In addition, I think CS hurts the knife industrial as a whole with their rediculous advertising and I prefer to support North American made products. Especially when they can be had for a similar price.

 

[Tachead01]

Sorry but I do use them. And I'm sorry that my 25/26 year old handles haven't fall apart like yours. This topic has been discussed to death in various threads and one can only conclude that you either abused them, got a foreign substance on them, or you are simply
cursed with the "bad luck with Kraton" jinx. If your experience with Kraton was common and widespread, the use of Kraton would have been dropped by many manufacturers ages ago. I appreciate that Kraton isn't as attractive as other handle materials, leather, micarta,
various woods from cocobolo to boxwood to quince and mahagony, all of which I own. But my experience has been that the worst Kraton
has going for it is aesthetics. And I repeat, handle material has nothing to do with blade steel type.

CS's offerings are particularly susceptible to wear due to their use of little raised nubs. The nubs wear off in the high use areas first.

And, I conclude that I use/carry my knives more/harder. The one I wore through(the worst) was EDCed for years on end. There was no abuse. I get made fun of for how anal I am about taking care of my stuff lol. .

The bottom line is; Kraton is one of the least durable handle materials and I would rather something tougher on a hard use knife like this.

 

[craytab]

Then don't tell me to do my research if you have that background and insist on misusing a simple technical term.

Exactly.

I listed one suggestion already in this thread.

And S30V is close to 3v in what way? Much like your laps above I think you are making another mistake here. SHOW EVIDENCE TO BACK UP YOUR CLAIM.

I take good care of my stuff as well.

You might think so and that is fine but from my experience with the same material you claim wears out I have a different opinion.

I don't know why I waste my time arguing.

Then don't. No one is forcing you.

I was just trying to be helpful. My opinion is that Kraton is a poor handle material choice for a hard use knife. Years of personal experience have brought me to this conclusion.

And my opinion is you are wrong :thumbup: It is okay, we all have opinions.

In addition, I think CS hurts the knife industrial as a whole with their rediculous advertising and I prefer to support North American made products. Especially when they can be had for a similar price.

I don't know what knife industrials are but I think this brings about your bias here. You don't like the company and you don't like foreign produced stuff. Fine. But admit that. And also understand neither of those things have any bearing on the function of 3v or the handle material which the subject matter of this thread somehow turned into.

And again, similar price, and similar materials. Prove it.

 

[craytab]

And, I conclude that I use/carry my knives more/harder.

And there we go. Some folks just have to think they are the mostest and hardest. This argument has lost favor here as of recent. I would drop it.

 

[Tachead01]

Then don't tell me to do my research if you have that background and insist on misusing a simple technical term.

Man, your the one that started this by making a douche bag comment about my post there Mr technical. I have never, ever in my life heard someone call G10 or Micarta polymer. Maybe next time use your grandma's advice... "if you have nothing nice to say then say nothing at all"