Cold Steel and Emerson Knives Question

There is actually a poll option when you create your thread. In addition to that, this might get a more serious response from the respondents in Prac Tac.

Best of luck.
 
More popular: Cold Steel. Production and sales numbers say it all.
Win in a knife fight: Lynn fight his way through 2" manila rope and pig carcasses to discover Ernest and his army of honorary SEALS. Then they would pit tanto against tanto only to realize that they both wish they were Bob Lum.
 
The cold steel brand encompasses more knives (and swords) than perhaps you would know about, OP, the fact that you're asking.

They are an extremely successful company.
 
I can see lots of money being made on tons of affordable Cold Steel knives but not so much on $200+ folders. Especially when so few places carry EKI knives.
 
I like many of emersons designs better but they're too expensive, cold steel is a much better value.
 
There are only a few CS models I would carry while I would carry almost any Emerson. I know the tri-ad lock is "stronger" but the requirement I use my knives for don't involve spine whacking or prying. That being said I will take an Emerson over CS all day long. I also do believe Emersons are a tad over priced but they sell.
 
Cold Steel. By a mile. Just my opinion of course. Things to consider: new CS models use CTS-XHP. Emersons still rock 154CM. The Triad Lock is superior in every way (as far as strength) to Emerson's liner lock. Most CS folders are about half the price of most Emersons. Cold Steel likely has better F&F, too (have only had a couple of Emersons and have never been impressed with the f&f. Or action. Always have been with CS - especially considering the price discrepancies).

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Wunderbar said:
I can see lots of money being made on tons of affordable Cold Steel knives but not so much on $200+ folders. Especially when so few places carry EKI knives.
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They don't need to make expensive folders. Their slant on the folder market is the cheap small stuff and the ostentatiously humongous folders, IMO (some of which, I admit I like!)

Their expensive stuff is all fixed. And even then, it's mass production stuff from a variety of sources. If I am correct, a lot, if not all their Japanese styled blades are made in longquan and custom finished there to order, for example. I have my eye on a "san mai" (c) (r) (tm) (wtfbbq?) (etc...) Laredo, it costs AUD$900 here, for example. They have another cheaper carbon steel bowie made in India or Pakistan, I forget, but nope, not for me.
 
Cold Steel of course:
- Avalable worldwide vs limited availability and special stores outside of US
- Dozens of models and categories, sizes, shapes and uses vs. variations of the same G10, liner-lock folder
- Strongest lock in business vs. sticky and much flimsier and sturdy lock
- DLC coating and CTS-XHP steel vs weaker coatings and a bit "worse" steel (edge holding, corrosion resistance etc.)
- Affordable price on most of their lines and products vs. smaller market, premium prices

- G10, Zytel, Grivory and all metal scales available vs only G10 on all folders

although

- Botjh have waved and non waved models
- Fully serrated, full PE or combo edge on both brands
- Emerson gets the + for ease of field maintenance and use of conventional screws for adjustment
 
I own, carry and use both.
Cold Steel, I believe, is more popular based upon units sold, market share and value - though the latter can be subjective in how it is quantified.
That said, the strength and reliability/durability of theTriad lock, F&F as well as blade steel are factors that cannot be ignored.
As I said, I do enjoy both so I am not picking sides.
 
I own and use both but I enjoy Emerson knives more. That said, Cold Steel knives are objectively a better product. Can't argue that fact. Again, huge Emerson fan. I am fine with their materials list, but you know what, a friggin' Recon 1 in CTS-XHP with the Triad lock at like $70? That is a superior knife all day long, and twice on Sunday. Who could argue that?
 
Quiet said:
I own and use both but I enjoy Emerson knives more. That said, Cold Steel knives are objectively a better product. Can't argue that fact. Again, huge Emerson fan. I am fine with their materials list, but you know what, a friggin' Recon 1 in CTS-XHP with the Triad lock at like $70? That is a superior knife all day long, and twice on Sunday. Who could argue that?
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This so much. I carry expensive knives because I like them, but I have cheap options in my collection from Cold Steel that generally wouldn't just do as well, but would actually outperform my expensive knives in a variety of ways. Sure, the expensive knives might have better blade steels or handle materials, but the reality is those cheap Cold Steel knives just work all day long and don't fail, in my experience.

I'd trust a cheap CS Tri-Ad lock knife over any number of expensive knives in my collection, if it came right down to it. Even the plastic handled knives. I'm done outright stupid things with my Tuff Lites when carving harder woods, putting so much force on them that my hands ache after a carving session, and the knives just keep on ticking.

Maybe I've been lucky, but I've never had a dud from Cold Steel, and I've bought piles of them.

If you watch Mr. Emersons popular line of promotional videos and want an Emerson so you can be an honorary SEAL or whatever, more power to you. Be informed, then buy whatever you like. IMO, though, CS makes better products at lower prices (as long as you're not buying a Golden Eye or whatever).
 
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Not only is Cold Steel knives more popular, pretty damn sure they produce stronger, more reliable folders that have better fit n finish and cut better at a lower price

sent from a highly secretive CIA base somewhere in the deep jungles of South America shhh
 
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