Cold Steel and Emerson Knives Question

evilgreg said:
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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Pretty much sums it up. I have plenty of expensive knives, and love them a lot. However, when I go camping or hiking, aside from a good fixed blade I have a CS Ultimate Hunter in my pocket. That is frankly a phenomenal folding knife. There have been camping trips where I never used my fixed blade because the UH did everything I needed a knife for that weekend. And at the worst, if disaster strikes and you (somehow) break the knife, or lose it? Eh, $100 bucks gets you a new one and you're back in business (or less if you've chosen the Recon or Voyager line). I don't tend to take my pocket jewelry knives out in the woods, and while I'm sure plenty of folks would decry that as silly, I'm good with it. I get to enjoy my pristine expensive knives, and beat on inexpensive strong knives when I want or need to. Win/win, really.
 
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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Nobody.
Just got a Recon 1 last month. Amazing knife at twice the price. And not even my favorite CS model!
I consider my CS folders to be working knives. My Emerson would also be a good worker, but twice as expensive.
 
whp said:
Nobody.
Just got a Recon 1 last month. Amazing knife at twice the price. And not even my favorite CS model!
I consider my CS folders to be working knives. My Emerson would also be a good worker, but twice as expensive.
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And I hate to say it, but popping out the thumbstud and doing that silly zip-tie wave trick on that Recon 1, and you'd have just as effective a self-defense tool as any Emerson* if not moreso thanks to the Triad lock.

In a perfect universe, I would love to have an Emerson Patriot or Vindicator made with M390 steel, and a Triad lock.


*Again, I'm an Emerson fan, but let's not kid ourselves. A four inch stabby blade is a four inch stabby blade.
 
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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The recon 1 are $170...
 
Harrison B said:
The recon 1 are $170...
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Last post was over a year ago but anyone that pays $170US for a Recon 1 is nuts.

A Recon 1 Special Edition from Canada only costs $145CAD at retail and less on sale. That’s $111USD at most. The last Recon 1 in XHP I bought in Canada a few months back was $119 ($90US) and still available for that.
 
Dunno. Both are good, well-designed makes. Both tend to, ah, exaggerate the attributes of their products. CS has better prices, designs and steel; both will cut, although Emerson's chisel edges suck IMHO.
 
You can probably get a recon 1 for less than $100 nowadays.

Big fan of Emerson. I started collecting knife with Emerson, i got 4 CQC 7 as well as various other models like horseman, mini-commander, A-100 etc. However I'll take cold steel any time of the day if i need a user. Like other have mentioned, CS folders win in almost all categories with less than 1/2 the price. Better steel, stronger lock, lighter weight for the size and better fit & finish. IMO the lawman is the best edc knife you can buy, and when they were in stock, you can often find them for less than $80.

I just dont like their XL knives. If they could scale down some of their large knives like recon 1, SR1, 4max, code 4, broken skull etc they would probably be more popular. Im not sure why they are purposefully choosing niche design/size as there's a larger market for lawman-ish design. IMO the market is not too saturated and CS has a good differentiator with their Triad lock.

In an ideal world we would see collab with Emerson. I woulda love to see a CQC-7 with triad lock. Even better a CQC6 or a commander with triad lock.
 
I just returned a brand new Emerson due to lock issues, and a stripped handle screw. My CS Recon 1 with XHP is flawless, and one of my favorites. Oh yeah......and half the money.
 
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