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Cold Steel Bush Ranger

K

Kizer Boy

Joined
Jul 14, 2025
Messages
6
Does anyone have the Cold Steel Bush Ranger? If so, how do you like it? How would you compare it to a Recon 1 and a AD-10? I'm trying to decide which to get, but I'm leaning towards the Bush Ranger at this time. Thank you.
 
Does anyone have the Cold Steel Bush Ranger? If so, how do you like it? How would you compare it to a Recon 1 and a AD-10? I'm trying to decide which to get, but I'm leaning towards the Bush Ranger at this time. Thank you.
 
I have one of each. the cheaper lite and upgraded Taiwan built. im not a big fan of the lite version. its fine for what it is though. the upgraded Taiwan built is a great knife. I wouldn't compare it directly to those other cold steel knives, its different. its good enough to stand on it own.

if your picking one of those three.....you can't go wrong with any of them. the recon1 is a personal favorite. thin handle that doesn't take up a lot of pocket space for its size and a good size blade.

ad10 is closer to the bush ranger in thickness of the handle and size. I like both knives. bush ranger is nicely done with a good full rounded handle that just works well. bush rangers designed by Mike Wallace who is on the forum and is the factory rep mod on the Demko forum.

BTW ya posted this thread twice? bush rangers so great guess it deserves 2 threads.....
 
Probably accidental double post. I reported the empty one for deletion.

I don't have the Bush Ranger. I watched a review of it a while back, and it looks like this is one of the Triad knives you can't close one handed due to the blade coming down on your finger if you try to close it one handed?
 
I have the Bush Ranger and the AD-10 (the good versions). The AD-10 doesn't seem that much bigger on paper but feels a lot bigger in the pocket, as well as heavier. It does have a really nice, full-sized grip though. Also, the action on the AD-10 is the best in Cold Steel's Triad lock lineup, along with the aluminum Espadas. I think it's the metal liners and combination phosphor bronze / teflon washers.

The Bush Ranger, on the other hand, is smaller, and has handles that are double contoured to really lock your hand in. The unlined G-10 handles are really thick but lightweight. You can also wave it open, but quickly flipping it open with your thumb doesn't work so well (you can slow roll it).

I'd say the Bush Ranger is a more practical everyday knife. The AD-10 feels more special and more built like a tank, but doesn't really have any practical advantages over the Bush Ranger, and feels like a brick in the pocket.
 
David Mary said:
Probably accidental double post. I reported the empty one for deletion.

I don't have the Bush Ranger. I watched a review of it a while back, and it looks like this is one of the Triad knives you can't close one handed due to the blade coming down on your finger if you try to close it one handed?
Click to expand...

It does do that, but not very hard. I still close it one-handed anyway and it hasn't cut me, but YMMV. Also, it doesn't really look like it, but it has kind of a half finger choil that you can choke up on effectively.
 
Good knife get it..👍

Quiet

Cold Steel Thread 'Cold Steel Bush Ranger'

With the news of Cold Steel becoming Sold Steel, I have done like many others have and started buying some of the their knives that I'd always had on my "Interested" list but had just never pulled the trigger on. One of those is the Bush Ranger. I have to say, I've gotten a ton of knives lately that I've enjoyed very much, but there was something about this knife that just really wowed me, and I decided to do a review on it, so let's get into it!

TL;DR Version: Buy this knife. Grab one just in case they decide to discontinue these, because you'll definitely miss this guy...
  • Like
 
👆 good stuff in the thread linked above, it's what encouraged me to get one. Well, that and an absurd discount from Midway, which I later realized was them offloading a discontinued model.

I've got the American Lawman, Voyager, Recon 1, Talwar, and Bush Ranger and of these, the Bush Ranger is my favorite (Talwar is a real close second). There's nothing I can say that isn't said in the linked thread: the design just nailed my ideal of a bomb proof folding knife built to work and not hurt your hand in the process. I open and close mine one-handed and haven't been bitten yet, but I'm sure it's possible (as with any lock back). It's also less heavy and bulky in the pocket than you might expect and the scales won't devour your pocket lining in the process.

It's a great knife, get one while you can.

1000007747.jpg
 
oldmanwilly said:
👆 good stuff in the thread linked above, it's what encouraged me to get one. Well, that and an absurd discount from Midway, which I later realized was them offloading a discontinued model.

I've got the American Lawman, Voyager, Recon 1, Talwar, and Bush Ranger and of these, the Bush Ranger is my favorite (Talwar is a real close second). There's nothing I can say that isn't said in the linked thread: the design just nailed my ideal of a bomb proof folding knife built to work and not hurt your hand in the process. I open and close mine one-handed and haven't been bitten yet, but I'm sure it's possible (as with any lock back). It's also less heavy and bulky in the pocket than you might expect and the scales won't devour your pocket lining in the process.

It's a great knife, get one while you can.

View attachment 2963134
Click to expand...
Would you say the grip area is cramped compared to the Recon 1? The ergos are the only thing that’s keeping me from ordering the Bush Ranger, as I have huge hands.
 
el gigantor said:
Would you say the grip area is cramped compared to the Recon 1? The ergos are the only thing that’s keeping me from ordering the Bush Ranger, as I have huge hands.
Click to expand...
The grip is shorter and more contoured than the Recon 1. I wouldn't say it's not cramped at all, but I suppose it's a highly personal determination.
 
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el gigantor said:
Would you say the grip area is cramped compared to the Recon 1? The ergos are the only thing that’s keeping me from ordering the Bush Ranger, as I have huge hands.
Click to expand...
The lower part of the handle , behind the guard , measures about 3.75" of useful grip area . Recon 1 has more like 4" .

My medium mens hands fit with room to spare . Large and maybe XL would be OK . Beyond that , IDK .

I really like the handle ergonomics . Nice , thick and well shaped for extended hard work . :cool: :thumbsup:
 
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