Cold Steel Counter Point I quick review

[sh00ter01]

I have a question about your review,


...Does the blade work for cutting things?



That's what I buy a knife to do, but you don't mention it.


Things like edge retention are also important.


I would suggest using a knife before attempting to review it.





Big Mike

It's ColdSteel's AUS8A, the same AUS8A they use on pretty much EVERYTHING. So it's edge retention is well known and documented.


I would suggest you do a simple search on said steel before you start trolling a thread.






sh00ter

 

[Morrow]

I have a question about your review,


...Does the blade work for cutting things?



That's what I buy a knife to do, but you don't mention it.


Things like edge retention are also important.


I would suggest using a knife before attempting to review it.





Big Mike

So this person decides to do a quick review and you crap all over it because it doesn't meet your review standards? People do "unboxing" reviews all the time.

 

[res1cue]

That is an interesting point of view, and one I honestly never thought of before. However, I think it may be more applicable to a higher-end knife. After all, it is a 50 dollar production knife made overseas. I am a big fan of CS, but I don't have unrealistic expectations of them.

Personally I find of the edge of a knife often reflects the intent of the maker,

...is financial return more important then the makers reputation?

I'm pretty sure financial return plays a big role here

It's clear that you have a preconceived notion of what you want this knife to be,

...and are trying to convince others that your notion is somehow correct.

Not trying to convince anyone of anything here. My notion of what I want this knife to be is a knife that has been reprofiled to one of my standard angles so touch-up will be easy from now on

If you are really curious about this knife's factory edge, it is ~50 degrees inclusive, finished on ~300 grit or so, uneven on the right side, slight burr on the right side. Can shave, but barely so.

PS - Nothing personal res1cue, I just see so many "so called" reviews these days, the curse of u-tube spreads like a wildfire; we, here on BF, should hold ourselves to a higher standard.

No problem. I appreciate your sentiment, but this was never meant to be a full-fledged review. I know those endless unboxing videos can be frustrating, but I think this unboxing thread has value in the sense that there is literally no information out there on the internet about this knife, yet.

 

[res1cue]

Also per OrdnanceBubbaUSMC's request here is the spacer, it is all grivory

And here is a better view of the liners. Given their thickness, it is a surprisingly light knife.

And one other thing to note is that unlike most CS folders these days, the thumbstud is NOT bigger on one side. it is a full ambidextrous thumbstud on both sides

 

[OrdnanceBubbaUSMC]

Thanks bro, looks good. Might be the first folder I try a lanyard on in a long time since the hole is right in the middle. Agree the equal thumb studs are better - mostly just aesthetics for me, looks like a piece broke off on Recon 1 studs.

 

[Big Mike]

It's ColdSteel's AUS8A, the same AUS8A they use on pretty much EVERYTHING. So it's edge retention is well known and documented.

So Shooter, you to seem happy to make assumptions on how a new knife on the market will perform based on some universal internet knowledge.

How many different companies make CS knives?

Have you ever heard of edge geometry, heat treatment or Rockwell hardness?


Not all blades in AUS8A perform the same.





I was hoping for improved performance over other knives by this maker,

...not people telling me to expect some level of mediocrity. :barf:



PS - At least the OP and I have agreed about this not being a review. :thumbup:




Big Mike

 

[res1cue]

PS - At least the OP and I have agreed about this not being a review. :thumbup:

Yes we do. But that is not to say that there is no value in this thread.

 

[Karda]

Was this thread not labeled "quick review"?
I don't think anyone expected it to be more that that.

You've had your time on the soapbox, Big Mike.....Time to move along and let those whom enjoy the thread for what it is have a discussion about the knife instead of having to defend against your tirade about what makes a good review.

 

[sh00ter01]

So Shooter, you to seem happy to make assumptions on how a new knife on the market will perform based on some universal internet knowledge...

It more of an educated guess then an assumption. We know CS's heat treat, we know the blade shape, thickness, and grind; given previous testing of similar blade from CS; yeah you can pretty much figure out how this ones going to cut without ever taking it to media:thumbup:

Have you ever heard of edge geometry, heat treatment or Rockwell hardness?

Nope, not once... I've helped design and make dozens of customs; I know all about these things.

Not all blades in AUS8A perform the same.

REALLY... see above

Also, as far as I'm aware CS is the only company that uses AUS8'A', not to be confused with regular AUS8, just an FYI

I was hoping for improved performance over other knives by this maker,

...not people telling me to expect some level of mediocrity. :barf:

So you were hoping, that a company that uses AUS8A universally through there entire folder line and already does a fairly decent job with it (CS heat treat is far from bad) would somehow miraculously come out with a folder, using the same AUS8A and it would be somehow be greatly superior to their previous 'mediocre' blades





sh00ter

 

[OrdnanceBubbaUSMC]

My 6 month old Voyager and 1 week old Mini Recon have blades that work the same as far as edge retention, sure these will be same also.

Earlier today the Mini Recon Spear Point tore up what was left of a double thick, man-sized water heater box doing some drills (maybe 10-15 minutes cutting, poking, and ripping it up). After that used it side by side with a benchmark Victorinox SAK, made some notches in wood out back and cut some leather strips out of scrap patches I have. Edge felt just like it did the day before and still shaved light stroke, it's plenty good for me.

Wouldn't be hard to guess the Counter Point I will pierce better than Mini Recon or Vaquero but not slice as well and the steel will show same traits. The people who have had it tested and say the blades came out 59.5 or 60 HRC sound right on and don't doubt the feedback from people who have tested it against a couple other companies 154CM and had almost identical results.

 

[Bastid]

Ok that is enough. Stay on the subject and let's play with a semblance of respect at least. Thanks for bringing things back on track OrdnanceBubbaUSMC.

 

[res1cue]

Update:

Turns out Big Mike had a good point asking about this particular AUS8. Both this knife and the smaller Counter Point II, take a much finer edge than normal AUS8. Don't know why that may be, but it takes a very smooth edge with very little effort. I did reprofile the edge with a relief bevel of 30 inclusive and a microbevel of 40 inclusive. Cuts very well, retention is on par with CS's AUS8, which isn't bad. Been using it for EDC tasks for a few days. Still with just a few snags


Also I ziptie-waved it and polished up the swedge and the plunge. This knife is growing on me more and more.

 

[Trail Edge]

Sweet knife! I have the Counter Tac I&II, but these are growing on me.

 

[res1cue]

Sweet knife! I have the Counter Tac I&II, but these are growing on me.

It's been growing on me too. I wasn't wowed by it when I first got it, but it just won't leave my pocket!

It is by far the smoothest triad lock out there... and I have handled them all

 

[OrdnanceBubbaUSMC]

Going to order one next month when another batch or two hit the net dealers - only CP1's I saw past couple days was $80 from only one seller...

I'm glad the grind didn't give too much steel behind the edge, seems like they did another awesome job on a good design.

 

[res1cue]

Going to order one next month when another batch or two hit the net dealers - only CP1's I saw past couple days was $80 from only one seller...

I'm glad the grind didn't give too much steel behind the edge, seems like they did another awesome job on a good design.

Wow, 80 bucks?

I got mine on ebay for 53 shipped.

BTW yes, the steel thins out quite nicely, much more than I thought with a short grind. The back-bevel helps too

 

[OrdnanceBubbaUSMC]

Just saw it pop up on a reputable store for under $48 a minute before I checked back in on this thread - might have to grab it earlier than I thought

Can you throw up a quick photo of it next to your Mini Recon 1 Spear Point if you get a chance?

 

[res1cue]

Sure thing.

At first I didn't notice you had specified spear point, so I have both now. Enjoy!

And sorry for the glare

 

[OrdnanceBubbaUSMC]

You are awesome bro, truly, went through with the purchase after checking these out. Not showing the wife the first day it gets here like with the Mini.

Last time I had a knife of this design was an old Camillus Boot Knife that I used to do SouthNarc drills with and the dimensions translated in photos while comparing with Mini right here in hand and your description so far is perfect.

Have been pondering for a while about doing some public videos with drills, training, past experiences, etc. and might give it a go with this and the Large Vaquero.

 

[res1cue]

Not showing the wife the first day it gets here like with the Mini.

Trick is to have so many knives she can't spot the new ones

Last time I had a knife of this design was an old Camillus Boot Knife that I used to do SouthNarc drills with and the dimensions translated in photos while comparing with Mini right here in hand and your description so far is perfect.

I'm glad. I bet you'll really like it, we seem to have similar tastes in knives

Have been pondering for a while about doing some public videos with drills, training, past experiences, etc. and might give it a go with this and the Large Vaquero.

Would look forward to seeing it :thumbup: