Cold Steel "Essentials"?

I still have (2) CS products: the pre g-10 large Voyager and use the heck out of it for light office stuff. It's still razor sharp. VG-1 from Seki City is a high value 4" blade folder.

I also have a 4" Ti-Lite FRN or whatever handle. It's pretty cool for $40.

I gifted all of my other Cold Steel folders to sons & son in law (except for a Rajah 1 that I could kick myself for selling on evilbay - bought at $99 and sold it for $279).

Nobody has needed to return one yet.
 
First, let me say I own a 20-year-old CS Master Tanto that is beautifully made, so if anything I started out quite favorably inclined toward them. But more recent experiences led me to believe the company slid sadly downhill since then. And their forays into plastic knobkerries and other such trash were wincingly distasteful. However, at the insistence of a third party I ordered a CS American Lawman folder to include in a knife review about two years ago. I sent it back immediately; I didn't even want to waste my time giving it a full test. The action was the worst I'd felt on any folder I've handled, and the overall workmanship was slapdash at best.

They also sent me a Pocket Bushman folder. I thought it was laughably overpriced at $40.
 
JMHAZ said:
I ordered a CS American Lawman folder to include in a knife review about two years ago. I sent it back immediately; I didn't even want to waste my time giving it a full test. The action was the worst I'd felt on any folder I've handled, and the overall workmanship was slapdash at best.
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Would you elaborate on the CS American Lawman's horrible action and lousy build. I was considering one as a beater and perhaps that is an older action and build quality??
 
Old CS are well made, for the most part. Camillus made their Country Cousin line of slipjoints and lockbacks. Their Carbon V Trailmasters were good blades.
 
Would you elaborate on the CS American Lawman's horrible action and lousy build. I was considering one as a beater and perhaps that is an older action and build quality??
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Sure - First, I thought the knife felt just fine, and the finger grooves afforded a really secure grip. However, it was not only astonishingly stiff to open, but rough as well. When I disassembled it I was not impressed with the finish on any part not normally visible, and no longer surprised at how rough it felt. As I mentioned, this was two years ago. Perhaps quality control has improved since then, but given the general trajectory of CS I'm doubtful. Compared with something like a Buck Vantage Pro at a similar price, there's no question which I'd take as a beater.
 
Cziv, I believe so. I think all the American Lawman knives have been? In any case I recall the lockup as being good.

I looked on reviews on amazon and found another user who reported exactly the same problem. Obviously this could be production variance, but that in itself is enough to dissuade me buying from CS.

I will say the knife felt stout; probably more so than the Vantage Pro if one insisted on abusing it.

I hope that helps.
 
They do lock up rock solid, I've owned a few and passed them along. Check out Fred Perrin throwing Cold Steel American Lawman another one maybe the AK ?

[video=youtube;_1JyaTXdA1I]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1JyaTXdA1I[/video]
 
They do lock up rock solid, I've owned a few and passed them along. Check out Fred Perrin throwing Cold Steel American Lawman another one maybe the AK ?

[video=youtube;_1JyaTXdA1I]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1JyaTXdA1I[/video]
 
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