Cold Steel Golden Eye Disappointment

[ccoast36]

I received my new Golden Eye today only to discover a blade grind on the spine so uneven that I am forced to return the knife. I have been hesitant to support Cold Steel as of late because I am unsure of the quality of knives that come out of Tawain in general. I typically support U.S. made, higher end knife companies but some of Cold Steel's recent offerings convinced me to give them a try. Is this issue of bad grinds common with Cold Steel. I know the triad lock is a great lock, but there is more to a knife than the lock. I think fit and finish is important too, especially when the price point starts to creep upward. Should I give the company a second chance?

 

[Mick_1KRR]

Lately all the grinds on their newer models have come practically perfect for me, that's about the last 6 i've bought. Honestly mate, it's just the lottery sometimes as to who you get sharpening your knife that day. Even Chris Reeve knives have been sent back with uneven and dull grinds, my last CRK came with bad lock stick and couldn't even cut paper. Also my KW exclusive Spyderco Military in 204P steel came with uneven grinds and off center, both of those knives much more expensive that CS...it happens. Of course if it's that bad just get the retailer to swap it for you, don't let it sour your taste on the while range because of one bad apple. Trust me i know how annoying it is when a knife comes so off center or with uneven grinds, bugs the hell out of me, but they all do sometimes. Cold Steel have some great new products, with the materials used it's hard to beat them for the price now. It'd be a shame to let one bad egg ruin the batch for you. Cheers

 

[jazub]

Bummer that the GE didn't meet your expectation. As far as fit and finish is concerned, I have never had an issue with a Cold Steel knife. I received 3 made in Taiwan Cold Steel knives this week and all were flawless. Whatever you decide, I hope it works out for you. :thumbup:

 

[ccoast36]

Lately all the grinds on their newer models have come practically perfect for me, that's about the last 6 i've bought. Honestly mate, it's just the lottery sometimes as to who you get sharpening your knife that day. Even Chris Reeve knives have been sent back with uneven and dull grinds, my last CRK came with bad lock stick and couldn't even cut paper. Also my KW exclusive Spyderco Military in 204P steel came with uneven grinds and off center, both of those knives much more expensive that CS...it happens. Of course if it's that bad just get the retailer to swap it for you, don't let it sour your taste on the while range because of one bad apple. Trust me i know how annoying it is when a knife comes so off center or with uneven grinds, bugs the hell out of me, but they all do sometimes. Cold Steel have some great new products, with the materials used it's hard to beat them for the price now. It'd be a shame to let one bad egg ruin the batch for you. Cheers

You make a great point. I had hoped to try out the new 4 max but I heard there were some F and F issues with that knife. I know they are moving the production of that particular model out of the U.S., so maybe the issues were due to the company here that was producing them. It is just hard for me to spend the cash for that knife after the disappointment of the Golden Eye. I guess a bad impression, if you will.

 

[ccoast36]

Bummer that the GE didn't meet your expectation. As far as fit and finish is concerned, I have never had an issue with a Cold Steel knife. I received 3 made in Taiwan Cold Steel knives this week and all were flawless. Whatever you decide, I hope it works out for you. :thumbup:

Thank you for the reply. Is there any particular model that you would recommend? I am intrigued by the strength of the triad lock.

 

[Mick_1KRR]

You make a great point. I had hoped to try out the new 4 max but I heard there were some F and F issues with that knife. I know they are moving the production of that particular model out of the U.S., so maybe the issues were due to the company here that was producing them. It is just hard for me to spend the cash for that knife after the disappointment of the Golden Eye. I guess a bad impression, if you will.

Yes i believe production will be moved to Italy, and i think they have gotten on top of the issues, I know Mr Demko himself was active here as many people were getting their issues resolved with success. If you want to try some other knives that i think will no disappoint, i'd recommend a Code 4 spear point or clip point (depends on your taste in blade shape) also another favourite of mine is the Talwar 4 inch model in XHP steel. Of course you cannot go wrong with any of the recons, but not sure if you like black blades, if so the Recon 1 spear point is an amazing knife. I actually modified my Code 4 spear point a bit, gave it a light stonewash and last night i took the top of the spine down a bit to give it a bit more of a drop point, great knife. Pic below.

 

[ccoast36]

Yes i believe production will be moved to Italy, and i think they have gotten on top of the issues, I know Mr Demko himself was active here as many people were getting their issues resolved with success. If you want to try some other knives that i think will no disappoint, i'd recommend a Code 4 spear point or clip point (depends on your taste in blade shape) also another favourite of mine is the Talwar 4 inch model in XHP steel. Of course you cannot go wrong with any of the recons, but not sure if you like black blades, if so the Recon 1 spear point is an amazing knife. I actually modified my Code 4 spear point a bit, gave it a light stonewash and last night i took the top of the spine down a bit to give it a bit more of a drop point, great knife. Pic below.

I have to admit, the Recon 1 XL and the Code 4 look very interesting to me. Any opinion on the 4 Max?

 

[Wowbagger]

I just bought a Cold Steel Spike (simple fixed blade), made in Taiwan, and even though it sold for twenty dollars to my door I am TOTALLY happy with the knife. Really nice.

Yes definitely give them another chance. Deal with the vendor though not Cold Steel directly which can turn into a very slow and convoluted experience at best.

Generally Taiwan does REALLY NICE WORK ! I never grown when I see Taiwan stamped on a knife and I have many from various brands.

PS: I hope you didn't get some kind of knock off. Probably not.

 

[ccoast36]

I just bought a Cold Steel Spike (simple fixed blade), made in Taiwan, and even though it sold for twenty dollars to my door I am TOTALLY happy with the knife. Really nice.

Yes definitely give them another chance. Deal with the vendor though not Cold Steel directly which can turn into a very slow and convoluted experience at best.

Generally Taiwan does REALLY NICE WORK ! I never grown when I see Taiwan stamped on a knife and I have many from various brands.

PS: I hope you didn't get some kind of knock off. Probably not.

No, the Golden Eye is legit. Just an unlucky break, I suppose.

 

[Mick_1KRR]

I have to admit, the Recon 1 XL and the Code 4 look very interesting to me. Any opinion on the 4 Max?

I don't think anyone could be disappointed with a Recon in any flavor, such a capable well made knife. The 4max is an amazing knife no doubt, it's a big boy that's for sure, not sure what your size limit is for daily carry in your pockets in terms of weight etc. Probably one of the strongest folders on the planet, possibly the strongest, with excellent steel. Personally i am waiting on the edge of my seat for the new Cold Steel SR1 that is being released to retailers shortly, it's like a scaled down 4max, still big with a 4 inch blade but a smaller profile for pocket carry, thinking of pre-ordering today.

 

[Minnesota Man]

I have never had a problem with Cold Steel and I own over 50 of their products. Not just knives. I think you got what some call "a Friday afternoon knife". Some guy half assed it to go drink beers with his buddies.

 

[ccoast36]

I don't think anyone could be disappointed with a Recon in any flavor, such a capable well made knife. The 4max is an amazing knife no doubt, it's a big boy that's for sure, not sure what your size limit is for daily carry in your pockets in terms of weight etc. Probably one of the strongest folders on the planet, possibly the strongest, with excellent steel. Personally i am waiting on the edge of my seat for the new Cold Steel SR1 that is being released to retailers shortly, it's like a scaled down 4max, still big with a 4 inch blade but a smaller profile for pocket carry, thinking of pre-ordering today.

I have my eye on that 4 Max. I also have checked out the SR 1 as well.

 

[ThePeacent]

Thank you for the reply. Is there any particular model that you would recommend? I am intrigued by the strength of the triad lock.

I'd also recommend the Recons, true CS classics, or the Talwar, my favorite "new" model which is sadly discontinued by 2017
L and XL Recons are true beasts, strong brute folders

the Talwar is a bit more slicey, but built nearly as tough

 

[Alberta Ed]

Surprised to hear that. My American Lawman and Recon 1 are as close to flawless as I could ask -- both Taiwan-made, CTS-XHP. Send it back to CS, their customer service is supposed to be excellent.

 

[jazub]

Thank you for the reply. Is there any particular model that you would recommend? I am intrigued by the strength of the triad lock.

I don't have a huge stable of CS but I can highly recommend:
1. large Recon 1 (I have a tanto with AUS 8 but going to buy a CTS-XHP Spear point next)
2. American Lawman

The Broken Skull is strong, light, and good but a little thinner in the handle than I'd prefer. I liked the handle of the Lone Star Hunter better. Would be perfect with a G10 handle that width.

High on my to-buy list are the Code 4, AK-47, Voyager XL, and Recon XL clip point. Now all I need is endless money...

Good luck making your selection :thumbup:

 

[ursamajor]

I've only gotten a couple of their 2015 and beyond knives.

XHP American Lawman
XHP Recon 1 Tanto
XHP Alum Handle Ti-Lite
XHP Talwar
Broken Skull (Pink Handle- gift for the wife)
Ultimate Hunter
BD1 Rajah 2
D2 Leatherneck
3V Master Tanto
4Max

All had great grinds. As for edge bevels TBH how they come from the factory means zilch to me. Every knife I buy gets intimate with my Japanese Water Stones and Strops, shortly after they get home.

In a Buffalo Bill Voice:

"They put their edge to the stone. Then they get the strop to hone."


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[upnorth]

I have never had a problem with Cold Steel and I own over 50 of their products. Not just knives. I think you got what some call "a Friday afternoon knife". Some guy half assed it to go drink beers with his buddies.

Ya, have a boat load here also. These threads happen simply from sheer numbers. But then any mass produced product will pass a clunker now and then. I guess that I have been lucky, for years now. The only wonky grinds that I found were on a few of the older machetes.

 

[DShiflet]

Yeah, only issues I've ever had with grinds were on the machetes.

 

[The Whip]

Mine arrived yesterday and it's flawless.

Stunning perfection! In hand only a few minutes and already I love it! Tomorrow it goes into my pocket for daily carry and I suspect that it won't be supplanted by another knife (other than routine rotation for variety's sake or a specific need) for a long time.

The dimensions are exactly right for my hand. The weight, width, G-10 texture, and clip tension are all perfect. Cold Steel has listened to customer suggestions, without doubt. I find the color scheme very attractive, including the gold accents (and I don't normally like flash).

By the way, for those who wondered about the opening hole insert, it won't rotate, as there's a tongue in the blade that fits a groove in the brass. It's also removable via a set screw in the blade's spine that secures it.

-Steve

 

[dogrunner]

Nice looking knife and great pics. Please let us know how you find the hole opening function (I'm a spyderco fan and the thumb hole on the Golden Eye is one of its appeals to me) and how the edge holds up. I've liked my CS XHP blades and the 4max has been great, but curious to know if they hit the mark on s35vn.