Cold Steel Hater?

J

JNieporte

Joined
Nov 1, 2004
Messages
3,352
Whoa! I just got called a Cold Steel hater because of a few of my reviews. I figured I'd justify my words, and maybe see if I'm being fair to Lynn Thompson's company, or am I really against Cold Steel?

A few weeks back, I compared the Cold Steel Kudu to the South African Okapi, which the Kudu was based on. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=518111
Cold Steel calls the Okapi horribly over-priced, poorly made, and of sub-standard materials. Their website says so, right here... http://www.coldsteel.com/20k.html

So, we have the $5.50 Kudu, and the $6 Okapi. I found both to be pretty equal in terms of workmanship, although the debate of wood versus plastic handles will go on forever. The blade on the Kudu was harder to keep an edge on. The Okapi held a good edge for a long time. The blade on the Kudu is 4116 Krupp, which is comparable to cheap 420 steel (in my testing). The blade on the Okapi is nice-quality carbon steel. So, that leaves the "over-priced" claim. Let's just say that I'd rather buy $60 worth of Okapis than $50 worth of Kudus.

Then, a few days ago, I compared the Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter to the Kabar Large Folding Hunter. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=520157
Again, I found the less expensive knife (the Kabar) to be better. I just don't see the point in selling a knife for over twice the amount of a competitor, when there's no real difference in performane.

What if I made my own brand of knives, came up with an obviously ripped-off version of a Spyderco Endura, and then claimed that the knife I based it on (Endura) was poorly made, overpriced, and of sub-standard materials? By the way, my knife wouldn't be Spyderco's VG-10, because I think it's a sub-standard material. Instead, I'll use AUS-6 or 440A. Because I think it's better. And instead of paying $51 for an Endura, because you know, that's horribly over-priced, my knife will only cost you $45. And forget about the poor quality of the FRN Endura... I'll make mine out of glass-filled nylon or plastic. I'll just think of another name for it. Zytel... no, taken. Kraton... nope. Thermorun... yes, that'll work.

So, I guess after that last paragraph, I really do hate Cold Steel. Well, how about that? I know that I don't like Cold Steel at all because of their blatant rip-offs, then claim that theirs is superior. But I feel that my reviews were very fair. I gave both knives a chance, and through no fault of mine (because the knives I compared them to had the same stuff done to them), both Cold Steel knives were the poorer choice. Don't even get me started on the $15 Cold Steel Bird & Trout knife that my buddy got and snapped in half during normal use, when my $7 Mossberg Bird & Trout set (2 knives) is still holding up very well after a year of use.

Merry Christmas Lynn Thompson; your knives are not worth the money I spent on them. I'll keep my Okapis and $20 Doziers.
 
You gave an honest review of CS knives, and someone calls you a Cold Steel hater? Whatever.
There is nothing wrong with being a Cold Steel hater either. It shows you have good taste. I DO NOT care for CS at all.
 
That reminds me... I should probably do my review of the Cold Steel "Country Classic" carbon steel Trapper. It was $48. Then compare it to my Case carbon steel Trapper that costed me $36. I'll sum up the review right now... the Case came out of the box sharper, held it's edge better, was easier to resharpen, and had a better fit and finish. Once again, the less expensive knife was better than the horribly overpriced, poorly-made Cold Steel. They should put that in their catalog.
 
yeah. I personally will never buy a cold steel product because of their bullshiting.

whats wrong with being a cold steel hater? we are free people the last time I checked.
 
i hate it when people hate the person who hates the knife they love...lol

he likes cs and you dont like cs....whats he care what you do or do not like.

i hate the guy who hates the cold steel hater....hows that!?!?!?!
 
Now that their blades are made in China, Pakistan, or where ever (does this mean the old Carbon V blades stamped "Made in USA" will be collector blades?), and the edges have unknown bevels (I believe their web site, after expressing surprise at the idea of resharpening a Cold Steel knife, says, "somewhere between 23 to 25 degrees") we shouldn't expect too much in the way of quality beyond a pig sticker blade. Clearly Thompson's line has become merely a jobber selling whatever as long as it looks like something in his catalog.
 
Cold steel knives are overpriced. Some are of poor quality and I think that your evaluations are apreciated and good. Cold steel does make some good stuff there old carbon v laredo bowie and there new Natchez bowie for prouduction bowies are good .there talwar and black sable folder are well made strong folders. But all are overpriced but that is what ebay is for


jp
 
superc said:
Now that their blades are made in China, Pakistan, or where ever (does this mean the old Carbon V blades stamped "Made in USA" will be collector blades?), and the edges have unknown bevels (I believe their web site, after expressing surprise at the idea of resharpening a Cold Steel knife, says, "somewhere between 23 to 25 degrees") we shouldn't expect too much in the way of quality beyond a pig sticker blade. Clearly Thompson's line has become merely a jobber selling whatever as long as it looks like something in his catalog.
Click to expand...

Cold Steel knives are made in Japan, Taiwan, or China. And yes the ones made for them in the USA are already becoming sought after as there will be no more. The better knives they have come from Japan and the moderate priced ones from Taiwan, while the cheaper from China. Cold Steel never did more than contract out designs to other knife companies and resell them. Now this trend has moved completely out of the USA. They still get a surprising amount of respect from flea market type dealers and the average Joe who seems to think Cold Steel represents the pinnacle of great blades.
 
What if I made my own brand of knives, came up with an obviously ripped-off version of a Spyderco Endura, and then claimed that the knife I based it on (Endura) was poorly made, overpriced, and of sub-standard materials? By the way, my knife wouldn't be Spyderco's VG-10, because I think it's a sub-standard material. Instead, I'll use AUS-6 or 440A. Because I think it's better. And instead of paying $51 for an Endura, because you know, that's horribly over-priced, my knife will only cost you $45. And forget about the poor quality of the FRN Endura... I'll make mine out of glass-filled nylon or plastic. I'll just think of another name for it. Zytel... no, taken. Kraton... nope. Thermorun... yes, that'll work.
Click to expand...

You say this like it's a problem. Welcome to capitalism. Get with the program.

I found the Kudu to be a good deal. And several of their other wares. Thing is, life is too short to get all precious about any cutlery company. Knife nuts are, well, nutty that way.
 
Well I like the CS products I have. A first year issued Master Hunter in 01(they called it Carbon V) the BEST hunter I have used ever. I like the Recon Scouts I own in Carbon V too. Very heavy duty and do what is asked of them. Lastly I like my very old Voyagers in AUS 8a that were bought like in 90 or 89 or there abouts. Actually the XLG isn't as old as the lg. Both pe and the second tactical type knives I bought after an original issue Endura.

I did a test on a old bike leather and a carhart "several" yrs ago. I can't remember the knives used other than an EKI Commander, my two CS folders and it might have been the Outdoor edge folder that I think was a Carson design which in actuallity was a helluva knife. Anyways the CS folders beat out the others if I remember correctly. This was for slashing and cutting. The XLG cut the main zipper of the jacket in half too. So that is pretty good to me. The Voyagers have been carried a ton but not in the last several years. Still lock up tight and are extremely sharp so nothin to bitch about there.

As for CS themeselves well there advertising leaves a bit to be desired and they must be doing something right as they are still in business and probably bigger than ever. So there you go. keepem sharp
 
if it wasnt for cold steel, i wouldnt know how much better ranger was. so i guess everybody has their place.
 
Maybe Cold Steel's quality has gone down through the years? I've owned their Trapper, Kudu, Ultimate Hunter, SRK, Recon Tanto, Bird & Trout Knife, Recon, Bushman, and two sizes of Voyager. The only ones I was truly happy with were the Bushman in carbon steel, and the SRK in carbon steel.
The Trapper was more expensive than my Case, but lesser quality. The Kudu was a good deal for $5.50, but I thought the Okapi that it's based on is far better; and then there's the bashing of the Okapi. The Ultimate Hunter costed $35 more than a better knife suited for the task. The Recon Tanto actually chipped with normal use, long before any of my other outdoor knives did. The Bird & Trout knife was outperformed by a less expensive Marble's knife, and then a less-expensive Mossberg knife. A buddy of mine had a Bird & Trout knife snap with normal use. The Recon had a lot of blade play in it, and had a few lock failures. The Voyagers both had lock failures. So you can see why I don't like Cold Steel.
Now, I haven't had these problems with other manufacturers, so I'm sure it's not the user (me). My Kabars, Sogs, Kershaws, Spydercos, Bucks, Byrds, Benchmades, Cases.... none of them had this great number of problems. There was a problem with a model here or there, but I don't think those problems would come close to even half of my Cold Steel failures. If the blade is loose, or the lock fails, or the fit is poor, when all other companies give me a quality product, then why should I continue to buy their knives?
 
Well simple solution is not to buy there products. I have never owned a Case knife that was sharp out of the box, never. I mean I can't belive you have had all those failures and still continued to buy/use there products. I wouldn't if it was me that is for sure. keepem sharp
 
I really like my old Cold Steel Master Tanto(brass fittings), and SOME of their stuff looks cool, but I'll totally agree that most of their stuff has been getting overpriced and of questionable quality.
Too bad, since the Master Tanto was the knife which introduced me to the concept of spending hundreds of dollars on a knife.
Too bad that Lynn's been a dweeb and quality has slipped over the years.:thumbdn:
But a FEW of their knives are still neat, and I'd pick one up if it were in a more reasonable price category.
 
shecky said:
You say this like it's a problem. Welcome to capitalism. Get with the program.

I found the Kudu to be a good deal. And several of their other wares. Thing is, life is too short to get all precious about any cutlery company. Knife nuts are, well, nutty that way.
Click to expand...


No, what Cold Steal does is old fashion Soviet Communism. After all, alot of the technology in the old Soviet Union came from good ole' US Capitalism by stealing.
 
I like CS products. Its fine to have your own opinion about CS and I have the right to claim that your opinion is more BS than LT can put out.
 
Cold Steel has a lot of knives that I don't care for . . . and a few that are outstanding.

Here are my favorite Cold Steel products:

Culloden (unfortunately long discontinued, but one of the finest production boot knives ever made)
Vaquero Grande (possibly their best product)
Ti-Lite VI (because it's wrong)
Safekeeper III (a LEGAL "push dagger" that makes a good utility knife)
Urban Pal (GREAT GIFT for your friends).

Not too keen on many of their newer products, though.
 
Well, the knives reviewed aren't considered top tier in the CS lineup. And you and everyone else are entitled to your opinions. Me, I'm happy with the Cold Steels I have. I haven't heard any complaints of their steel quality and have found their blades sharpen nicely, keep their edges reasonably well and have reliable, strong locks. If one buys through eBay, the prices are reasonable--and as long as Lynn Thompson keeps shooting his mouth off, I figure the products will stay fairly good.

Some people can't afford hundred dollar knives, and for them CS fills a need. I'd bet my life on most of their products. I also like that they can offer products like the G.I Tanto for twenty bucks more or less.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top