Cold Steel Hold Out II

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dfkdfk

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Nov 22, 2010
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Hey guys, I shot a video of the Cold Steel Hold Out II - figured y'all might be interested as I have not seen much information on this one yet.

[video=youtube;Z8Um7tjXwvk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8Um7tjXwvk[/video]

Thanks for watching and feel free to let me know what you think.
 
Hey buddy, it's you! :D

Same username here as on youtube, the knife is doing great sitting in my pocket on patrol. I used my Hold Out II to cut some rope, open the box for my trucks new brake pads, and even sliced through my chicken fried steak earlier today (yesterday now - I'm on a split shift). It's an all around great knife and solid as a rock too. The guys at work already want one, but to them anything over $20 is too much...I'll convince them one day :)

Edit to add: I like the overall shape of the knife. It reminds me of a flint knife with the leather wrapped handle. Sort of like an old familiar friend from a past life.
 
Supernice review, thank you sir I've been wanting one of these for a while but I always seem to forget about it,thaks again
 
Thanks for the review and pushing me over the edge! Very happy you did! :thumbup:

A few thoughts:

- It's a full flat grind eventhough CS says it's a hollow grind on their website.

- It looks DAMN sexy without the cheap teflon coating! Seriously, if you've been turned off by some of Cold Steel's design choices this is the one for you. Everything from the fit n finish to the grind, phosphor-bronze/teflon bushings (they have both on each side) and the slick aluminium back spacer is sheer class. It's so refined and far removed from anything Cold Steel has built in the segment it's almost like a whole other company.

- The blade shape and drop point (not spear) makes it excellent for cutting tasks and food prep with you being able to comfortably utilize 3/5 of the blade before your knuckle hits.

- It feels like a solid SPIKE. I own the AL so the Tri-Ad didn't come as a surprise, but in this package it's just so... together? Feeling is believing with this one.

- Someone in another review had concerns about the grip but holding it like a stiletto or dagger it's more than on par with just about anything imo. Between CS's coarse G10, the tapered hande shape and the automatic palm reinforcement the ergonomics gives you I doubt anyone will have any practical issues with it. Keep in mind the style of knife was used as a secondary by gaelics and norse alike to penetrate the english chainmail armour of the time, just as the tanto was designed to penetrate plate armour. If you tried doing it with a sabre grip your wrist would probably give before the armour did.

- The one knock is steel. In this configuration and with the sexy grind lines I don't mind nearly as much though. It feels like a much more expensive steel and I prefer it to say S30V in just about everything but the edge retention. If all AUS8 came as good looking as this one people wouldn't complain half as much imho.
 
Hey guys sorry I forgot about this thread - I was reminded when I read the excellent Hold Out III review on here.

batosai117 said:
Hey buddy, it's you! :D

Same username here as on youtube, the knife is doing great sitting in my pocket on patrol. I used my Hold Out II to cut some rope, open the box for my trucks new brake pads, and even sliced through my chicken fried steak earlier today (yesterday now - I'm on a split shift). It's an all around great knife and solid as a rock too. The guys at work already want one, but to them anything over $20 is too much...I'll convince them one day :)

Edit to add: I like the overall shape of the knife. It reminds me of a flint knife with the leather wrapped handle. Sort of like an old familiar friend from a past life.
Click to expand...

Hey man - very cool! Glad to see you are getting some good utility out of it. Unfortunately I haven't been able to give mine quite as much use although I have carried it on a few weekends.

swegeek said:
Thanks for the review and pushing me over the edge! Very happy you did! :thumbup:

A few thoughts:

- It's a full flat grind eventhough CS says it's a hollow grind on their website.

- It looks DAMN sexy without the cheap teflon coating! Seriously, if you've been turned off by some of Cold Steel's design choices this is the one for you. Everything from the fit n finish to the grind, phosphor-bronze/teflon bushings (they have both on each side) and the slick aluminium back spacer is sheer class. It's so refined and far removed from anything Cold Steel has built in the segment it's almost like a whole other company.

- The blade shape and drop point (not spear) makes it excellent for cutting tasks and food prep with you being able to comfortably utilize 3/5 of the blade before your knuckle hits.

- It feels like a solid SPIKE. I own the AL so the Tri-Ad didn't come as a surprise, but in this package it's just so... together? Feeling is believing with this one.

- Someone in another review had concerns about the grip but holding it like a stiletto or dagger it's more than on par with just about anything imo. Between CS's coarse G10, the tapered hande shape and the automatic palm reinforcement the ergonomics gives you I doubt anyone will have any practical issues with it. Keep in mind the style of knife was used as a secondary by gaelics and norse alike to penetrate the english chainmail armour of the time, just as the tanto was designed to penetrate plate armour. If you tried doing it with a sabre grip your wrist would probably give before the armour did.

- The one knock is steel. In this configuration and with the sexy grind lines I don't mind nearly as much though. It feels like a much more expensive steel and I prefer it to say S30V in just about everything but the edge retention. If all AUS8 came as good looking as this one people wouldn't complain half as much imho.
Click to expand...

You bring up some excellent points. I agree it's a very attractive knife and the fit and finish is excellent. I probably shouldn't have commented too much about ergonomics in terms of slippage, I never actually tested it's grip in stabbing/thrusting type cuts. The handle is actually quite large so you will be able to get a good grip on it although personally, from a purely practical standpoint I'd feel more comfortable with a hilt or something (which would spoil the aesthetics).
 
Excellent review. I've been looking at that knife for awhile now. I have a Caledonian edge that's similar in shape, but it's too flashy for an EDC. The Hold Out 2 looks like a real bargain.
 
Cold Steel IMO is doing an excellent job in producing some very good quality and competively priced folders I just ordered a Voyager as a present for myself and I can honestly say I'm very anxiously awaiting for it to get here .The reviews on this site have been most informing.
 
mossyhorn said:
Excellent review. I've been looking at that knife for awhile now. I have a Caledonian edge that's similar in shape, but it's too flashy for an EDC. The Hold Out 2 looks like a real bargain.
Click to expand...

Thanks man. I think for $50 it's very hard to go wrong here.

whetrock said:
Cold Steel IMO is doing an excellent job in producing some very good quality and competively priced folders I just ordered a Voyager as a present for myself and I can honestly say I'm very anxiously awaiting for it to get here .The reviews on this site have been most informing.
Click to expand...

I totally agree, Cold Steel is really raising the bar here. And I totally understand your excitement - I want a new Voyager bad! ...gonna have to give in eventually.

And thanks for the kind words man, much appreciated. :)
 
I recently lost my HOII. I now have a HOIII coming my way. It's such an excellent knife that lends itself to EDC chores better than all my other knives. The neutral handle is what does it, IMO. Yes, I wish they made a 3.5" bladed version, and definitely a better steel ala D2 would make this thing sell like hotcakes more than it is now. Yet, I still have a new one on the way. :)
 
I've both versions, the large and small and without a doubt one of CS better offering in a folder. Supposedly they are bringing out an even larger version next year. Just a very good design if you ask me. I even like the III and I don't normally go for small knives but it offers superb ergo's for me. keepem sharp and nice review
 
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