Cold steel knives

[Penetration]

I've asked for some recommendations from different people on an affordable good edc knife. I've gotten lots of different suggestions one being a knife from cold steel. Their are only 2 that I would consider and that's the recon 1 and the ak-47. But there are a few reasons that hold me back. One being the Teflon coating on the blade looks terrible and I don't mean terrible as in design I mean terrible as in it looks like it can easily scratch off. I don't know about you but black on silver, I highly doubt that's not gonna be noticeable. 2 the way they advertise their blades on YouTube, I can't tell if they do that because of desperation to sell their knives or if they are that confident that their blades are almost indestructible. Now I not saying that they are bad yet because I have no experience with one so I would like to hear personal opinions from cold steel owners in case I'm Wrong

 

[crom]

I'm not sure what you're looking for here. If you like the knife check it out? CS knives are high quality tools. The black coating does damage easily but if you are so inclined you can strip it with a softer steel like the awl on a SAK and reveal a nice stonewash finish underneath. Their AUS8A gets (IMO) an undeserved bad rap, mostly from people who have some sort of axe to grind with the company/owner/price point of the knives. A 4" Voyager for $50ish is appropriately priced in my opinion. Who cares how they advertise, I knew of CS knives for many years and never watched a proof video until coming here. Don't like it don't watch it, has no bearing on the quality or performance of the knives.

 

[TBL]

I'm not sure what you're looking for here. If you like the knife check it out? CS knives are high quality tools. The black coating does damage easily but if you are so inclined you can strip it with a softer steel like the awl on a SAK and reveal a nice stonewash finish underneath. Their AUS8A gets (IMO) an undeserved bad rap, mostly from people who have some sort of axe to grind with the company/owner/price point of the knives. A 4" Voyager for $50ish is appropriately priced in my opinion. Who cares how they advertise, I knew of CS knives for many years and never watched a proof video until coming here. Don't like it don't watch it, has no bearing on the quality or performance of the knives.

+1 to this. I owned one before watching the videos. I find their method of advertising amusing. It shows how the knives preform under certain applications. I have had lots of experience with AUS8-a done by different manufacturers and in my personal opinion- Cold Steel is one of the best. I believe their knives are appropriately priced for the quality of product you get.

Check out their sub section of this forum for more information. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/895-Cold-Steel-Knives

EDIT: My story behind the coconut: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1150638-My-Spartan

 

[Comeuppance]

Their marketing is silly, but their products are genuinely high quality. I've owned many CS folders and also a Kobun fixed blade - all of which were of astoundingly high quality for the price. I'd recommend the Lawman, Code 4, and Tuff Lite - with a little searching, you can pick those up for a song and have a knife that is cheap enough that you can abuse it without hesitation and sturdy enough to stand the abuse without issue.

I highly recommend their products, despite my steel snobbery. Their AUS8 is exceptionally well done, and seems to hold an edge (in my personal experience) as well as most 440Cs I've used. You can pick up a good and sturdy CS for roughly the price of a Tenacious and have a much more robust folder.

 

[Stays Sharp]

I cosign Comeuppance's post.

 

[Alberta Ed]

LCT is one of the most innovative knife designers around, IMHO, and while people have strong opinions about his marketing practices, I have never had a CS knife that didn't cut well and otherwise perform as expected. That includes an original Tanto, various Red River blades (Elk Skinner, North American Hunter), Master Hunter, a pair of Voyagers, SRK, UltraLock, California drop point, Twistmasters, and probably a few I've forgotten.

 

[eschwebach]

Almost all of the CS products I have owned have been well made. Say what you will about AUS-8, as others have eluded to, Cold Steel does a nice job with theirs. It sharpens easily and holds an edge fairly well. I have owned several Recon 1's and they have all been quality cutting tools. The only CS I currently own is an American Lawman which I really like. I also think the Voyager series are excellent budget folders and the Tuff-Lite is a great utility blade.

I don't really care how they advertise. They are excited about their products and what they can do and they try to share that with the public. It can be off putting to some, but if I ever need a knife or sword that can hack a side of beef in half I absolutely know where I can find one.

 

[B.F.U]

Cold steel does good stuff. The coating isn't great, but they have lots to choose from. Stop doubting.

 

[El Bandit0]

If you don't like the teflon coating you can always strip it and polish the blade. I am more than happy with the Voyager, Trailmaster, and Laredo Bowie I own. Great knives, high quality, and excellent cutters.

 

[K.O.D.]

I have the Recon 1 4" Clip Point, and it has been a great knife. Granted, the finish is coming off the blade, but I like the look of beat up knives personally.

 

[Bigfattyt]

I've owned my share. If you like the recon 1 but not the finish, check out the talwar.

 

[Penetration]

Well I'm not saying cold steel is bad I was just curious to know If their advertisements were true and if they were worth the money. I'm fine with CS prices they seem reasonable to me because there are other knives out their that claim to have excellent build quality much like CS does and yet they cost $100 more then a CS so ill take everyone's word for it and trust in CS that I'm getting a good product

 

[B.F.U]

The steel isn't great but the knives are the toughest out there (bar none and I mean none) and the build quality is very good.

 

[K.O.D.]

Plus the triad lock is just flat out amazing.

 

[RedLynx]

The only Cold Steel video I've ever watched was for one of their gimmick swords, and that was only because it was used in a sketch on some show. However, I own the Recon-1, AK-47, Spartan, LG Voyager, Tuff Lite, and even the Kudu for a beater. They have all performed very well and I had no prior experience with any of their marketing. I'm sure it's hilarious, but I separate the marketing (their intent to sell, they have a product they want people to buy after all) with their quality of use (for me, top notch for the price).

 

[DShiflet]

I cosign Comeuppance's post.

Same here...he said all that needs to be said.

 

[BRL]

Your reservations based on the silly advertising is understandable, but Cold Steel makes good tools. They are not super high-end but they're lightyears ahead of the garbage sold in big box stores.

 

[EZ Bake]

I have the Code4 and the American Lawman. They are my favorite designs and I didn't pay current full-price for either knife. IMO, Cold Steel makes a few really well thought out folders, but they are no longer the bargain they used to be. I appreciate the Tri-Ad lock and some of the designs, but the materials, warranty, and manufacturing process just don't justify some of the prices to me personally.

That being said, I've stripped off the coating on my American Lawman and home-grown stone washed it myself. I really wish they would make that knife in a Satin or Stonewashed finish.

 

[jjoanty01]

Look if you want a good hard use knife for a bargain, it is hard to beat Cold Steel. The coating on their knives suck. I am sure they know it. That maybe why the have a nice stone washed finish under the black coating. Dollar for dollar, I don't think that there is any other knife that can be had, that will keep up with Cold Steel knives. Just my $.02

 

[d0nut]

Call me crazy, but I just can't take Cold Steel with those serious videos.

That heavy set dude whipping a sword through slabs of ribs and hanging rope, completely out of breath, is comical and does nothing to sell their knives in my eyes (to me).

Whereas simple fields tests (like those found on youtube) with minimal production and no Xtreme heavy metal music seem to hold more merit to me.