Cold Steel made in USA?

I think it is funny also. No, Cold Steel doesn't buy any knives in the U.S. any longer. As mentioned above, that ended with the demise of Camillus.

I feel like you probably feel. I don't like the Chinese government and I don't like buying Chinese manufactured goods. If you feel that way then understand that some of the finest knives in the industry are made in friendly countries like Japan, Germany and Italy. Don't tell anybody I told you, however, that some of the manufacturers in these countries contract some manufacturing in China. That means a Japanese or German knife may not be or may not be totally manufactured in japan or Germany. Same with U.S. made knives. Most have some chinese made parts like screws or scales. We actually do live in a global economy.

I took a big leap just yesterday. I got in a Kiwi 3 from Spyderco which is a slip joint Kiwi made in China. Small, light, cheap, nice little pocket knife. I liked it. I put it in my pocket. I'll get over it in time. Spyderco has a whole line of Chinese made knives called Byrd and I hear no complaints and receive no returns. I don't think I will ever embrace the concept of Chinse made products but I'm pecking away at it.
 
I may be wrong but so far I am finding that the knives made in Taiwan tend to be of better quality than those being cranked out in China. There may be some exceptions to this but I think Taiwan factories have put out some nice folders as of late. I think many companies put out products in several different price ranges so that everyone can find something in their budget. I can understand and appreciate that to some extent......but in somce cases you get what you pay for.

Yes.....Cold Steel gets a lot of bad press on the various forums but I do feel that over the years they have had some blades that were/are worth buying.

These threads are fun.......they break up the threads that say......"I'm considering these three knives. Which one should I buy?":p
 
...and yet Cold steel kinves are head a shoulders above one of the brands promoted on this site, so go figure.

I'm amused at times when it comes to what people consider quality vs ...you know what.
 
I've never understood this whole hatred/aversion/dislike of asian manufacturing. You already own thousands of items that are Chinese made from tiny components in electronics to kitchen goods and groceries. You like your iphone, or you state of the art 50" LED TV? How about American made cars? All will have components made in China.

How do you feel if a knife was made in the US but with Australian steel? Or Japanese steel? It's all about preconceived ideas of quality.

Now if you want to support local or home grown businesses that's a completely different kettle of fish. But that doesn't support the arguement that an item is somehow intrinsically better or lower quality just because the factory resides on local or foreign soil.
 
Thanks for all the info. My main intent for this post was to find out if anyone thought it was a good collectors item since it was (what sounds like anyway) made by Camillus? Maybe since the company went under their knives are becoming collectors items. Just a thougth.
I actually dont have much against anything made in China so long as it is made well and does the job.
THanks!
 
HandofCod said:
I've never understood this whole hatred/aversion/dislike of asian manufacturing.
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Maybe I can help there. I have a serious problem with our country running a severe trade deficit for over 50 years. the amount of wealth we have transferred out of the country is incalculable. My firm belief is that this trade deficit is now causing the problems that common sense tells you should occur. Even the current recession, in my opinion, results much more from that transfer of wealth than from selling real estate derivatives or writing stupid mortgages.

Free trade is good. Globalization, in some forms is good. Historically long trade deficits are really bad. I'm all for international commerce. I just like it only when it is a two way street.

What all this means is that I view importing products as a negative thing when we don't balance it against exports.

What about Asian manufacturing? Got me. I don't have a problem with it. I have a problem with the Chinese government as I do with all communist dictatorships and I would prefer my money go to the good guys. I view Japan and Taiwan both as good guys so there is some Asian manufacturing that I like a lot more than Chinese. Most people view China as a competitor. I'm willing to see her even as an enemy - mostly because she's taking us apart at the seams economically.

Fix that trade imbalance and you fix everything. If you can't do that then - sorry - you have to consider protectionism. If you want globalization, then do it with balanced trade.

I would estimate that opinion is worth every penny you paid for it. ;)
 
BK Brian said:
Thanks for all the info. My main intent for this post was to find out if anyone thought it was a good collectors item since it was (what sounds like anyway) made by Camillus? Maybe since the company went under their knives are becoming collectors items. Just a thougth.
I actually dont have much against anything made in China so long as it is made well and does the job.
THanks!
Click to expand...

My advice is this. Buying knives for future financial appreciation is at best a very speculative activity. If you like Cold Steel knives - American made or otherwise - then get some. I you don't then don't spend your money on what you don't like. Collect what you do like. But make that collection something that arises from the passion for the product, not from the hope of a future financial killing.
 
Reeek said:
I know enough about knives to know some Cold Steel knives are decent, usable knives such as the American Lawman but unfortuately for Cold Steel, the enigma that stains them compells me to consider them much like I do Frost or United Cutlery for some sad reason.
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Enigma or stigma?
 
xmtgx said:
I tend to agree though a few of there knives I do like. Something about there use of AUS8 and mirror finishes on everything however make me think cheap.
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I have four of their knives, the Recon with clip point, the Mini American lawman, the Paradox, and the big bad Black Rhino.

Say what you will about their marketing (which I happen to like) and how AUS8 is no good (can't say as I agree with that) and that mirror finish stuff (I wish they actually had mirror finishes available on some of their knives, maybe in the future, who knows) but they do provide pretty good bang for the buck. And they've all come razor sharp right out of the box.
 
We speak of Asian dominance but think about how many Americans are employed by Toyota, Honda, and Nissan in their many, many U.S. manufacturing facilities.
 
cultivateitnow said:
...and yet Cold steel kinves are head a shoulders above one of the brands promoted on this site, so go figure.

I'm amused at times when it comes to what people consider quality vs ...you know what.
Click to expand...


Please enlighten us, I'm very interested in your views.

Leadfoot
 
The CS line isn't that bad, and getting better I feel. Aside of ESEE and Spyderco it's my next best seller for knives. My own issue is with the marketing and advertising, a bit too much at times. Just my humble opinion.
 
ooooooo this is great popcorn is popping another thread bout cold steel,and the man lynn thompson.....plus itz a friday night.
 
Knife Outlet said:
Maybe I can help there. I have a serious problem with our country running a severe trade deficit for over 50 years. the amount of wealth we have transferred out of the country is incalculable. My firm belief is that this trade deficit is now causing the problems that common sense tells you should occur. Even the current recession, in my opinion, results much more from that transfer of wealth than from selling real estate derivatives or writing stupid mortgages.

Free trade is good. Globalization, in some forms is good. Historically long trade deficits are really bad. I'm all for international commerce. I just like it only when it is a two way street.

What all this means is that I view importing products as a negative thing when we don't balance it against exports.

What about Asian manufacturing? Got me. I don't have a problem with it. I have a problem with the Chinese government as I do with all communist dictatorships and I would prefer my money go to the good guys. I view Japan and Taiwan both as good guys so there is some Asian manufacturing that I like a lot more than Chinese. Most people view China as a competitor. I'm willing to see her even as an enemy - mostly because she's taking us apart at the seams economically.

Fix that trade imbalance and you fix everything. If you can't do that then - sorry - you have to consider protectionism. If you want globalization, then do it with balanced trade.

I would estimate that opinion is worth every penny you paid for it. ;)
Click to expand...

I completely agree with you. People should support local industry if they can, particularly during times of economic uncertainty. But when it comes to knives there is no Australian industry to support (other than custom makers) so I'm neither here nor there about a knife's country of origin. You would feel differently obviously. I guess my point is that you can't make the leap from trade deficit and the economy to a specific product's quality or lack there of.

There are reasons why companies move labour offshore and they aren't because they want to damage their product.
 
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