Cold Steel Master Hunter

Joined
Aug 27, 2002
Messages
1,988
I know that there are many Cold Steel fans out there and just as many who aren't so positive in their thinking when it comes to CS.

I think that most agree that Cold Steel has made some pretty damn good knives, especially in fixed blades.....and, especially dollar for dollar. Some of us, including me, have been a bit disillusioned when CS turned some of their really practical Carbon V and AUS8 knives into just another 420 "sub zero quench" knife. And some of their folding knives, tho' many were great bargains, weren't quite up to snuff.

That said, one of my all time favorite knives is the CS Master Hunter. In a fit of magnanimous craziness, I gave my son-in-law my well used, but still fine CS Master Hunter. That was about 3 years ago and I've missed it every since.

Today I received another one , new/used bought on ebay for 34 bucks, including shipping. These usually go for $40-50 on ebay and I proved, again that, if you are diligent, you can beat the odds and still get a good deal on ebay.

I have to say, that this knife feels more a part of me than any knife I've ever owned.....and that's a bunch. Feels just like a part of my hand.....and it's razor sharp, Carbon V blade is as sharp as the one I gave away. I would feel just as comfortable skinning any animal in the kingdom, as I would defending myself in the dark hallway of my house. No , Jim Bowie, sandbar, knife fighting for me. The defensive arts that I studied and taught say, Once I'm inside your guard, that 4 1/2" blade means you're dead meat. ;)
 
I think the Master Hunter is one of the best knives Cold Steel has ever put out. All performance and no tactical hype. :cool:
 
When CS came out with the Pendleton Hunters I thought they had some nice light weight companions for the Master Hunter. But after all the hype about how Lynn Thompson and Lloyd Pendleton were such good buddies, the knives are AUS 8A instead of Carbon V.

I've had great CS knives over the years, but you have to watch their products realllly carefully.
 
I thought the Master Hunter in Carbon V was one of CS's best all around knives.

it looks like CS has given up on 420 since I see some of their knives are now available in Carbon V again.
 
Nothing wrong with the CS Master Hunter in Carbon V. It is a nice size, very useful blade shape and an excellent no nonsense working knife. I was worried about rust issues and cold blued mine - works even better now and you can't see any blade discoloration (although home blueing isn't the most durable coating out there admittedly).

Kraton handle isn't great - I find it a bit soft and mine has a few nicks already, but not bad.

I don't think you'll regret it.

Btw - why does CS not have a forum on Bladeforums?

Greg
 
Cold Steel did have a forum on Bladeforums, but they were flooded with enthusiastic questions and complaints, and weren't willing to assign an employee to handle it all. It didn't last long enough to matter.
 
The Master Hunter is a very practical knife.Mine is AUS8 a good survicable steel, easy to sharpen and holds an edge well.The Kraton checkered grip is slip proof even when wet with water or blood .The straight handle is excellent as is the slight drop point blade .It easily passed my test - to do a deer -dressing out ,skinning,and butchering all with just that knife. No gimmicks or gadgets ,just a well designed ,well made knife.
 
I have one I have used for hunting since they were first introduced. It has the leather sheath with the double snaps on it. I have owned two actually. The original one which I still own and a factory second which I gave a buddy. Have to say that it is a great design, great ergo's, and the Carbon V is wicked sharp and stays that way.

I have always said that if they put bone or micarta handles on them they wouldn't be able to make enough of them to keep in stock. The one that I have kept had a ton of discoloration on the blade so I stained it even more and now the darn thing is almost grayish blue in color. I only used it for cleaning and skinning for years and only recently used it in the kitchen.

I have also taken a shine to Puuko style knives and have 3 now with carbon steel blades that again are very sharp and a bit more compact than the MH. Matter of fact one I have is from what I can gather from the mid 60's. Anyways keep'em sharp.
 
I have a Master Hunter and really like the design as a hunting knife. Excellent blade shape for field dressing and skinning. I don't use it much since I had my friend Tom Stratton add a stag handle and brass guard with brass pommel cap. He also did filework on the blade.
Scott
 
Back
Top