Cold Steel Military Classic R1
- Thread starter bruce
- Start date
When I was angry against R1 someone told that it is named R to give cerdit to Randall. Looks well build but I'd take Randall tool steel over aus-8. Price different isn't wery big compared to the real thing...
It is still a knock off IMNSHO.
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"Good tools to sustain life, or at least make life more convenient"
-James Mattis
It is still a knock off IMNSHO.
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"Good tools to sustain life, or at least make life more convenient"
-James Mattis
dogboye
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 23, 1999
- Messages
- 7,091
Talok, I wouldn't discount the CS R1 just yet. Yes, Randall's O1 will be a better steel than CS's AUS-8. Well, maybe. Depends on what you're gonna do with it. Also, I thought some of the Randalls stainless as well. For some reason, I want to say AUS-8, but I may be wrong. I'm pretty certain that I have seen Randalls with stainless blades. And finally... "Randall #1"... "Cold Steel Military Classic R1".... ya think maybe due respect is being given? Certainly a helluva lot more tribute to Randall than most of the rip-off's give them.
I'm not one to take up for Cold Steel. I don't have a single one of their knives. But I would probably by the CS R1 before a Randall... not the least reason being the Randall is probably gonna cost TWICE as much. You might even get twice as much knife, but I still couldn't afford it.
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iktomi
I'm not one to take up for Cold Steel. I don't have a single one of their knives. But I would probably by the CS R1 before a Randall... not the least reason being the Randall is probably gonna cost TWICE as much. You might even get twice as much knife, but I still couldn't afford it.
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iktomi
I've trying to decide which Randall to buy as my fist(#3, #5 or #7). During this period I've been trying to keep my randall knowledge as fresh as I've been able. This is what I remember about SS Randalls:
Randalls SS for knives that regularly come with O-1 was 440B. But it was hand forged. SS blade adds about 30$ to price. Now they use 440B, 440C or ATS-34, depending on knife and steel supply. All #26 ss blades should be of ATS-34 and all #14 should have 440C blade. Small SS knives come with 440B or ats-34. You can't order a blade with a specified steel. Large SS baldes are still of forged 440B.
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"Good tools to sustain life, or at least make life more convenient"
-James Mattis
Randalls SS for knives that regularly come with O-1 was 440B. But it was hand forged. SS blade adds about 30$ to price. Now they use 440B, 440C or ATS-34, depending on knife and steel supply. All #26 ss blades should be of ATS-34 and all #14 should have 440C blade. Small SS knives come with 440B or ats-34. You can't order a blade with a specified steel. Large SS baldes are still of forged 440B.
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"Good tools to sustain life, or at least make life more convenient"
-James Mattis
Danbo
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Nov 28, 1999
- Messages
- 14,979
I have seen and owned a couple of these Cold Steel R1s, and they are actually pretty nicely made. Randall wishes they had grinds as crisp and even as these knives. The Randall is going to cost you more than twice what these cost. Whether or not it is worth that much is up to you. You can get one of these R1s for around $100. A similar Randall is going to cost you around $250-300. Yes, I much prefer the Randalls with the O1 blades. I dont much care for the Randalls with the 440B blades. I dont think they take and hold much of an edge. I ended up selling my Cold Steel R1s because I just couldnt get used to the Taiwan etched on the blade. But if that doesnt bother you, and all you had to spend was about $100, the Cold Steel R1 is actually a pretty good knife.
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Danbo, soul brother of Rambo
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Danbo, soul brother of Rambo
- Joined
- Apr 7, 1999
- Messages
- 514
I had an R1 several years ago (made in Taiwan). Fit and finish was perfect. No flaws in the grind and perfectly finished micarta handle. The edge was strong, but not overly thick, and it performed well in the short time I had it even though I didn't formally test it. Nice sheath and good quality sharpening stone too. My question is how is the handle attached? It looks like a micarta sleeve was just slipped over the tang with no visable pins or gaps in the handle to indicate it was formed from two pieces. No pommel or lanyard hole to anchor it. Magically attached I guess. But the light handle gave it a nice forward blade balance.