Cold steel new models with new steels vs Spyderco ,Bunchmade and kershaw (PRICES)

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ukknifer

Joined
Jan 30, 2010
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Hi guys.
I have always thought that cold steels knives were more affordable because they used cheaper steel (AUS8). However , looking at the prices of the new models with superior steels, I am thing they are still more affordable than Spyderco or Benchmade.

Now, I believe in the free market but we as consumers should be able to discus what brands offer more bang for the buck. I believe that cold steel offers one of the best bang for the buck especially with the new steels. My first love was spyderco but recently they are becoming more hi end for me.
 
It's not only what steel is used to make a knife, it's how it's used. Supersteel depends on good heat treatment, and that process is trade secret. Higher pricing of these brands include paying for people that do research and improvement, heat treating, testing, finishing, quality control, customer support... So it's not only about steel when you take all this things into account.
 
I consider the abandonment of AUS-8A a huge mistake, but, I guess time will tell if I'm right overall. Prevailing street prices on the new Cold Steel Carpenter blades will be a big factor. Spydercos will be made, generally, in Japan, and Benchmade in Oregon - Cold Steel will remain Taiwan, despite the US steel.
 
tinky1233 said:
It's not only what steel is used to make a knife, it's how it's used. Supersteel depends on good heat treatment, and that process is trade secret. Higher pricing of these brands include paying for people that do research and improvement, heat treating, testing, finishing, quality control, customer support... So it's not only about steel when you take all this things into account.
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I'm not a fan of Benchmade, and own none, but, I respect them for the ultra high-quality they produce. I'm sorry, but there's no way a contracted-out factory in Taiwan is going to match Benchmade's own factory in Oregon on QC. Taiwan produces good stuff, but does it match top-tier US-made? Generally not.
 
Spyderco Taiwan factory offers one of best quality finishes in production knife that can match custom knife quality level, so I don't have a problem where the knife is made, but how it's made.
 
beaconterraone said:
I'm not a fan of Benchmade, and own none, but, I respect them for the ultra high-quality they produce. I'm sorry, but there's no way a contracted-out factory in Taiwan is going to match Benchmade's own factory in Oregon on QC. Taiwan produces good stuff, but does it match top-tier US-made? Generally not.
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Benchmade's QC is plagued with issues. You can find countless testimonies to this. I have never heard of a Taiwanese Spyderco lacking in any department.
 
I'm a very excited by the direction Cold Steel has gone this year, and I think they're offering a ton of value across the board, but I think you have to really look at individual models to get a solid fix on the value proposition. Just as an example, I'm not sure that any one of the new Cold Steel models offer a better value than the Manix 2 Lightweight in S110V. That knife has a ridiculous performance:cost ratio.
 
You're wrong here. Spydercos Taichung Taiwan facilityproduces knives every bit as good as benchmades USA made knives. Actually, in my experience, the Taichung Spydercos are better, and I'm sure a lot here will agree with me.

The whole "USA made products are better quality" mantra is no longer true, and is BS these days. I work as an engineer, and I'm here to tell you, there's manufacturing facilities all over the world, and they're just as good as the U.S. ones. And this is coming from a guy that deals with tolerances in microns (that's right, microns). They're capable to whatever you want. You just have to specify it and have good control plans.

I'm not saying all manufacturing facilities outside the U.S. are as good. You can buy junk anywhere. I'm saying that very high quality manufacturing facilities can be found outside of the U.S. these days.

beaconterraone said:
I'm not a fan of Benchmade, and own none, but, I respect them for the ultra high-quality they produce. I'm sorry, but there's no way a contracted-out factory in Taiwan is going to match Benchmade's own factory in Oregon on QC. Taiwan produces good stuff, but does it match top-tier US-made? Generally not.
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Cold Steel's Taiwan knives are very well made and they have been working in steels besides AUS8 for decades now, one complaint you won't hear about CS is the heat treatment. I too am excited for the new knives.
 
I wish I could bring myself to consider a Cold Steel knife, but I just can't get those silly promo videos out of my mind. Because of that, I am unfortunately and completely jaded to the brand. "What has been seen, cannot be unseen" as they say.

I still think the "best bang for the buck" award should go to Ontario for their Rat 1 and Rat 2 models. Even the ESEE Zancudo and Avispa are worthy contenders.
 
d0nut said:
I wish I could bring myself to consider a Cold Steel knife, but I just can't get those silly promo videos out of my mind. Because of that, I am unfortunately and completely jaded to the brand. "What has been seen, cannot be unseen" as they say.

I still think the "best bang for the buck" award should go to Ontario for their Rat 1 and Rat 2 models. Even the ESEE Zancudo and Avispa are worthy contenders.
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I don't care for the "proof" vidoes myself. But I'd be a lair if I said I didn't like ALOT of their knife models. I'm very happy they decided to upgrade their steel. They got my FULL attention again.
 
Ulf Krogstad said:
I don't care for the "proof" vidoes myself. But I'd be a lair if I said I didn't like ALOT of their knife models. I'm very happy they decided to upgrade their steel. They got my FULL attention again.
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After I posted that, I felt sort of bad and decided to give them a look online.

Aside from the proof videos, I think I'm just not turned on to the whole "tactical" look of them. I've never owned one, and don't think I've ever fondled one in store, so perhaps one will jump out at me once in hand. The leap in steel quality is certainly nice for CS fans, I'm sure.
 
The more people who hold off on them because of internet rep or their videos keep the prices lower for me. Received another absolutely flawless CS Talwar yesterday. :)
 
I'm going to agree with Spydercos Taiwan made products being top of the line. I'm not sure I can agree with the above statement about Spyderco primarily being Japan made. I can't give figures but have been buying Spydercos since 92 and I see more and more knives getting made at their Colorado plant, Taiwan, then some others as well as Japan. I'g guess Japan isn't their biggest vendor but I have no proof. I'd guess Colorado first. If not, it will be soon with the expansion of the facility and hiring and training of new machinists and cutlers. Some of the best sellers are made at the Golden plant. PM2, Millie, Manix, Native, etc.

BTW, I grew up between Akron and Cleveland myself. Where I used to live is way to expensive for me now but it is a nice place.
 
I live in Akron and grew up in nearby Barberton, was off living in warmer places for 10 years or so.

Actually have about 5 of the new Cold Steel models picked out for me after looking at the list again, along with a couple for family gifts. I've been getting them for two decades and this is one of the most exciting years.
 
Taiwan Spydercos are priced where they are because they are built to a specified quality standard. Just because they have good f&f doesn't mean every knife ever made in Taiwan has equivalent f&f.

CS can maintain a price advantage by having the knives made overseas in a cheaper, less high tech factory.
 
d0nut said:
After I posted that, I felt sort of bad and decided to give them a look online.

Aside from the proof videos, I think I'm just not turned on to the whole "tactical" look of them. I've never owned one, and don't think I've ever fondled one in store, so perhaps one will jump out at me once in hand. The leap in steel quality is certainly nice for CS fans, I'm sure.
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To each their own. Their is a descent amount to choose from that don't necessarily have a tactical look to them. I honestly haven't carried any Cold Steel for awhile but that's gonna change when I get my hands on a Hold Out 2 with XHP. It's designed to slice, lightweight, and STRONG. It's a simple design but g#$%^&* do I love it. Everything about it. If you get a chance I would try something of their's. I think you"ll be pleased. Never know if you"ll like something for sure until you try/use it.
 
"CS can maintain a price advantage by having the knives made overseas in a cheaper, less high tech factory" This may be the case but the Taiwan CS knives are made every bit as good as the old Japan models. I have even seen people state that they believe the Taiwan examples are of a higher level of quality, I'd say they are on par.
 
ukknifer said:
Hi guys.
I have always thought that cold steels knives were more affordable because they used cheaper steel (AUS8). However , looking at the prices of the new models with superior steels, I am thing they are still more affordable than Spyderco or Benchmade.

Now, I believe in the free market but we as consumers should be able to discus what brands offer more bang for the buck. I believe that cold steel offers one of the best bang for the buck especially with the new steels. My first love was spyderco but recently they are becoming more hi end for me.
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A knife isnt simply the blade. Its the sum of ALL of its parts. In most cases cold steel knives only use synthetics and steel in its handles. You really cant compare two knives in different price brackets just because they share the same blades steel. All of the offerings with high grade steel from Kai as well as many from spyderco include titanium and carbon fiber. And many of the spyderco offerings utilizing FRN handles with decent steel are priced closer to the new cold steel offerings. Also most cold steel knives dont have satin finishes which is costlier to do as they require better attention to the finish quality.
 
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