Cold Steel Night Force

C

Confederate

Joined
Sep 5, 2005
Messages
2,826
Has anyone used the Cold Steel Night Force with or without serrations as an everyday carry for any length of time? With a 440A blade, I'm wondering how well it holds up in cutting boxes and plastic. I've noticed the serrated model has a heavier duty cutting edge than the Voyagers. Is this because it's a different steel?

Confed
 
I have the serrated version. After a couple of months, it's still pretty sharp. I use it to open boxes and plastic packaging, and cut plastic fasteners, twine, and rope. It seems to hold an edge pretty good, but not as well as my 440C knives (which is exactly what you'd expect). Cold Steel sells a sharpener that fits the serrations, and I'll be purchasing one soon. Sharpening a serrated blade is a pain, but I like the ergonomics of this knife a lot and I'm willing to put up with sharpening it a couple of times a year. A lot of knives open with one hand, but take two hands to close. I have no problems closing this knife with one hand and it gives a very sure grip. I don't think Cold Steel sells this knife anymore, so if you think you want one and know where to get one, then get it now. I don't think it's sturdy enough to be a tactical knife, but as a tool I love it. Just don't go prying anything with it.
 
I don't know why Cold Steel went to a 440A steel except I understand they got a good deal on a batch of it. This board has helped me understand where 440A and AUS 8 fall in the quality scale. Given a choice between a 440A knife like the Night Force or an AUS 8 knife like the Voyager 4-inch, I'm not sure which is better. The former has steel liners and the latter has none. But the more robust serration pattern on the Night Force suggests that it probably doesn't hold an edge as well as the finer serrations on the Voyager. Still, one has to take into account the overall build of the knife and the steel liners certainly give the Night Force the advantage.
 
I think that the original serrations offered on the Night Force were more like the Spyderco Spyder Edge than the normal Cold Steel serrated edge. Then Cold Steel decided to change it to their version of serrations on later generations.
 
You're right about that, as I've seen some photos of the old type (which I didn't much care for). I've got a few new plain blades, but only got them because the dealer I bought them from didn't have any serrated blades. I also have a Pro-Lite plain that I like. I've shown it to quite a few people and they all like the feel of it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top