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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Cold Steel ODA
- Thread starter CHAINS
- Start date
- Joined
- May 17, 2002
- Messages
- 5,757
I've never handled the ODA, but since the OSS is a very similar model, I think I'll chime in.
If you like rubber handles, you are probably going to like the texture, it provides a very secure grip. The blade will dull readily, but my OSS arrived very sharp with a needle-like tip.
The sheath (which seems to be the same as the OSS's) is actually not bad, you can even carry it IWB if you experiment a little with it. You gotta attach the Cordura strap to the other side of the sheath (it's reversible) and bend the Cordura strap.
If you like rubber handles, you are probably going to like the texture, it provides a very secure grip. The blade will dull readily, but my OSS arrived very sharp with a needle-like tip.
The sheath (which seems to be the same as the OSS's) is actually not bad, you can even carry it IWB if you experiment a little with it. You gotta attach the Cordura strap to the other side of the sheath (it's reversible) and bend the Cordura strap.
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2001
- Messages
- 8,969
Sorry to rain on your parade, but if it is one of the 420 steel knives, either get rid of it or don't buy it. The aus-8 is ok though. I cannot remember if they made this one in Carbon-V though, if so... this would be the one to have. I also am not a fan of the kraton grips... just a personal thing though.
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2002
- Messages
- 9,948
The ODA is 420 series (420HC, I think) and a copy of the slightly more expensive M1 Military Classic.
Pros:
Less expensive
Easy to sharpen
Tougher than AUS-8A
Cons:
AUS-8A is already tough for a stainless and already easy to sharpen
Less edge holding
Pros:
Less expensive
Easy to sharpen
Tougher than AUS-8A
Cons:
AUS-8A is already tough for a stainless and already easy to sharpen
Less edge holding
- Joined
- May 17, 2002
- Messages
- 5,757
The ODA is made of 420 sub zero quench, which performs more like 420J2 than 420HC.
That steel is acceptable for a pure-bred fighter (like the OSS) since it's plenty tough and corrosion resistant.
Its edge-holding capability should be more than sufficient for SD purposes. It's less than ideal in a utility blade though, so if that's what you're looking for, better get a Becker, Ka-Bar or (if you're willing to spend a little more money) a Swamp Rat.
That steel is acceptable for a pure-bred fighter (like the OSS) since it's plenty tough and corrosion resistant.
Its edge-holding capability should be more than sufficient for SD purposes. It's less than ideal in a utility blade though, so if that's what you're looking for, better get a Becker, Ka-Bar or (if you're willing to spend a little more money) a Swamp Rat.
