Cold Steel R1 in San Mai

W

whip

Joined
Feb 11, 2006
Messages
6
I have just purchased a CS R1 in San Mai. I got it for what I consider and good price $150.00. I love the blade geometry and its extremely sharp. I have ready some post about CS and it doesn't appear to be a favorite out here. So did I go wrong for the money? What is the alternative for quality and price?
 
No you didn't, the problem many have with CS isn't so much the knives as it is their habitually bad and sometimes dishonest advertising. They do have a decent reputation as far as warranty goes, but they're not "the best" like they want everyone to think they are. For similarly styled knives (the R1 is based off the Randall Model 1) there is Blackjack, who recently started manufacturing the model 1-7 again(also based off the Randall Model 1).
 
whip, welcome to Bladeforums!

Enjoy the knife. It's a good product. As yoda' says, the problem some people have with CS isn't with the knives themselves. Some are cheap, some are pretty good, the high end is very good, but watch the prices. Their own websites don't discount the way outside dealers do.

Personally, I've moved away from them, especially with so much good stuff out there. Blackjack's good, I like Bark River. ... lies, lies ... I LOVE Bark River. :)

On down the line check out Chris Reeve, Busse, Strider, Ranger Knives, Ontario ... help me out, guys, I know I'm leaving out some other big knives. :D
 
You did okay. I wouldn't buy any more of the San Mai knives, though, as you can get much finer steel for about the same amount of money. That said, for $150, the R1 is a very nice knife to have for the great outdoors. I wouldn't get rid of it.

r1_04.jpg
 
Esav Benyamin said:
whip, welcome to Bladeforums!

Enjoy the knife. It's a good product. As yoda' says, the problem some people have with CS isn't with the knives themselves. Some are cheap, some are pretty good, the high end is very good, but watch the prices. Their own websites don't discount the way outside dealers do.
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I agree with what yoda and Esav have said. They make good stuff, people just don't like them for other reasons. Personally, I think their high end is a little expensive, but I've never handled them.

I'd also like to point out that every manufacturer sells at higher prices than dealers. I've heard this mentioned about CS specifically many times and never really knew why they're being singled out. Most (All?) knife manufacturers use their suggested retail price when selling direct to consumers. Dealers generally sell at a discounted price.
 
I have one too. Haven't really used but I do like it, also like the master tanto but I dont care much for there folders.
 
Thanks. I have been buying CS for several years and its good to know that I haven't blown my money. I call myself collecting, but in reality I refuse to buy a knife that is going to sit on a self and look pretty. I use the knives I buy. I will look at several other sources or even custom for the next purchase. By the way I have a post on finding some one that can make a Perkins style bowie for less the $1500 dollars. As I said I use knives I buy and would like to keep the cost of my knife a little less than the cost of my rifle or handgun if possible.

Thanks again
 
yoda4561 said:
No you didn't, the problem many have with CS isn't so much the knives as it is their habitually bad and sometimes dishonest advertising. They do have a decent reputation as far as warranty goes, but they're not "the best" like they want everyone to think they are. For similarly styled knives (the R1 is based off the Randall Model 1) there is Blackjack, who recently started manufacturing the model 1-7 again(also based off the Randall Model 1).
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Is the blackJack better than the R1 ???
 
I'd say yeah it is. It isn't stainless steel and there's a good chance the grinds on the R1 will be prettier, but I'd take a blackjack 1-7 over the R1 any day. The edges on the blackjacks are ground to a zero bevel convex edge, and they're well heat treated carbon steel. The smaller blackjacks I have make excellent cutting users and have a nice feel.
 
I also consider to buy a R1 in San Mai steel. Any more inputs? What about the San Mai Staal, is it any good?
 
You did good for $150....

I got my San Mai Trailmaster for $200.

Cold Steel's reputation loss is our gain :D
 
Ad58, San Mai means 3 layer, it's just an old trick to keep down the cost of the good steel with cheaper steel laminated to both sides of it. Cold Steel likes to say this produces superior characteristics, but many steels can do as well with less trouble. When Fallkniven has a laminate with VG-10 that interests me more. But like Damascus, where steels are folded and forged together, San Mai is an old technique no longer necessary to make a good blade.

Also, like their old "Carbon V", Cold Steel's "San Mai" may refer to different steels used at different times. It's a trade name, not an actual formula.

As others have said, the R1 is generally a good knife, just not necessarily the best available in that pattern.
 
I have both the R1 and the CS ODA, both designs from the Randall Model 1,
and I probably prefer to carry the ODA which is IMHO a very under rated knife.
Just a matter of balance and feel in the hand.
 
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