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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.
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Cold Steel R1 yes or no
- Thread starter blindref
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- Nov 16, 2002
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It's beautiful and has a historic look. A beefy, fixed-blade clip point in AUS-8. Who'd need a second opinion on that?
I remember searching the forums before for opinions on the R1 and not finding a lot. While I don't own the knife, I handled one at a knife show and I liked it a lot. The thick micarta handle is really impressive and the looks are just great. I wouldn't hesitate to get one if you like the looks.
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2000
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- 15,399
Nay on the R1. The AUS-8 steel is not the type I would choose for a fixed blade knife. I agree that it is a good looking knife, I do not agree that it is a knife one would want to carry for hard use. I handled them and they do have a nice feel to them but I would look for a Blackjack Model #1-7 before laying out my cash for the R1.
Kyui Su Kim
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2000
- Messages
- 2,638
I have handled an R1 and I agree it is a nice knife. Personally I like subhilts so I would go with the BlackJack. Also you may want to check carry lengths in your area. BlackJack's have 5.5" as compared to the R1's 7".
MelancholyMutt
Doggy Style
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2002
- Messages
- 3,906
I liked mine. It lacked the refined polish of the Randall, but at 1/2 the price and none of the waiting, it's a nice buy.
Mine served me well during my trip to the Domincan Republic and now resides on the belt of a ranch hand who guided us on a mountain trail ride. It was equally comfortable in the Tropical Forest as well as the not-so-nice streets. The micarta handle is a little slippery, but no more or less than other non-textured micarta. The stainless steel is nice to have and holds a nice edge. The leather sheath is not as nice as the Randalls, but a few coats of "Butcher's Amber Paste Wax" sealed it well for the tropical climate.
The bottom line is... If it didn't have a name, would it still be a nice knife. My answer is "Yes". The Aus8 is a competent steel, the handle well fitted and balanced. Cold Steel serves as the Bladeforums whipping boy on occasion, but in this case, the knife itself merits consideration. Also, having seen a few BlackJack creations, I think that workmanship of the Japanese R1 surpasses the Effingham stuff by leagues.
On a seperate off-topic note for those who like sterile stuff, the etching is easily removed with fine sandpaper and abrasive polish. Sterilizing takes an hour or two and a little elbow grease and you can get it to where it is impossible to notice that the markings were removed. It can still be identified as a Cold Steel due to the color of the spacers between the handle and the handguard, but it would then be otherwise unidentifiable.
Mine served me well during my trip to the Domincan Republic and now resides on the belt of a ranch hand who guided us on a mountain trail ride. It was equally comfortable in the Tropical Forest as well as the not-so-nice streets. The micarta handle is a little slippery, but no more or less than other non-textured micarta. The stainless steel is nice to have and holds a nice edge. The leather sheath is not as nice as the Randalls, but a few coats of "Butcher's Amber Paste Wax" sealed it well for the tropical climate.
The bottom line is... If it didn't have a name, would it still be a nice knife. My answer is "Yes". The Aus8 is a competent steel, the handle well fitted and balanced. Cold Steel serves as the Bladeforums whipping boy on occasion, but in this case, the knife itself merits consideration. Also, having seen a few BlackJack creations, I think that workmanship of the Japanese R1 surpasses the Effingham stuff by leagues.
On a seperate off-topic note for those who like sterile stuff, the etching is easily removed with fine sandpaper and abrasive polish. Sterilizing takes an hour or two and a little elbow grease and you can get it to where it is impossible to notice that the markings were removed. It can still be identified as a Cold Steel due to the color of the spacers between the handle and the handguard, but it would then be otherwise unidentifiable.
- Joined
- Nov 28, 1999
- Messages
- 14,985
I once talked my Wife into buying me a Cold Steel R1 for my Valentine's Day present, after seeing the knife at a pawn shop somewhere. I wish I still had that knife. It was a very nice knife. I like AUS8 for a blade steel. This R1 of mine, and almost every other R1 I have seen since, had better grinds than any Randall I have ever seen, as well as better finish. Ever hold a Randall up to a light and check out how flat and even the grinds are? Not very. I still like Randalls though. The micarta handle on the R1 was also larger and better shaped than my Randall #1 too.
For the money, the Cold Steel R1 is a lot of knife.
For the money, the Cold Steel R1 is a lot of knife.
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2001
- Messages
- 1,297
Originally posted by K.V. Collucci
Nay on the R1. The AUS-8 steel is not the type I would choose for a fixed blade knife.
The Recon 1 is a folder.
I like, Ilike IMO!
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2002
- Messages
- 9,948
Bladeswinger,
R1 is the other name for the Cold Steel Military Classic. Maybe it stands for Randall-like or replica.
R1 is the other name for the Cold Steel Military Classic. Maybe it stands for Randall-like or replica.
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2000
- Messages
- 296
If you looking for a user knife thats about the same size and $10 less take a look at the Swamp Rat Camp Tramp. Do a search and its hard to find negative comments on this knife. They have a forums here under Makers/ Mfgs.
dave
dave
