cold steel swords?

H

hugehucker

Joined
Oct 29, 2001
Messages
15
I was just wondering if anyone has ever seen,touched,held,swung,cut with,or owned any of the Cold Steel japanese swords?I own a Cold Steel master tanto(san mai)and I am nothing but pleased with its performance.Are their swords the same quality because I do beleive they are made out of house(China-I think)?Also I have never been a huge fan of the traditional style japanese wrapped ray skin handle,if I were to purchase one of these swords would replacing the handle with G-10,micarta or simular handle material be wise?I plan to use the sword in the bush and would prefer(I think)the more durable handle material.I would appericiate any replys...Thanks
 
Hi "Hucker" welcome to BFC and the Sword Forum!

The CS katanas are not built to anywhere near the same level of toughness as the famed CS Tantos.

They're made for Cold Steel by Fred Chen of China, and "not bad" quality, but you can get much better quality elsewhere for the same price or a little more. (relatively speaking)

Check here for comparisons...
http://www.bugei.com
 
If you're going to get a sword to butcher and then abuse, why would you want to spend money on a CS model?

Cold Steel's stuff IS made by Fred Chen as Ken said, but I somewhat disagree with his position on the Hanwei's being "much" better. Fred Chen's stuff (especially the Cicada Forge stuff) is of high quality but the Cold Steel line is through-hardened and tempered back, to be "tough." I believe it's a bit heavier than it needs to be too.

Even so, I think you would probably be paying too much if all you're going to do is turn it into a machete. Might as well go with KC or the Hanwei Practical model or if you feel like spending a little more maybe a Criswell.

Shinryû.
 
Although I am trying to be a little more tactful then Robert:) I completely agree with his main point. If you are going to buy a katana why spend all the extra money for the traditional elements and then remove them? Why not just buy something non-traditional like a Criswell or something in the first place?
 
No problem, it is just obvious that you are passionate about your subject. :)
 
Hey HugeHucker, have you checked out any Criswell's? I own one that Mr. Criswell was nice enough to make to my specs for $250 (a one time thing I will forever be grateful for) and I have a lot of faith in it as a reliable bush sword with "no frills" beyond the laser cut guard... this thing is TOUGH! I've looked at the CS swords on the CS site and can't justify spending that much for a cold steel product with the exception of the giant san mai tanto or the kukri... both of which would be excellent for the "bush". I would be heart-broken if I got plant juice or caked on mud on wrapped ray skin...
 
:(

I've had a disappointing Christmas trying to aquire a decent set of Cold Steel katana and wakizashi. After ordering a total of 3 katanas and 2 waks from different sources, I had to return them all because of the disappointing quality. Each sword was different in every respect...the shape...the weight...the fittings....etc. Pretty scary.
 
If you plan on making your own handle anyway, why not buy a blade from KC? Don't know 'bout their katanas but the sword I got from them recently is very pleasing quality-wise for the price.
 
I did not realize that the Cold Steel swords were being
done by Paul Chen as well.You might want to check out
the swords from Kris Cutlery.I have had substantial feedback
from BF that they are a good value for the money.I hope this
helps.
 
The cold steel swords are made by Fred Chen not Paul Chen so far as I know CS has nothing to do with Hanwei.
 
I think that the cold steel stuff are OK, but (in my oppinion)there are good points and bad points in these swords:

GOOD:
1 - Not very expensive
2 - Very pretty (the polish work is superb)
3 - Well balanced
4 - Good material (spring steel)
5 - The most of them are not very heavy or light.

BAD:
1 - More Expensive than the Hanwei ones
2 - The polish let the sword not like the original ones (in Japan, they are more like the Paul Chen ones)
3 - Besides the used material is good (AUS 1050 spring steel - that is more brilliant that the high carbon) it is not as resistent as the high carbon swords

Anyone disagree???:cool:
 
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