Cold Steel, the best value leader in the knife business

[nephron]

Actually it's very easy to get a CCW permit in CA these days, with the exception of San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Requirements:
California law allows Police Chiefs and County Sheriffs to issue a license to carry a concealed firearm if the following requirements are met:
1. Upon proof that the person applying is of good moral character
2. That good cause exists for the issuance
3. The applicant is a resident of the county or city to which they are applying (or the applicant’s place of employment is within the city or county)
4. The applicant has completed a course of training (16-24 hours)

Self protection is not considered a good cause here(ask me how I know).

 

[ThePeacent]

I've always loved Cold Steel knives, even when they were made of AUS8A, and I liked that they polished the blades. Now that they've vastly improved the steel (carbon and stainless), they're on the top as far as I'm concerned. Yes, it's a bit much when they sta large blades through car tops, but many people secretly like the fact that their blades won't fail in the toughest of situations. I live in a state where it's impossible to get a gun permit, so knives are the only legal means for self defense. And Cold Steel is the only company that makes 5- and 6-inch blades, and they put them in frames that are nearly as robust as fixed blades.

I have one of their old Espadas with a 7.5-inch blade. It's like being able to draw a sword out of my pocket.

I'd rather it be a pocket 9mm, but that's not going to happen. So my hat's off to Cold Steel!

the big boys are unique, extraordinary pieces of cutlery not equaled by any offering from any other maker or company

and they've been the best at it since decades ago!

It's the brand I own more stuff of, and my favorite at heart

 

[ursamajor]

I have around 50 Cold Steel pieces. My latest purchases are a War Hammer, and a short Assegai Spear . I love the "mall ninja stuff, and the other crazy crap". It's the only place that you know the "crap" will be great conversation pieces, reasonably (very) priced, sturdy, useable, and if kept in good condition, resellable. As far as the "XHP" knives go, I am already very satisfied with my older AUS8 versions, and will pass on the newer, more expensive XHP versions. If I want to spend $100 for an EDC, I prefer/trust the time-tested S30v, VG10, 154CM blade steels, anyhow..

XHP out performs all those steels.

And I picked up an XHP American Lawman for $60, an XHP Recon 1 Tanto for $40, an XHP Talwar for $55, and an XHP TiLite for $50.

If you’re patient, deals come along.

 

[upnorth]

I have focused primarily on Cold Steel for years now. Recently I gave a friend an outdoor ''kit'' including a hatchet, Mora's and a Buck 110. I wouldn't let go of that old 110 for many, many years. But I also realized for quite a while that my AUS8 Lone Star was three times the knife, so why keep the 110.

 

[Mitchell Knives]

Cold Steel has some interesting designs and products, and is a good choice for an inexpensive factory blade. The upgrade to XHP was a smart move. I always found their AUS8 lacking.

 

[whp]

I think characterizing Cold Steel blades as as merely inexpensive factory blades is misleading . Technically, they are factory blades, and they are inexpensive, but they are comparable to higher priced production models like Benchmade, Spyderco, and Zero Tolerance.

 

[Mitchell Knives]

I think characterizing Cold Steel blades as as merely inexpensive factory blades is misleading . Technically, they are factory blades, and they are inexpensive, but they are comparable to higher priced production models like Benchmade, Spyderco, and Zero Tolerance.

Just to clarify, I consider Benchmade, Spyderco and Zero Tolerance inexpensive factory blades as well.

I purchased a Black Talon II not too long ago, and I would consider it equal to any of the brands mentioned.

 

[nephron]

Cold Steel has some interesting designs and products, and is a good choice for an inexpensive factory blade. The upgrade to XHP was a smart move. I always found their AUS8 lacking.

Most of their early knives are AUS8, so they are lacking? Agreed their are some great new steels out there now, but lacking what that a knife is supposed to do exactly? Probably just me but sounds kinda snobbish.

 

[Mitchell Knives]

Most of their early knives are AUS8, so they are lacking? Agreed their are some great new steels out there now, but lacking what that a knife is supposed to do exactly? Probably just me but sounds kinda snobbish.

In terms of edge retention, yes they were lacking.

It didn't really stop me from buying them though.

 

[whp]

I m surprised that a recent discovery of mine, the Recon1 with xhp steel, is every bit as good as two large folders I ve always considered classics, the 710 and the Military. Perhaps the best ergonomics of the three. Likely the most sturdy.

The American Lawman and the PM2 are pretty much equivalent in quality for edc.

 

[SALTY]

I do like CS knives as they excel in the "I don't care" category for hard use. They have a strong lock, good ergos and are durable. The only thing that gives me pause is customer service/repairs as have persoanlly never used it - but have not heard warm and fuzzy stories such as with BM and others.

 

[BitingSarcasm]

I do like CS knives as they excel in the "I don't care" category for hard use. They have a strong lock, good ergos and are durable. The only thing that gives me pause is customer service/repairs as have persoanlly never used it - but have not heard warm and fuzzy stories such as with BM and others.

I sent in an old titanium handle Ti-Lite for service for a worn out lockup and missing thumb stud, and I figured it was so old I would just be paying them to tune it up. 2 weeks later it came back in a box with the lockup corrected, new thumb stud, and a new factory edge--only cost me the shipping to get there. I don't know if that's fuzzy enough, but I am pretty happy with their warranty work.

 

[PeteyTwoPointOne]

I bought my first aus8 Tri-ad lock American Lawman and really liked the knife but hated the cheap paint.

In that case, strip the paint...The old painted on black CS finish is 100% the easiest finish to take off a blade...I scraped the paint off my first Lawman with the tip of a butter knife to reveal one of the prettiest stonewash finishes I've ever seen!

 

[SALTY]

That's fuzzy enough for me.

I always say that when you buy a knife, you are not just buying a product but also a relationship with a company.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Cold Steel definitely has some great values, but one area I feel like they don't get much credit for is that many of their knives have really very good cutting geometry.

Some of this is probably their fault a bit, as they push the toughness and lock strength so hard, but blades like the Recon 1, American Lawman, Ultimate Hunter and the 3V Master Hunter slice about as well as any comparable production knives on the market.

Honestly, the only production company that offers more top notch slicers is Spyderco and I feel like it's an aspect of knives that is far too often underrated and overlooked. It's probably why I have such a hard time staying away from them despite their distasteful legal antics.

 

[whp]

Cold Steel definitely has some great values, but one area I feel like they don't get much credit for is that many of their knives have really very good cutting geometry.

Some of this is probably their fault a bit, as they push the toughness and lock strength so hard, but blades like the Recon 1, American Lawman, Ultimate Hunter and the 3V Master Hunter slice about as well as any comparable production knives on the market.

Honestly, the only production company that offers more top notch slicers is Spyderco and I feel like it's an aspect of knives that is far too often underrated and overlooked. It's probably why I have such a hard time staying away from them despite their distasteful legal antics.

I agree that the 3 folders mentioned are great slicers, and have superior ergonomics. With their blade geometry and possibly the heat treatment of the xhp, these knives seem to have better edge retention than some of the other xhp blades I have. No real testing , just a general feeling and observation.

 

[bikerector]

Cold Steel's move to xhp moved them up a few notches for me. Nothing against aus 8 but it didn't add as much value when looking at a harder use folder, which many of their products seem to gravitate towards. CTS-XHP seems to fit well in line with what their knives are designed for.

I think a lot of their mall ninja knives can look a bit goofy but they are fun. I stated with a spartan just because I thought the the handle would be fun in how it locked your hand in but it ended up being fairly impractical to carry around the yard even as the rear hand hook catches my pockets weird. Fast forward a few months from then and I have a broken skull and american lawman and they are fantastic designs. The spyderco native 5 g10 is one of my favorite knives and the lawman feels like a bigger native 5 in my hands. Two well designed knives that are free of mall ninja aesthetics, IMO.

 

[ursamajor]

I’m really digging this SR1. Using it, it seems to me, that Cold Steel is showing that they can produce a folder, not only lighter, but able to run circles around the XM-24. Now that mine has been broken in, its buttery smooth-ZERO grit. ZERO Blade play, open, shut, or while deploying.

The Ergos of the SR1 are second to none.

Best $150 I’ve ever spent on a folder.

 

[whp]

I’m really digging this SR1. Using it, it seems to me, that Cold Steel is showing that they can produce a folder, not only lighter, but able to run circles around the XM-24. Now that mine has been broken in, its buttery smooth-ZERO grit. ZERO Blade play, open, shut, or while deploying.

The Ergos of the SR1 are second to none.

Best $150 I’ve ever spent on a folder.

I am also impressed with my SR1. Smooth, tight lockup, relatively easy to unlock. Appears to be extremely strong.
I ve never thought to compare the SR1 to the xm24.They apparently are similar in size. The xm24 has the titanium side. The SR1 has the stronger lock up. I ve never held the xm24 but I really like my xm18. Even so, I doubt the xm24 is worth 3 times the price of the SR1 to me.

 

[ThePeacent]

where can you get a 5.5 inch blade of CTS-XHP steel with DLC coating for less than, I imagine, about $200 (considering other beands' price for DLC, CTS-XHP and other features)?
This one cost me $88 and is hopefully arriving next week or so.

To me, for the money, Colkd Steel gives you the more materials, strength and ergos in the large folder department