Cold Steel Ti-Lites

C

Confederate

Joined
Sep 5, 2005
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I have a couple of Cold Steel Ti-Lites with 4-inch blades, but have never carried or used them. Now I'm thinking of getting one with a 6-inch blade, but I wondered if anyone has had any negative experiences? How strong are they and how do they cut? I'm not sure about the blade design, though I like the AUS8 steel CS uses and the locks on the knives I have seem fine.

The knives themselves are handsome and my 4-inchers are nice and shiny. If you've had any good or bad experiences, pleas post!

Thanks.
 
I've never used mine either, but the 4-inchers are solid lockers.

I know you can't use the "flipper" on the 6-incher to open it. I've held one, and honestly it's impractical for carry and use.
 
what do you mean by using the flipper? You can easily flip it open with a quick flip of the wrist and by using the quillion to flip it open easily. My 6 inch is the sharpest stock knife I have ever owned! That being said it is some what impratical for edc although some people do. This knife is so huge that i can hold the handle with 2 hands in a sorta mini sword fashion.
 
a 6 inch pocket knife is next to useless. I've handled the 6in ti lite. it's a PITA to open by drawing it out of the pocket, in a lot of pants it doesnt fit in the pocket, and I can fully wrap both my big hands around the handle. It's just way to big. I'm usually not concerned with unintentionally scarring people with my knife, but this thing I'd never want to open in public.
 
The Ti-Lite series has become popular with farmers and construction workers for opening large bags--using a jab-and-rip action.
 
It's cutting ability is something that appeals to me. I suspect the 6-incher is a bit cumbersome and I can't even flip open the 4-incher using either the thumb stud or the quillion. Still, the 4-incher I have is one of the sharpest out-of-the-box production knives I've ever had. The Cold Steel Recon 1 is another. Both have 440A blades. The newer AUS8 knives I have would probably be a bit better on edge retention, but the 440A knives seem to do fine, especially on the Recon 1. The Ti-Lites are handsome knives and make great gifts. I just don't know about their cutting ability given their stiletto design. As long as they lock solidly, I like them.

ColdSteelTi-Lite_1.jpg


The Ti-Lites are difficult to snap open quickly, at least
for me. Some people don't have a problem.


ColdSteelTi-LiteLock.jpg


The locking mechanism seems to be a spring lock. It's neither
a frame lock nor a liner lock.


ColdSteelTi-Lite_2.jpg


It is a sleek knife, and quite attractive.


RelicatorCarterBlade_Sm.jpg


The 6-inch Ti-Lite can be a bit unwieldy,
according to some.
 
It is a liner lock. Just the part that contacts the tang is folded over to be thicker. I like the idea and wish more companies did it because it's more comfortable on my thumb. I dislike nearly everything else about the knife though.
 
It is very rarely that you'll actually need a 6in blade. And about the blade shape... Personally I don't find the spear-point very practical since the blade is so narrow and there's really no belly to it.
 
Creepo said:
It is very rarely that you'll actually need a 6in blade. And about the blade shape... Personally I don't find the spear-point very practical since the blade is so narrow and there's really no belly to it.
Click to expand...

Hmmm...the Kris isn't very practical either, but in both cases there is a certain elegance about them, IMO.
 
I have the 4in it is great for a back pocket knife because it's very slim and narrow and when it was the only pocket knife I had I would EDC it until I bought a Buck then I carried that. But the 6in is big for a "pocket" knife I would use it for mostly a conversation piece or backup home defense but mostly the first one. Good quality knife though
 
A.P.F. said:
Hmmm...the Kris isn't very practical either, but in both cases there is a certain elegance about them, IMO.
Click to expand...

Yes, ofc everytime it comes to knives one desires to carry there are basicly 2 aspects: practicality and looks, you go with the one that's more important to you, after all as long as it can cut, it can be used.
 
So far, I can't think of anything that can be cut that the Ti-Lite couldn't handle, except possibly skinning and, of course, batoning. It can cut rope, cord, open packages, sacks, and cut wood, seatbelts and just about everything else. Plus it is a superlative in penetrating leather and other thick material. It's not a great slasher, but it will work.


Good review here.
 
Creepo said:
Yes, ofc everytime it comes to knives one desires to carry there are basicly 2 aspects: practicality and looks, you go with the one that's more important to you, after all as long as it can cut, it can be used.
Click to expand...

Truer words were never spoken. :thumbup:

That is a good review, Confederate. Now I want a Zytel and Aluminum version to go with my Titanium. Is there no end to this obsession? :)
 
I've been fooling with my Ti-Lite today and have loosened it up to the point where I can, indeed, snap it open. I'm getting to really like this little knife. The one with the blue aluminum handle is gorgeous, but way too expensive, as is the titanium version. I do like the chrome look, though, and the knife is easy to carry in one's wallet pocket.
 
Blue aluminum? The blue one is titanium like the silver one is. It's just polished/anodized.
 
Well, that would explain the price. Thanks for the correction. Wish they'd use aluminum, though. Frankly, I wish they'd put the money in the blade rather than in the handle. Zytel is good enough for me.

CS26SB.jpg


Beautiful knife, but way too expensive.
 
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