- Joined
- Feb 4, 2006
- Messages
- 562
Just bought a new Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter folding knife because I was looking for a relatively inexpensive but beefy folder. My first impression upon opening the box was that the thing is big. The handle is about the length of my Benchmade 710's and about 4mm thicker. The blade is a bit shorter, but it feels real beefy in the hand. Could be because my latest purchase was a Camillus EDC. The blade is equally beefy with its 4mm thick hollow, sabre ground blade.
Here's Cold Steel's stock picture of it:
The finishing on the knife is superb and on par with knives twice expensive as it. The blade has a luminous satin finish that is like the fine satin finish on my SERE 2000. Can't find anything to complain about as far as finish goes. However, the fit is a different story. The problems are largely aesthetic, so it's not a big problem for what I consider a low-mid price production knife. There is a small gap between the handle scales and the lockbar (which I assume is normal), but one side is a little larger than the other. Second, the blade points a little to the right when you look down the spine and similarly when closed. None of those fitting problems should affect performance, though it does look a little funny when the lockbar and blade are pointed in different directions. There is no significant bladeplay in either direction. All my folding knives have a tiiiiny amount of horizontal play that can only be seen when closed because of the scales (as reference points) which is otherwise unnoticeable when open.
The handle is very ergonomic and fits the hand well in any grip. The handle is quite thick and fills the hand. The ricasso doubles as a finger choil as well, allowing for a choked up grip. The pocket clip doesn't really get in the way at all. The thermorun has a rubbery feel to it and is secure. Under the thermorun are thick skeletonized steel liners. These liners are also beefy and look at least 1.5mm thick, each. Very sturdy feel.
The blade, as I mentioned, is beefy. Despite the thick sabre grind, it is quite thin right behind the edge bevel thanks to its deep hollow grind. Comparable if not thinner than that of my Paramilitary which is also 4mm thick stock, though with a full height flat grind and distal taper. The sharpness is also about equal to that of the Paramilitary.
The lockback is very stiff, though I don't have any other large lockbacks to compare it to. One handed opening is very difficult because of the stiff lock. The pivot is also quite tight and the action is very rough, which doesn't help either. Personally not a big problem because I don't plan on using it as an EDC, more of an outdoor or around the house "I'm-not-gonna-do-that-to-my-nicer-knives" knife. Too thick for EDC anyways, in my opinion.
Opening it results in a loud clack of the stiff lock, and closing it gives a similar result. One handed closing is difficult as well, and something I would avoid doing anyways. Close the knife about 3/4 and push a tiny bit more and the blade vigorously snaps closed. Wouldn't want to catch my fingers in there...I'm not very good at closing lockbacks with one hand anyways. Maybe it would be easier for those of you more experienced with them.
Despite these drawbacks, the lock inspires confidence.
Overall the knife definitely looks and feels like it will exceed my needs for a tough folder. It may not look very pretty, but it definitely has a very sturdy feel to it. Stiff lockback, thick liners, thick blade, comfortable and secure handle. Though I have had no experience with the Manix/Mini Manix, I would imagine this knife would be a good alternative at a cheaper price. It is certainly much tougher feeling than the Paramilitary, though admittedly cheaper feeling as well. Great knife at a reasonable price.
-Jon
Here's Cold Steel's stock picture of it:
The finishing on the knife is superb and on par with knives twice expensive as it. The blade has a luminous satin finish that is like the fine satin finish on my SERE 2000. Can't find anything to complain about as far as finish goes. However, the fit is a different story. The problems are largely aesthetic, so it's not a big problem for what I consider a low-mid price production knife. There is a small gap between the handle scales and the lockbar (which I assume is normal), but one side is a little larger than the other. Second, the blade points a little to the right when you look down the spine and similarly when closed. None of those fitting problems should affect performance, though it does look a little funny when the lockbar and blade are pointed in different directions. There is no significant bladeplay in either direction. All my folding knives have a tiiiiny amount of horizontal play that can only be seen when closed because of the scales (as reference points) which is otherwise unnoticeable when open.
The handle is very ergonomic and fits the hand well in any grip. The handle is quite thick and fills the hand. The ricasso doubles as a finger choil as well, allowing for a choked up grip. The pocket clip doesn't really get in the way at all. The thermorun has a rubbery feel to it and is secure. Under the thermorun are thick skeletonized steel liners. These liners are also beefy and look at least 1.5mm thick, each. Very sturdy feel.
The blade, as I mentioned, is beefy. Despite the thick sabre grind, it is quite thin right behind the edge bevel thanks to its deep hollow grind. Comparable if not thinner than that of my Paramilitary which is also 4mm thick stock, though with a full height flat grind and distal taper. The sharpness is also about equal to that of the Paramilitary.
The lockback is very stiff, though I don't have any other large lockbacks to compare it to. One handed opening is very difficult because of the stiff lock. The pivot is also quite tight and the action is very rough, which doesn't help either. Personally not a big problem because I don't plan on using it as an EDC, more of an outdoor or around the house "I'm-not-gonna-do-that-to-my-nicer-knives" knife. Too thick for EDC anyways, in my opinion.
Opening it results in a loud clack of the stiff lock, and closing it gives a similar result. One handed closing is difficult as well, and something I would avoid doing anyways. Close the knife about 3/4 and push a tiny bit more and the blade vigorously snaps closed. Wouldn't want to catch my fingers in there...I'm not very good at closing lockbacks with one hand anyways. Maybe it would be easier for those of you more experienced with them.
Despite these drawbacks, the lock inspires confidence.
Overall the knife definitely looks and feels like it will exceed my needs for a tough folder. It may not look very pretty, but it definitely has a very sturdy feel to it. Stiff lockback, thick liners, thick blade, comfortable and secure handle. Though I have had no experience with the Manix/Mini Manix, I would imagine this knife would be a good alternative at a cheaper price. It is certainly much tougher feeling than the Paramilitary, though admittedly cheaper feeling as well. Great knife at a reasonable price.
-Jon
