continued from part I
Handle
Upon closer inspection you will notice that this is a folder with a somewhat whacky blade to handle ratio. The blade is substiantially shorter than it could be. It's by the way the same designfeature found on for instance the Spyderco models "Gayle Bradley" and "Military". In this case the generous handle is a result of wanting to have a knife for serious use both with and without gloves and fitting most hand sizes.
Two folders with short blades in relation to handle length
Part of the explanation behind the appearence can also be found in the fact that this is a very strong built folding knife. The pivot is placed a bit further back than normal which gives a shorter blade in relation to the handle but it makes for a stronger knife because of the extended area of contact in the joint.
A handle that works fine even for bigger hands or working with gloves on
One of the reasons to why the knife feels very strong yet light is because it is frameless. The stability instead comes from the thick slabs of G10. They don't give even when provoked. Thus there is no flex in the knife. The material *also has the advantage that it feels good in lower temperatures.
The handle has a backspacer of black aluminum and is put together with stainless steel fasteners. The Ultimate Hunter has a lanyard hole for the ones who wants to add extra security. Something that could be useful not least at sea.
The handle stands out since it's 3-D contoured instead of having flat sides which is the case with most simpler knives and most older offerings from CS.
Not the usual grater like handle from CS
The handle seems to be sandblasted which gives a slightly rough but still soft feeling. It's a good finish that provides a solid grip without being extremely coarse like other models from CS can be. Because of that you don't have to modify the grip in order to be able to carry the knife without it eating your pants for breakfast.
Some well placed indentations facilitates good grip
In hand the knife feels excellent. There is no grip that does not work and the handle just feels natural. Towards the front of the handle there are som indentations that thinns out the handle in certain grips and gives your index or middle fingers somewhere to rest.
On the spine of the handle you can find some wide jimpings. They give a good amount of traction if you are gripping the knife hard and slides back a bit otherwise they are not present. On the top of the handle there is a small cutout for your thumb to rest in reverse grip. I usually don't use my knives that way but I remember from back in the days then I used to work as a butcher that it can be useful sometimes.
Deployment and Lockup
Both lock construction and the shape of the thumbstud is familiar and can be seen on many Cold Steels folding knives. It means an assymetrical thumbstud that is reversible for you lefties out there.
The thumbstud is very accesseble and this knife is one of the smoothest knives equipped with this lock I have encountered. The walk is smooth and the knife locks with a sound reminding of a cracking walnut that inspires confidence. The knife is best opened with dignity, that is slow and steady. If you concentrate it is flickable but given the strength of the backlock it doesn't feel all natural.
The assymetrical and reversible thumbstud works well for opening
The lock is the for Cold Steel knives usual "Tri-Ad". This beefed up version of a lockback has proven to be a very sturdy and not the least highly reliable invention. There is no detectable bladeplay at all in any direction. This construction has the advantage that it besides being strong doesn't wear out over time. The lockbar is self adjusting. The drawback with this lock is that it more often than not is hard to disengage.
A small warning though. Even if the knife can be closed one-handed it's best done with two hands for the simple reason that the blade runs so smoothly that it partly falls into the handle under it's own weight and then transforms into a fingerguillotine of sorts.
To Carry
The knives comes with two clips. One for the right side and one for the left. That together with the lock and the reverseble thumbstud makes for a truly ambidextrous knife.
The placement of the clip doesn't hide the knife entirely but it rides farily low in pocket. The function is really good and the knife is firmly held in place without being impossible do draw. Much do to the material that is much less coarse than say "American Lawman" or "Hold Out" and other G10 handled knives from CS which are notorious in that regard. Unfortunately this is a very shiny clip but it matches the satin in the blade rather nicely.
The CS clip works better than usual because of the slicker handle surface
You can not deny that this is a fairly substantial knife. It measures 5" closed and is 0.62" thick and weighs in at 4.9 ounces. But despite that it is rather descreet in pocket. The well rounded and soft sides helps in that regard. A humble giant with other words.
Size disqualifies the Ultimate Hunter for being the ultimate pocket knife in my book. But that is a matter of taste. But as the names suggest it is aiming for other uses. But despite the name it is much more than just a hunting knife.
Final Thoughts
Ultimate Hunter marks another step in the right direction for Cold Steel according to me. The 3-D contouring of the knifehandle raises it above the crowd and I think the finish of the G10 is a vast improvement and last but not least they have choosen a premium grade steel that is not blackened.
Ultimate - perhaps
Altogether I feel that CS has taken what is good in several other models such as good ergonomics, excellent build quality and Demkos designideas and paired it with matching materials. The downside is of course that the price takes a leap. MSRP on this knife is 189$ and street prise around 120$ or so.
Who are the competitors to this knife? Some of them you will actually find in CS own catalogue. One is the FinnWolf even though it is a less advanced knife with simpler materials both in handle and blade. But still a most practical and capable knife. Closer both in price and materials is the new American Lawman with the upgraded steel. But it still suffers from a black blade even if the coating now is DLC. The same goes for "Recon 1". But the two latter doesn't have the refined handle of the Ultimate Hunter and is definitely aiming at an other audience.
Both bladeshape and design reminds me about Spydercos Gayle Bradley which without a doubt is another serious contender. Also Fallknivens PXL WH can be an option since it basically have identical dimensions. But these two knives has less worked handles than the Hunter. They are also more expensive.
In comparison with a another 2015 offering from CS, "FinnWolf"
The first impression out of box were that it felt big and powerful yet light. That was properties that I hoped for but that is hard to determine from pictures and specifications alone. A contributing factor to the nimble feeling in hand is that the knife is very well balanced.
Not to shabby looking despite the whacky blade to handle ratio
If it is "the Ultimate Hunter" is not for me to say. I don't hunt myself but I know several who does and I know what kind of blades they generally prefer and this knife can definitely be one of them. Then I do not know if I would choose a folder in general for hunting bearing in mind cleaning and such. But that is much a matter of preferences and I have a friend that is a hunter and he often uses a Puma 4-star folder for hare and other smaller game.
But I do know quite a deal when it comes to other types of knives and the Ultimate Hunter is in my eyes a extremely competent edged tool. It is a very well rounded knife. A comfortable handle and a refined bladeshape with good geometry made of quality steel goes a long way.
I therefore recommend Ultimate Hunter for anyone who search for a solid folder that works for most tasks that requires an edge. But don't buy it if you want a small descreet pocketknife or precisiontool for cleaning your fingernails.*
PS.
By the way disregard everything even slightly connected to marketing from this company. It will just cause high blood pressure. Or at least a raised eyebrow.
Specification:
Overall Length: 8.5"
Handle Length: 15"
Weight: 4,9 oz
Blade Length: 3,5"
Blade Thickness: 0.13"
Bladesteel: CTS XHP. satin
Handle: G10, black
Lock: Tri-Ad
Produced by:Cold Steel, made in Taiwan
/ J
Handle
Upon closer inspection you will notice that this is a folder with a somewhat whacky blade to handle ratio. The blade is substiantially shorter than it could be. It's by the way the same designfeature found on for instance the Spyderco models "Gayle Bradley" and "Military". In this case the generous handle is a result of wanting to have a knife for serious use both with and without gloves and fitting most hand sizes.
Two folders with short blades in relation to handle length
Part of the explanation behind the appearence can also be found in the fact that this is a very strong built folding knife. The pivot is placed a bit further back than normal which gives a shorter blade in relation to the handle but it makes for a stronger knife because of the extended area of contact in the joint.
A handle that works fine even for bigger hands or working with gloves on
One of the reasons to why the knife feels very strong yet light is because it is frameless. The stability instead comes from the thick slabs of G10. They don't give even when provoked. Thus there is no flex in the knife. The material *also has the advantage that it feels good in lower temperatures.
The handle has a backspacer of black aluminum and is put together with stainless steel fasteners. The Ultimate Hunter has a lanyard hole for the ones who wants to add extra security. Something that could be useful not least at sea.
The handle stands out since it's 3-D contoured instead of having flat sides which is the case with most simpler knives and most older offerings from CS.
Not the usual grater like handle from CS
The handle seems to be sandblasted which gives a slightly rough but still soft feeling. It's a good finish that provides a solid grip without being extremely coarse like other models from CS can be. Because of that you don't have to modify the grip in order to be able to carry the knife without it eating your pants for breakfast.
Some well placed indentations facilitates good grip
In hand the knife feels excellent. There is no grip that does not work and the handle just feels natural. Towards the front of the handle there are som indentations that thinns out the handle in certain grips and gives your index or middle fingers somewhere to rest.
On the spine of the handle you can find some wide jimpings. They give a good amount of traction if you are gripping the knife hard and slides back a bit otherwise they are not present. On the top of the handle there is a small cutout for your thumb to rest in reverse grip. I usually don't use my knives that way but I remember from back in the days then I used to work as a butcher that it can be useful sometimes.
Deployment and Lockup
Both lock construction and the shape of the thumbstud is familiar and can be seen on many Cold Steels folding knives. It means an assymetrical thumbstud that is reversible for you lefties out there.
The thumbstud is very accesseble and this knife is one of the smoothest knives equipped with this lock I have encountered. The walk is smooth and the knife locks with a sound reminding of a cracking walnut that inspires confidence. The knife is best opened with dignity, that is slow and steady. If you concentrate it is flickable but given the strength of the backlock it doesn't feel all natural.
The assymetrical and reversible thumbstud works well for opening
The lock is the for Cold Steel knives usual "Tri-Ad". This beefed up version of a lockback has proven to be a very sturdy and not the least highly reliable invention. There is no detectable bladeplay at all in any direction. This construction has the advantage that it besides being strong doesn't wear out over time. The lockbar is self adjusting. The drawback with this lock is that it more often than not is hard to disengage.
A small warning though. Even if the knife can be closed one-handed it's best done with two hands for the simple reason that the blade runs so smoothly that it partly falls into the handle under it's own weight and then transforms into a fingerguillotine of sorts.
To Carry
The knives comes with two clips. One for the right side and one for the left. That together with the lock and the reverseble thumbstud makes for a truly ambidextrous knife.
The placement of the clip doesn't hide the knife entirely but it rides farily low in pocket. The function is really good and the knife is firmly held in place without being impossible do draw. Much do to the material that is much less coarse than say "American Lawman" or "Hold Out" and other G10 handled knives from CS which are notorious in that regard. Unfortunately this is a very shiny clip but it matches the satin in the blade rather nicely.
The CS clip works better than usual because of the slicker handle surface
You can not deny that this is a fairly substantial knife. It measures 5" closed and is 0.62" thick and weighs in at 4.9 ounces. But despite that it is rather descreet in pocket. The well rounded and soft sides helps in that regard. A humble giant with other words.
Size disqualifies the Ultimate Hunter for being the ultimate pocket knife in my book. But that is a matter of taste. But as the names suggest it is aiming for other uses. But despite the name it is much more than just a hunting knife.
Final Thoughts
Ultimate Hunter marks another step in the right direction for Cold Steel according to me. The 3-D contouring of the knifehandle raises it above the crowd and I think the finish of the G10 is a vast improvement and last but not least they have choosen a premium grade steel that is not blackened.
Ultimate - perhaps
Altogether I feel that CS has taken what is good in several other models such as good ergonomics, excellent build quality and Demkos designideas and paired it with matching materials. The downside is of course that the price takes a leap. MSRP on this knife is 189$ and street prise around 120$ or so.
Who are the competitors to this knife? Some of them you will actually find in CS own catalogue. One is the FinnWolf even though it is a less advanced knife with simpler materials both in handle and blade. But still a most practical and capable knife. Closer both in price and materials is the new American Lawman with the upgraded steel. But it still suffers from a black blade even if the coating now is DLC. The same goes for "Recon 1". But the two latter doesn't have the refined handle of the Ultimate Hunter and is definitely aiming at an other audience.
Both bladeshape and design reminds me about Spydercos Gayle Bradley which without a doubt is another serious contender. Also Fallknivens PXL WH can be an option since it basically have identical dimensions. But these two knives has less worked handles than the Hunter. They are also more expensive.
In comparison with a another 2015 offering from CS, "FinnWolf"
The first impression out of box were that it felt big and powerful yet light. That was properties that I hoped for but that is hard to determine from pictures and specifications alone. A contributing factor to the nimble feeling in hand is that the knife is very well balanced.
Not to shabby looking despite the whacky blade to handle ratio
If it is "the Ultimate Hunter" is not for me to say. I don't hunt myself but I know several who does and I know what kind of blades they generally prefer and this knife can definitely be one of them. Then I do not know if I would choose a folder in general for hunting bearing in mind cleaning and such. But that is much a matter of preferences and I have a friend that is a hunter and he often uses a Puma 4-star folder for hare and other smaller game.
But I do know quite a deal when it comes to other types of knives and the Ultimate Hunter is in my eyes a extremely competent edged tool. It is a very well rounded knife. A comfortable handle and a refined bladeshape with good geometry made of quality steel goes a long way.
I therefore recommend Ultimate Hunter for anyone who search for a solid folder that works for most tasks that requires an edge. But don't buy it if you want a small descreet pocketknife or precisiontool for cleaning your fingernails.*
PS.
By the way disregard everything even slightly connected to marketing from this company. It will just cause high blood pressure. Or at least a raised eyebrow.
Specification:
Overall Length: 8.5"
Handle Length: 15"
Weight: 4,9 oz
Blade Length: 3,5"
Blade Thickness: 0.13"
Bladesteel: CTS XHP. satin
Handle: G10, black
Lock: Tri-Ad
Produced by:Cold Steel, made in Taiwan
/ J
