cold steel vs. kabar (fixed blades)

1

1917cutlass

Joined
Jul 4, 2005
Messages
313
I have had some experience with both brands, so far both have been pretty positive. Again I have another opportunity to grab a new knife but I have to choose between the two. You professional knife nuts out there know more than I do about these things, which one would you choose? To help you out a little bit I have the names of some that I have access to. If there is a better knife from either brand, tell me and I will ask if he can grab that one.

Cold steel:

Trail master (carbon V)
Laredo bowie
Recon tanto
Peace keepers (I and II)
ODA
OSS
UWK
Recon Scout
LTC and gurkha kukri

Kabar:

14-1/4heavy bowie
12-5/8 heavy bowie
Full size kabar with choice of ser.
Same but black with choice of ser.
Black KBD1
Impact warthog
Black camp knife
Black Kabar fighter
Kabar tanto
Black kukri machete
Black cutlass machete

If I remember correctly these are all of the knives he can get a hold of for dirt cheap. Let me know the quality of the knives so I can tell him which to put aside for me when I come down next month.
Thanks,

Cutlass
 
i would like to see a run off between the recon scout and the 12-5/8 heavy bowie.
 
Aside from anything other quality, I would really think you would want something that is flat ground, so that would be one of the bowies.
 
All things being equal the Recon scout will be slightly tougher and hold an edge better. It has better steel (assuming that it is Camillus 0170) and it is much thicker than the Kabar which is less than 1/4 inch (the recon Scout is 5/16 inch). I think you will get slightly better quality control with the extra money you pay as well.
 
assuming that it is Camillus 0170
Click to expand...
Cold Steel doesn't use 0170
A lot of those kabars use 440A, alright steel but carbon V is better.
The D2 is good steel and so is AUS8. The Peace Keepers use 420 sub zero quenched, good steel that holds and takes an edge but a little brittle for my taste. The Recon Tanto is a good choice, but I love Cold Steel's Kukris, if your just playing with it they are more fun. I've cut tree limbs off while pruning the trees in my yard and hacked up boxes into smaller pieces to throw them in my trash can. If you you want a good survival/fighting knife get the Recon Tanto.
 
"Cold Steel doesn't use 0170"

Perhaps you know something the rest of us don't? Any idea what "carbon V" actually is then? - Just curious...

As for the Peace Keepers - they used to make them in Carbon V - I'd go that route if you can find one (and you want a dagger).

Overall I would have to say that Cold Steel get's the nod - big time. Kabar just can't seem to "grasp" how to make a proper handle IMO - subjective as that is. CS on the other hand, well I find most of thier offerings to fit my hands much better. And they are sharper out of the box & easier to keep that way. At least I have found this to be so.
 
I don't see where you've listed the Cold Steel SRK. IMHO, the SRK is one of the better knives that CS makes and superior to the Kabar models you list. If you want a "chopper" the SRK will disappoint you, but it's a fine all around cutting tool.

As an aside... I, too, thought that CS's trademark "Carbon V" steel was akin to 0170-6 steel.
 
I have a ODA with the stainless blade, which I carry for digging arrows out of trees and other archery uses. It has been thrown at trees and generally abused for about 2 years and is still in one piece.
It sharpens to a razor edge easily and still looks good.
Highly recommended!!!!!

Carl
 
I like the SRK the best but I also like the recon tanto for a fighting knife. You can't go wrong with CS.
 
the SRK is one of my favorite field /hunt knives. and i LOVE my Ka-Bars.
but a toss up between Ka-Bar and CS? man that's like Batman vs. Spiderman...

ummm get one of each!

dhawk
 
Jhansenak47 said:
Cold Steel doesn't use 0170
.
Click to expand...

How do you know that?????

Actually it has been discussed many times and Carbon V has been associated with 0170 in the past since the knives were made for Cold Steel by Camillus. It might be a slightly different blend but most have agreed that it is likely 0170.

So where is your proof of it not being the case. Just saying so wont cut it here. I'll wait for your answer and proof of what it is.:thumbup:
 
I like Cold Steel's designs, but I don't much care for "Carbon V" and that "420 sub-zero quench" crap.

Until Cold Steel starts using 440C and 1095, I'll stick with Ka-Bar.


TheSurvivalist
 
TheSurvivalist said:
Pocketknife, I believe that Jhansenak47 was referring to the Ka-Bar Next Generation knives, which are made out of 440A (unfortunately). He is not exactly wrong, just mising important information.

TheSurvivalist
Click to expand...

Well, he didn't appear to do much research on the other response either. Missing important information quite often means your wrong.
 
Originally Posted by Cobalt
Well, he didn't appear to do much research on the other response either. Missing important information quite often means your wrong.
Click to expand...

I guess you are right. I stand corrected.
 
I am pleasantly surprised that you like 440C. It is one of my favorite steels. Not many makers use it much. Kit Carson has always liked it and he is one of the Knifemakers I respect the most. ICC uses 440C a lot. But they are expensive.
 
//begin lecture

actually, carbon v, 440a and 440c are practically identical. the only difference is how it is quenched and tempered (reheated after quenching).

short version:
the faster you quench the steel from red-glowing to below 200°C, the harder (but much more brittle) it gets.
the longer you temper (re-heat), the tougher (less brittle, but also less hard) it gets.
the steel is then quenched once again.

there is a 'sweet-point', every steel manufaturer tries to hit, where the microstrostructure of the steel is both hard and tough (for the science-freaks: this is just after the martensitic -> cubic-facecentered conversion).

it doesn't really matter, which steel you use, as long, as you can understand and control the microstructure of your given steel. if you do it wrong, you can end up with a steel blade nearly as soft, as aluminum or as brittle as glass.

//end lecture :)

00h
 
Take the recon scout!!!!! it is a great knife, tuff as hell and it comes with a flat ground blade. lt has a full tang unlike the Ka-Bar.
 
i my self am fond of Cold Steel’s R1 (Military Classic) it's really sharp, i don't know why i own it though??? i guess just so i can say i have one. i used it once for bear hunting this year. i don't know that much about different types of steel, but i do know my ka-bar is one tuff mother!!! so i'm going to have to agree with dhawk get one of each. :)
 
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