Cold Steel?

Uh-Huh.......
Well, I really don't give a damn about "Marketing 101". "Marketing 101" is not why I buy a knife. I'm not an economist. I'm a Gunsmith. And as I mentioned before, I've toted a number of knives in my time. (Let's see - 1975 to now....that's what? 33 years? Time flies.....)

I want a knife that does three things :

Has a high level of fit and finish.
Has a handle and blade made of long wearing, quality materials.
Has a realistic price.

For me, that's Spyderco. They work for me - everyday, and with every task I've ever put them to.


TR Graham
The Glocksmith
 
OK so this thread had me thinking all week about Cold Steel knives. The only piece of thiers I had before today was a khukuri machette, so I got a Recon-1 to test it.

I am not a CS fanboy. I own a Griptillian, an Endura, a Cara Cara, Native, Trident, Flash II, an Ambush, some Cases, and som Vic SAKs. I don't really have a dog in this fight.

The Recon is HUGE. The scales are G10 so they are nice and grippy. I got a clip point non-ser blade made of aus8 that is supposed to by cryo-treated. It was very sharp out of the box and after cutting alot of cardboard and some rope was still very sharp. I intend to do some more cutting and whittling tests next week. The blade does have a black paint threatment which I personally am not very found of. It uses an "ultra lock" that seems to be very similar to an axis lock or arc lock. It initially was very stiff but has loosened some. Not as smooth as an axis of arc lock so far. I have average size hand so the lock is somewhat harder to use for me that on say a griptillian. Over all I would have to say that it is a quality product for the price I paid ($60) and my only real complaint is the size, maybe a mini Recon would be nicer for me.
 
I have had a Trailmaster since about 1992 and it will last long past the time I am decesaed. A great knife.
 
TR Graham said:
Cold Steel Trailmaster Bowie, Carbon 5 blade. Bought for me by my wife when I was deployed during the first Gulf War. Didn't have the heart to tell her that it was simply to big and heavy for an Infantryman to use as a field knife. [...] When I got back, my wife had the blade engraved with my name, rank and dates of service.
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Mr. Graham, you have a great wife -- even if she isn't a knife expert! :D
 
I can't believe all this crap about CS is still going on..

I have had a few CS knives. Voyagers, TrailMasters,and early San Mai folders that I don't even remember the names of them. They were all a quality product., and reasonably priced at the time...

What I don't understand is there are a lot of people that spend big money on Strider knives because that clown was supposed to be an "Operator", and he knew what Spec Ops guys needed in a knife....
Not knocking the product because I have never owned one.
But why is it when Lynn T. markets a video of the knives actually being put to use(although I haven't actually seen the video), he's some kind of a lunatic?
The guy is actually a proficient martial artist, who knows how to use edged weapons.

Lets see... A guy who makes a video that seems to be out of the ordinary, but markets a decent product..
Or a guy (MS) that is a habitual liar and makes a decent product.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying CS products are the best there is, and I'm not nocking Striders. It just seems to be a logical comparison.
Maybe I'm missing the logic in this never ending argument..
 
338375 said:
Maybe I'm missing the logic in this never ending argument..
Click to expand...

Cold Steel makes a lot of knives worth the money and I've got quite a few of them. I've gotten a few Striders as well, and fixed and folders, I think they do blow away the Cold Steel -- but they cost a whole lot more, and the Cold Steel are still more than good enough for most of my uses.

(Most, not all. I destroyed an XL Voyager in mere days. I tried to use it like my Vaquero Grande and the hollow grind couldn't take it.)

Now competition is a good thing and going head to head with products benefits the customers and improves the manufacturing process for both companies.

But going head to head on personalities and personal histories is the classic pig-wrestling problem. Mud everywhere, and only the pigs enjoy it. Unlike competing products, competing personlities is a lose-lose proposition. Everyone ends up looking bad. Few of us are looking forward to facing God with the movie of our lives playing through every hidden moment.

Mick Strider has admitted having done wrong, and he's been asked to admit it again and again, because he can't seem to stop encouraging the lies. Now Lynn Thompson has lost some people's respect -- mine, for one -- by using his business website to highlight a personal feud with another knifemaker.

Maybe it cheers his fans, but it makes the industry look shoddy. If he's such a great guy, he should know better. If he wants to talk about it, he can come to a forum like this and join in. We sure do that often enough. At least here, it's give and take.

Throw enough mud, and you'll find it sticking to your own hands, and splattering your shirt and shoes, too
 
kindred_spirits said:
Funny you mention that, since Cold Steel says that duplicating those tests constitutes "gross abuse" of their knives and will void your warranty.

Cold Steel is also one of the only companies without a lifetime warranty. Their folding knives are warrantied for one year, fixed blades for five years. That really tells you how they stand by their products.
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Oh, wait a min, they changed their warranty now?? the knives I got all said "limited life time warranty" on it?
 
Kindred spirits is right: Take a look.
For me that warranty and "We stand behind our knives 100%" sound like a slight contradiction. But that's just me.
On the whole CS-issue: The products from CS that I purchased display a wide range of quality or maybe it's more like sympathy. I hated my GI Tanto, that I had to change it, the Latin machete is ok and the Pendleton Mini Hunter (VG-1) is my favorite. It gets pretty sharp and is a nice FB for EDC.
I planned to buy a Laredo Bowie, but the whole handle issue made me step away from a possible purchase. Concerning further purchases from that company, I'll be pretty careful and look for every piece of information available here and on other forums.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Cold Steel makes a lot of knives worth the money and I've got quite a few of them. I've gotten a few Striders as well, and fixed and folders, I think they do blow away the Cold Steel -- but they cost a whole lot more, and the Cold Steel are still more than good enough for most of my uses.

(Most, not all. I destroyed an XL Voyager in mere days. I tried to use it like my Vaquero Grande and the hollow grind couldn't take it.)

Now competition is a good thing and going head to head with products benefits the customers and improves the manufacturing process for both companies.

But going head to head on personalities and personal histories is the classic pig-wrestling problem. Mud everywhere, and only the pigs enjoy it. Unlike competing products, competing personlities is a lose-lose proposition. Everyone ends up looking bad. Few of us are looking forward to facing God with the movie of our lives playing through every hidden moment.

Mick Strider has admitted having done wrong, and he's been asked to admit it again and again, because he can't seem to stop encouraging the lies. Now Lynn Thompson has lost some people's respect -- mine, for one -- by using his business website to highlight a personal feud with another knifemaker.

Maybe it cheers his fans, but it makes the industry look shoddy. If he's such a great guy, he should know better. If he wants to talk about it, he can come to a forum like this and join in. We sure do that often enough. At least here, it's give and take.

Throw enough mud, and you'll find it sticking to your own hands, and splattering your shirt and shoes, too
Click to expand...


I guess I haven't been following the CS thing closely for a while.
Didn't know there was some personal stuff on the CS website. I actually just randomly picked Strider as a comparison, trying to make a point.....
I think if makers or marketers have personal differences, it would show a lot more class to keep it private.
Funny, I don't ever recall seeing any Custom knife makers trashing each other publicly. Must have something to do with having more Class....
 
TR Graham said:
Uh-Huh.......
Well, I really don't give a damn about "Marketing 101". "Marketing 101" is not why I buy a knife. I'm not an economist. I'm a Gunsmith. And as I mentioned before, I've toted a number of knives in my time. (Let's see - 1975 to now....that's what? 33 years? Time flies.....)

I want a knife that does three things :

Has a high level of fit and finish.
Has a handle and blade made of long wearing, quality materials.
Has a realistic price.

For me, that's Spyderco. They work for me - everyday, and with every task I've ever put them to.



TR Graham
The Glocksmith
Click to expand...


I am a gunsmith as well and I know you don't buy the cheapest parts available if you want a good end result. You don't expect a Rossi to outshoot a S&W L-Frame either. My point was a simple one...you get what you pays for. I didn't bad mouth Spyderco in my post I simply pointed out a fact of life. However....

I can't remember how many Endura and Delica clips I saw broken when I was a Spyderco dealer but there where quite a few, many of my customer took it as a sign and bought the all metal versions of the knife. Was so bad that Spyderco dropped the molded pocket clip and went to steel on them. I also saw several that broke at the pivot pin. So yes, Spyderco does the same as Cold Steel and offers cheaper knives to help with sales.

I currently own knives from Spyderco, Cold Steel, and Al Mar...not to mention the less expensive makers like Case, Ka Bar, Schrade, and others. Some where higher priced, some are better quality than others but overall they are all worth what was paid for them.
 
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I would like to explain a little back-ground about my actions... after that I will say nothing more about the situation. I am in no way angry with anyone, even though there has been a fair amount of name-calling and Ill-will pushed in my direction.

1. As far as my "Neither, they both suck" Comment goes... I was referring to the fact that they were both stainless Steel Handled knives, And the guy was looking for a work knife I believe. The word "Suck" Might have been a little harsh for some people, but I was referring to the fact that they were heavy,easily scratched, and slippery in the hand... Especially when you are sweaty. I explained all this on the Spyderco forum Thread, But, once again, nobody included this into their references as to what I said.

2. As far as me changing my mind on the Tenacious goes... As I said when I got the knife, I was trying it out, testing it for several weeks at work, cutting lots of different materials with it.
If anyone recalls, I did praise the knife in the beginning... because, OOTB it was impressive, even though it was from China. After a couple of weeks, I changed my mind... Not because of anything to do with anyone from Spyderco, But because, as I said, It dulled quickly, was Hard to sharpen, and was too small for my hands. (I'm 6'4" and can palm a basketball)
I have gotten used to that 5 inch Pocket Bowie Voyager... Small knives just aren't enough for me anymore. Even the Spyderco Police seems small to me and most people complain that it is way too big.

3. My so called "Controversy" on Spyderco's web site should have nothing to do with me here.
People over there got upset with me when I said that A friend of mine, who was a Cop, had never seen any of the people on his force use a Police model, much less a Spyderco at all.
For some reason this ruffled a whole lot of feathers and some people started calling me a liar because they just couldn't accept that situation in their minds. I even went as far as to explain that I live in Tampa, Fl... Not that big of a City, and that there were very, very limited supply of Spydercos available here. Yet, other models are readily available. Even the Wal-Marts here don't carry Spydercos.

4. In my personal opinion... Cold Steel Products are very well built, sturdily constructed and quite user friendly. I have never had to deal with their customer service because I have never had any of their products break on me.
Spyderco on the other hand, has not been that forthcoming as far as Durability, Fit or finish is concerned. Therefor, I don't hold them in the Same Light. The fact that I find the Employees and Some of the Spyderco Forum Members Quite rude only furthers my Personal Opinion of that Company.

5. It doesn't really mean anything to me that they banned me over there because I was already finished with them by then.
I have better things to do.

I enjoy discussing knives with others as well as the Help and advice one can receive on a site such as this, but a few bad apples can make the entire experience go rotten very quickly.

I am Not sorry if I offended anyone with my Opinions.
This is America, I have the right to speak my mind.
Good Day to you all.
Edit/Delete Message
 
Wrong again. Blade Forums is not part of the government last time I looked.

This is a forum and your are a guest here. We have rules posted that should be followed or you might not find yourself to be a welcome guest here.
 
Tomahawk23 said:
I am Not sorry if I offended anyone with my Opinions.
This is America, I have the right to speak my mind.
Good Day to you all.
Edit/Delete Message
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You seem to be a very bitter, angry man for no good reason.:confused:
I read what you posted over at the Spyderco forum, and it seemed you just joined to whine at a bunch of people for no good reason, then couldn't back-up anything you said, and THEN decided to go home with your ball, asking the mods to delete your account.
Just got too much time and anger on your hands?
 
Absintheur said:
I am a gunsmith as well and I know you don't buy the cheapest parts available if you want a good end result. You don't expect a Rossi to outshoot a S&W L-Frame either. My point was a simple one...you get what you pays for. I didn't bad mouth Spyderco in my post I simply pointed out a fact of life. However....

I can't remember how many Endura and Delica clips I saw broken when I was a Spyderco dealer but there where quite a few, many of my customer took it as a sign and bought the all metal versions of the knife. Was so bad that Spyderco dropped the molded pocket clip and went to steel on them. I also saw several that broke at the pivot pin. So yes, Spyderco does the same as Cold Steel and offers cheaper knives to help with sales.

I currently own knives from Spyderco, Cold Steel, and Al Mar...not to mention the less expensive makers like Case, Ka Bar, Schrade, and others. Some where higher priced, some are better quality than others but overall they are all worth what was paid for them.
Click to expand...

I agree, you do get what you pay for - no way in hell is a Rossi gonna' outshoot a S&W - and I never said you were "badmouthing" Spyderco.

I just get so tired of the coolaid drinkers and the armchair commandos who buy into tatici-cool bullshit written by some salesman. As a gunsmith, I am sure you see this all of the time - I know I do. I think the biggest problem I have with CS is that they hype ALL of their knives as being "superior" to anything else. A lower-end Spyderco is just that - you know it, and I know it - but even the cheapest CS knife is marketed as being some kind of "super knife". And some folks buy into the hype. Most of the time I just shrug, but I do get irritated with people who insist that CS is somehow better than Spyderco. I have eyes, and a brain, and 33 years of experience with knives of all kinds.

Now, I'm not saying that CS knives are bad - in fact, many of the "higher end" (and much higher priced) CS knives are made in the same factory (G. Sakai in Japan, who produce Al Mar knives as well) as Spyderco - which surprises the hell out of a lot of people. But to me, many of CS's "standard" blades are highly touted crap when compaired to Spyderco.

I've tried knives made by CS, and SOG, and Al Mar, and Benchmade, and Buck, and Gerber, and CRKT. None worked for me as well as Spyderco.

I think that all that I'm saying is that since 1992 I've trusted Spyderco to make useful, well-made, well-designed and affordable knives that work - without all the hype and bullshit.

TR Graham
The Glocksmith
 
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I am pretty sure the voyagers/gunsites, vaqueros, and maybe the rescue are made by G. Sakai. I don't have many Cold steels but the ones that I do have are very good knives. My carbon 5 SRK and Recon Scout are both great knives that were under $100 new.
 
Cold Steel seems to make reliable products. I've handled a couple and they don't seem to be poorly made. I just have Kershaw, Spyderco, Benchmade, and customs that my money goes to. :)
 
I am really new to knives, and this site. I like the size and feel of the Trailmaster, but in doing research I see that there are a few different types out there.
1. Brand new SS version with the San Mai type blade
2. Brand new black blade type SK5
3. Older version SS Carbon V (Looks like this model has a brass hilt?)
I dont mind spending money for a good product. Which of the Trailmaster Series knives is the best? What other brands offer a big knife similar in design, shape, and quality as the CS Trailmaster? Like I said, I am not a knife person. I only own a very old Camillus pocket knife, and my M9 Bayonet. I have no bias whatsoever. I just know I want a bigger knife like the Trailmaster that is well made, and will stand up to severe punishment. Thanks.
 
Captain Killgore - I would try to find one of the Carbon V blades if I wanted a Trail Master, barring that I would go with the San Mai. The originals are not hard to find at this time and the pricing is about the same. You might also consider the Browning Crowell and Barker Competition Knife. It is about the same size and and made with 1085C carbon HC tool steel.

http://www.agrussell.com/knives/by_...ing_crowell_and_barker_competition_knife.html

Yes Cold Steel does hype their product but if anyone who reads their online description of their knives then buys an Espada thinking it will enable them to conquer the wilds of the Amazon and find the fabled city of gold...well...they are way past stupid. Much of the CS advertising is tongue in cheek and I know some of the videos are a bit over the top but they do demo the blades capabilities. Maybe if the testing was done by a guy in camo with a fu manchu and combat boots...but then that is exactly the image CS wanted to avoid. Obviously the advertising is effective as proven in this thread, everyone here makes comments on it so it is not only noticed but remembered.
 
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