Cold Steel's Golden Age

[The Whip]

I routinely see posts from people requesting that Cold Steel return to certain designs or bring back various models or even entire lines of knives. I've felt this way myself at times over the years, particularly when a model that I especially loved was discontinued.

However, in looking over my collection over the past year or so, I have to say that I've come to believe that we are currently living in Cold Steel's Golden Age. To support my point, I supply the following pictures of five of Cold Steel's present line-up.

Just look at the diversity represented by this group! Whether it be steel variety, handle material, handle shape, size, color, weight, blade finish, blade design, lock type--you name the category--Cold Steel has never in its history offered more options for the consumer. Performance-wise, these knives would crush anything that Cold Steel produced in the past. And this is only a sample of five from among the hundreds of products that Cold Steel has in its catalog! So I'll say it again: I think we're living in the Golden Age of Cold Steel right now.

What do you think? What knife or knives represent Cold Steel's Golden Age for you?

-Steve

 

[DocJD]

The move to 3V and XHP are positive changes and I like the new Drop Forged lineup (except for the coatings) . But I do miss the Talwar , Holdout etc . Mixed emotions . Even miss the shiny San Mai everything .

 

[whp]

I agree that Cold Steel became more competitive with Spyderco, Benchmade and KAI when the premium steel was upgraded to xhp. Prices have remained at a level to provide great value.
I also miss some of the discontinued models, but all knife companies have to discontinue models based on sales periodically. Just a fact of life. Often some of those dc d models will be knives that I own and like.

 

[AF]

I agree with the OP. CS has a diverse and compelling product line. Personally I'm more interested in the brand than I've ever been.

 

[nephron]

Knives unlike most other things can last many lifetimes if taken care of, I just pick and choose what I like from all eras so there is no need to bring back anything. I enjoy the chase too.

 

[GCG199]

I agree with this being Cold Steel's golden age.

Andrew Demko has really helped Cold Steel modernize.

I think that it would be great if they keep bringing back older, classic models that have been discontinued.

 

[bikerector]

I think I partially agree, I think their folders are very intriguing but I just don't have the same lust for the fixed blades they currently carry. I think the only one that has me interested is the pendleton 3V mini hunter and utimate hunter. Most seem too big for my tastes and the models I think more my type of design are in less lust worthy steels, finn hawk, finn bear, and bird and game.

The drop forged have me interested but they are a big heavy and I'm not sure how I feel about a metal handle once winter comes around. I wear gloves so there is a barrier there but when there are similar designs without the metal handle I'm less interested. I do like 52100 though. The sheaths for the fixed blades aren't too interesting to me either as I tend to favor leather pretty strongly as I just don't like the scraping sound of plastic.

 

[GIRLYmann]

...looking over my collection over the past year or so, I have to say that I've come to believe that we are currently living in Cold Steel's Golden Age...

So I'll say it again: I think we're living in the Golden Age of Cold Steel right now.

What do you think? What knife or knives represent Cold Steel's Golden Age for you?

-Steve

Agreed!
Back in the day when CS was synonymous with
Fixed blades with Kraton handles & carbon V,
They were plainly nothing more than great "usin'knives".
But that's all changed
With fancier materials
And tons of folders.
Guess they have come a long way.
I don't know if the term "collectable"
Would ever fit the description for the cold steel brand in general.
But at the phenomenal prices they go for now,
They certainly are a cut above the old line.

 

[jbmonkey]

yep golden age is now. triad and xhp steel. nothing old beats that and there are many old gone models i wish were still around.

 

[Minnesota Man]

I honesty don't know any better CS was the first "non 20$ wally world" knife company I owned. I scored via Craig's.... You know the rest. That's a funny story if you guys want to hear it let me know, I think you'll love it!
Anyways I got a taste for better than 20$ knives. Three years later I own over 60 CS products!

 

[DJC72]

The materials used along with solid fit and finish that Cold Steel offers at their price point is unbelievable. If a non knife person asked my advice on a folder, Cold Steel might be my only recommendation.

 

[The Whip]

Agreed!
Back in the day when CS was synonymous with
Fixed blades with Kraton handles & carbon V,
They were plainly nothing more than great "usin'knives".
But that's all changed
With fancier materials
And tons of folders.
Guess they have come a long way.
I don't know if the term "collectable"
Would ever fit the description for the cold steel brand in general.
But at the phenomenal prices they go for now,
They certainly are a cut above the old line.

I agree with your assessment entirely, Gm. Cold Steel has always been a company focused on creating knives and weapons that perform. Sure, they've made some collectible pieces along the way (the Imperial series was the first that I remember), and some knives turned into collectibles unintentionally (the Corsican comes to mind), but overall Cold Steel has never catered to the collector.

I honesty don't know any better CS was the first "non 20$ wally world" knife company I owned. I scored via Craig's.... You know the rest. That's a funny story if you guys want to hear it let me know, I think you'll love it!
Anyways I got a taste for better than 20$ knives. Three years later I own over 60 CS products!

I certainly would like to hear that story! Please share, MM.

-Steve

 

[The Whip]

Thought that I would hammer home my point for this thread by posting photos of these two beauties that I received for Christmas: The Night Force and the Drop Forged Bowie.

If you don't see a knife you like among Cold Steel's offerings these days, you've got your eyes closed! I can't wait to see what 2018 brings!

-Steve

 

[nephron]

WOW! You must have been a really good boy! Santa definitely likes you!
That Night Force is a work of art. That Bowie looks like it means business.

 

[GlockMonkey]

I really like the lines of the Night Force and want to give it at try. Just hoping for a XHP and G10 version in 2018.

 

[The Whip]

WOW! You must have been a really good boy! Santa definitely likes you!
That Night Force is a work of art. That Bowie looks like it means business.

Ha! Good boy or not, it helps a lot if you're able to pick the knives yourself!

The Night Force is a real stunner. The damascus is extremely beautiful and I can't find a flaw on the knife. Even the box is a step above--a sleeve-and-case affair that's not quite as fancy as the old aluminum Custom Series boxes, but still nice enough that you feel like the product is in a different class. In some ways, this knife is a marked departure for Cold Steel, and I like what I'm seeing.

The Drop Forged Bowie is a total sleeper. I didn't know what to expect, but it's a great knife in the hand, very agile and comfortable. It's a little on the heavy side for its size, but it's extremely well balanced and not nearly as heavy as you'd expect a one-piece knife to be.

I really like the lines of the Night Force and want to give it at try. Just hoping for a XHP and G10 version in 2018.

The Night Force is definitely a gentleman's knife, thin and light and suited to carry in slacks. That said, it's still a robust tactical that I wouldn't hesitate to rely on when the chips are down. Cold Steel accomplished what it set out to do with this knife--namely, to make a full-size, elegantly capable gentleman's folder. A G-10 version would be very cool, but a different knife altogether.

One other note. I handled a carbon-fiber version of the Golden Eye in a store a few weeks ago. Frankly, it was a disappointment. The carbon fiber was rough and the fit and finish weren't close to the perfection exhibited on my G-10 Golden Eye (one of my favorites). I had been pondering purchasing the carbon fiber model, but I left it on the shelf. That carbon fiber knife isn't even in the same league as the Night Force. Cold Steel's Italian manufacturer has the working of carbon fiber nailed; its Taiwanese manufacturer is still learning.

-Steve

 

[d762nato]

I didn't realize that bowie had hat much drop in the handle. That handle looks like it should be on a chopping type knife. Hmm!

 

[Man with no name]

The Drop Forged knives were my favorite new Cold Steel releases for 2017. Looking forward to a Warcraft Bowie in several blade lengths, maybe 2018 will be the year! A shorter Natchez would be welcome as well, say with an 8 or 9 inch blade, same handle as the current model. Trail Master and Recon Scout in 3V with DLC finish! I can dream can't I?

 

[DocJD]

I didn't realize that bowie had hat much drop in the handle. That handle looks like it should be on a chopping type knife. Hmm!

The DF Bowie has great handling , but is really too small for much chopping . Sharpened part of blade is 6" . OAL is ~11.25 " . Easy to carry . Good all around , medium sized utility / fighter . No swedge , so could be used to baton . Excellent value !

 

[upnorth]

I remember the bad old days when I first joined BF. It seemed to be great sport to demean and kick dirt at CS. It was really pretty rough. I wonder who has the last laugh now with the diversity of product, materials and inherent value for your dollar.