Coldsteel knives your opinions.

I have a large Voyager (old style), an SRK, a Twistmaster (no longer made, I think), a panga machete and one of their kitchen knives. To me, they all represent excellent value for money
 
Who sells the Cold Steel seconds? Did a google search and couldn't find anything. Do other knife manufacturers sell seconds?
 
I have only owned three Cold Steel knives. The original Tanto, which was traded, wish I still had that one, a Ti-Lite, also traded, like that one a lot, and the latest which is an Arc Angel Bali. The carbon V is pretty good stuff. This bali is way over priced, IMHO. Won't be buying any more Arc's until QC gets a lot better.:)
 
You need to sign up for their newsletter on the Cold Steel web site. I think they come out about 3-4 times each year. It's basically a new product catalog and 5-10 different knives as seconds sold at about 60% off of list price.

As a side note, All of the seconds are marked in some way with a big X. I have seen people on eBay selling supposedly new CS products at auction "with some odd chunk taken out of the Kraton..." :rolleyes: clearly a second that they cut the X off of - so buyer beware...
 
Kinda a natural thing with a company that produces so darn many models. They have hits and misses. Of the VERY few I've owned though, most have been hits.

Had a Twistmaster with a drop point, Carbon V blade...gave it away. Was a helluva nice knock around backpacking kinda knife, as long as ya' don't insist on the one handed opening.

Had a Stag handled Trailmaster I traded off. Miss that one too. Was VERY rugged, sharp, well made. Might get another one soon.

Had a full sized Culloden...ah, it was quirky..very compact carry for a five inch blade with a low "signature" if carried in a boot. Was also very flat and compact. Things I didn't like about it...

Well..first off it was easy to grip the knife backwards in a Saber or Phillipino grip and slice the hell outta yer thumb in the dark, or a more hurried situation.

The serrations...ah...don't like 'em....remind me of the old Ginsu 2000 commercials or something. That being said they seem like they'd be great for a non knife oriented individual who will never sharpen a knife (I meet alot of them)

The point was a love/hate thing. penetrated like a hypodermic needle, but broke easily too.

One thing I do like about Cold Steel is how they'll often venture backwards in time for knife designs instead of constantly going for the "new and better" which often times....just aint.

I overall think they're real decent, but there's no way in hell I'd pay full MSRP for the things.
 
I know I'll probably inflame some folk's sensitivities... but... my attitude towards Cold Steel can be expressed by one simple word:

sucks
 
Youngcutter,
What would you suggest in place of a Cold Steel fixed blade in the same discounted price range?
 
I like their products a lot. I just ordered a Trailmaster, in fact. I have their Boar Spear and that thing came razor sharp. Just got a Battle Mace and while not a knife, it's still a helluva weapon and built solid.

I really like the fact that Cold Steel is willing to go out on a limb and try new products. Who thought of a line of spears before them? A damn handy thing to carry on hikes where guns are no-nos, let me tell you. With the sheath over the blade, people think it's just a walking staff. Cold Steel is innovative and that gets my stamp of approval. Really, I don't care about seeing an expensive line of 100 different folders, show me something interesting for pete's sake. Maybe something fun like the Samburu spear of javelin. That's why I buy Cold Steel. They have quality products I want at a price I can afford.
 
I am satisfied with Cold steel products.


Scimitar
large Voyager
LTC Kukri
clip point neck knife
Kobun
Vaquero Grande
 
Through the years, I've probably owned 100 (or more) Cold Steel knives. Right now, I only have 5 in my CS collection, but I find most Cold Steel products to be a good value. I like their AUS-8A steel, and "their" Carbon V is also pretty good. The Vaquero Grande is one of my all-time favorite folders, and works its' way into my "EDC" once in awhile.
 
Darn good knives, generally, and CS gets top marks for innovation. I bought my first one, an original tanto, about 10 years ago. Since then I've picked up a Master Hunter, a couple of Twistmasters, an Ultralock, a SRK, a couple Voyagers and bought several of the Red River knives in Carbon V steel for friends. CS raised the bar in the knife industry considerably when it first came on the scene. I don't have any experience with their newest stuff, but I'm pleased with what I have to date. Lynn Thompson has done an enormous amount to introduce new concepts and steels, and he can share my campfire any time.
 
They are not pretty or fine finishes as BM but they are a lot cheaper if you look around. They do not sell for the same prices as BM.
They are a great deal in most of the fixed and folders in their seconds. Aus 8 and Carbon knives work well and take a good edge. All knives come with a great sharp edge. They are meant to be used and at their cost a very good deal. They can take a lot of abuse and still work well.
If your looking for looks they are not for you. Generally they are great working or defense knives that work and do not cost so much that you think twice about carry and use.
I have had many expensive and great looking knives but somehow they never got used when I needed to cut something dirty or hard.
 
I have a voyager, and some fixed blades of theirs. When I moved into my house, I had to do some major fixing and had to tear out and replace my shower stall, plumbing, etc. I SEVERELY abused my large CS tanto voyager. I scraped, pryed, cut, hammered, with that knife, expecting it to fail due to the abuse. It survived, it still locks tight, looks worn, and I still have it. Its a warhorse. My experience has been that CS knives seem to be "users". My opinion is, THEY WORK. Everyone has different tastes, but if you are drawn to CS, then get it. My $.02. --C.B.
 
Cold Steel's offerings in Carbon V are top notch using knives for the money. As was mentioned earlier, they are not all that pretty but they cut, they hold a great edge and they take a fairly large amount of abuse and keep going.
Their offerings in AUS-8A are very decent stainless steel knives. CS's Voyager series of folders are not what I'd call super strong but they get the job done and in the end, that's really what matters.

Overall, Cold Steel gets good marks from me for their willingness to offer products that you don't generally find in the mainstream. Who else offers 4-5 different spears, staffs, Black Thorn walking sticks and a battle axe in their line-up? Pretty freakin' cool in my book. :cool:
 
Overall, it's generally regard as good beater pieces. Stuff that you would not cry if you break it, and stuff that you'd actually use.
I wouldn't exactly be on the extreme, but I don't have a good feel with their folders, and in where I'm, I mainly carry folders. So I'm not overly enthusiastic about their stuff. The SRK is a ok blade, holds up quite well. Probably not a great cutter because of the accident that I have (long story) but a good piece nevertheless.
 
For the price you can't get a better deal or a better knife. Many people who bad mouth the cold steel folders are comparing a $50 cold steel folder to a $150 knife from another maker.
 
Their AUS8 Voyagers are great knives. Too bad they can't be taken appart for cleaning.

Pocket Knives = Pocket Lint? :confused:
 
Cold Steel Knives are very good for the price.

Idiots say they are not as good as Busse but they cost 1/2 of what Busse is or less and still do 99% as much which is a good deal for me.

Their customer service has been good to me.

The only real failure I ever had in a Cold Steel knife was when I was abusing it. I was using my Trailmaster to cut frozen beef ribs apart. The blade broke dozens of ribs over several years and finally got a chipped edge. However 20 dollars and the late Alex Collins fixed that edge and damn it I will never sell that Trailmaster. I have four other Trailmasters but this one is the workhorse. It has split wood, opened cans and cut kindling. And it sure feels good on a trail.

I have heard of problems with the handles, but this only happened once, and their customer service fixed it too. Also that was 10 years ago, no handle problem since.

A Cold Steel All Terrain Chopper(discontinued kukri) was used by myself to intimidate some rowdies during the LA Riot who were looking to rob me and steal my car. I will never sell it either.
 
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