considering a talwar 4" XHP

Well, to keep things on topic. I like the Cold Steel Talwar. I have one with a “coyote brown” handle and XHP steel. It slices very well, which I assume is a product of edge geometry, blade grind, and the relative thinness of the blade compared to some other Cold Steels (and Benchmade) I have. I also like the pointy point (not all such points are equally stabby) and the heaps of blade belly.

The handle is about-ish right-ish for my hand (maybe a smidge small), and feels very secure and comfortable with its texture and edge contours. The blade is black DLC coated and appears to be, at least so far, impervious to the various things I’ve sliced with it and left gooped on it. The thumb-plate opener doohickey works really well both for a thumb flick as well as a pocket-grabbing popper opener.

Things I’m not so keen on. The blade isn’t fully sharpened. About ¼ of an inch of it just ahead of the choil is unsharpened. Also, it’s sold as a 4-inch blade, but its actual measurement is 3 and 13/16 of an inch, or about 3.8125 inches. The thumb-plate sometimes snags on things I cut through. And it rattles. The blade-stop pin is the culprit, and I could fix that with some Loctite or a shim, but I haven’t yet…

As to Cold Steel being a “downgrade” from what you’re used to, well, maybe. But I don’t think there are stronger folders on the market right now. For some reason, I find value in that. Yes, I know, plenty of other folders are “strong enough” for what I’ll most likely use them, but I can’t help thinking that, if ever caught in extremis, I’ll have a tough-as-rocks tool at hand. Plus it hits all the right cool buttons for me.

Meanwhile, here’s hoping you enjoy yours, and the mini recon 1 tanto.
 
UCPOPO said:
Price doesn't always mean the best quality or functionality. I have multiple knives in my collection over the $1000 range but most often the Cold Steels find their way into my pocket and into use in the field. I equate it to be very similar to handguns. I have a few highend custom 1911's that cost some serious cash but the $400 Glock is what is always on my hip when its time to go to work. ;)
Click to expand...

This is my philosophy also. I feel more comfortable using high quality items that cost less. Cold Steel has joined Spyderco as the most interesting knife company to me recently. With the expensive new offerings from Spyderco, CS may offer the best value currently. They are definitely solid work knives.
 
Teppojutsu said:
If you read where I started in this thread ......
You would see the only point I'm trying to make is when someone says one company has better fit and finish then the other

Then turn all your not with us your against us attitude when it's just not true.

1 person said they thought the talwar was better then a bedlam

I DON'T KNOW. Being i dont own a talwar .

But the bedlam fit and finish blows my cold steel product

THAT I HAVE ACTUAL REAL EXPERIENCE WITH away

As I said before the only.real way for me.to know is to buy and try.

This cannot be made simpler you just want to brand me a hater because I point out truth?

No longer worth my time in this thread :)
Click to expand...

not mine. my bedlam came with loose screws and fit and finish issues, galore. wouldn't lock up safely due to poor assembly and fitment. i had to take it all apart and put a lot of work into it. for twice the price or more i was quite disappointed. love the bedlam it's a great design, but benchmade is hit and miss consistently, and i own about 35 or so benchmades over a decade plus. i think i can speak fairly on the issue. meanwhile i own 3 talwars. 2 large, one in xhp and one in aus8....the last one a xl version in xhp.....and all came perfect.
 
Popsickle said:
So, I'm considering a 4" Talwar in XHP/DLC green g10. I've never owned a cold steel folder before as I always thought they were on the cheap side of folders. ZT, spyderco, strider, benchmade, etc have all come first before trying cold steel. Now that I find myself scaling back my purchases in an effort to save more... I find myself looking at Cold steel with the XHP steel upgrade. I'm looking for a good combo beater/SD knife(hoping to never use it for SD). If I'm used to much "nicer" and more expensive knives, will I be setting myself up for disappointment, or will I be pleasantly surprised with the Talwar 4"?

at the moment, it looks like I can snag one for around $75
Click to expand...

The Talwar in XHP is nice, I have one. But the Cold Steel Folder that rules my pocket, is the Recon 1 Tanto (in XHP of course)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Teppojutsu said:
I don't mind some cold steel and I don't have any experience with their folders.

That said I wanted a talwar so I wouldn't tear up my. Bedlam lol
(this is a viscous and useful folder )

although I've kinda stopped carrying my benchmades for the fact that as nice as they are (I'm still going to add a 940 d2cf) HEAVY the steel liner might add strength, but it adds a ton of weight.

If benchmade made a full CF or switched to TI liners I would trade this out as I really love the bedlam it has more functionality other then a bad ass weapon.

If the cold steel isn't complete crap I might give one a try but I don't know if it's "nicer" then a bedlam . Edit I mean I think it's worth the price BEING made in the usa it adds pride of ownership in MY opinion (not hating don't burn me lol)
I will admit I saw them on sale and they where tempting
Click to expand...

Part of me finds it shameful as an American that the Bedlam is made in the USA yet is in every possible way, vastly inferior to a lower priced Taiwanese made knife-weaker, heavier, crappy steel. And even once the Bedlam was flat out humiliated, Benchmade did zilch to try and bridge the canyon between the knives.

I have no pride in owning a knife that is made by a company that settles for mediocrity.
 
Teppojutsu said:
If you read where I started in this thread ......
You would see the only point I'm trying to make is when someone says one company has better fit and finish then the other

Then turn all your not with us your against us attitude when it's just not true.

1 person said they thought the talwar was better then a bedlam

I DON'T KNOW. Being i dont own a talwar .

But the bedlam fit and finish blows my cold steel product

THAT I HAVE ACTUAL REAL EXPERIENCE WITH away

As I said before the only.real way for me.to know is to buy and try.

This cannot be made simpler you just want to brand me a hater because I point out truth?

No longer worth my time in this thread :)
Click to expand...

That depends. The Taiwanese made Cold Steel knives are more of a value line. Now Japanese made Cold Steel knives, well they put Benchmade to shame in fit and finish.

Absolutely, turn the knife over and over again in my hands perfect. Absolutely nothing out of symmetry in any part.

PS, the Natchez Bowie is made to be a fighting knife period. Never had the Taiwan one, just the San Mai III one. Benchmade has never put out a fixed blade that even got close to approaching the master craftsmanship of Hattori-not even close...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
oxman198 said:
Cold Steels are not a "step back" at all. Actually the fit and finish is on par with any other brand I have, plus they are WAY tougher with awesome ergos and quality materials. The only reason they are as affordable as they are is because they are Taiwanese produced. They are purpose driven and most are meant to be self defense tools, not pocket jewelry or letter opener/apple peelers like many other brands that are 3x the price. I bought a benchmade a few weeks ago and already want to sell it. In fact I am considering selling off some of my zt's, a few spydercos and one of my microtechs and replacing them with some of the newer blades in cts-xhp. If you are thinking that a cold steel will be similar to a Chinese Kershaw or something similar with that "cheap" feel to it, it wont be. They are some high quality blades.
Click to expand...

Couldn't have said it better myself. I only buy Cold Steel's folders. And for those who aren't happy spending less than $300, there's always the 4MAX.
 
hkyew said:
I have owned almost every single model of Cold Steel folders under 4 inches, and i also own many Spydercos, ZT and Benchmade. I can tell you that you will not be disappointed. The fit & finish is on part with those big names. CS has one of the the best price/performance & quality ratio IMO. For $75 the talwar has better steel and stronger lock than a Benchmade Bedlam(which i think is similar) yet it cost less than 1/2 the price. Being made in America doesn't justify the 100% increase in price.

For $75 im assuming you are getting the brown/green handled one with black blade? I own one of this, and I can't find flaw in mine:

12826303_566536810170484_597114405_n.jpg
Click to expand...

Lmao.
 
ursamajor said:
That depends. The Taiwanese made Cold Steel knives are more of a value line. Now Japanese made Cold Steel knives, well they put Benchmade to shame in fit and finish.

Absolutely, turn the knife over and over again in my hands perfect. Absolutely nothing out of symmetry in any part.

PS, the Natchez Bowie is made to be a fighting knife period. Never had the Taiwan one, just the San Mai III one. Benchmade has never put out a fixed blade that even got close to approaching the master craftsmanship of Hattori-not even close...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I have personally handled almost every Japanese fixed blade that Cold Steel makes. I've seen unsightly orbital sanding marks on SM III Trail Masters and Recon Scouts, uneven plunge lines and rough looking grinding on the Tai Pan, dips in the blade surface and messed up edge grinds on the SM III Natchez, a loose guard on the R1, uneven plunge lines and rough grinds on the BBC etc...

Don't get me wrong, these knives are hand made and that goes with the territory, but the latest iteration of the Taiwanese folders (with the staggered logo) are fantastic.

The Taiwanese fixed blades are another story. I've returned a CPM 3V Magnum Warcraft Tanto and Magnum Tanto IX for grinding imperfections. I may have just received one that
slipped by QC. Overall, I would rate the F&F as good, or better than the Japanese made fixed blades.
 
hermit dave said:
I have personally handled almost every Japanese fixed blade that Cold Steel makes. I've seen unsightly orbital sanding marks on SM III Trail Masters and Recon Scouts, uneven plunge lines and rough looking grinding on the Tai Pan, dips in the blade surface and messed up edge grinds on the SM III Natchez, a loose guard on the R1, uneven plunge lines and rough grinds on the BBC etc...

Don't get me wrong, these knives are hand made and that goes with the territory, but the latest iteration of the Taiwanese folders (with the staggered logo) are fantastic.

The Taiwanese fixed blades are another story. I've returned a CPM 3V Magnum Warcraft Tanto and Magnum Tanto IX for grinding imperfections. I may have just received one that
slipped by QC. Overall, I would rate the F&F as good, or better than the Japanese made fixed blades.
Click to expand...

Are the imperfections going to hurt performance or do you look at the collection aspect more?
 
hermit dave said:
I have personally handled almost every Japanese fixed blade that Cold Steel makes. I've seen unsightly orbital sanding marks on SM III Trail Masters and Recon Scouts, uneven plunge lines and rough looking grinding on the Tai Pan, dips in the blade surface and messed up edge grinds on the SM III Natchez, a loose guard on the R1, uneven plunge lines and rough grinds on the BBC etc...

Don't get me wrong, these knives are hand made and that goes with the territory, but the latest iteration of the Taiwanese folders (with the staggered logo) are fantastic.

The Taiwanese fixed blades are another story. I've returned a CPM 3V Magnum Warcraft Tanto and Magnum Tanto IX for grinding imperfections. I may have just received one that
slipped by QC. Overall, I would rate the F&F as good, or better than the Japanese made fixed blades.
Click to expand...

I've been very blessed then. Because even my low cost AUS8A SRK was flawlessly ground. Then again, it's coated, so I wouldn't be able to see grind marks, even if they were there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
hermit dave said:
Couldn't have said it better myself. I only buy Cold Steel's folders. And for those who aren't happy spending less than $300, there's always the 4MAX.
Click to expand...

Yup. Ok I do like Spyderco as well. With that, my reigning king of my pocket is a Recon 1 Tanto in XHP. I did swap the clip with the milled out one from a steel liner version of the American Lawman. But the thing is so broken in, and buttery smooth, that even the most stringent triad basher would fall in love with its action and "walk and talk"




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I own a lot of Cold Steel knives, and at the moment I'm carrying a Vaquero XL serrated (AUS8 version). They're big, light, almost all have come razor sharp out of the box. I don't own anything from Benchmade, but I do own some Spyderco (Japanese made) and I can't see any fit and finish difference between Cold Steel and Spyderco. I'm sure that any company can have the occasional dud, but Cold Steel (and Spyderco) get it right most of the time.

Also my O-1 Natchez is very nice in the hand.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top