I always watch the test videos. I don't see any thing wrong with the tests. I don't think cold steel cheats in these tests.
They make sharp, strong folders. Thinner grinds than many I've owned.
Their triad lock is special.
Their grinds and steel are not the strongest in the world. But for my folders, I'm not chopping or batoning.
Most of the tests they show I would never use a folder for. People don't like the company founder, or their marketing. That's fine.
The tests they show are repeatable. Completely abusive, but repeatable.
You could buy any knife you wanted and bust it up using the same tests. Shock (over strike, spine impacts), weight. Those test, in my experience favor Cold Steel, because they have a whole line up of knives that are designed to survive just such tests.
I've owned many knives. I've not owned any that remained as solid as Cold Steel's folders.
I've owned a lot that wiggled, got blade play in every direction. Many were never as solid in lock up even when brand new, as any of my CS folders after decades of use.
I've carried and used Spyderco, Kershaw, Buck, Gerber, Hinderer, Chris Reeve Sebenza, and many others (including cold steel) I've handled many ZT, Strider and many others. Including customs.
I don't get all twisted out of shape by the tests.
Just like when the Hockey Mask destroyed thousands and thousands of dollars worth of fixed blades. People lost their minds because their brand did poorly (or loved it when their brands did well).
I watched them all.
One thing I'm not particularly enamored of is Cold Steel's warranty. Not a great one, when you've owned no questions asked warrantied knives.