CS Air Lite Folder's and others

L

longbow

Joined
Jan 9, 1999
Messages
4,350
These folders in the 10a are just plain out cutting machines, extremely lite weight, pocket friendly and how did I not know about them sooner. Anyways great little knives without the large price tag. just sayin

PS I was going to go on and on comparing them to other folders I've purchased in the past couple of months but point being is that they aren't going out of my pocket any time soon. Have the tanto and drop point. Superb cutters
 
I got one and a Voyager a couple years back for Christmas and they perform well. I prefer the AirLite to the Voyager, easier to carry in the pockets and not as aggressive on the pants with the grip texture. They cut well, take a good edge, etc. I used my Wilson HRC tester on it and it showed 60-61 HRC.
 
You don't see much talk about the Air Lite, but it is hands-down my favorite CS folder.

YpuyDLM.jpg
 
Thanks for the f.b. folks. So lately I've been on a run of picking up folders. CS to EKI to Southern Grind and a few others. The Air LItes' come very very close to the SG's I have for sharpness out of the box. Maybe on a par with them. Less than half the weight though. Both of the SG's are from the Georgia plant before the company was sold and they are n.o.s. knives. Never used blah blah blah. The EKI is a 7a pe s.f. and frankly I am just under whelmed once again by it. Bought right from EKI and I can't tell you how much I had to doctor the edge to get it anywhere's near sharp. Not to beat a dead horse or anything but come on, almost 5x the cost of the CS folders! Do better and I wouldn't be complaining if the last 2 I rec. weren't the same way of the same knife style over the past 2 yrs. nough said, CS Air Lites' are the way to go as far as I'm concerned. stay safe
 
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Really like the compact size for the blade length, compared to say the Code 4. Just wish there was a bit more of a cutout in the handle where the thumbstud is when closed so you can get your thumb in there better when opening.
 
longbow said:
These folders in the 10a are just plain out cutting machines, extremely lite weight, pocket friendly and how did I not know about them sooner. Anyways great little knives without the large price tag. just sayin

PS I was going to go on and on comparing them to other folders I've purchased in the past couple of months but point being is that they aren't going out of my pocket any time soon. Have the tanto and drop point. Superb cutters
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You know I've passed over that knife any number of times when looking over the Cold Steel lineup. Thanks for the heads-up!

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I don't own one of these to be able to comment on it, however jlauffer jlauffer knarfeng knarfeng and jbmonkey jbmonkey are all good guys, whose opinions I respect, so clearly I need to correct that issue. My other Cold Steels in AUS-10A have never let me down, and if Andrew Demko was involved in the design (as I learned today!), then I need one for the collection.
 
Quiet said:
I don't own one of these to be able to comment on it, however jlauffer jlauffer knarfeng knarfeng and jbmonkey jbmonkey are all good guys, whose opinions I respect, so clearly I need to correct that issue. My other Cold Steels in AUS-10A have never let me down, and if Andrew Demko was involved in the design (as I learned today!), then I need one for the collection.
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Aww shucks Forrest, I'm blushing!

But seriously, not much to look at, but another rock solid 3.5" TriAd folder, in a smaller package than what CS is typically known for.
 
jlauffer said:
Aww shucks Forrest, I'm blushing!

But seriously, not much to look at, but another rock solid 3.5" TriAd folder, in a smaller package than what CS is typically known for.
Click to expand...
Every single CS folder I've ever purchased has come with an edge that shames the work of plenty of other companies' products I own, that's for sure. A nice slim guy for EDC work, this knife will most likely get carried a bit, and then go in the center console of one of my vehicles for when I may have forgotten my regular carry for whatever reason. Hey, it's happened!
 
I posted this in the "latest acquisitions" thread. Worthwhile repeating it here:
knarfeng

Post in thread 'Everyone's latest acquisitions!'

Stringjam7 said:
One of my favorite folders in life. I have a bunch of Cold Steels, but this is the one I carry the most, and it's by far my favorite design from them.
Click to expand...
I will likely end up in the same position. Andrew Demko gets a lot of respect for his locks, but IMO his handle and blade designs are always exceptional. However, I think Mr. Demko knocked this one clean out of the park. I like everything about the design. Handle is thin, yet completely comfortable in my hand. The blade profile is awesome. And I have no issues with AUS 10. Great alloy for a user.
  • Like
  • Love

The handle is amazingly comfortable for a knife this thin. It does not actually FEEL like a thin knife in the hand. And I absolutely love the blade profile .
 
longbow said:
These folders in the 10a are just plain out cutting machines, extremely lite weight, pocket friendly and how did I not know about them sooner. Anyways great little knives without the large price tag. just sayin

PS I was going to go on and on comparing them to other folders I've purchased in the past couple of months but point being is that they aren't going out of my pocket any time soon. Have the tanto and drop point. Superb cutters
Click to expand...
•Love• the knife, but the clip is jumbo...
 
What’s not to like about the Air Lite? Reasonable price, good steel in the AUS 10, G10 handle and Triad Lock. Love mine! Was a little gritty when I first got it, but some WD-40 and a shop rag, all good now. It’s a real sleeper. I highly recommend it.
 
knarfeng said:
I posted this in the "latest acquisitions" thread. Worthwhile repeating it here:
knarfeng

Post in thread 'Everyone's latest acquisitions!'

Stringjam7 said:
One of my favorite folders in life. I have a bunch of Cold Steels, but this is the one I carry the most, and it's by far my favorite design from them.
Click to expand...
I will likely end up in the same position. Andrew Demko gets a lot of respect for his locks, but IMO his handle and blade designs are always exceptional. However, I think Mr. Demko knocked this one clean out of the park. I like everything about the design. Handle is thin, yet completely comfortable in my hand. The blade profile is awesome. And I have no issues with AUS 10. Great alloy for a user.
  • Like
  • Love

The handle is amazingly comfortable for a knife this thin. It does not actually FEEL like a thin knife in the hand. And I absolutely love the blade profile .
Click to expand...
Bit of a price jump, but the Full Metal Atlas is pretty sweet too.
 
Thanks you bunch of shameless enablers ! :p

Just ordered an Air Lite . Never caught my eye before .

Had to also grab a Ranch Boss (value version of the Broken Skull ) and 3"blade Hold Out , to get free shipping ;) .

Last prior knife purchase was the 3V Ti AD10 ...a very hard act to follow . But think I'll enjoy these three above mentioned . :cool:
 
knarfeng said:
I posted this in the "latest acquisitions" thread. Worthwhile repeating it here:
knarfeng

Post in thread 'Everyone's latest acquisitions!'

Stringjam7 said:
One of my favorite folders in life. I have a bunch of Cold Steels, but this is the one I carry the most, and it's by far my favorite design from them.
Click to expand...
I will likely end up in the same position. Andrew Demko gets a lot of respect for his locks, but IMO his handle and blade designs are always exceptional. However, I think Mr. Demko knocked this one clean out of the park. I like everything about the design. Handle is thin, yet completely comfortable in my hand. The blade profile is awesome. And I have no issues with AUS 10. Great alloy for a user.
  • Like
  • Love

The handle is amazingly comfortable for a knife this thin. It does not actually FEEL like a thin knife in the hand. And I absolutely love the blade profile .
Click to expand...
After you mentioned it, which I wholeheartedly agree, I checked mine with my other knives. I think that it's because the handle is wider than most pocket knives, so the circumference when the hand wrapping around is similar to other thicker, but narrower handle.
 
I had the tanto version and loved it. Gifted to my daughter. Also check the CS Ultimate Hunter, and the Range Boss. I have those too and they are great.
 
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