CS Beaver Tail

tincan

tincan

Joined
Oct 27, 2010
Messages
248
I got it new from a friend and like the shape. What are the best uses for this type of blade? Does anyone have one? what do you think?

cs49HB.jpg
 
I have a couple of the beavertail versions. Great slicers. Small but very secure to hold grip. Light and easy to carry/conceal.
 
Last edited:
Looks like a squat shih-ling dao or Nessmuk shape. I've read that the latter was good for skinning, and the former was a general-purpose blade.
 
BrokeMinitac.jpg


Did some LIGHT batoning and this thing busted on me the first day. Sent it back to Mr. Thompson explaining that I've been a big CS fan and have owned many of their knives over the years. Got a package back from a customer service guy. In that package was my broken knife, a catalog, and a corporate letter telling me, "Cold Steel considers batoning to be abuse of a knife, and is not considered proper use.", basically GFY...

It's unfortunate that they tout this "tac" knife as being excellent for the outdoors and camp......even more unfortunate is my disappointment in the quality and customer service of a company I once admired. I suppose if I want to behead cardboard vampires, or cut slivers of leather, or apples, this is the knife for me. It's a shame--from now on I go with ESEE or Becker for real quality.
 
I don't blame them. If you hit a hard knot many knives will fail. Not to get into the long debate at to whether or not batoning is abuse or not. For a little blade like that I think it is.
 
If you want to baton, go with a good carbon steel. I wouldn't trust any stainless shy of super steels for batoning, unless it's a Mora.
 
I know that now-- I was hoping for good small stainless neck knife-- I love my Izula, but it can rust in the rain. So I (mistakenly) gave it a shot...
 
pantucci said:
I know that now-- I was hoping for good small stainless neck knife-- I love my Izula, but it can rust in the rain. So I (mistakenly) gave it a shot...
Click to expand...
Just wipe it down a few times a day, and oil it more frequently than normal.
 
I wouldn't baton wood with a knife like that but im surprised it did THAT to the blade. That sucks about the customer service, at least the mini tacs are on the cheaper side.
 
Well, to start off, that really sucks about the customer service with Cold Steel. I havn't had any problems with them so far. Anyways, some of Cold Steel's blades are great and excellent made, but then there's a good majority that just aren't worth owning. I don't own one of these knives so I can't vouch for it being worth it, but I do know that the style of blade definately isn't to be used for batoning. For one, the way the blade spine curves like that instead of being a flat spine, and then also how thin the blade is. It's not a Mora, so it's not going to flex and bend. Instead it's just going to snap due to the type of steel used.

IMO, this type of blade would probably be used best with skinning and something to do with food prep.
 
Mini-Tac(tical) Small CS knives with enhanced grips are meant primarily as hideout knives. Grab it, quick slash, run away.

Batoning? You can baton with a butter knife but you have to do it c a r e f u l l y.
 
Understood. Obviously I don't consider this a "bushcraft" knife, but I was considering it as a stainless pocket neck knife for occasional light-duty hiking. Obviously, this knife no longer qualifies for much more than a slicer. CS shouldn't advertise it as a "camp" and "outdoor" knife, or use the term "tac" in any way indicating tactical use. Light use? Not unreasonable. Remember, CS positions themselves as having super-tough products.....

Maybe not so much any more...

BTW, what really is deflating to me is the attitude of the company-- I mentioned to them that as an enthusiastic and loyal customer, I own and have owned many CS knives since the 80's and get a box mailed back to me with my broken knife, a catalog, and a corporate letter stating "Cold Steel considers batoning to be abuse of a knife, and is not considered proper use." as a defensive dodge for a simple replacement. C'mon... You can be correct, but not right.
 
Maybe it's just me, but I consider batonning to be "normal use." I won't be buying any more Cold Steel knives. Poor customer service like this has cost more money than it's saved.

Thanks for the heads up.

Lou
 
Even Sanrenmu 710 could take batoning. It put a dimple into the steel when getting through a knot, but no cracking.

Can't find the post now, but IIRC someone did & posted a pic.
 
I don't understand the obsession with batoning, especially when its a folder or small and thin blade. Physics will always win.
 
Those are 2.5mm at the SPINE. The edge has a super thin grind on it, know your tool's limits and make the right choice.
 
Same here, carrying and using knives outdoor for 25 years I've never batoned or had the need to baton a piece of wood to make a fire. While we're at it I've never needed a fire steel either so I don't get the obsession with carrying one of those everywhere or the obsession of fuzzy sticks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top