I am pleased to say that I have FINALLY received my Cold Steel Neck Knives; a Mini Tac as well as a Mini Culloden.
After purchasing a Para Edge Tanto style some time back, and carrying it religiously since, I decided to inexpensively jump up in size a bit. Keep in mind, the Para Edge series is MUCH SMALLER then both of these pieces!!!
Starting off with the Mini Culloden, it is easy to see why it costs as much as it does. Don't get moe wrong, it is hardly an expensive piece, but it is built/designed like one. Blade is straight edge and razor sharp. Needle point is precise and yet seems strong enough to handle piercing thrusts. Keeping in mind that I plan to use this knife for defense purposes only, at least until my PATROLMAN arrives in Sept!!!, I really only tried cutting/stabbing things that I would encounter in such a situation. Jeans and old denim jacket proved no problem, same with nylon. Slashing through rayon however required more attention to arch control then I anticipated. Low power, straight foward stab thrusts were easy, and with minimal effort, the blade designed allowed the knife to penetrate through the bottom of FIVE (5) liter soda bottles before begining to snag. Blade performance is exactly what you would expect from CS. Handle ergonomics is interesting-thrusts, slashes, and reverse "pokes" are easily accomadated by the Kraton grip. Only gripe about this piece and its package-the Concealex sheath seems a little more ABS then Kydex like. One to ten...I'll go with an eight with value playing a pivotal role!
I went with the Mini Tac to replae my Para edge with a bigge knife. Unfortuneately, this piece is a great deal larger, and thus, less sturdy. The blade is big, flat, serrated, and awkward for a Tanto from CS. The blade actually bent during Cardboard piercing, (at the handle-blade junction) !
As far as blade performance, serrations from CS, although a pain to sharpen/maintain, are still awesome! The knife cut EVERYTHING WELL, yet nothing excellent. Piercing was hindered by the piece having bent, which made me reluctant to put it through its paces. Handle is same as those on CS kitchen knives, and is ideal for neck carry-thin yet comfortable in the hand, and resists twisting as long as the entire piece resists BENDING! I wore this piece in the shower, then let it sit against my body all night, checking the blade this morning-nothing. After a quick cleaning with wd40 then tuff cloth, I found one blade nick from a button on the jeans I cut apart, and one scratch. Both no big deal. Even though I wanted this knife as a medium grade utility neck knife, it is too large for my 5'8" stature to carry comfortably, even though sleeping with it on proved a great deal easier then anticipated! Why sleep with this or any knife around my neck- while camping I have frequently had to rush out of my tent to tend to something with only my shorts on! One to ten...five. Bending is not good, no matter how well the sob cuts!!!
Definitely give the Mini-Culloden a try, well worth the money for S.D., while if given the chance I would pass on the Mini Tac and opt for one of Livesay's cheaper pieces or even one of Rekat neck rigs
Thanks!
Stay Sharp!
Steve in NYC
After purchasing a Para Edge Tanto style some time back, and carrying it religiously since, I decided to inexpensively jump up in size a bit. Keep in mind, the Para Edge series is MUCH SMALLER then both of these pieces!!!
Starting off with the Mini Culloden, it is easy to see why it costs as much as it does. Don't get moe wrong, it is hardly an expensive piece, but it is built/designed like one. Blade is straight edge and razor sharp. Needle point is precise and yet seems strong enough to handle piercing thrusts. Keeping in mind that I plan to use this knife for defense purposes only, at least until my PATROLMAN arrives in Sept!!!, I really only tried cutting/stabbing things that I would encounter in such a situation. Jeans and old denim jacket proved no problem, same with nylon. Slashing through rayon however required more attention to arch control then I anticipated. Low power, straight foward stab thrusts were easy, and with minimal effort, the blade designed allowed the knife to penetrate through the bottom of FIVE (5) liter soda bottles before begining to snag. Blade performance is exactly what you would expect from CS. Handle ergonomics is interesting-thrusts, slashes, and reverse "pokes" are easily accomadated by the Kraton grip. Only gripe about this piece and its package-the Concealex sheath seems a little more ABS then Kydex like. One to ten...I'll go with an eight with value playing a pivotal role!
I went with the Mini Tac to replae my Para edge with a bigge knife. Unfortuneately, this piece is a great deal larger, and thus, less sturdy. The blade is big, flat, serrated, and awkward for a Tanto from CS. The blade actually bent during Cardboard piercing, (at the handle-blade junction) !
As far as blade performance, serrations from CS, although a pain to sharpen/maintain, are still awesome! The knife cut EVERYTHING WELL, yet nothing excellent. Piercing was hindered by the piece having bent, which made me reluctant to put it through its paces. Handle is same as those on CS kitchen knives, and is ideal for neck carry-thin yet comfortable in the hand, and resists twisting as long as the entire piece resists BENDING! I wore this piece in the shower, then let it sit against my body all night, checking the blade this morning-nothing. After a quick cleaning with wd40 then tuff cloth, I found one blade nick from a button on the jeans I cut apart, and one scratch. Both no big deal. Even though I wanted this knife as a medium grade utility neck knife, it is too large for my 5'8" stature to carry comfortably, even though sleeping with it on proved a great deal easier then anticipated! Why sleep with this or any knife around my neck- while camping I have frequently had to rush out of my tent to tend to something with only my shorts on! One to ten...five. Bending is not good, no matter how well the sob cuts!!!
Definitely give the Mini-Culloden a try, well worth the money for S.D., while if given the chance I would pass on the Mini Tac and opt for one of Livesay's cheaper pieces or even one of Rekat neck rigs
Thanks!
Stay Sharp!
Steve in NYC
