Cs San Mai ? Best 6" to 8" fixed Survival/hunting knife

H

harrybobble

Joined
Oct 5, 2006
Messages
76
Hi,
I am pretty new to these forums but over the last week I have spent hours and hours reading new and old posts on different quality of steels and good knives out there. I have come to these conclusions cs san mai series is not as good a quality as fallkniven northern lights series due to the higher carbon core if you like in the cs is VG-1 which has had several bad reviews for its properties + a heck of alot of people have made bad reviews with regards to the shape of the handles and how quickly they detiorate where as Fallkniven use a VG-10 steel core which has had a whole lot of good reviews especialy with the smaller knives, specifically- spyderco who use this steel alot. I therefor think fallkniven will hold an edge alot longer whilst being as strong as the apparent cs due to the 2 outer layers of the laminate are made of the same 42OJ2 steel.

I could be wrong but cs strikes me as a mass produce company that use cnc robots and grinders where as Fallkniven seem like more family oriented craftsmans. I have not found many reviews of Fallkniven but the ones I have, have been good.

Therefor my own opinion, be it that of a novice is that the best knife I think is the Fallkniven NL2 that said I am a little wary of the hyde handle when I am skinning animals for getting to slippy and loosing grip. I owned a limited edition estwing hammer I used at work for a while and I took it back as I could not keep a hold of the bloody thing when it was raining out. Ideally I would like to have a handle fitted to it more like the Randall Model 14 if anyone knows of a good knife maker who deal with micarta handles or a link to a thread as I do not know where is best to go.

Just to add I e-mailed randall knives asking them a few questions about there products that they do not advertise and the response was blunt they had disregarded part of my e-mail and quite frankly as a first impression I would not deal with them again. Where as Fallkniven were friendly and helpful.

My apologies for going on and on I hope at least a little is helpful. Also my apologies for posting this twice (also in another topic) I was thinking this topic is more appropriate.

Chris
 
You should try Ranger knives. www.rangerknives.com Justin makes some great blades at a good price. He also does custom work if that is something you are interested in.

You should check out there READY DETACHMENT SERIES ( sorry copied and pasted )

I bought a RD6 as a all around utilitty knife. It was well worth the money and i highly recommend Ranger Knives.

I also hear great things about there customer service.

Hope this helps.

Welcome to bladeForums.
 
Thanks for the info I will e-mail him n see what he can do.I`ve kinda made my mind up on a laminated knife seams like a good idea to get around all scenarios and I think in fixed knives there is only cs and fallkniven who do this. Hope I have helped other people, glad you like it I`ve sure had some bog eyes in the mornings lol

Chris
 
I could be wrong but cs strikes me as a mass produce company that use cnc robots and grinders where as Fallkniven seem like more family oriented craftsmans.
Click to expand...

You could be wrong. :)

Cold Steel is a design and marketing bureau that has farmed out actual production to different manufacturers in the US, Japan, Taiwan, and China. Some better, some worse, and they just lost their US maker when Camillus went under.

Fallkniven seems more tightly controlled in its manufacturing quality, but it too is all Made in Japan.

I strongly support the idea of considering Ranger Knives, and would add Bark River Knife & Tool to that. Speaking of a hunting & survival knife in Micarta, check out the Bark River Gameskeeper for really heavy duty.

Ranger Knives
Bark River Knife & Tool
DLT Trading Company: BRKT
BRKT Gameskeeper
 
Thanks for that, I will. As i say I am new to this and accept critisism well lol Yeah I agree, first time I have looked at their knives and they sure are nice. Never seen so many different handles !!! Dont know what it is though but I have got laminated steel in my head and I am kinda sure it is the best option although I dont know much about it, I suppose its the years as a carpenter knowing that anything laminated is way stronger than a single material lol
 
I'd go with the fallkniven. I really really like their knives and my next one is going to be the NL1. Cold Steel does make some good knives, but I think fallkniven is a little better. Both companies have their "san mai" knives made in japan.
 
One thing that Fallkniven has in common with Bark River is their convex edge. It may take getting used to, but I am very impressed with it on my Fallkniven H1 and several Barkies, large and small.

Convex Grind F.A.Q.
 
I`d of never even thought of that, very interesting. I sent justin an e-mail with regards to changing the handle on the fallkniven as by looking at his site he does not deal with laminated steal. Do you think that might be an insult to ask him to work on someone elses knife. :(
 
You can go to sunrisecustomknives.com and he puts different handles on anything you throw at him.
 
I came across a well used tanto by Cold Steel, and indeed, it was of the laminated type. It took a decent edge and now sits in my truck tool-box, ready for use. Such a blade would make a good medium sized hunting knife or survival tool. I suspect it is stronger than most knives of that size by other makers as the edge profile is on the thicker side. A buddy of mine has a longer version of the tanto and he loves it. The original CS products, especially the trailmaster, were top shelf cutlery. The newer more recent products don't have the quality that would allow CS to run neck and neck with Busse and Swamprat.
 
That is very cool just what I was looking for, Thankyou. I think I got my mind made up unless Justin at Ranger Knives can make me a custom laminated knife. He makes some mighty fine blades !

Thanks Guys I would be lost without you lol
 
I treated myself to the CS R1 Military Classic for Xmas, wanted one for ages and made do with the ODA. Can't put my finger of why but it's not as good as I'd expected!!!! In fact I think I prefer the ODA.........Just don't know why!!!!
 
Bought a CS R1 military classic san mai, and no, it does not cut it. In that size range I'd look at ordering a Badger TAC from bussecombat. At $227 you'll not find a better blade at a better price.
 
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