Does Anyone Own or Use a Cold Steel Katana?

[BarnZ]

Thinking of buying a Katana and it's a toss up between the Cold Steel single edge Katana and the Criswell 28" model out of A2 steel. COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS WELCOME <p>Thanks!

 

[Triton]

It really depends on what you want. If you want something that looks traditional and by all reports performs pretty well too you need to get the Cold Steel. If you don't care about traditional but want something that performs very well indeed get the Criswell. I'd think you will probably be happy either way, it really depends on you.

 

[sweet]

I own the Cold Steel katana and love it...cuts very well but can only compare that to my P.C shinto...I dont have a Criswell yet but will when the B.A.C.K.A comes around...some people whine and snivel that the CS katana does not have a hamon...big deal...hourglass handle is not good...I like mine and have yet to have any problems with it nor have I seen any concrete evidence on the ones people say its not good, only talk from them, no hard facts. The ito wrap does suck only in material, its like a wide shoe string, but can be switched out with silk or leather, gotta do that yourself...ito is still nice and tight. No problems. The Criswell is a custom katana not like a mass produced Chinese made katana...the are 2 different beasts hard to compare...steel is different, blade material and the shapes differ, etc etc...I have always liked the Criswell dont know why I dont have one...Like Triton said it all depends on you...and what will make you happy

 

[FullerH]

Please read ths thread from the American Tomahawk Forum. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=199524

I make no recommendations, although I, personally, will be buying no CS products until they clear this up.

 

[sweet]

Hugh Fuller thanks for bringing this light here...I had no clue...glad I bought my CS katana when it 1st came out over a year ago, almost passed on it then beacuse of seeing CS knives marked "made in japan", that I was not happy with either..with this b.s that CS has done I would not have bought it, but it is nothing new... what CS has done many other companies have done not only in the knife/sword bussiness...hey with all the talk over at the swordforum about CS basket hilts and other swords are you going to bring the link that you posted here over there? I too now will stay away from CS till they git thier $hit 2getther and no I will not have a japan stamped CS blade in my house either

 

[Mike Turber]

Barn,

Did you see Criswell at the show? NICE $HIT bud!

 

[BarnZ]

Mike,<p>Yes I did get about 30 seconds to check out the Criswell Katana and no doubt it's great. I have one on order for a friend, and that will give me more time to examine it and decide whether or not to order one myself.<p>Good seeing you again! Take care.

 

[FullerH]

Sweet, yes, I did make a referral posting over in SFI, but the denizens over there got so carried away with poking holes in the picture that They have in the VietNam Tomahawk page, you know the one where the guy with the 'hawk is blocking the bayonet thrust, that they could not get the point of the referral. Of course, they likely didn't want to get the point, as they were VERY interested in buying the new CS Basket Hilted Broadsword.