Ever wanted to stay away from a company, but you just can't?

[Goosey]

I didn't exactly want to turn out to be a Cold Steel fan. I don't like their advertising, especially the blood-spattered background pictures that introduce everything from swords to hunting knives, and some of their products are ridiculous (polypropylene warclub?).

My first purchase in recent memory was a small Cold Steel Voyager, and it was pretty nice. Then a couple months later I bought a Large Voyager and it has worked very well.

Since recently joining this forum I bought a GI Tanto as a present and first fixed blade for someone (cheap and kind of indestructible, so I hear). Then I decided I needed a similar knife, but something slightly more expensive, and I stumbled across the old Leatherneck, which I found for about $60 with shipping. The flat-ground blade might be a bit thin for heavy work and the handle has ugly lettering on it, but it was 15 dollars cheaper than the cheapest Ka-Bar I could find, and had a thicker guard (the new Ka-Bars need to beef that up) and more importantly, a far thicker tang!

The Cold Steel must also come in a smaller box, because the shipping on the Ka-Bars was over 20 dollars. I looked around everywhere because I prefer the aesthetics and history of the Ka-Bar, but in the end I had to choose the Cold Steel and save money. It wasn't worth a 35-40 dollar premium...




I feel kind of trapped into Cold Steel products, not that that's a bad thing. They have an excellent value.

 

[sqoon]

I hear you on Cold Steel. I was admittedly a fan for a while when I first got into knives, but I have since gone cold turkey on them for reasons that would take this a little too far off topic. I think all I have left of theirs is a shovel, some machetes which I have made good money reselling, and a tomahawk that my brother helped me mod and is therefore too sentimental for me to sell. Other than that, I'm done with Cold Steel for good.

Buck is that company for me. I've had some issues with their QC, customer service, and frankly their forum at times. However, I'm still drawn to a lot of their products. The 110, 112 and 55 lineup, as well as the 300 series are just American classics that I can't look away from. I also love their Canoe knife, and I don't know if I will be able to resist a 119 much longer. However, I just find I get really frustrated with them more than I like, or even fully understand myself.

 

[j man]

Yea. I like Puma knives even though they are expensive and getting a little crappy. Low end stainless steel often on the soft side, but i like em.

 

[sqoon]

Yea. I like Puma knives even though they are expensive and getting a little crappy. Low end stainless steel often on the soft side, but i like em.

I think this must be the first time I've even heard Puma Knives be mentioned on BF. That Stag Catamount II is pretty nice looking.

 

[res1cue]

I didn't exactly want to turn out to be a Cold Steel fan. I don't like their advertising, especially the blood-spattered background pictures that introduce everything from swords to hunting knives, and some of their products are ridiculous (polypropylene warclub?).

...

I feel kind of trapped into Cold Steel products, not that that's a bad thing. They have an excellent value.

Story of my life!

 

[vwb563]

Cold Steel. I got so mad at that company once before I swore I'd never ever buy another. But then along comes the new Tri-Ad locking knives and I'm hooked again! Lol ! I hate that company! (not really)

 

[frenchmade]

I have to agree with you on the cold steel thing. I keep telling myself not to buy anymore of their knives. But then I saw that Hold-Out II and just had to have it. I can't resist how inexpensive their knives are.
Now, I just look at Benchmade's catalog and see how many more of those I need before I can even consider another stupid Cold Steel knife.

 

[Chris Pierce]

I was never really a fan of cold steel until they came out with the TriAd lock. It made me take a closer look at the company and now my favorite folder and fixed blade are both made by cold steel. American Lawman and Carbon V Master Hunter.

I also never cared for SOG knives, but I have owned a few of their fixed blades that I really liked. The SOG Seal Pup for instance, I don't know what it is about the knife but I really enjoy it.

 

[bladeboss]

Gerber. The low price and the fact that theyre sold everywhere draws me in to make a gamble on quality.
Obviously, i realize theyre cheapos and i prefer stuff like Kershaw

 

[Magnaminous_G]

I own one CS knife, the Pendleton Lite Hunter, and I have to say it's probably the best value knife in the universe. It's literally like a $10 knife now, and it is a LOT of knife for the price. For the price of lunch-for-two at McDonald's, you get a pretty darn good fixed-blade knife. The Krupp's stainless steel is nothing to write home about, but as many reviews have stated, it's pretty good... especially for $10!

Would it be my go-to knife for when it really counts? Heck no.

 

[72jroberts]

Here's another one for Cold Steel. I bought a voyager in the mid nineties. Tanto blade full serrations ( like an idiot ). Of course too darn impatient to order a plain edge- why it's right there in front of you in serrations, fool! You know you suck when you know that you shouldn't buy and you do anyway. Well, its still a pretty good knife. And speed up to last year, when the Spartan came out, well I had to have that dam thing. It's cool, but what a space taker upper in a pocket. Then I bought the Recon clip point triad lock ( argueably the best looking folder CS has ) , so I dont regret that one, and then the latest was the Leatherneck SF. I absolutely love the blade shape, and love the thick guard, and the handle material. But Im almost livid because I thought I was buying SK5 steel coz I read that somewhere, but alas, let's make an awesome knife with spoon steel! After I calmed down, I still am glad that I bought it, but I wish that CS would offer that one in a better steel than krupps. I also, like a doofus, bought the SRK in AUS8, when I shouldve bought the version in VG1. I still haven't learned a darn thing, because I am still considering buying the SRK in the VG1. I would say in summary that I do love CS, but as I have learned more about steels, and what great steels are out there, and what great designs CS has to offer, I wish that CS would move to make their knives with better steel. Boy, I tell you, a great knife would be the SRK in the same steel as my Ratmandu......mmmmm, dreamin...... So CS is the company that I cant get rid of!!!