First Cold Steel pocket knife

A

Arise And Be Men

Joined
Jan 26, 2012
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I know that there seems to be a strong anti-cold steel sentiment among many knife enthusiasts, and I don't want to turn this into an anti-cold steel thread. Basically, I have no experience with Cold Steel and I have about $60 or $70 to spend. I like folding pocket knives, and the triad lock really caught my attention. I want a larger folder (3.5 - 5" blade) that could be carried for SD primarily, or EDC tasks that my SAK cadet simply can't handle, and I still want it to fit in a pocket. I have never owned a tanto and am not sure about how hard they would be to sharpen or how useful they really are. What would make a good introduction into Cold Steel knives?
 
Screw the characterization of the company or it's owner, it's advertising -these knives WORK.
 
So I've heard, I am just anxious to have one to put in the collection while I have the cash. I know the recon 1 is their sort of "flagship" knife, I was just wondering about some other triad lock options.
 
If it's for collection or sd most are cool.
But for EDC their are batter options amongst the benchmade, kershaw and spyderco knives

(Better blades same price range)

Also most of the folders look "tacticool or mall ninja" (whatever you want to call it) when used for edc.
(Have one so not biased)

If it's for collection or sd the Spartan is one to consider

4.5" kukri blade

Cheaper than the recon1 (and most of the other CS folders) but bigger and stronger.
Also has an exquisite design much like the spartan kopis sword hense the name

(Very good for SD but horrible for EDC imo due to attention it attracts :D )

If you go to cold steel's website you can see the catalog and price difference so see what suits you

(Use prices for price difference only as you can get them way cheaper than what's on the site
 
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A Voyager with clip point is easy to sharpen, has good ergonomics and comes in three different sizes. The american lawman comes in only two different sizes but is good too.
 
The Voyager & Recon 1 both have great handles for a self-defense folder. The black will come off of the Recon 1 with moderate use, if that matters. Both are stout, well made folders that cut well. The Voyager can be had for $40 & is a hell of a lot of folder for that price. Ignore the noise & find out for yourself if you like their stuff. A lot of former CS bashers are liking their products lately & plenty of knowledgeable knife nuts always did. And...welcome to Bladeforums!
 
So you're talking SD, have you carried a knife for SD before? The trend is fixed blades now, i'm not saying that's YOUR option i'm just putting it out there.

I carry a Cold Steel Counter Point 2 for SD, then there is a quick review in knife reviews and testing on the Counter Point 1 written by res1cue.
My thinking is the blade geometry is very good.
 
I would also recommend a Voyager or Recon 1 as I usually carry one and sometimes both depending on the circumstances.
 
here is a post I made just the other day that would fit with what you are talking about http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/949230-Zt-350?p=10789274#post10789274

The ergonomics, build, lock, blade shape, etc. for pretty much all of their folders in the size range you are looking at perfectly fit the large EDC/defense category and whatever strikes your fancy most will be plenty good.. I've trained with folders as back-up weapons for a long time and these are my favorite by far...when you use them in drills or doing rougher work tasks than usual the designs really come to life.

Don't be afraid to get a tanto blade version, Voyager or Recon 1, if you are curious about it. My main folding for 8 or 9 years was the old version Large Tanto Voyager. You find out a lot of cool things about tanto blades (and vaquero blades) if you start to use them a lot and train with them and handle normal tasks easily.
 
I'm a big fan of the AK, and the Recon both work well for me and are solid, ergonomic knives with that great triad lock. Pick the one that appeals to you
 
klute said:
Recon 1 would be that.
Click to expand...

+1 to the recon 1, in any flavor you fancy.

TBH, the recon 1, AL, and AK are all very similar (G10, no liners, 3.5mm blade)

Their Voyager series is a bit thicker, which I don't like, but has aluminum liners (properly hardened), and the triad lock is a bit easier to disengage (but I never had a problem with the original ones)

Counterpoint series is more of a specialty knife, so I don't recommend that for EDC.

Spartan and rajah are pretty big... much bigger than they look in pictures, so it depends on what you want. The excessive recurve may make it hard to sharpen, and use on EDC task


as for tantos, they are extremely easy to sharpen, more so than any knife with a belly. After all, its just one big straight line. And then you can do the smaller straight line separately
 
I will be honest. I found the Spartan clumsy and awkward as hell. I'm embarrassed to admin cut myself a few times learning to handle it

Thinned my re curve on the blade a bit a few mm now have no probs sharpening.
Also rounded the spine and modified the "wave" thumb stud so now can wave open forward and reverse grip lightning fast with 100% success rate.
(use to fail around 25% of the time)
 
I agree on the Recon-1 suggestion. It is a rock solid knife and it can be had at a reasonable price.
 
Arise And Be Men said:
I know that there seems to be a strong anti-cold steel sentiment among many knife enthusiasts, and I don't want to turn this into an anti-cold steel thread. Basically, I have no experience with Cold Steel and I have about $60 or $70 to spend. I like folding pocket knives, and the triad lock really caught my attention. I want a larger folder (3.5 - 5" blade) that could be carried for SD primarily, or EDC tasks that my SAK cadet simply can't handle, and I still want it to fit in a pocket. I have never owned a tanto and am not sure about how hard they would be to sharpen or how useful they really are. What would make a good introduction into Cold Steel knives?
Click to expand...

Most of them in that price range use the same steel, are the same color, have the same lock, etc. just pick the bladeshape and profile you like the best.
 
RevDevil said:
Most of them in that price range use the same steel, are the same color, have the same lock, etc. just pick the bladeshape and profile you like the best.
Click to expand...

Yep.

It comes down to blade shape/size and handle feel/material.

If you can, go to a gun/knife store that has them and handle a few different ones and see which one suits you better
 
klute said:
Recon 1 would be that.
Click to expand...

Yep. Just got my first CS recently, got the new Recon in the spear point blade (I like drop point/spear point FAR better than tanto blades, which to me aren't that useful). I've been very happy with the quality, the incredibly strong lock, the comfortable grip, and the sharp blade for utility cutting and slicing tasks. Also, the Aus8 steel, while probably not the best in the west for edge retention, is extremely easy to sharpen and gets hair-popping sharp. For $70, for an all-purpose, tough, large folder that performs well and is easy to maintain, the Recon is hard to beat at this price point.
 
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