GSM is not looking very promising so far…

I have old recon 1s in aus8 with Teflon coating with loose stop pins that rattle...long before gsm was even looking at cold steel. this isnt a new problem on tri-ad locks. has no effect on function...just annoying. easily fixed with some grease to stop the rattles.

that said gsm has not done a good job so far....warranty is a nightmare.....quality does seem to be slipping. they were sending out unsharpened machetes. even now the sharpening is not great.

I haven't had a good run on gsm stuff yet.....im hoping they don't let the Taiwan made stuff on old models start to cheapen up or quality slip.
 
jbmonkey said:
I have old recon 1s in aus8 with Teflon coating with loose stop pins that rattle...long before gsm was even looking at cold steel. this isnt a new problem on tri-ad locks. has no effect on function...just annoying. easily fixed with some grease to stop the rattles.

that said gsm has not done a good job so far....warranty is a nightmare.....quality does seem to be slipping. they were sending out unsharpened machetes. even now the sharpening is not great.

I haven't had a good run on gsm stuff yet.....im hoping they don't let the Taiwan made stuff on old models start to cheapen up or quality slip.
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A tiny piece of Teflon tape works for this, and should never need to be redone.
 
I keep hearing this about the state of Cold Steel after the GSM takeover, but my observations have been the opposite. Quality seems the same, and I see them popping up for really good prices now. I never paid much attention to Cold Steel before GSM, but now I've picked up an aluminum large Espada for under $180 and a Black Bear Classic for just over $160. I remember these models cost quite a bit more than that before GSM, and that was with lower grade steels than the current S35VN and VG10 San Mai.

That being said, I haven't tried any of the models that have been introduced by GSM, and from what I've seen I probably won't want to. For older models it seems that everyone wants to point out a slip in quality with the logo change, but I haven't seen a single instance of this yet. They were and still are a value priced brand with workable but not very refined build. Sometimes pins rattle or bevels are uneven or things aren't perfectly aligned, but they almost always work. My guess is that collectors who are holding onto old Cold Steel are trying to attach a little value to the old logo to protect their investments.
 
Man, and I was really looking forward to bashing a cold steel with a large rock, purposely putting all my weight into trying to snap the blade, and slamming the edge against a metal pole...

Whelp, looks like I'll have to find another brand to do that all with. What a shame.
 
Tsujigiri said:
I keep hearing this about the state of Cold Steel after the GSM takeover, but my observations have been the opposite. Quality seems the same, and I see them popping up for really good prices now. I never paid much attention to Cold Steel before GSM, but now I've picked up an aluminum large Espada for under $180 and a Black Bear Classic for just over $160. I remember these models cost quite a bit more than that before GSM, and that was with lower grade steels than the current S35VN and VG10 San Mai.

That being said, I haven't tried any of the models that have been introduced by GSM, and from what I've seen I probably won't want to. For older models it seems that everyone wants to point out a slip in quality with the logo change, but I haven't seen a single instance of this yet. They were and still are a value priced brand with workable but not very refined build. Sometimes pins rattle or bevels are uneven or things aren't perfectly aligned, but they almost always work. My guess is that collectors who are holding onto old Cold Steel are trying to attach a little value to the old logo to protect their investments.
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This. People have put the pre sales Cold Steel on this weird pedestal acting like prior to the sale they were these super deep duper best knives for the money to be had. As I recall they had some decent models, some with problems, some that were good and some that were absurd. Just like now.
 
scdub said:
Yeah I’m tempted by this and an old stock Spartan. Got an AD-10 for my son and it feels really nice in hand.


My old medium Talwar has that rattle too although it’s not really a “user” so it doesn’t bother me too much. Eventually I’ll probably take it apart and add a little teflon tape or something to firm it up…

To me the ease of blade breakage and the clearly uncomfortable handle were the biggest disappointments. I don’t think JoeX is a methodical reviewer, but he’s entertaining to me and I feel I can still learn a good deal by watching him break stuff. :)
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The Spartan is a fun knife. Really stable in the hand.
 
DangerZone98 said:
Honestly held up better than I expected. I suspect the edge retention isn’t great, but the punishment it ate before breaking was surprising at least.
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The tip stability during stabs was impressive, but many (most?) of the knives that Joe has tested have done much better with lateral (prying) pressure. I don’t expect all knives to be able to take abuse, but this one certainly seems marketed as an outdoor user, which sadly it doesn’t seem to be…

From the Cold Steel website:
“The largest in the Razor Tek series boasts a 6.5” 5mm thick recurve blade. This knife will excel in larger undertakings. The recurve blade and belly towards the front make for a great chopper. With the ergonomic and textured handle, you have a blade that is suited for your next wilderness outing. This blade will get you there and back.”
 
DocJD said:
JoeX did NOT destroy the 4 Max Scout :
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I was thinking I might just buy an RMJ Tactical Combat Africa, try to pry open my safe with with it, hack through my sidewalk, and then see if it could cut through the stone on my benchgrinder while it's running... Should be easy-peasy, all in a day's work for a knife with combat right in the name, made by a company with tactical right in their name, right?
 
strategy9 said:
I was thinking I might just buy an RMJ Tactical Combat Africa, try to pry open my safe with with it, hack through my sidewalk, and then see if it could cut through the stone on my benchgrinder while it's running... Should be easy-peasy, all in a day's work for a knife with combat right in the name, made by a company with tactical right in their name, right?
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This guy gets it.
😁
 
scdub said:
The tip stability during stabs was impressive, but many (most?) of the knives that Joe has tested have done much better with lateral (prying) pressure. I don’t expect all knives to be able to take abuse, but this one certainly seems marketed as an outdoor user, which sadly it doesn’t seem to be…

From the Cold Steel website:
“The largest in the Razor Tek series boasts a 6.5” 5mm thick recurve blade. This knife will excel in larger undertakings. The recurve blade and belly towards the front make for a great chopper. With the ergonomic and textured handle, you have a blade that is suited for your next wilderness outing. This blade will get you there and back.”
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The crazy thing is that it’s 145 bucks on Blade HQ. Yikes.

85 bucks on Knife Center, but still too steep for the amount of knife you’re getting, lol.
 
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