How do you like the new CTS-XHP steel?

^60-61 is what i heard, maybe cold steel rep can confirm?
 
Something strange happend today. I was cutting off a slice of wood with my new CS CDS XHP knife and I noticed a short spot almost in the middle of the blade had a bent over edge and there was even a tiny chip in the edge. Either something was in the wood or not exact heat treatment. Either way, I resharpened and cut again in the same wood. Didn't happen again. Strange...
 
If it was the factory edge, many times this will happen when the grinding changes the temper. When you sharpen off the factory edge this goes away. Many people buy a new knife and resharpen it for this reason.
 
I do not have a CS in this steel, yet (I have two in my cart). I do have a Spyderco in this steel and I like it.
 
Got a couple now.
Code 4 clip point, recon 1 drop point (yeah I know they call it a spear point), got a code 4 spear point, and a mini recon 1 spear point inbound.

Used the code 4 clip point all weekend installing a new tub/enclosure at my wife's business. Cut/scraped all manner of things. Cut wood paneling to remove it, trimmed/chamfered/cleaned up a bunch of abs pipe, scraped out old silicone, cut down a bunch of wood shims, even forced it through a couple just because. Cleaned up the edges of the fiberglass tub enclosure I had to cut down to fit. Opened tons of packages of materials. Shaved down 2x4's to allow the new plumbing to clear.

My verdict after 2 days of hell is...
Great steel (we know), good HT, good geometry.
Knife came home not razor sharp but sharp enough to still scrape/pull/pluck some arm hairs...
I will definitely continue to carry this one.

I honestly stayed away from cold steel for years due to the AUS8, never had the greatest luck with it making it through a normal day for me with any kind of intact edge.
But this CTS-XHP at this hardness has completely changed that for me.
Dang you Lynn for making my wallet cry.
 
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I love cold steel knives but have yet to purchase one with the new steel. After a little over a year of owning a Spartan with aus8 spots of rust have begun to form on the blade. I love the knife but hate the steel. Can't wait for one with the new steel.
 
PJH
That is a torture test and good to hear the outcome. I won't be using it that hard but it sounds great.
 
Baller said:
I love cold steel knives but have yet to purchase one with the new steel. After a little over a year of owning a Spartan with aus8 spots of rust have begun to form on the blade. I love the knife but hate the steel. Can't wait for one with the new steel.
Click to expand...

The BD1 model is out now, and should fix any problems you're having with corrosion.
 
Cts xhp steel is good. I put a 36 degree edge in my mini lawman. Took some time to remove metal. Did some light work, little wood carving cut some shirts up, open packages. Holds the edge thus far.
Got mini recon 1 today, like it even more.
 
I've been using the code 4 for about a month now and was kind of expecting more from the xhp. After cutting a couple plastic sprinkler risers today I noticed an edge roll and small chip. Not sure if it was the plastic or the dirt, but was easily brought back to shaving sharp with a minute on the stone. Hopefully after a few more sharpening sessions the edge will hold up better.
 
Cuttindaily said:
I've been using the code 4 for about a month now and was kind of expecting more from the xhp. After cutting a couple plastic sprinkler risers today I noticed an edge roll and small chip. Not sure if it was the plastic or the dirt, but was easily brought back to shaving sharp with a minute on the stone. Hopefully after a few more sharpening sessions the edge will hold up better.
Click to expand...

True, sometimes the degree of your edge can affect this to
 
Sorry if I mislead, I was talking tiny imperfections. It still had a great working edge and im sure the damage was from the ground. I really do like it so far. I spent 5 days in moab over memorial weekend and used it quite a bit, even battoned some fire wood! It does stay sharp longer than the mini recon 1, but the cool thing is how quick the edge seems to come back.
 
Update:
Got a Hold Out III. Nice size for my needs, light, thin handle, easy to hold. No it's not a heavy duty knife, but is serves me well.
Now the steel - As I said, I've owned XHP before and was well pleased with it, the HO is no exception. This blade is ground thin, cuts like a razor and the XHP sharpens easily. Most of the time all I need do is strop it to keep it up.
I like it!
 
I have a Recon 1 in XHP. So far, I'm really happy with it. One thing that stands out to me is how easy it is to maintain. It's very responsive to stropping.
 
This is going to be a big seller for CS.
XHP sharpens relatively easy, is pretty tough, and holds an edge quite well.
This upgrade in steel has managed to get me to buy 4 of their knives, up from 0.
 
PJH Knives said:
Got a couple now.
Code 4 clip point, recon 1 drop point (yeah I know they call it a spear point), got a code 4 spear point, and a mini recon 1 spear point inbound.

Used the code 4 clip point all weekend installing a new tub/enclosure at my wife's business. Cut/scraped all manner of things. Cut wood paneling to remove it, trimmed/chamfered/cleaned up a bunch of abs pipe, scraped out old silicone, cut down a bunch of wood shims, even forced it through a couple just because. Cleaned up the edges of the fiberglass tub enclosure I had to cut down to fit. Opened tons of packages of materials. Shaved down 2x4's to allow the new plumbing to clear.

My verdict after 2 days of hell is...
Great steel (we know), good HT, good geometry.
Knife came home not razor sharp but sharp enough to still scrape/pull/pluck some arm hairs...
I will definitely continue to carry this one.

I honestly stayed away from cold steel for years due to the AUS8, never had the greatest luck with it making it through a normal day for me with any kind of intact edge.
But this CTS-XHP at this hardness has completely changed that for me.
Dang you Lynn for making my wallet cry.
Click to expand...

You were missing out. Aus 8 is a very good steel. I have 4 knives in it i have used regularly for years, and I've also used knives in s30v so I've got a reference point. It's edge retention is not as bad as people on this forum would have you believe.

[video=youtube;yQaq-Ox0fRQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQaq-Ox0fRQ[/video]
 
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