How does Cold Steel hold up post-GSM

D

Dupems

Joined
Mar 12, 2025
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Be honest guys, how do they still hold up? Not talking about the newer models, don't care for them. But the older models that are still being made like the Recon 1, Tai Pan, American Lawman, AD10, etc... Are they really going downhill or are they fine?
 
Recently bought an Air Lite. Thumbstuds are usual CS garbage and will be replaced. Edge, action and lockup are what I would have expected from a pre-GSM Tri-Ad. Scales are a bit smooth for me and the clip doesn't hold well, but at least both clips were included--not designing clips for ambi use across all models was a pre-buyout failing IMO.

TL;DR: Buy from a reputable seller and you'll likely have nothing to worry about.
 
As stated above, buy from a reputable dealer and you should be fine. I've bought many post-GSM knives and haven't had issues (yet).
 
I should add that I bought several from Amazon, and I sorta regret that.

Despite the easy customer service, a few models I got (especially the San Mai Trailmaster had sorta wonky grinds.

The majority by far were fine though.

It may be worth asking a reputable dealer to check for quality control.
 
Not 100% sure, but I think my SRK is GSM-era CS. No problems other than some light rust occasionally appearing near the edge, where the black coating doesn’t cover.
 
The two 4 MaxScouts, Tuff Lite, Mini Pendleton, Master Hunter 3V, and SRK 3V have all been great (the Pendleton and Master hunter sheaths were replaced though).
 
No issues with the knives. It's the lack of customer service that's a problem. Just gotta buy them with the expectation of anything goes wrong you just have to buy another.
 
Mine have been fine so far, including two of their new models. However, do not expect good customer service. All GSM owned companies have terrible customer service.
 
I love my 3V srk, sheath sucks but a new Yellow hawk kydex is enroute to replace it.
 

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Worst I've been able to say on the half dozen or so I've bought in the last couple of years is the grind angle on my mini recon was a little off. Still crazy sharp for a factory edge.
 
mine have been fine so far, but I don't joex them. I would get some minor cosmetic defects under Lynns run, but that does seem to have become amplified worse under gsm. they don't seem to be doing as much quality control that Lynn and crew used to.

I do feel gsm has cut corners to save on costs. no real proof just a gut feel.

joeyx seems to complain a lot on the gsm stuff.......
 
Everything I've purchased was good.

The SK5 Recon Tanto is not as good as the Carbon V model in terms of chopping and edge retention, though that is due to the hollow grind not being good for chopping and edge retention could be due to the Secure-ex sheath. It is still a good knife for the $40.00 range.

I haven't bought any of the GSM 90 degree grind machetes.

Of the knives you mentioned, I have the San Mai Tai Pan and it has no issues.

The only GSM folder I have is the Oyabun which is OK but not something I'd use for EDC.
 
It's been fine for me. I've looked them over hard trying to find something wrong, so I can can go "Oh Lord, it's the beginning of the end!", but it's the same as it ever was. I do think there was a tiny dip during the COVID lockdowns, but that seemed to be across the cutlery board, not just Cold Steel.
 
tltt said:
It's been fine for me. I've looked them over hard trying to find something wrong, so I can can go "Oh Lord, it's the beginning of the end!", but it's the same as it ever was. I do think there was a tiny dip during the COVID lockdowns, but that seemed to be across the cutlery board, not just Cold Steel.
Click to expand...
Good to know. What do you mean exactly by tiny dip?
 
Dupems said:
Good to know. What do you mean exactly by tiny dip?
Click to expand...

Nothing too crazy, knives not as sharp as usual, coatings not being applied as cleanly, etc.... For instance the coating might show a little unevenness at the edge grind or tip. Nit-picky little things, that you might not have noticed if you didn't have pre and post GSM models, but they seemed to have sorted themselves out.
 
jbmonkey said:
mine have been fine so far, but I don't joex them. I would get some minor cosmetic defects under Lynns run, but that does seem to have become amplified worse under gsm. they don't seem to be doing as much quality control that Lynn and crew used to.

I do feel gsm has cut corners to save on costs. no real proof just a gut feel.

joeyx seems to complain a lot on the gsm stuff.......
Click to expand...
What kind of corners in particular do you think they've cut? I know you said no proof, but any guesses?
 
I wonder if any of what we're buying is still og CS old stock and how much is GSM manufactured? Any way to tell besides if it's a totally new design, i.e. Mayhem?

For instance, were the 3V Ti AD10's made before the changeover? Because, they are OUTSTANDING!

Everything I've bought has been identical to LT's ownership, no discernable difference.
 
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