I was afraid this would happen with the new steels CS is using...

Bushido185

Bushido185

Joined
Sep 21, 2013
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Along with the rest of their lineup, the new CS Mini Lawman has gone up in price by 55% with the new CTS XHP steel offering. $90 retail with Aus 8.... $140 retail with CTS XHP. Naturally these will be available at less than retail, but it seems a bit ridiculous to increase the price by that much. The Mini Lawman was one of the first knives I bought when I began collecting, mainly because of the price. I'm just not convinced CS has made a sound decision on this venture into changing steels.
 
Well, I for one will be buying numerous Cold Steel knives this year, simply because of the change in steel. They are still very reasonably priced knives compared to other brands. The Aus 8 is okay, but I don't like having to sharpen my knives every time I use them. I love CTS-XHP and will gladly pay extra. Cold Steel has great designs and an excellent lock, but the steel has always held me back. To each his own I suppose. I'm guessing it will be awhile before the Aus 8 models are all sold out, so stock up while you can and you will be set.
 
jstn said:
Well, I for one will be buying numerous Cold Steel knives this year, simply because of the change in steel. They are still very reasonably priced knives compared to other brands. The Aus 8 is okay, but I don't like having to sharpen my knives every time I use them. I love CTS-XHP and will gladly pay extra. Cold Steel has great designs and an excellent lock, but the steel has always held me back. To each his own I suppose. I'm guessing it will be awhile before the Aus 8 models are all sold out, so stock up while you can and you will be set.
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I agree with to each their own. Some will love the new offerings while others, like me lol, will protest the price increase. They do have a couple of knives I'm interested in if for nothing else so I can try out the CTS XHP steel. I've always liked their AUS 8 and have had good luck with maintaining a good edge without frequent sharpening. Maybe my mind will change after I give XHP a try but it still seems like a drastic increase.
 
the mini lawman is listed just north of $83 at "a certain center for knives..." Not too shabby for xhp and a triad lock... though I'd go full size for a little more.
 
Aias said:
the mini lawman is listed just north of $83 at "a certain center for knives..." Not too shabby for xhp and a triad lock... though I'd go full size for a little more.
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Yeah, I knew they would be available for much less than retail. Still about $30 more than the AUS 8 version. I need to try one out so I can make a more informed decision about the change.
 
Bushido185 said:
Yeah, I knew they would be available for much less than retail. Still about $30 more than the AUS 8 version. I need to try one out so I can make a more informed decision about the change.
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I hear ya--I'm pretty excited by the new steel, but in all honesty, the aus8a on my recon 1 clip point is not that bad at all. I'm pretty accustom to 1095, and aus8 seems like a stainless version of that when it comes to frequency of sharpening (though not as tough). I'm eyeing an ak-47 in xhp, but the size of the handle, with that oversized pommel, is keeping me from being really into it. Let us know if you get one; I'd be glad to know what you think of the new steel... heat treatment will be key, and CS is pretty good about getting that right.
 
I've had my share of Aus8 blades over the years, and I have been completely unimpressed by them for edge retention compared to most other decent production blades (VG10, ATS34, 154CM, S30V, CPM 154 and beyond to all the modern "super" steels). I'm willing to pay a moderate amount more for XHP and I think CS is making a very good business decision because I think I'm not the only one that will buy more CS because of it. fwiw, I have several fixed blade CSs from years ago in Carbon V. Good stuff :thumbup: Only other CS are specialty / unique designs, but for edc folders I have been elsewhere. Until this year, maybe.
 
just per-ordered the new folding karambit & the 4 inch talwar, both in xhp!
and was very happy the new are made with super steel.

its not like they're not going to make the aus8 anymore...
 
The good thing is there are loads of the AUS8 models still available so stock up if that's what you prefer. I for one love the upgrades!
 
I knew there was going to be a price increase with the new steels but 55%?! :eek:

I've been wanting a Recon 1 but its AUS8 was stopping me. Just wanted something 'better'.

Now the price is stopping me. If the reviews don't support such an increase, I won't buy.
 
Honestly, to me this move seems like it really restores the value proposition of some of the models they're producing. I've really liked the direction Cold Steel has been going with their design language ever since Andrew Demko came on board, but price to performance has kind of held me back. It's hard for me to drop $60-70 on a great design with AUS8 when I can spend $80-90 and get a great design in D2 or S30V. With the step up to XHP and given the pricing we've seen so far, I'd say these knives are going to be very, very hard to beat for the money. The American Lawman is suddenly neck-and-neck with knives like the Manix 2 and Paramilitary 2 is terms of bang for the buck and that's damned impressive.
 
Aias said:
I hear ya--I'm pretty excited by the new steel, but in all honesty, the aus8a on my recon 1 clip point is not that bad at all. I'm pretty accustom to 1095, and aus8 seems like a stainless version of that when it comes to frequency of sharpening (though not as tough). I'm eyeing an ak-47 in xhp, but the size of the handle, with that oversized pommel, is keeping me from being really into it. Let us know if you get one; I'd be glad to know what you think of the new steel... heat treatment will be key, and CS is pretty good about getting that right.
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I'm looking at upgrading my Recon 1 to a clip point version in the near future so it will be interesting to see how the XHP steel performs. I think CS's heat treat has been why I like their AUS 8 so much. At least with a convex edge it seems to hold up pretty well. SOG AUS 8 on the other hand will roll an edge just by starring at it too long.
 
jstn said:
Well, I for one will be buying numerous Cold Steel knives this year, simply because of the change in steel. They are still very reasonably priced knives compared to other brands. The Aus 8 is okay, but I don't like having to sharpen my knives every time I use them. I love CTS-XHP and will gladly pay extra. Cold Steel has great designs and an excellent lock, but the steel has always held me back. To each his own I suppose. I'm guessing it will be awhile before the Aus 8 models are all sold out, so stock up while you can and you will be set.
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My thoughts exactly. I plan on buying several Cold Steel products this year, specifically because of the steel upgrade.
 
It's a good business move. The buyer gets a different choice and cold steel profits go way up.
 
Its about time they did this.

I am hoping they sell all they can make.

Long have they had great designs, and I have thought "I would buy that knife if it had x steel".


Well, now they have done it, and hopefully those amongst us who have asked, will pony up.
 
How many people do you suppose have not bought a knife simply because it was etched "Taiwan", or "China", or "Japan"?

How many of those people do you suppose would change their mind if that same knife was etched "USA"?

I know a shitload of those folks!

Cold Steel have been making excellent products with high value (IMO) - and now they're eliminating the objection of "it's not made in the USA".

Marketing 101.

Well done Cold Steel. You're production line and shipping dept. are going to need to ramp up!
 
Who needs to sharpen a full serrated xl vaquero? I sure won't and if I did I have other things to worry about :D
 
They're still really cheap compared to other brands that offer that sort of steel. I like the upgrade. And you have to remember that they still offer cheaper models like the voyagers which are marketed towards the crowd that wants a cheaper yet highly usable knife.
 
jstn said:
Well, I for one will be buying numerous Cold Steel knives this year, simply because of the change in steel. They are still very reasonably priced knives compared to other brands. The Aus 8 is okay, but I don't like having to sharpen my knives every time I use them. I love CTS-XHP and will gladly pay extra. Cold Steel has great designs and an excellent lock, but the steel has always held me back. To each his own I suppose. I'm guessing it will be awhile before the Aus 8 models are all sold out, so stock up while you can and you will be set.
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:thumbup:
 
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