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

[Ankerson]

Indeed. The same properties that makes these steels perform better in the finished product, also make them more expensive to begin with, and a lot more expensive to machine, grind and heat-treat.

People very often forget the whole manufacturing part of the equation. This stuff doesn't just magically "happen"

It's always interesting to me that people somehow just believe the prices should not change without thinking.

XHP is a vast improvement over AUS-8 and it's more expensive to produce as it's a higher alloy PM steel.

 

[all 41 + 14 all]

The change from AUS8 to BD1 in a few models doesn't really interest me, but the other new offerings (D2, XHP, 3V, 52100) have got my attention. Cold steel will be getting a big chunk of my 2015 budget for new knives. Adding XHP to the Tri-Ad will finally join one of the best locks on the market with a truly modern steel.

Also, the 3V Tai Pan & Master Tantos aren't any more expensive than the old San Mai versions were (going by the 3V pre-order prices @ Knifecenter).

 

[michael t]

Cold Steel shouldn't have discontinued the AUS8 models. Keep both for options.

I agree . It does every thing I need with a knife. If I need to I can touch up blade in a couple mins.

If I was to use my Voyager in SD . Do you think BG would bitch about my use of now inferior steel.

 

[ursamajor]

To bring this back on topic, the bigger message that I'm trying to convey is that anyone who thinks that Cold Steel's use of AUS-8A as a blade steel has been holding them back from being a giant in the knife community is seriously deluded about Cold Steel's status within the industry.

-Steve

This is TRULY sad. I am sorry, but blade material (any materials for that matter) in all reality, is not the telling factor...design is. No knife maker invented the steel they are putting in their blades. Likewise, the steel manufactures don't give a rat's ass about the knife industry. Steel is not developed with knives in mind. Makers take steels, which were engineered for things other than knives, and make use of them.

What a knife maker does create, is designs. Take Strider for example... Did they invent the pocket clip? Nope. The opening hole? Nope. The frame lock? Nope? The stop washer? Nope. The stop pin? Nope.

Absolutely no innovation, just throwing materials at others designs. For the price of a Strider, I would buy the exponentially superior AD10.

Cold Steel innovates. And right now, they have the most superior design for a locking mechanism.

I never will understand steel chasers.

 

[yepimonfire]

The change from AUS8 to BD1 in a few models doesn't really interest me, but the other new offerings (D2, XHP, 3V, 52100) have got my attention. Cold steel will be getting a big chunk of my 2015 budget for new knives. Adding XHP to the Tri-Ad will finally join one of the best locks on the market with a truly modern steel.

Also, the 3V Tai Pan & Master Tantos aren't any more expensive than the old San Mai versions were (going by the 3V pre-order prices @ Knifecenter).

Simply reading other users reports on bd 1 doesn't have me convinced either. That said, its only been used experimentally and cold steel has a habit of wringing the best performance out of any given steel via heat treat, so ill have to buy one and try one compared to an aus 8a knife. But people complained about not using American steel, so they gave us American steel.

As far as price, head over to knife center, they're definitely more expensive (think almost twice as street value) but nonetheless they're still cheaper then most everyone else and they're still some of the toughest, well designed knives on the planet, and now with DLC your recon one won't look idiotic when half its coating is eaten off. Good moves in all directions and it shows the company really pays attention to the voices on here, heck they even changed their infamous brand bashing slogan, which never bothered me, ever CS knife I owned was the strongest and sharpest (best edge geometry). What other folder can chop up a small log without inadvertently closing or the lock becoming damaged?

Next on the list: strongest sheaths, preferably not filled with edge dulling fiberglass lol

 

[all 41 + 14 all]

I guess I missed the point on the San Mai price versus 3v price:

San Mai Master Tanto 6" $239.95
http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/CS...n-Mai-III-Blade-Kray-Ex-Handle-Leather-Sheath

CPM-3V Master Tanto 6" $179.95
http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/CS...ixed-3v-blade-kray-ex-handle-secure-ex-sheath

San Mai Tai Pan $299.95
http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/CS...n-Mai-III-Blade-Kray-Ex-Handle-Leather-Sheath

CPM-3V Tai Pan $209.95
http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/CS...-cpm-3v-blade-kray-ex-handle-secure-ex-sheath

The new versions are considerably less expensive than current San Mai prices. The change from country of origin (Japan to Taiwan) might help to keep costs down, but geez... that Tai Pan has a lot of grind work on it and supposedly 3V isn't particularly easy to grind.

 

[yepimonfire]

I guess I missed the point on the San Mai price versus 3v price:

San Mai Master Tanto 6" $239.95
http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/CS...n-Mai-III-Blade-Kray-Ex-Handle-Leather-Sheath

CPM-3V Master Tanto 6" $179.95
http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/CS...ixed-3v-blade-kray-ex-handle-secure-ex-sheath

San Mai Tai Pan $299.95
http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/CS...n-Mai-III-Blade-Kray-Ex-Handle-Leather-Sheath

CPM-3V Tai Pan $209.95
http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/CS...-cpm-3v-blade-kray-ex-handle-secure-ex-sheath

The new versions are considerably less expensive than current San Mai prices. The change from country of origin (Japan to Taiwan) might help to keep costs down, but geez... that Tai Pan has a lot of grind work on it and supposedly 3V isn't particularly easy to grind.

I'm sure it's more then just moving from Japan. I imagine the San mai III requires specialized equipment and is costly to make.

 

[100eyes]

Only if Cold Steel remembered to make a 3V Trail Master.... maybe next year lol.

 

[mastiffhound]

Which folders are made in the US? I can only find one in the current hard copy catalog, the 4-Max. It also lists at $599.99 The prices on the rest are comparable to Spyderco's US made models, that would be ok except that they're made in Taiwan. Taiwan isn't bad, they do a great job on Spyderco's more "premium" folders. My best guess is Spyderco does these in Taiwan with better materials because the US would cost twice as much. These are usually carbon fiber and titanium, I see none of that in the hard copy I got.

I can get S30V G-10 Para Military 2s and G10 Manix 2s from dealers at a high of $120(DLC PM2) to around $85 (Satin G-10 Manix 2). The Satin Military is around $140 while the DLC version is around $150. They're all made in the US and the highest MSRP of the bunch is $279, less than half the cost of the 4-Max.

Like OP, I'm a little disappointed. I was so happy when my catalog showed up, after seeing the prices and country of origin I was scratching my head. I'll probably still get the American Lawman with the new steel to match my old one. It's my favorite design and size but that might be it. They even disco'd the medium Voyager, another favorite of mine. I was hoping for more US made folders but charging US made prices for Tawian folders that don't include titanium or carbon fiber like other companies offer is going to keep me from buying more Cold Steel folders.

 

[Freman Bloodglaive]

Find a comparable knife in XHP and G10 made in the US for the price Cold Steel are charging. I've seen the BD1 XL Voyagers for about $78US, and the XHP Code 4 for about $88 and the XHP Recon 1 for $95.

I see Spyderco Enduras selling for about $65 with FRN and VG10, also made in Taiwan. The S30V Native sells for about $84, also with FRN, although that one is made in the US. While I like Spyderco, neither is as strong as something like the Code 4 or Recon 1. Perhaps Cold Steel strength is overkill in a folder, but it's one of those, "if you need it you'll be glad you have it" things.

 

[Carbuncle]

Just got the 2015 catalog, I like where they are going this year with the new steel and new lines. Now if they could just bring back the old handle shape for the Voyagers and dump the cheap-looking stonewash blades...

 

[powernoodle]

If low price was a major factor in one's purchase of Cold Steel knives in the past - as it was for me - when that factor disappears so does a major incentive to purchase Cold Steel. Advocating the purported qualities of the new steel - even if true - does not change that fact.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

If low price was a major factor in one's purchase of Cold Steel knives in the past - as it was for me - when that factor disappears so does a major incentive to purchase Cold Steel. Advocating the purported qualities of the new steel - even if true - does not change that fact.

No one is disputing that. The discussion centers around the properties of XHP vs AUS8 and if the price increase is justified. It's perfectly reasonable to argue both that the increase is justified and that you won't spend the extra money anyway, but that's not the case most are making.

Frankly, I think the previous pricing for AUS8 was way too high. Now that you're getting better materials I think the pricing is much more competitive.

 

[duro]

Now that cold steel changed their steel, they need to offer different colorations. Even Emerson is doing that. Black is so tiring.

 

[Feuerfreiguy]

I see Spyderco Enduras selling for about $65 with FRN and VG10, also made in Taiwan.

Slight correction; they're made in Seki City Japan, not Taiwan. But that even further proves your point since their manufacturing costs are higher there.

 

[100eyes]

Which folders are made in the US? I can only find one in the current hard copy catalog, the 4-Max. It also lists at $599.99 The prices on the rest are comparable to Spyderco's US made models, that would be ok except that they're made in Taiwan. Taiwan isn't bad, they do a great job on Spyderco's more "premium" folders. My best guess is Spyderco does these in Taiwan with better materials because the US would cost twice as much. These are usually carbon fiber and titanium, I see none of that in the hard copy I got.

I can get S30V G-10 Para Military 2s and G10 Manix 2s from dealers at a high of $120(DLC PM2) to around $85 (Satin G-10 Manix 2). The Satin Military is around $140 while the DLC version is around $150. They're all made in the US and the highest MSRP of the bunch is $279, less than half the cost of the 4-Max.

Like OP, I'm a little disappointed. I was so happy when my catalog showed up, after seeing the prices and country of origin I was scratching my head. I'll probably still get the American Lawman with the new steel to match my old one. It's my favorite design and size but that might be it. They even disco'd the medium Voyager, another favorite of mine. I was hoping for more US made folders but charging US made prices for Tawian folders that don't include titanium or carbon fiber like other companies offer is going to keep me from buying more Cold Steel folders.

There is one other US-made models that's been announced, which is the Ranch Boss.

Pre-order prices seem to indicate the street price of the 4-Max will be around $350-400. You see people flipping sprint run Spydercos for more than that all the time; a mint blue Paramilitary 2 in M390 would probably fetch that amount. If the 4-Max was a sprint run of 500, you'd see aftermarket prices of around 600. Glad CS realized limited runs benefit no one but the scalpers and decided it will be a full run.

And you're seriously comparing it to the Military/Manix? They're built for completely different purposes imo.

If this knife had tiger stripes and STRIDER written on the side, it'd go for $1k+.

People have been criticizing CS for years because of their "outdated" steels and now that they've updated people are mad the upgrade didn't come for free.

I personally like my folders with a tri-ad lock so considering I had no choice anyway, I'll gladly pay extra for the new steels.

 

[GCG199]

I think that Cold Steel did a great job keeping the prices down on their previous knives made with Aus-8A, which they used for at least 20 years.

But, progress is progress. Just like they went to screw-together construction on most of their folders.

There was no way they were going to be able to hold out too much longer regarding the changes in steels now available to the knife world.

I am looking forward to the new steels from Carpenter and Crucible that they will be offering.

 

[ichor]

Now that cold steel changed their steel, they need to offer different colorations. Even Emerson is doing that. Black is so tiring.

Yes. I've found that my red and green, or even blue, knives cut much better and have better edge holding ability, than those monotonous old black ones.

 

[DShiflet]

Yes. I've found that my red and green, or even blue, knives cut much better and have better edge holding ability, than those monotonous old black ones.

Oh come on now, do you really think most people here buy their knives simply cause we need one to cut things? Do we want a knife that can cut things? Yes. But if ALL we were worried about is how well they cut, most of us would quit buying after we had maybe, a kitchen knife set+say, 15 knives tops, yet many of us have dozens, even hundreds. If you were truly only concerned with how well something cut, is there really, honestly anything you can't cover with just 1 knife from each of these categories?:
Set of kitchen knives
EDC folder
"Tactical"/Defensive Folder
"Gentleman's" Folder
Hunting/Camp Knife
Combat/Fighting Knife
"Bushcraft" knife
Skinner
Pruning Knife
Box Cutter
Machete
SAK/Multitool
Dive Knife

And honestly, most people wouldn't even need all those-if you don't go diving, you won't need a dive knife, if you don't carry a blade for defense, the "tactical" folder and the fighting knife are unnecessary, etc. So since most of us are buying unnecessary blades as is, why not give us some diff color options?

 

[ichor]

joke?