Is it time to rehabilitate Cold Steel? CONTROVERSIAL

Kwon Kwang said:
The point of the spine whack test is that it is extremely abusive and hard on the knife. In fact, the whole point is that it's beyond anything you're likely to have to put that knife through. Knives that can handle it clearly have a good, strong lock up.
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I know this. I am simply saying, to me it does not matter. I will not ever subject a knife to that kind of abuse. It's great a knife can take it, and I respect that.
 
ALLHSS said:
I want to put some of my thoughts brought on by this thread out there. Just as a disclaimer; I'm not an expert on any thing. I like knives. I use knives. I have knives. But I'm not a collector or anything and the only knowledge I have is from here.

So here it goes: I like Cold Steel.

First off, I think the marketing is just fine. The videos are amusing, but they do show that Cold Steel's products can take abuse. The closest to this I know of is Benchmade's testing videos posted on their forum. (On the subject of spine whacks, I do them. I don't smack the blade on a 2x4, I rap it on my knee or something. But they are just another show that their knives are able to handle abuse.)

Second, Aus8 is great for me. I'm not a collector like I said, and I use all my knives. So I'd much rather be able to work out a rolled edge than grind away on a big chip (Although I do love the edge holding of my higher end steel blades). Today I had to cut a receipt in two with my large voyager tanto (I know, a lot of knife for a little job but it's great for scraping off welds on canoes) and the yokote hit a staple. I literally picked up a chip of ceramic from the river bank and worked the roll out on the spot.

Third, I think the whole copying people debate is a bit unnecessary. As someone said, all knife companies use other designs and I don't think Cold Steel's "copy" of a super high end knife is taking any customers away from the "original" designer (it's just not the same group of consumers). It's awesome that Spyderco is so cool about designs, and it's just one of many reasons they are my favorite manufacturer. But I don't believe it is necessary to be legitimate or moral or anything. (And as I understand patents, I think the p'kal pin, endura/delica/matriarch hook, and the cold steel raised thumb ramp could all achieve separate patents. Anyway, you can tell them apart just by how they function.) Also, I don't have a Lum designed knife or a traditional tanto (man, I would love to have either though) but I do believe that the Americanized tanto is a separate design. (With the Strider jab, yeah it's not super "professional" but it is the truth. I think people should know that about Mick whatever his name is, it's not cool at all what he did. That isn't to say, however, that Strider knives aren't great. I don't know.)

Fourth, I think Cold Steel brings something worthwhile to the market just in value. I honestly believe their knives have some of the best dollars to use ratios on the market. They are up there in the same stratosphere as other great manufacturers (Spyderco, Kershaw) and that is something that someone like me appreciates greatly.

Fifth, I don't think good ol' Lynn C. deserves so much.... whatever that attitude is people have. Yeah, he's way way way over the top. But he's passionate about what he does. He likes knives. That comes out in different ways (see Sal's record of super positive presence on the forums) and in Mr. Thompson it comes out as arrogance tinged with child like wonder. I'm glad that a maker gets as fired up as I do when a knife takes some abuse or makes a good cut.

Finally, who doesn't like the poses with the knives, am I right? (they're hilarious, and I always had a feeling they were an inside joke. Learned that on here too!)

I know this is long, but if anybody is still reading, don't take this as "hate" for other or higher end manufacturers. I wish I had the money to buy and use real high end knives, but I don't. I've bought and returned or sold more than I like because when I hold them next to a Cold Steel, Spyderco, etc. I just can't justify it. And PLEASE don't take this as "hate" for collectors. I would absolutely love to collect knives, but again it's just not feasible. I take any and all donations though! I'd be happy to have my mind changed about super high end knives! haha

Rant off.

ALLHSS
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I agree with everything you wrote and couldn't have said it better.
 
You guys can banter back and forth about the relative quality of these knives. But all I know after watching these AWESOME videos is that if I'm ever attacked in a dark alley by a side of beef or a hanging rope, I want Cold Steel in my hands :rolleyes:
 
JPD1998 said:
I agree with everything you wrote and couldn't have said it better.
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+1 or I guess +2 on this. A well thought out honest response that obviously doesn't contain any hidden or not so hidden agendas. I think your post shows more wisdom than you've given yourself credit for.
 
DShiflet said:
It's a nice knife, I like it. And at around $25, it really is a, well, steal.
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I do really enjoy mine, but would rather pay more, $45-50 if it was made anywhere but China. Even Taiwan though ideally in USA or Japan (depending on the steel), especially if it was the start of something bigger sub-line instead of just being a finger in Strider's eye. Remove that top guard (replaced with the jimping and chopping edge from the Outdoorsman) would be tits on a higher end San Mai III version. I'm not too fond of the way of the scales attach, either. And of course dream of it in earth/tan scales.
 
Uxi said:
I do really enjoy mine, but would rather pay more, $45-50 if it was made anywhere but China. Even Taiwan though ideally in USA or Japan (depending on the steel),
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I have never cared why my knife was made, as long as it doesn't suck. China, Japan, Taiwain, whatever, makes no difference to me. If a cool, well made knife I want(and can afford) comes out of Uganda, or the Congo, or Kazahkstan, I'll happily buy them too. Actually, come to think of it, it does make a difference to me. If I can have the knife made in China for $25, or I could have it made in the USA or Japan for $50 for the same knife, I don't even have to think about it, I'd get the $25 Chinese one.
 
DShiflet said:
I have never cared why my knife was made, as long as it doesn't suck. China, Japan, Taiwain, whatever, makes no difference to me. If a cool, well made knife I want(and can afford) comes out of Uganda, or the Congo, or Kazahkstan, I'll happily buy them too. Actually, come to think of it, it does make a difference to me. If I can have the knife made in China for $25, or I could have it made in the USA or Japan for $50 for the same knife, I don't even have to think about it, I'd get the $25 Chinese one.
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We share the exact same opinion on this. As long as the quality is there and I'm getting my money's worth, I'm happy.
 
I am a CS fan. They have some great FUNctional knives, as in fun, and works. They have some great niche stuff like their sword canes, massive folders. And some real work horses, like the legendary Trail Master, Recon Scout, and Recon 1ish folders etc.

My favorite knife is my San Mai III Natchez Bowie. The design some great knives, and there is nothing offensive in the way they market...Unless you have some personal vendetta about how Thompson is brash. I don't care though. He is a salesman, his job is to sell his product. At least he can't be called dishonest
 
Dear Cold Steel, Please replace the blade steel on my rajah 2 because It goes from hair popping sharp to butter knife status whenever I use it to chop with... AUS-8 is perhaps my least favorite steel. At least give me something I can work with like 440 or tougher. Stop being stingy with the good stuff
 
Derek the Destroyer said:
Dear Cold Steel, Please replace the blade steel on my rajah 2 because It goes from hair popping sharp to butter knife status whenever I use it to chop with... AUS-8 is perhaps my least favorite steel. At least give me something I can work with like 440 or tougher. Stop being stingy with the good stuff
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strange... my rajah 2 hasn't ever reached butter knife status... and yes I have chopped with it. (my complaint with it is the crappy finish on the blade)

also isn't Aus-8 similar to 440b?
^ not being sarcastic real question.
 
Klok said:
strange... my rajah 2 hasn't ever reached butter knife status... and yes I have chopped with it. (my complaint with it is the crappy finish on the blade)

also isn't Aus-8 similar to 440b?
^ not being sarcastic real question.
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Perhaps it is similar but my sog tigershark is made with 440 and it holds an edge a whole heck of a lot longer than aus-8. The Rajah is nice in the fact that it is a folding Khukuri but still... Im thinking it would be nice if it were some kind of high carbon steel with a black coating.
 
My only CS knife. Carbon 5 US made Master Hunter and typically what I use when hunting. From the olden days lol
 
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Cold Steel did produce two very beautiful knives (and their site said they were a personal project of Mr. Thompson) : the Sisu and the Pendleton custom hunter (the Natchez Bowie also is downright gorgeous, but so big...). These are actually outstanding designs. The price was at custom level, so I just stayed drooling. Whatever, Lynn Thompson somewhere has excellent taste. Those knives are no longer on site (except the Natchez, if I'm right) and there is way more tacticool/black ops stuff. Times are changing, they say, and a business gotta proceed... Do your best L.T.
 
I've been wanting cold steel to do a line of there sk-5 blades in there folders for a while... the knives would become freaking beastly.
 
This early mornings hunt out on my property(I live deep in the Appalachian mtns in western NC). Master Hunter getting to be a master hunter. Still doing its job:thumbup:.
 
Having not been paying attention to "knife culture" until recently and fore-armed with only the knowledge that in about 1983 I wanted the spring steel Cold Steel Tanto I saw in the back of a Gung-Ho magazine as much as I wanted to get to second base with my girlfriend, I delved into this thread with an open mind. Out of morbid curiosity and in the spirit of scientific discovery, I decided I should watch some CS videos and make my own determination as to the validity of OP's topic.

I am back to report that I want a Street-Wrecking Two Handed Great Sword. I want it more than I want to get to second base with my wife. Cold Steel, I have come full circle. Don't go changin'.
 
entropy1049 said:
Having not been paying attention to "knife culture" until recently and fore-armed with only the knowledge that in about 1983 I wanted the spring steel Cold Steel Tanto I saw in the back of a Gung-Ho magazine as much as I wanted to get to second base with my girlfriend, I delved into this thread with an open mind. Out of morbid curiosity and in the spirit of scientific discovery, I decided I should watch some CS videos and make my own determination as to the validity of OP's topic.

I am back to report that I want a Street-Wrecking Two Handed Great Sword. I want it more than I want to get to second base with my wife. Cold Steel, I have come full circle. Don't go changin'.
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I love this post. The wheel of life, cold steel style.
 
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