Is it time to rehabilitate Cold Steel? CONTROVERSIAL

Kwon Kwang said:
For a while now their warranty pretty has pretty much been a lifetime warranty. On the box of my Leatherneck SF:

"We stand behind our knives and swords 100%. We subject them to the highest standards in the industry and strive to make each product as perfect as possible. We warrant that our folding knives, fixed blade sheath knives and swords are free of defects in workmanship and materials. This warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, resharpening of the blade, damage caused by misuse, lack of normal maintenance, or disassembly. Remember, any knife or sword can break or fail if subjected to sufficient abuse. So please, do not use our knives and swords inappropriately, and remember: No knife or sword should be used as an axe, hatchet, screwdriver or pry bar."

Sounds pretty fair to me.
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Last time I read their warranty, it specified one year on folders, five years on fixed blades.
unless this has changed recently.
 
Possibly an over simplification, but for me it comes down to this... If I had a son that was being deployed to the Middle East, or was going on an Amazon Expedition, or hunting trip to Alaska, I would have no qualms at all about sending a Recon 1, American Lawman, SRK, Recon Scout, etc. along with him. They make good dependable knives at a decent price point. I do wish that they would provide some variety as far as finishes, handle materials, and blade steel in some of their lines, but what they have now works just fine.
 
Has anyone here ever actually used a knife warranty? I've not, and I have a lot of knives from a lot of companies. Closest I guess I have gotten was an old Spyderco Military purchased in 96 when they first came out. The two-hole clip snagged on something and bent bad, as well the holes stripped out. Rather than send it in for repair, I fixed it myself. Drilled the holes larger, tapped them for new threads, and installed larger screws which are going to be much less apt to strip again.

Other than that, I cannot recall a knife failing to the point I needed to use a warranty. Cold Steel included.

 
The new CS warranty sounds fair to me. I don't understand the warranty bashing. Every decent company is going to replace a knife that breaks due to manufacturer error, e.g heat treat.

With a "no questions asked"- warranty, while nice to have, you are just paying for all the idiots that bash their knives with rocks or other stupid sh**
When a knife company replaces such a knife they are NOT giving out a free knife, they just calculated those losses into their prices from the beginning.
 
I don't yet own any Cold Steel knives (I'm far too obsessed with my Spydies at the moment:D), but, I certainly would like some in the future. They seem quite capable of some hard-use and such; but, really, the novelty/fun factor really appeals to me. Taking a sword, 'machete', or outrageously proportioned folder out and hacking up tree limbs, water bottles or watermelons just seems like a pretty good time... and CS may just make the best material for that.

We have to remember to not take ourselves to seriously. After all, we are a big group of grown men spending untold thousands of dollars on knives ;)
 
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This is the only Cold Steel thread I've seen on BF that isnt full of bashers. Weird.

Good to see positive comments about Cold Steel for a change. I've always enjoyed their products, from the cheapo mall ninja gear to the high end it's just good fun.
 
I'm firmly in the love CS camp. A CS was one of the first decent knives that I bought myself.

I believe when they say their QC is high. I've bought a few of their least expensive knives and every one has been excellent. I too am not a huge fan of some of the handle material options, but for what they ask it's more than fair.

I just got this a couple of days ago-

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yet it won't replace this-

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That's more than $400 difference for those of you not counting. :D

As far as I'm concerned the mini tuff lite is right there with my Opinel and Sodbuster Jr in terms of value.
 
cbxer55 said:
Has anyone here ever actually used a knife warranty?...
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I have, but it is a bit of an extreme case. I had an old Buck 501 that I bought in the late '70s/early '80s. Back then I had 2 knives that I used all the time and the 501 was one of the two. Hard use daily working in the chemical industry in the field. When I got promoted out of the field, it (more or less) got retired.

When I decided to dig up all of my knives, I located this one and noted a good bit of blade play although the knife was in very good condition otherwise (hard use notwithstanding!). Sent it off to Buck and they fixed it along with a complimentary Spa treatment. Came back looking like new with zero blade play. I was impressed.

But your point is valid. I think that this was an unusual situation and not at all typical of most knives or warranty issues.
 
Rat Finkenstein said:
...so no chopping with a chopper?
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Looks like you are confusing Cold Steel with Bark River :)

But in all seriousness I think they are just trying to guard themselves against people who straight up abuse their knives, then try to abuse the warranty. CS's warranty is solid, man, feel free to chop away with the choppers.
 
PharaohX3 said:
Looks like you are confusing Cold Steel with Bark River :)

But in all seriousness I think they are just trying to guard themselves against people who straight up abuse their knives, then try to abuse the warranty. CS's warranty is solid, man, feel free to chop away with the choppers.
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This.

I especially recommend the Gurkha Kukri.
 
PharaohX3 said:
Man there was a satin Carbon V Gurkha Kukri on the Exchange the other day, I should have bought it. Always wanted one.
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I've got the black epoxy coated Carbon V version with a custom kydex sheath. Love it. It's got a real nice edge on it, too.
 
Kwon Kwang said:
I've got the black epoxy coated Carbon V version with a custom kydex sheath. Love it. It's got a real nice edge on it, too.
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Nice. I've got quite a few fixed blades from CS. The Trail Master in Carbon V was always my favorite but lately I've really been enjoying the Outdoorsman in San Mai III. It's a really great knife but I rarely see it discussed on BF. Versatile and tough. Takes a great edge and has a very comfy and grippy handle. Good leather sheath. At first I wasnt sold on the "bone breaker edge" on the spine but after chopping at some hard woods with it I think it's a neat little feature. Check it out if you have the chance.
 
I don't know. As a pretty loyal CS fan, I've grown to enjoy their reputation. Imagine a family gathering. You have Uncle Kershaw, Uncle Spyderco, etc. who are responsible upstanding members of the community with steady jobs and families, and then you have Uncle Cold Steel who's the fun "crazy" uncle who travels the world seeking out buried treasure for a living and doesn't give a damn what anyone thinks of him. Many of the adults (hardcore knife knuts) rather disapprove of his antics, but most of the kids (general knife buying public) love him and can't wait to see what strangeness he'll be up to at this year's gathering. He's a bit of a braggart and a dreamer who occasionally steps on a few toes and can even appear somewhat flighty at times, but he's a good guy at heart who just happens to march to his own beat, and he always comes through for those who need him when it counts. :thumbup:
 
Strigamort said:
As far as I'm concerned the mini tuff lite is right there with my Opinel and Sodbuster Jr in terms of value.
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+1 to this. Amazing little knife, not that you will be surprised to hear I agree with you on this one . . .
 
I only own two Cold Steel knives, a G10 Espada XL and a Kudu, which are at opposite ends of their production range, but both are very good knives. The Kudu takes a nice edge and is great for food prep, the Espada, well it's an Espada isn't it.

You'll hear no bad words about Cold Steel from me.
 
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