Issues with Cold Steel's Kray-ex/Kraton Handles

S

Squeakymoose

Joined
Feb 14, 2016
Messages
8
To start, I absolutely love Cold Steel. Coming from a martial perspective, they are the only knives that I own and carry at this point. Say what you want about their material, but there is no doubt that they are the toughest factory blades out there. However I have had some issues with their fixed blades recently, not in quality, but in my ability to get a secure grip on their Kray-ex rubber handles...It seems that in any condition I'm always slipping and sliding everywhere, and considering that it seems to be the trend these days to have relatively shallow minimalist finger guards (usually an extension of the kray-ex itself, giving it very little stability, I.E. the guard moving because it is made of rubber), I'm not comfortable doing much with them because I'm terrified of my hand slipping up. I have talked to a few of my friends who are also big Cold Steel fans, but they don't have the same issue. According to my one friend, he gets excellent non-slip traction in almost any condition with Kray-ex. However I seem to be the opposite. I would really like to know if anyone else has had this issue too, or it's just something unique to me and some apparent weird skin type I have lol? :confused:

As a reference point, for me G-10 provides a rock solid grip, and just locks my hand in like nothing else. Therefore I LOVE their folders. It would be the greatest thing to me if Cold Steel would make their fixed blades with G-10 scales instead of Kray-ex, and even better if they would have an actual cross guard on all of their fixed blades that have squishy Kray-ex finger guards like their SRK and Recon Tanto.

On a side note, why have knife companies drifted away from cross guards and actual deep finger guards on their fixed blades so much? To me the Trench knives of old, V-42 Stiletto, Fairbairn/Sykes style guards were perfect. Why compromise such a great finger stopper for something that only works if your grip is super tight? From a martial perspective it is literally the worst idea as far as I can tell.
 
It confuses me how manufacturers, Cold Steel being one of them, make folders that seem to have better traction plans and deeper integral guards than most of their fixed blades?
 
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I remember seeing pics of a Cold Steel ODA that someone had modded by cutting the guard portion off the Kraton grip and replacing it with a custom made G-10 guard. Not sure how the new guard was attached (hope it wasn't just held place by the remainder of the Kraton grip :eek::D), but it sure seemed like a cool idea.
 
I've been using Cold Steel knives since the late '80s and the kraton/kray-ex handles have never been a problem for me to use. I did encounter a "2nd" in a Trail Master that did have a little looseness in the handle, but what the heck, it was a "2nd" so not expected to be perfect.
 
Like Mike, I've owned and used CS fixed blades since the 80s. And I've heard all sorts of complaints about the kraton handles. But "slippery" is not one of them and I have to wonder under what kind of use that occurs. I agree though that CS handles tend to be small so while ideal for a person with small hands it may be
less than ideal for those with larger hands. Personally, while Kraton is less attractive visually, it's the best actual "user" handle for it's amazing light weight and durability and resistance to the elements. A number of people have customized their CS knives, guards, handles. I would recommend using a Sanmai version for that purpose.
 
Squeakymoose said:
However I have had some issues with their fixed blades recently, not in quality, but in my ability to get a secure grip on their Kray-ex rubber handles...It seems that in any condition I'm always slipping and sliding everywhere,
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I can't say that I've had problems to the degree that you're describing, but I have found Kray-Ex to be slightly slipperier than Kraton. Kraton has a tackiness to it that aids your grip, while Kray-Ex sometimes has what I can only describe as an oily surface sheen that definitely does not lend itself to grip. Unfortunately, apparently Kraton's tackiness comes with a price: susceptibility to high heat and to certain chemicals (such as DEET). Cold Steel has switched entirely to Kray-Ex, so you'll have to find older models with Kraton handles or move to non-rubberized models. You might also try roughing up your Kray-Ex handles with sandpaper to get rid of that oily surface.

Squeakymoose said:
considering that it seems to be the trend these days to have relatively shallow minimalist finger guards (usually an extension of the kray-ex itself, giving it very little stability, I.E. the guard moving because it is made of rubber), I'm not comfortable doing much with them because I'm terrified of my hand slipping up.
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As an alternative, you might consider the ODA, the Leatherneck, the OSS, and the Marauder--no minimalist guards among these models.

Squeakymoose said:
As a reference point, for me G-10 provides a rock solid grip, and just locks my hand in like nothing else.
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In that case, check out the Warcraft Tanto, the AK-47 Field Knife, the R-1 Military Classic, the Black Bear Classic, and the Pendleton Custom Classic. They're far costlier than the Kray-Ex models, but the build quality is superior and each feels fantastic in the hand.

Squeakymoose said:
It would be the greatest thing to me if Cold Steel would make their fixed blades with G-10 scales instead of Kray-ex, and even better if they would have an actual cross guard on all of their fixed blades that have squishy Kray-ex finger guards like their SRK and Recon Tanto.
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I wouldn't mind seeing more G-10 myself, but for a different reason. I don't like Kraton/Kray-Ex for concealment because I find that it tends to snag on clothing. G-10 does not have this issue. Unfortunately, mounted guards and affixed G-10 cost a lot more than molded handles. And, no matter how strongly I may disagree with the mindset, I have to acknowledge that many people make their buying decisions based entirely on price. The knife companies are forced to respond to what the bulk of the buying public demands.

Squeakymoose said:
On a side note, why have knife companies drifted away from cross guards and actual deep finger guards on their fixed blades so much? To me the Trench knives of old, V-42 Stiletto, Fairbairn/Sykes style guards were perfect. Why compromise such a great finger stopper for something that only works if your grip is super tight? From a martial perspective it is literally the worst idea as far as I can tell.
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You've answered your own question. Only a few companies (Cold Steel being paramount among them) will even acknowledge a martial application for their knives. Most don't want anything to do with the perception of a knife as a potential weapon. And--again unfortunately, in my opinion--too many knife buyers don't give even a passing thought to a knife's suitability for combative use.

I see that you're new to the Forums (at least as a member). Stick around for more than a few weeks, especially outside of the Cold Steel and Emerson subforums, and you'll begin to see a trend: Plenty of guys questioning others about why they need a folder with a strong lock (or even a lock at all), or a full-size handle, or a blade longer than three inches, or a finger guard, or...well, you get the picture. There are lots of people who can't or won't see outside of their limited experiences to recognize that a knife might need to do more for them someday than open mail or peel an apple.

Welcome to Blade Forums!

-Steve
 
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Sorry, man, I can't help you on that. I've honestly always found CS handles to work really well. I often think they look like a jar of smashed flies, but they function pretty perfectly for me.
 
The Tanto Lite's handle actually works very well for concealed carry IWB, in a proper sheath of course. Polypropylene with a kray-ex insert. I wear one when not carrying a much larger knife. Does not "stick" on my t-shirt or any other cover garment. Has a firm guard as well.


Tanto Lite.jpg
 
Mike Sastre said:
The Tanto Lite's handle actually works very well for concealed carry IWB, in a proper sheath of course. Polypropylene with a kray-ex insert. I wear one when not carrying a much larger knife. Does not "stick" on my t-shirt or any other cover garment. Has a firm guard as well.


View attachment 614302
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I've never tried one. Thanks for the recommendation, Mike. I'll be in touch with you soon about that setup.

-Steve
 
How much slip are we talking? A tiny bit that worries you more than it should or massive sliding from ome end of the handle to the other? Thanks.
 
Well, my hand doesn't slide side to side exactly, but it isn't locked in at all. about the same as a polished surface or wet micarta.
 
Thanks for all of the replies guys! I remedied the issue with hockey tape for now. I guess I have slippery fingers or something.
 
Handle shape or contour seems to impact my grip more than actual material that said handle is made of. Favorite all time Cold Steel handle for me are found on the San Mai Tanto's and Tai Pan. I like the Natchez's handle too.
 
Cold Steel has changed the Kraton grips on all their fixed blades. The latest have bumps instead diamonds, and it's a lot grippier IMO.
New on top, old below.
CS16JSMa.jpg

24oxa3b.jpg
 
I actually prefer the diamonds. They seem to wear better. I have three knives with such a grip and I just love 'em. They are slightly less grippy than the "nipple stipple" as I call it...
 
Mike Sastre said:
The Tanto Lite's handle actually works very well for concealed carry IWB, in a proper sheath of course. Polypropylene with a kray-ex insert. I wear one when not carrying a much larger knife. Does not "stick" on my t-shirt or any other cover garment. Has a firm guard as well.


View attachment 614302
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I like the looks , especially the blade shape of the Cold Steel ourdoorsman Lite a lot. But the handle....Is it like on a Mora Companion. Polypropylene molded onto the handle and onto that a layer of rubber for grip? This system prevents wobbling/movement of the handle around the tang...
 
No problems here with it. Love G10 but it is more costly. Would be nice if there was an option for different handle materials on at least some knives.
 
nephron said:
No problems here with it. Love G10 but it is more costly. Would be nice if there was an option for different handle materials on at least some knives.
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Options are always good. Like they have on the Spyderco knives. Some models have different handle materials to choose from. G10 but also FRN. That's good.
 
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