Kershaw and Cold Steel hype?

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Victorecombat

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Was looking for input from people and their experiences with both Kershaw and Cold Steel. I have owned 3 Kerhsaws, and was disappointed with them all. The first one, withing a few days, was completely covered in rust. The second, I broke, which I admit was my own fault really. The third, was the Rake I bought after many recommendations. I had it a day and noticed numerous, small rust spots. I got it off knifecenter.com and returned it for the ZT0350TS which I LOVE. I am quite anal with my knives as far as keeping them cleaned and oiled so the rust on the two was a shock. I never contact Kershaw, which I should have, so I don't know how their customer service is. For CS, I had a Sharkie. First time I unscrewed the cap and tried to write with it, it didn't work. The marker was dried up even though never used and cap never off. When I screwed the cap back on, the clip snapped off. Emailed and no reply. This was actually after I got the Gladius machete. It came with the tip snapped off. I emailed and their reply was basically it must have happened in shipping and to fix it myself. That blew my mind. They make the claim of STRONGEST, sharpest knives, and it comes broke. Recently, I saw the clip from Deadliest Warrior (yes, I know the show is nonsense). It was the SEAL/Israeli episode. The SEAL used a Recon Tanto. After he was done with the gel dummy, the close up showed the tip snapped off. Just wondering if my experiences were flukes, or it's the norm with the two companies.
 
The rusting on the Kershaw was probably because it was bead blasted. That drastically increases the surface area of the metal, encouraging rust. One of the reasons I tend to dislike bead blasted finishes.
 
I own a number of Kershaws and have never seen a spot of rust on any of them, so I don't know whats up with that. Completely covered in rust within a few days, you say? The only way I could achieve that result is if I left a Kershaw under a lawn sprinkler for 10 days. In the jungle. I don't know what to tell you about the Cold Steel issue, except that mine is 180 degrees out of phase with yours on this as well. I have never had a CS product not perform as intended, nor break, but I have never purchased a Sharkie either and honestly don't really know what that is. I stick to their main lineup of proven fixed blades and folders, and stay about from the air guns and shields and all of that goofiness. I do carry a Sharpie every day, and it always performs, but I can't bonk people on the head with it either.

You ask if these experiences are flukes, and I would say that based on my experience and everything I have seen at BF, they are absolutely flukes. I have never engaged Cold Steel's customer service, so I can't comment on that. I would counsel you to hang in there and try more Kershaws and Cold Steel products. Harass Cold Steel customer service and start a thread in the good/bad/ugly forum if you are not satisfied. Hang in there and keep on truckin'.
 
With regards to the rusting Kershaw I've seen that plenty of times before. Often the individual has acidic skin oils or sweat or they live in a humid area (often near the ocean). Folks in drier areas or without the personal ph issue tend not to experience it as commonly.
 
kershaw skyline has been with me for over a year now. no issue with rust what-so-ever. great little folder. also have shallot but never did anything with. just didn't like it. nothing wrong with it. i can't stand assist opening. ZT0550.. love the knife, but has blade play.. going to their CS. over all, the knives are great. all contact with CS was very pleasant. don't really have anything bad to say about kershaw/ZT.
 
Powernoodle, the Sharkie is a permanent marker, but made to be used as an impact weapon as well. http://www.coldsteel.com/sharkies.html
FortyTwoBlades, thanks for your input. Yes, in both cases with the Kershaws I was in a warm climate by the ocean. San Diego and Daytona Beach. Now I'm in the mountains of NC, so maybe they would hold up better against rust. I really liked the Kershaw Rake, too. It was a shame that happened. To be honest, it was very small spots, and barely noticeable.
 
@bullet08 Why don't you like assisted opening? I have grown to really like it.
 
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@powernoodle Thanks for the input. I might have to give both another try one day. I will say, I've had a CS Norse hawk and put it through the ringer. Even used it to shorten the chain on my heavy bag. Went through all four pieces and still in good shape.
 
Kershaw is an excellent company, with excellent knives, and excellent fit&finish.
Cold Steel is....well.....Cold Steel.
They are who they are and no-one else can be quite like 'em.
 
Victorecombat said:
Powernoodle, the Sharkie is a permanent marker, but made to be used as an impact weapon as well.
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I think you have that backwards. The Sharkie is a Impact Weapon but made to be called a marker when the LEOs come a calling, not the other way around. IOW: Good weapon (other than the clip which will break) crap pen (unless you have time to take 10 turns on the cap each time you want to write something). I have been given and have given a dozen of so of them and anyone who regularly uses them as a marker has too much time on their hands. The felt tip just takes too long to deploy in those dangerous grocery list writing situations. If you use a Sharkie to jot down a phone number (old Pre-Cell school I know) you will be off the phone before you can unscrew the cap 9 times out of 10.

In the past the Cold Steel Customer Service has been spotty at best but there are rumors that it is getting better. Would say "I will believe it when I see it" but I don't think I will ever have occasion to ever deal with them again if you get my drift.
 
Freak Show Scott said:
I think you have that backwards. The Sharkie is a Impact Weapon but made to called a marker when the LEOs come a calling not the other way around. IOW Good weapon (other than the clip which will break) crap pen (unless you have time to take 10 turns on the cap each time you want to use it). I have been given and have given a dozen of so of them and anyone who regularly uses them as a marker has too much time on their hands. The felt tip just takes too long to deploy in those dangerous grocery list writing situations. If you use a Sharkie to jot down a phone number (old Pre-Cell school I know) you will be off the phone before you can unscrew the cap 9 times out of 10.

In the past the Customer Service has been spotty at best but there are rumors that it is getting better. Would say "I will believe it when I see it" but I don't think I will ever have occasion to ever deal with them again if you get my drift.
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Thanks for the correction. I guess that is more accurate. I only tried to use it as a marker once, and that was cause nothing else was around and I had it in my pocket.
 
I have many Kershaw's and rarely small rust spots develop, only on the bead blasted blades. I am close to the ocean and it is always humid down here. Any type of metal polish will remove the spots and protect the blade. I have never had a blade rust after using Flitz. Kershaw CS is fantastic. Cold Steel CS leaves much to be desired. It took them 3 weeks to send out a new clip for a Ti-Lite, and I had to pay for it. Kershaw sends me new parts for free and always within 7 to 10 days max.
 
I am a huge fan of Kershaw. It's my favorite brand right now. I know you have owned a Rake, with the D2 cutting edge, right? And, not knowing what other knives you have owned, I will offer the following:

A few years ago Kershaw switched the blade material for most of their US produced knives from Sandvik 13C26 (a stock material from Sandvik) to Sandvik 14c28n (a custom formulation developed exclusively for Kershaw) due in large part to complaints of the former material rusting. Now, Sandvik offered some of the highest quality stainless steel available anywhere in the world. Resistance to rust is a function of the amount of chromium in the alloy, and the more chromium in the alloy the more the qualities of hardness, edge retention, toughness, etc. suffer. It's a trade-off. I think Kershaw is doing the best they can to balance rust resistance with the other technical qualities of the steel they offer. I think they offer the absolute best quality for the money available in US made production folders.

D2, on the other hand, is not a stainless steel and will rust if not properly cared for - still, it makes for an incredible cutting edge.

If you want a truly rust-proof steel, you may want to go with something made of the 440 series stainless. There is a reason why even the best dive knives are often made with 440A stainless - it makes for a pretty crappy heavy use cutting edge, but it is basically rust-proof.

I would suggest trying a new US-produced Kershaw in 14c28n stainless, or a foreign-produced model with higher chromium content, although in my experience the fit and finish of the china-produced Kershaws has not been as nice as the US-produced models.


I can't comment on Cold Steel. I am totally turned off by their macho advertising. It seems to me that the brand is more style than substance.
 
the rust issues are common, especially if you live in a humid area, I would just refinish them with a good stonewash or something. That is the only problem i've had with them. Any knife can break too. I edc a CS Ak-47. I have found that their ads never claim more than the products can actually preform. I have seriously abused my Ak and it's just asked for more. I hear plenty of complaints about their marketing, but never heard of problems with their products.
 
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@sharpandsafe
http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/KS...ch-D214C28N-Composite-Plain-Blade-G10-Handles This was the Rake I had. Only one out there as far as I know. I absolutely loved it, too. Great feel, good size. Fit the bill for what I wanted. I may get one again one day. Seems mine may have been a fluke, or just the crappy FL weather. The other one I had rust issues with I don't remember the name, but I know it's not available anymore.
 
If you live in an area with high humidity, or you're natural pH is exceedingly acidic, buy the kind of knives that are rust resistant.
 
@Victorecombat

Since you are in Florida, that tells me a lot! I think even if you are not near the coast, the inherent humidity of your environment means that you are just going to have to deal with having some rust spots on your blades now and again. Even my VG-10 steel kitchen knives will show rust spots if I don't keep them dry between uses. A good knife is a friend and companion and deserves to be taken care of. Keep them clean and dry when you can, and if you aren't using them to cut food, you may want to consider using a dry film rust protector to help ward off the rust spots.

Good luck!
 
Can't say on Kershaw. I've had numerous Cold Steel products and they range from fine to best-in-class awesome. Most of the knives I've had seemed very tough and as advertised. My LTC and Gurkha khuks are incredible. I've also bought some of their back-of-a-1982-Soldier of Fortune-mail-Order type products. The Covert Action Tanto (actually free with order) was all I expected from a plastic knife. Actually, I cut myself with it so it beat expectations! The Extra Heavy-Duty Rattan Walking Cane survived years of beating mesquite and cactus away, pushing down barbed wire fences, and general abuse, as well as using the crook to pull myself up out of small draws/ravines so I could grab something to hold onto. This item is my go-to wilderness companion, even though my wife is embarassed by it. I picked up a Big Bore Blowgun a few years ago as well. It's a blast and would survive a direct missile hit. These two items are worth way more than what I paid for them. The Sharkie probably set in a dealers back room for three years before you bought it. Take care.
 
sharpandsafe said:
@Victorecombat

Since you are in Florida, that tells me a lot! I think even if you are not near the coast, the inherent humidity of your environment means that you are just going to have to deal with having some rust spots on your blades now and again. Even my VG-10 steel kitchen knives will show rust spots if I don't keep them dry between uses. A good knife is a friend and companion and deserves to be taken care of. Keep them clean and dry when you can, and if you aren't using them to cut food, you may want to consider using a dry film rust protector to help ward off the rust spots.

Good luck!
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I'm not in FL anymore, thankfully. I just moved to Western NC, right along the Blue Ridge Parkway. I always do try and keep my knives clean, with a thin layer of Break Free. Thanks for the input!
 
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