My $9 Worth

[winbag338]

I dont know about first class, but i dont understand the hate either. I do like the srk, recon tanto, p hunter and master hunter. My only critique is the price point on a fair amount of their offerings.

 

[Ankerson]

I have been using CS Knives since 1986 and currently own 18 of their knives.

They have always performed as expected and the ones I have and use I like. No I don't like everything they sell, but that's personal preference. I really like their fixed blades because they have proven to be very tough over the years.

Their Carbon Steel fixed blades like the Trail Mater, Recon Scout, Carbon V Recon Tanto and SRK are very tough field blades and are very good values for those who need a great field blade. Those who really own one of these and use them like I do can tell you how good they really are.

There are better knives on the market also, but you will pay a lot more for them and yes I own some of them too.

Those who buy into the negative posts by some who really don't have a clue about how their knives really preform are really missing out on some great blades and usually end up with a lesser knife that won't perform as well. There are exceptions, but that the way it usually seems to go.

I don't know LCT so I really can't commit on him either way and I really don't care what he does as long as the quality blades keep coming. LCT isn't putting any money in my pocket so I could really care less either way.

 

[100eyes]

I think Cold Steel is a great company for offering unique knives unlike anything else from others. They also offer some of the best values in the market with a lot of their affordable models in my opinion. However, some things do bother me about them like their short warranty, AUS-8 in expensive knives, and Lynn Thompson claiming to be a martial artist.

Add lifetime warranty, better steels on high-end knives, and give LT a diary. I don't think anyone would be hating on Cold Steel then.

 

[Knife Outlet]

My advice to people is to judge knives based on the qualities of the knives themselves rather than on politics or personalities. There are plenty of people in the industry that I don't like and plenty that don't like me. Not the issue. Knives are the issue.

 

[Ankerson]

I think Cold Steel is a great company for offering unique knives unlike anything else from others. They also offer some of the best values in the market with a lot of their affordable models in my opinion. However, some things do bother me about them like their short warranty, AUS-8 in expensive knives, and Lynn Thompson claiming to be a martial artist.

Add lifetime warranty, better steels on high-end knives, and give LT a diary. I don't think anyone would be hating on Cold Steel then.

I don't think they use AUS-8 in their current top end models, that's usually VG-1 and or their VG-1 San Mai III.

But yeah I would like to see some S30V in some of their models.

The warranty is really better than it shows, they will back their products 100%.

I did a field test on the New SK-5 MARTEMP Trail Master and broke the guard loose on it (It was a defect) it is documented on the CS Forum with photos. I beat the crap out of that knife, used it harder that most people ever would.

They sent me a NEW knife no questions asked.

I have to finish the field test with the new knife when I get a chance, with the weather and other things on my plate I haven't had a chance to do it yet. I will do the whole thing over again putting it though it's paces.

 

[raydermonk]

I was at the show yesterday myself, and had a different encounter with Lynn Thompson while looking at the selection. I had NO idea who the guy even was until I circled the table and picked up the free brochure with him on the cover. I also have never heard whether he was a good guy or a bad guy, as I'm a bit new here.

That being said, I watched him berate one of his booth workers to the point where it was uncomfortable for those in hearing distance. I guess he didn't like the way the young man didn't upsell to the guy who "didn't need help", and he proceeded to rip into this guy about it, with an undue amount of venom. It was well beyond 'positive coaching', and was delivered with VERY evident disgust & anger. I didn't think much of it other than there was an overweight boss nested in his little chair commanding his team to sell more (which is what they're there to do). The other thing I noticed is he was far from being a "nice guy" with the hundreds of people around his table. He kinda looked like he hated us too, and didn't really mind if we knew it. I didn't really care, and looked at the very reasonably priced selection they had and moved on.

Again, I found it interesting that this scene stuck in my head before I even knew this was the guy at the top of the company, and that he had history of rubbing people the wrong way (allegedly...).

I own CS, like some of it, and will continue to buy it if I see fit. I'm not privy to this guy's history with the knife community, good OR bad. I thought it prudent to recount my experience with the guy, as maybe there IS something behind this man's questionable attitude towards people in general. He just struck me as an angry guy that feels better when people aren't around.

So the OP knows I was actually there, the Cold Steel table(s) was in the Small Arms Review building on the West side of the fairgrounds, center floor.

 

[sodak]

With all due respect, get your head out of your ass.
[...]
Again, I don't want to start a fight or disrespect you,
[...]

Nice first post, welcome to Bladeforums.

 

[misque]

With all due respect, get your head out of your ass. I live in South Africa, where Leopards are found obviously. By paying fees you don't magically get to shoot anything you see. Unfortunately there are a lot of people over here that will sell out these animals to rich hunters to make some good money. They are found all over farms, private property and reserves, so at least 50% of people are in their hunting grounds at any given time in this country. So by your logic its ok to kill anything that threatens you in your living area, and pretty soon we will have no more spiders, snakes, bugs or in my case lions, elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, etc. But I guess people like Lynn can come over here and shoot them all because money talks... sadly.

Again, I don't want to start a fight or disrespect you, I'm just saying it like it is, because I live over here, if that counts for anything.

Edit: Read the part about the laws again. Yes, it is legal, but sadly over here that doesn't mean that the animal is protected in any way from endangerment - it only shows that
people are willing to extort wildlife for economical reasons. The animals we hear of that are protected are all in game reserves, and accounts for a very small percentage of the total population of leopards for instance.

Oh brother...

Welcome to BFC.

By paying fees you don't magically get to shoot anything you see.

From where in my post do you get that asinine idea?

So by your logic its ok to kill anything that threatens you in your living area, and pretty soon we will have no more spiders, snakes, bugs or in my case lions, elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, etc.

Again, Where in my post do you get that asinine idea?
I made no such assertion that it's open season, for a fee, on anything and everything that may scratch, bite, sting, verbally thrash you or even spit.

Talk about having one's head up one's ass, jeesh!:jerkit:

With regard to tourist hunting in Africa. What I hear over here in the USA is hunting by tourists, like Lynn Thompson, is well regulated and EXPENSIVE. It's also done on a lottery type system in a number of countries within the African Continent. Reason being, to protect, regulate and maintain animal populations. Secondly, the various fees and licenses enrich the economies of the country within which the hunt takes place.
Obviously not all of the countries follow that system since war, anarchy, religious, cultural and civil unrest seem to be a favorite past time within many countries on your continent. Living in South Africa, I'm sure you know what I mean.
Anyway, this is the storyline that shows up on our PBS stations and main stream media. If it's a different story, as is your assertion, I haven't yet run across it over here. Live and learn.

Unfortunately there are a lot of people over here that will sell out these animals to rich hunters to make some good money. They are found all over farms, private property and reserves, so at least 50% of people are in their hunting grounds at any given time in this country.

But I guess people like Lynn can come over here and shoot them all because money talks... sadly.

It is my understanding that a great many of the endangered animals on your continent are in fact, endangered, mainly as a result of your people's (indigenous Africans) incessant poaching for "bush meat" and/or exportation to other countries for various sundry purposes.
So, are you saying the wholesale slaughter of wildlife is done by tourist hunters like Lynn exploiting the lawlessness of African culture and government for his own greedy pleasure?

Would that be the bottom line here, by your reckoning?

 

[Thalestin]

You do know your just food in the eye's of your average leopard, right?
What if that leopard had taken a liking to the local villagers? I'm sure the people living near that leopard's hunting ground appreciated Lynn relieving them of a life or death burden.
Lynn's a hunter. And, his hunt, in all likelihood, helped their economy to boot. He's entitled to do his thing wherever the laws allow as long as he obeys them and pays all applicable fees and such. As long as he's not breaking any laws, it's a case of no harm, no foul. Well, except to one particular leopard, of course.

just sayin'...

Laws in other countries are often not in league with our own. It is important that we work to keep these types of animals for going extinct. Even if you dont give a rats ass about the animals that our part of these important ecosystems, just do it for your own survival. Each animal extinct is one more nail in our own species coffin. Just sayin...

 

[Thalestin]

Personally don't really know much about Lynn. I find his movies really silly but whatever. Main reason I dont like coldsteel is they make knives look like weapons and that is bad for all knife owners IMO. I find companies like coldsteel hurt the knife industry. Personal opinion, but thats just me

 

[misque]

Laws in other countries are often not in league with our own. It is important that we work to keep these types of animals for going extinct. Even if you dont give a rats ass about the animals that our part of these important ecosystems, just do it for your own survival. Each animal extinct is one more nail in our own species coffin. Just sayin...

You do realize that over 99% of all species that walked, swam, slithered or loped on this planet are now extinct, right?

That's not to say I'm all for running species into the ground, extinction has happened, will happen and not a whole lot of what we do will stop that inevitability in most cases. We can save some, maybe, but still. Just sayin'...

 

[A.P.F.]

You do realize that over 99% of all species that walked, swam, slithered or loped on this planet are now extinct, right?

Nuts! Ya beat me to it.

 

[The Government]

Is there a knife forum around here? I keep stepping on worms and empty cans. Where am I?

 

[misque]

Is there a knife forum around here? I keep stepping on worms and empty cans. Where am I?

I hear ya.

I apologize to the OP for sidetracking his thread with useless banter.

Now, how does this SK-5 work on CS's big knives? I want a Laredo Bowie and haven't a clue as to how this steel compares to Carbon V.

 

[udtjim]

I have never heard any legitimate criticism of the SK-5. I have not owned one as yet.

 

[TheBishop]

My introduction to knives was with CS.
Yeah, I evolved since.
But 15 years or so late, those CS knives still work, still cut, still take a beating.
Certain designs I love I never would find elsewhere.
I may think I'm more refined , but the grunts are still in use. I'm surprised where I find them in all the baggage.

 

[Tostig]

If you can't say it to a man's face, don't say it at all.

Forums tend to bring out the worst in some folks who maybe do not get the chance in real life to be a loudmouthed jerk hiding in the anonimity of the net.

I have better things to do than to badmouth someone I not only , do not know , but have no real reason not to like.



Tostig

 

[338375]

I have owned a few CS products and was very happy with them.

Reasonably priced and they work. Are there other companies that make better knives ? Sure there are.

I don't know what his level of proficiency in martial arts actually is, but from what I've read, he no doubt has some experience.

The way he markets his product works very well. Because there are always people talking about him and his products. What more could a company ask for ?

 

[sweet_hitch-hiker]

some of their stuff is good, but some is a little over the top and unnecessary. like the torpedo, gunstock warclub, some of their swords (two handed great sword for example), and extra large espada (a folder w/ a 7.5in blade and 16.75 in oal). things like that are kinda what put people off from them

 

[Mossyhorn]

People love to bash Lynn Thompson. His knife designs are solid and the knives and machete's made in Africa will out perform the competitions that are made in China. The higher end knives are worth every cent. I really like the Caledonian Edge.