My AK-47 and Cutting Geometry

Insipid Moniker

Insipid Moniker

Joined
Feb 28, 2011
Messages
27,451
So, my Manix 2 XL has been my go-to folder for more than a year, but I now find it splitting pocket time about equally with the Cold Steel AK-47. Is it the nasty looks? The skull crusher pommel? The thumbplate pocket opener? Nope, it's the cutting geometry.

Between the marketing and the Triad lock and the wildly varying reputation of Cold Steel on these forums one thing that I think sadly gets lost in the tumult is that they make knives that CUT. Honestly, Spyderco is the only production company I know of that has the grinds and geometry to consistently match them. Sure, Benchmade has a few good slicers and even ZT finally managed to put out the 0770, but all too many modern folders have thick edges, thick grinds and wedge their way through material far more than slice it.

So here's a shout out to CS for designing knives that do what knives are supposed to do. Yeah, the AK-47 may look like a ferocious tactical folder to fight off the zombie-ninja horde, but that thing breezes through double walled cardboard like it wasn't even there. It's a workhorse in wolf's clothing.

So, CS, keep doing what you're doing. Thin grinds, thin stock and edges meant to slice, not pry. Modern folders need more of that, not less.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
So, my Manix 2 XL has been my go-to folder for more than a year, but I now find it splitting pocket time about equally with the Cold Steel AK-47. Is it the nasty looks? The skull crusher pommel? The thumbplate pocket opener? Nope, it's the cutting geometry.

Between the marketing and the Triad lock and the wildly varying reputation of Cold Steel on these forums one thing that I think sadly gets lost in the tumult is that they make knives that CUT. Honestly, Spyderco is the only production company I know of that has the grinds and geometry to consistently match them. Sure, Benchmade has a few good slicers and even ZT finally managed to put out the 0770, but all too many modern folders have thick edges, thick grinds and wedge their way through material far more than slice it.

So here's a shout out to CS for designing knives that do what knives are supposed to do. Yeah, the AK-47 may look like a ferocious tactical folder to fight off the zombie-ninja horde, but that thing breezes through double walled cardboard like it wasn't even there. It's a workhorse in wolf's clothing.

So, CS, keep doing what you're doing. Thin grinds, thin stock and edges meant to slice, not pry. Modern folders need more of that, not less.
Click to expand...

Yeah,What he said!
 
Insipid Moniker said:
So, my Manix 2 XL has been my go-to folder for more than a year, but I now find it splitting pocket time about equally with the Cold Steel AK-47. Is it the nasty looks? The skull crusher pommel? The thumbplate pocket opener? Nope, it's the cutting geometry.

Between the marketing and the Triad lock and the wildly varying reputation of Cold Steel on these forums one thing that I think sadly gets lost in the tumult is that they make knives that CUT. Honestly, Spyderco is the only production company I know of that has the grinds and geometry to consistently match them. Sure, Benchmade has a few good slicers and even ZT finally managed to put out the 0770, but all too many modern folders have thick edges, thick grinds and wedge their way through material far more than slice it.

So here's a shout out to CS for designing knives that do what knives are supposed to do. Yeah, the AK-47 may look like a ferocious tactical folder to fight off the zombie-ninja horde, but that thing breezes through double walled cardboard like it wasn't even there. It's a workhorse in wolf's clothing.

So, CS, keep doing what you're doing. Thin grinds, thin stock and edges meant to slice, not pry. Modern folders need more of that, not less.
Click to expand...

I think many CS knives are viewed as "Assault Knives" in the community. That mentality. Kinda like how the Left sees ARs and AKs (no pun intended) or any other large semiautomatic rifle/machine gun.
 
Agree! the AK47 is a heck of a slicer.

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Much better than my Pacific Salt for precise cutting, no doubt. Amazing that such a strong folder has such a slicey grind.

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Much underappreciated and overlooked, mainly because of Brand and name...

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I just made almost this exact comment in another thread. Every Cold Steel knife that I've used over the past 20 years has had amazing edge geometry. Bravo to Lynn and everyone at Cold Steel, Bravo.
 
Well said man with the boring, bland screen name ;) In general, I have found that my tastes have moved in this direction in terms of both folders and fixed. Strong does not have to sacrifice slicy. It took long enough for me to learn this, but lesson learned nonetheless. Cold Steel has got this right, and they have upped their game considerably in the last year and a half (or so). Well done Cold Steel and well said Insipid Moniker
 
Well thanks for this write-up, I actually have an AK47 in the cart now. Was having second thoughts, but the Knifecenter 10% off discount certainly helps and this. It will be my first Cold Steel folder.
 
CookieRawwr said:
Well thanks for this write-up, I actually have an AK47 in the cart now. Was having second thoughts, but the Knifecenter 10% off discount certainly helps and this. It will be my first Cold Steel folder.
Click to expand...

congrats and hope there will be more
 
Insipid Moniker said:
Between the marketing and the Triad lock and the wildly varying reputation of Cold Steel on these forums one thing that I think sadly gets lost in the tumult is that they make knives that CUT.
Click to expand...

I agree wholeheartedly. If the naysayers would set aside their preconceived biases, I believe they would begin to see Cold Steel knives for what they are...great knives for the money that actually cut.
 
I will add to the acclaim; Colds Steel's high hollow grinds are awesome cutters. The edge stays thin even after repeated sharpening.
 
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