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Good eye. But the R1 is actually in the 93-94 catalog, bottom of the page under the Recon Tanto. And I have a Fall 92 Special Projects catalog that doesn't have the R1, so pretty good bet it started in 93-94.
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My vintage Cold Steel pictures, discussions, and general shenanigans
- Thread starter 1stID
- Start date
Yep, missed that. The picture in the 93 catalog doesn't say on the blade where it's made, but I bet it was Taiwan as the write up talks about the same steel as the tanto line, and how affordable it is.
Maybe CS could get these made in Taiwan for a lot less than Japan and figured they needed that for them to be sellers, while the tantos had such a lure about them the higher price was OK.
Maybe CS could get these made in Taiwan for a lot less than Japan and figured they needed that for them to be sellers, while the tantos had such a lure about them the higher price was OK.
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Could be. If they did start in Taiwan, it didn't last very long, so maybe after a bit they got an offer from Japan they couldn't refuse.
Got in the 9" Oyabun this week. It's the black epoxy coating version, which I'd seen in the catalogs but never for sale.
Here's the Oyabun and Kobun collection. 9" versions of the Oyabun, and there's a 7" version that was made as well.
The Kobun's are 5" models, one smooth edge and one serrated.
Here's the Oyabun and Kobun collection. 9" versions of the Oyabun, and there's a 7" version that was made as well.
The Kobun's are 5" models, one smooth edge and one serrated.
I've been on a Trailmaster kick of late, with two old school beauties added to the collection.
First up in an as new Trailmaster, 1st generation with the little notch behind the blade. I really didn't need it - I already had one just like it except it's a factory second (an interesting version - it has a 2nd engraved on the grip side of the guard, and looks sort of cool, compared to the nasty looking 2 stamped into the grip on other factory seconds), and this one had a leather sheath.
Was on eBay cheap, I put a bid in for 200 bucks and won it at 190. Even without the history of Cold Steel and the fact the blade is 30 plus years old, you can't buy anywhere as good of a knife as a Carbon V Trailmaster for 200 bucks. So into the collection it goes:
First up in an as new Trailmaster, 1st generation with the little notch behind the blade. I really didn't need it - I already had one just like it except it's a factory second (an interesting version - it has a 2nd engraved on the grip side of the guard, and looks sort of cool, compared to the nasty looking 2 stamped into the grip on other factory seconds), and this one had a leather sheath.
Was on eBay cheap, I put a bid in for 200 bucks and won it at 190. Even without the history of Cold Steel and the fact the blade is 30 plus years old, you can't buy anywhere as good of a knife as a Carbon V Trailmaster for 200 bucks. So into the collection it goes:
Next up is a absolute beauty of a knife I've wanted for some time. A Flight of the Intruder Trailmaster!
This knife was made specifically for the movie of the same name, and was shown a couple of times in it. It's probably pretty doubtful that a pilot would actually carry something as big and bulky as a Trailmaster with him, but it made for a good prop in the movie, which I still haven't seen, but will watch later on, this baby in my lap.
It's a stainless steel made in Japan, and blacked out, with a mica handle. An awesome looking knife I'm proud to have a home for.
This knife was made specifically for the movie of the same name, and was shown a couple of times in it. It's probably pretty doubtful that a pilot would actually carry something as big and bulky as a Trailmaster with him, but it made for a good prop in the movie, which I still haven't seen, but will watch later on, this baby in my lap.
It's a stainless steel made in Japan, and blacked out, with a mica handle. An awesome looking knife I'm proud to have a home for.
And here's the Trailmaster collection - minus the Laredo Bowie. I pulled all the other ones out of the safe, and then forget the Laredo which I have in a stand in my libraray.
From the top:
Flight of the Intruder
Stag handle, 1st Gen
1st Gen
1st Gen in Carbon V but Made in Japan, which is very rare
1st Gen, factory second, with the interesting 2nd engraved on the guard
2nd Gen, stainless San Mai, Japan
Epoxy finish version, Carbon V
From the top:
Flight of the Intruder
Stag handle, 1st Gen
1st Gen
1st Gen in Carbon V but Made in Japan, which is very rare
1st Gen, factory second, with the interesting 2nd engraved on the guard
2nd Gen, stainless San Mai, Japan
Epoxy finish version, Carbon V
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Those pieces are great.
The TM is such a good looking blade.
I only have a couple in San Mai, and I admire them often.
The TM is such a good looking blade.
I only have a couple in San Mai, and I admire them often.
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Nice knifeI bought a UWK last week, mostly for the sheath (you know you're an obsessed collector when you want the sheaths too).
Apparently a lot of UWK's were sold without sheaths, as you often see them with an aftermarket ones, or none at all.
I read a post about "best fighting knife" and a guy linked to video of a guy using a "karanbit" - a very curved knife from the SE Asia area. I'd first seen this type of knife when Spyderdco came out with one, and never thought too much about them - looked far to curvy to run someone through with it, and sort of goofy.
But the price was right on eBay for this one - 65 bucks and it was brand new, so I ordered it, and it's nicer than I would have thought. Pretty nasty looking as well.
The Steel Tiger!!! This model came out in 2006, and by then you could see the writing on the wall for Cold Steel. While they still sold their classic lineup of knives, they were starting to offer a huge number of other models, many of which looked like ones you'd get at a flea market, or from Ninja ads in Shotgun News and such.
Interestingly, before I bought this one, I don't know if I'd ever seen one on eBay before. Now, there are 3-4 of them for sale, and I'd seen such batch sales before - you see a bunch of the same models for sale at once. I'd theorized that it could be that counterfit models are made in batches, and then sold in the same time frame. Others have said it more a matter of once a few versions sell, then other vendors have an idea on the price and demand and offer what they have in stock.
It's why I always try to see if the seller is an individual, or either a huge volume seller of random items, or has just a few sales. That said, there's only been one fake CS knife I've bought on eBay. The funny thing is that why it's a counterfeit (I think) Outdoorsman, I sharpened it up to as good as edge as any of my other knives, including the real CS ones. So while counterfeit, at least they used good steel it seems.
But the price was right on eBay for this one - 65 bucks and it was brand new, so I ordered it, and it's nicer than I would have thought. Pretty nasty looking as well.
The Steel Tiger!!! This model came out in 2006, and by then you could see the writing on the wall for Cold Steel. While they still sold their classic lineup of knives, they were starting to offer a huge number of other models, many of which looked like ones you'd get at a flea market, or from Ninja ads in Shotgun News and such.
Interestingly, before I bought this one, I don't know if I'd ever seen one on eBay before. Now, there are 3-4 of them for sale, and I'd seen such batch sales before - you see a bunch of the same models for sale at once. I'd theorized that it could be that counterfit models are made in batches, and then sold in the same time frame. Others have said it more a matter of once a few versions sell, then other vendors have an idea on the price and demand and offer what they have in stock.
It's why I always try to see if the seller is an individual, or either a huge volume seller of random items, or has just a few sales. That said, there's only been one fake CS knife I've bought on eBay. The funny thing is that why it's a counterfeit (I think) Outdoorsman, I sharpened it up to as good as edge as any of my other knives, including the real CS ones. So while counterfeit, at least they used good steel it seems.
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Removed photo per request from "The Whip". My sincere apologies sir!
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This is a thread from a guy sharing his collection of Cold Steel knives, most of them fairly rare, with a bunch of other Cold Steel fans. Why wouldn't you just start your own new thread instead of cluttering up 1stID's with a faked photo from a stupid April Fool's Day prank that Cold Steel posted on Instagram four and a half years ago?
To try to help get the thread back on topic, I'll add a picture of some Kobuns that I don't believe have shown up here yet.
On top is the newer black-bladed Taiwanese model with OD green handle. Below that is the original Japan-made version with the Blade-Tech sheath. At bottom is the U.S.-made Carbon V model. Pictured with the Carbon V knife is a custom Kydex sheath I commissioned from a sheath-maker friend because the blade was ground about 1/8th-inch too long for the sheath Cold Steel supplied with it, preventing it from seating properly. I still have the Cold Steel sheath, but the custom version permits me to carry the knife comfortably and securely.
-Steve
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Double Post Edited
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Isn't the title of the thread Cold Steel pictures, discussions and general shenanigans?
she·nan·i·gans
/SHəˈnanəɡənz/
noun
informal
she·nan·i·gans
/SHəˈnanəɡənz/
noun
informal
- secret or dishonest activity or maneuvering.
"widespread financial shenanigans had ruined the fortunes of many"- silly or high-spirited behavior; mischief.
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Wow, what a nice collection of CS knives going back so far!I got in a few UltraLock folding knives in. These came out in the early 90's, and before their more common Voyager folding tanto lines.
First up is a clip point.
Then a tanto point.
And the twofer.
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Beautiful collection!
I bought an Outdoorsman last week, for a couple of reasons. I have a very early model from the 80's, and this is the newer, San Mai III steel.
It also came with what looks and feels to be a purpose made kydex sheath for it, which I'd not seen before. I suppose it could have been made after the fact and not sold by Cold Steel, but it looks like some of their other kydex sheaths.
And it came with some Certificate of Authenticity that this one came from Lynn Thompson's personal collection! Which all sounded more impressive than when I looked at the piece of paper and saw it appatently had been trimmed by a 6 year old with a pair of scissors. Not exactly a straight line at the top.
I've seen these papers before, and they're all blank as to the knife model, which doesn't do much for it's importance.
Anyway, it's a nice knife for what I paid for it. The Cold Steel vintage knives have come down in price from a few years ago, and you can usually get a Tanto or Trailmaster for 200-300 bucks, which seems like a deal even if all you wanted was a good working knife. I'm sure a new production Bowie would cost as much as a vintage Trailmaster.
It also came with what looks and feels to be a purpose made kydex sheath for it, which I'd not seen before. I suppose it could have been made after the fact and not sold by Cold Steel, but it looks like some of their other kydex sheaths.
And it came with some Certificate of Authenticity that this one came from Lynn Thompson's personal collection! Which all sounded more impressive than when I looked at the piece of paper and saw it appatently had been trimmed by a 6 year old with a pair of scissors. Not exactly a straight line at the top.
I've seen these papers before, and they're all blank as to the knife model, which doesn't do much for it's importance.
Anyway, it's a nice knife for what I paid for it. The Cold Steel vintage knives have come down in price from a few years ago, and you can usually get a Tanto or Trailmaster for 200-300 bucks, which seems like a deal even if all you wanted was a good working knife. I'm sure a new production Bowie would cost as much as a vintage Trailmaster.