New found respect - Cold Steel

coop1957

coop1957

Joined
Oct 22, 2002
Messages
2,624
I've been into knives now for about 20 years or so. Mostly modern folders and traditional pocket knives. I've always avoided "Tacticool" or "Mall Ninja" types of knives. Last summer a friend of mine who went camping with us had a Cold Steel axe. It was an impressive tool. He also had a older Recon folder. I told him that I never even considered Cold Steel. I was more of a Spyderco, Benchmade, Kershaw, Al Mar, Chris Reeves, Case, GEC type of guy. Fast forward to my birthday and he gave me a Cold Steel med Voyager clip point. I gotta say this is one impressive knive. Built like a tank, beefy and strong. I had thought AUS8 was an inferior steel. But the blade was super sharp and holds an edge decently. I guess what they say about heat treating being the key to any steel is very true. Out of the box the Tri Ad lock was a little stiff. I took it apart and lube things up a bit. Needless to say there are more Cold Steel knives in my future.
 
The only Cold Steel knife I own is the Bushman fixed blade. I'm quite impressed with it, particularly for the low price. I bought it as a "beater" fixed blade for outdoors and it appears to be more than capable.
 
That Voyager you got cost roughly $35 too. My large Voyagers cost $40. They're a ridiculously good deal.
 
Their mid-priced knives go toe-to-toe with any other manufacturer/distributor.:thumbup:

Their higher priced stuff, not so much.
 
stabman said:
Their mid-priced knives go toe-to-toe with any other manufacturer/distributor.:thumbup:

Their higher priced stuff, not so much.
Click to expand...

This!

I used a SanMaiIII trailmaster for years (about 10), and sold it with all kinds of life left in it. But if laying out that same cash there are other knives I recommend to people ahead of it (the Krayton handle material on the large knife is not an ideal choice for me).

I have an old Recon1, and a new one with the triad lock.

I tend to carry more "subdued" traditionals, but any time I take a knife out for "after dark" or "Bad Neighborhood" it is hard not to grab the Recon 1.
 
would you guys say that the CS voyager is the best evolution of the Buck folding hunter? say 'yes' and i'll buy one. :D
 
hank, they are very good. Only real criticism depending on the person would be handle material and extensive use edge retention. The handle material and blade material have advantages too though, basically cost and toughness. I've used my Large Vaquero to hack, cut, stab, etc. a lot of different materials on a regular basis and I just touch it up roughly once a week with an old LoRay sharpening kit.

The handle design, lock mechanism, and fit & finish make them easily worth double the price in my opinion. In these three criteria they are as good or better than any folders I've used or owned from $20-160
 
My medium CS Voyager clipoint is my new EDC hard user. It is ridiculously strong. I would never subject my Native or medium Kershaws to the abuse that I am going to put this knife through. My large tanto is a little too heavy and wide to EDC comfortably, but it looks and feels indestructible.
 
To the Op, with all do respect you even admit you never had considered them so I am assuming you have never used one either.Maybe in the future you shouldn't just believe what knife snobs with too much money(400$ folders) say about something without experiencing it for yourself.
 
Nternal said:
To the Op, with all do respect you even admit you never had considered them so I am assuming you have never used one either.Maybe in the future you shouldn't just believe what knife snobs with too much money(400$ folders) say about something without experiencing it for yourself.
Click to expand...

Nope I never used one until recently. I don't consider myself a knife snob. Don't have any $400 folders. Sorry I'm late to Cold Steel. Better late than never.
 
I usually recommend a recon or ak-47 to my friends who want a tactical knife after seeing my spartan.
 
Nothing wrong with Cold Steel. Their Voyagers and Recons are worth every penny and more. They have one of the strongest locks available. They are great edc's for hard use environments!
 
I like the Voyagers best due to the more plain jane styling all in all you just can't beat a 35$ knife with a Triad-Lock and while the AUS-8 is no super steel by any means it's got a good heat treat and more than servicable IMO.
 
I really need to pick me up one of those Voyager's. At that price, really, why not? Cold Steel has always treated me well.
 
I have these Cold Steel knives and have been extremely happy with each of them. I feel they all were good value knives , but I refrained from the higher-priced items as I didn't think they were worth it and it was better to get customs instead.

COLD STEEL AMERICAN LAWMAN
COLD STEEL MINI LAWMAN
COLD STEEL RECON 1 CLIP POINT
COLD STEEL LARGE VOYAGER
COLD STEEL MEDIUM VOYAGER
COLD STEEL SRK (AUS-8A)
COLD STEEL SRK ( CARBON-5)
COLD STEEL BUSHMAN
COLD STEEL KUKRI
COLD STEEL PENDLETON HUNTER
COLD STEEL PENDLETON LITE HUNTER (2)
COLD STEEL READY-EDGE
COLD STEEL MASTER HUNTER SAN MAI 3
 
I carried a Cold Steel Scimitar for a number of years. It was a black plain blade one. It was the first serious knife I 've had. As it happened my grandson's knife had gotten dull and he didn't have a way to sharpen it. So I sent him the Scimitar and a diamond bench block. My view was that his need was greater since he is chasing bad guys in South West Asia. Anyway I did like it and now he likes it. I can't report that I put it to serious use myself though. When He gets back I'll let you know how it worked. His other knife is a benchmade of some kind and it's sharp now.

Regards, Porkie
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top