New Member with a question re: CS

Their $300+ knives aren't made of materials that legitimize their price tag, no matter how well made.
 
I've got several of their "larger" folders. THe Vaquero Grande, THe Large Voyager, Gunsite, and most recently the Large Espada. Never had a problem with any of them, doubt I will. Who cares what LT does?

So some of them are made in Taiwan! The Espada is one heck of a nice knife for having come from Taiwan.:thumbup: Could'nt tell if it did'nt say so on the blade.:cool:
 
morrowj_98 said:
Oh no....now you've done it. You've said sebenza and strider in a cold steel thread. that has to one of the signs of the apocalypse. good thing it isn't 2012 or we'd all be dead by now. :)

To stay on topic. I do not currently own any cold steel products but I have in the past (Voyagers) and found them to be a good value. I doubt I'll be buying any more in the future as most of their designs don't appeal to me.
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ROFL !!!!!! :D

They are all good knives really. :thumbup:

You can't really lose buying any of them IMO. :thumbup:

All that really matters is what YOU like. :)
 
Ankerson said:
All that really matters is what YOU like. :)
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That's what it comes right down to in the end.

I'm not a fan of their marketing... but then again, I'm not a big fan of the vast majority of marketing, so it doesn't really bother me. From my very limited experience (I don't own one, but a friend does) their fixed blade are good knives.

Most of the Cold Steel folders that I've seen have really turned me off. They seem to have the design philosophy that the more knife the better and design some ridiculously huge knives that really don't interest me. Cold Steel doesn't seem to offer a lot of knives in the sizes that I prefer to carry (2.5 to 3.5 inches), so I've never really been very interested in looking through their catalog.

I really couldn't care less what stories Lyn Thompson makes up and tell about himself, or his knives (I feel the same about Strider). If they make a knife that interests me, I'll give it a look. I'm always open to new things.
 
I have owned and used CS knives for over a decade. Folders, Fixed blades, etc. Honestly, in the higher price range for their bigger fixed blades, they are getting a bit pricey, when compared to to some other brands. I owned and used a CS trailmaster bowie in the sanmaiIII. It was laser sharp, with great finish on the knife. After long use, the handle material became uncomfortable on the hand. That same knife with a stacked leather handle, or mycarta handle would be much better. The sheath was sub par for the sticker price of the knife, functional but not pretty. A good work knife, but there were areas for improvement. I think in that same price range, if I was looking for a laminated steel blade, I would take a look at Falkniven knives.

But in that price range I would definitely jump on a Scrap yard, or Swamp rat in the same size much much quicker. Lifetime warranty's there, that follow the knife. They also use Resiprine C which is a stronger, longer lasting knife handle material than Krayton. (spelling?) that CS uses on their fixed blades. It can get too grippy under extended use, and is a bit to soft in the heat.

The laminated steel they use in their sanmaiIII blades really did a great job with edge retention. It was the longest I have ever had a knife go with actual use and still be shaving sharp. I have heard great things about Falkniven's laminated steel for edge retention.

Their hawks are great value, the folders for the most part are great values. Strong locks. Decent steel. Good designs (for the most part). I have used a recon 1 folder for 10 years with great results. Solid strong knife for the money.

Their carbon steel fixed knives are a decent value if you shop around. Again, in that area there are a few knives I would look at for that price range. I really think Rat Cutlery is a great value with a better warranty.

I think where CS really really shines in their entry level stuff. they have tons of cheap knives for really cheap. I think their GI tanto is super tough (and I mean super tough) for the price. I have done stupid things with that knife, and not been able to break it. I use it as a thrower, and it has been bounced off of concrete and hardened steel without breaking, with really hard throws. For the price, you can't beat it. All they need to do is offer a version with a non tanto grind, and I would buy 10 of them and give them as gifts to younger kids who need an indestructible knife (like scouts).

CS really offers niche products that really, you can't find elsewhere. They sell various spears, that are actually strong enough to use for real hunting.

The special forces shovel is a great value and actually a useful tool as well.

I have much nicer more expensive knives, but I really do look at their line up often.


People do hate on the company, Mostly because of the owner. He really needs some wardrobe advice. Short shorts are no good!

Some one above said their products fail often. That has not been my experience at all! I think that for the most part they are solid.

I have seen a few pictures of broken CS recon scouts, and I think a SRK? maybe. But the one break was from battoning a big hunk of frozen log, and you could break a lot of decent fixed blades if you do it wrong. There are stress risers that might be an issue with those particular knives (which is shared by the design of the trailmaster, but I battoned with mine for years). The tang meets up with a 90 degree shoulder which can create a weak spot.

Just look at what interests you then ask for feed back on that particular knife.

And for sure, shop the design around. Don't order directly from CS website, go to the ltspecpro.com for cheaper prices, or find another reputable site.

I still have about 4 of their knives, three of their axes, and there is a bunch of other stuff I want from their site, like more of their hawks, and seriously I could use some spears for throwing.
 
I have some very early on tanto blades in the San Mai steels that have held on very well and the handle/grip design of these knives rule supreme in martial art exercises I have used them in for years. Good balance. I am not sure of the present production models but I would think they were of at least equal quality. I would like to handle a Tai-Pan.
 
I own a few Cold Steel knives and each is perfect for the job I give it. The first is a Twistmaster, a large but lightweight knife with leaf shaped blade in Carbon 5 which is perfect for stashing away with the camping gear. Second (or second and third) are Red River trader style knives in slicing and butcher styles, again in Carbon 5, serving very well in my kitchen. The most recent is a GI Tanto which is an excellent around-the-house project knife. It was perfect for unsticking a painted shut window; cutting, scraping and prying. As for LT hisself, if you haven't tried hacking and chopping and jumping around in spandex don't knock it!:eek:
 
I've had a few Cold Steel knives over the years, most of which I still have: A Master Hunter, LTC Kukri, and a couple of Ultralock folders I originally got sent for review. More recently a Spike, Finn Bear, and Roach Belly. The last two were cheap as chips and for the price I've been impressed by them, particularly the Roach Belly. For factory-made knives they certainly come with a good edge. There are a few other CS knives I'd consider buying, not too many, either because of the high price or simply because I don't like the look of them. I can understand people disliking their gimmiky marketing, the 'over the top' videos, and even bolder claims, as well as their apparent propensity to 'take inspiration from others'.
 
I agree with Bigfattyt. Most of the knives are great for the price; but the entry level is where they shine. I've got almost 100 items of theirs....Carbon V Kukri, TrailMaster, Recon Tanto, Bushman, and Laredo (I will say that I don't know about their new steels); a number of their AUS 8A knives (original push dagger - the longer model, three of their sexy V-shaped, hollow grind spikes); multiples of their little neck knives; multiples of each of their tomahawks and battle axe (EXCELLENT for modding! Vector uses Cold Steel heads for his tomahawks - go visit the Hawk forum); five of their 1917 Cutlasses (ditto - and one of the best entry level short sabres for the price that I've handled); three of their discontinued pole axes (EXCELLENT for modding!); seven of their machetes (I plan to mod their short bowie machete into a Nachez-style fighter); six blow guns (best production ones I've handled...hard-hitting and much better than the more common .40 cals); and way too many of their various plastic stuff (I know that doesn't sound impressive; but you should pick some of them up!). I'm itching to get some spears, next.

Don't buy their high-end; decent-enough knives, but not worth the expense, I think. The regular stuff will not let you down, as long as you understand that you are not getting "super steel" (in other words, use them for knife tasks). I prefer their fixed blades to their folders - might just be that I'm a Benchmade and Spyderco folder fan. Don't buy on their website unless it's during one of their big sales (Christmas and 4th of July....3 Cutlasses for $300 a few years ago!!); you can get them cheaper just about anywhere else.

About LT.......everyone markets. Everyone. I don't know why people get so torqued about it. He's not as bad as some folks say. And Cold Steel has always been very good to me.
 
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