Newbie and Cold Steel

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As you can see I'm new to the forum, lurked a little here and there for info on Cold Steel knives, just haven't found what I was looking for. I was interested in getting the Trail Master until I read from their catalog, that there shop was in Taiwan. So I'm asking is CS a manufacturer worth buying from? I like to buy American even if it cost more.
 
They make decent knives, and the addition of the Tri-ad lock is something many swear by. Many other reputable makers have factories outside of the US but if you are avid about sticking with american made, try one of these: Ka-bar knives, Becker Knife & Tool, Ontario, ESEE, etc. Or look for some of CS' older models that were produced by Camillus (they have Carbon V steel)
 
I have an old carbon V Trail Master 2nd. It's been a great knife, The O1 models should be good too. But if you'd prefer American there are MANY good choices. Swamp Rat, Scrap Yard and ESEE to name just a few affordable but very high quality American knives.
 
They are fine knives....their popularity among the general public as well as among many knife nuts is evidence of that.

I believe they are not really a manufacturer or maker...there is no Cold Steel plant or shop anywhere. Technically, they are a distributor.

Shouldn't stop you from getting one if you like them.
 
Look at Becker and Esee. Made in USA, lifetime warranties, and the prices will pleasantly surprise you.
 
LT and friends can be a bit over the top, but there is no denying they make a great knife.

I have owned several over the years and have never been disappointed.
 
I purchased my first Esee a few weeks ago and couldn't be happier, there steel holds a edge like crazy plus its very easy to re-sharpen and American made!
 
Their great! I have a few. Just bought a new voyager. But if your dead set on made in America look at Scrapyard knives.
IMG_20130504_203358_442_zps0450be4b.jpg

The one in th middle is a Scrapyard. The others are Busse. They will beat the hell out of a Trail Master all day long and come back for more.
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If you like the design of the Trailmaster enough that you'd be willing to forego your preference to buy American made products, then go for it. It's a good knife, (though not what I'd personally go with,) and CS is a decent company.
If American made is a must, look into the Buck Hoodlum, along with the rest of the knives/companies previously mentioned. You can get the Hoodlum for less than the Trailmaster if you look around a bit.
 
Cold Steel make good beater knives, but if American made is a must, you'll have to look elsewhere.
 
I have owned and used many CS products over the years.

There have been a few disappointments.

One down side, their warranty is not confidence inspiring.

Their Tri Ad lock is stellar. It is my favorite lock on the market right now.

I had the Trailmaster, in SanMai for about a decade.

In that price range I would take any chopper by Busse, Swamprat, Scrapyard (and quite a few other production manufacturers), or any custom chopper from one of many makers on this site.


They are a great source for cost effective, tough folders. Tough to beat them for any number of nifty fun stuff. Like their super blow guns, inexpensive hawks, shovels, axes, spears, etc, etc, etc.
 
Not being American, I'm not as concerned on where a knife is made, just it's quality.
CS sell decent knives and if you can get past the antics of LT, there is some genuinely good blades in their catalogue.
However.
They make some awful mall ninja crap too, and their choice of steels could be better, plus the QC can be hit or miss.
If I could, if there was one I wanted, I'd try to buy in a shop so I could check out the fit and finish before handing of my cash.
 
Taiwan blades aren't all bad quality... it really depends on the brand. Cold Steel's blades are generally very good. Their folders are amazing.

If you want American...you're gonna pay a premium. There's no guarantee that just because a blade is made in the ole US of A that it's not gonna have issues or fail either so...just keep that in mind.
 
It's true, "made in the USA" is no guarantee of quality.
I have had several poor Buck 110s, all USA made, whereas all my Taiwan made Spydercos have been perfect.
I know the 110 is a classic design, but would it kill them to make it with an adjustable pivot instead off a peened pin?
 
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