old Cold Steel tanto rubber handled "melting"

O

ohen cepel

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Sep 19, 2002
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Title pretty much explains it. Emailed Cold Steel about putting a new handle on it and never heard back from them. I would guess the knife is 30+ years old but I wouldn't expect the rubber handle to pretty much rot away. It is sticky and soft enough that a light push with your finger nail leaves an imprint. Totally gooey near the hilt. It's been sitting in a drawer for the last decade, not like I dipped it in acid or anything.

Is this normal? Anyone have this happen to them? Should I expect all the old Cold Steel handles to go this way with time? Will Cold Steel fix it and if so how do I make that happen? Warranty cover it?

Thanks in advance!
 
No it's not normal. My first CS knife was an SRK (28 years) which I still have and the handle material is fine.
Call CS customer service. I've heard that they can replace the handle, but not sure if that is covered
under warranty after this long.
 
Not normal, but not unheard of either. About 2 weeks ago someone posted about the same thing here, and I have heard similar stories over the years. Not sure what the deal is, but either Kraton isn't as impervious as we think, or maybe every once in a while a batch wasn't mixed right.
 
Everything breaks down and rots at some given point.
Especially petroleum based materials.
That is If you hadn't unknowingly applied some after care product
Which might had inadvertently reacted like a solvent agent instead...
Than Perhaps it has something to do with some unexplained chemical reaction
Eminating from other stuff that was kept enclosed togather in near extended perpetuity.
Certain Fumes and gases might have built up with high enough levels of potency
To form some level of reaction
Resulting in leaching and eventual goo like substance.
Unfortunately one Can't reverse the process...
 
I'm curious if you used some type of oil originally on that blade? Maybe that has something to do with it.
 
It's been sitting in a wooden cabinet for a decade or so, not sure if the previous owner put something odd on it but I have no reason to think so as it is in otherwise excellent condition. I never did more to it than wipe it down with a lightly oiled cloth and never put anything on the grip as I saw no need to. Nothing else has "melted" like this to include other CS's I have with a similar handle.

Totally understand the stuff happens. Wood handles split at times, etc, etc.

Will call them to see what they say. Annoyed that they didn't to respond to my email. Odds are I'll go with a customizer to put a new handle on it, if I am paying may as well get something a bit different. Any collector's value is likely gone or hurt even if CS does the work.
 
I think there is a Cold Steel Mod on this forum. I believe another person around here mentioned that cold steel told him 50 bucks for a rehandle job. I've been thinking about having mine rehandled by a professional in some type of micarta, canvas or linen. Maybe grind down that pointy butt some too like the outdoorsman model.
 
Any collector's value is likely gone or hurt even if CS does the work.[/QUOTE]

Not in my experience, in fact if you put in the ad it was worked on by CS they are sure it is not a fake and the work was done right. Yes I was quoted (over the phone)$50.00 to rehandle a Mag II but a friend wanted it as is so never sent it in.
 
:) I have several of those rubbery handled from the early 80's and they show no signs of decay whatever . But I'm the original owner and the handles have never had any solvent exposure . IIRC the other member with a similar problem said it was mostly near the hilt ? That might argue for solvent contact . WAG ! :confused:
 
I experienced some softening of a non-CS neoprene handle due to mosquito repellent (DEET), that I carried on one trip to Central America.
 
so some bad batches......most likely? as many say no chemical exposure and theirs failed....in that old linked thread.....or they just forgot about chemical exposure? or just different types used. or one version of kraton used that was no good for the application? be interesting to see what cold steel would say on the topic....somehow i doubt they will comment on what, when, where, and why.
 
I've heard of this happening to Kraton handles, but I've never experienced it. The oldest CS knife I own is an early '90s SRK, and the Kraton is fine on it, so it's not a matter of age alone.
 
My dad's old Shinobu has melted so much that the action is all gummy from goo in the pivot and all around everything. Gets all over your hand if you hold it.
My Mini Tanto and Master Tanto went to total goo...but my dad's Master Tanto is still just fine. :confused:

I hate Kraton.
 
Some things I have suspected of effecting soft rubber grips, though I have never seen a Krayton effected, are : hand lotion, WD-40 and citrus degreaser.
I have many EDC users with these handles. They are my number one favorite user handle though I have no canvas or burlap micarta which I suspect would be another one I would like.
None of my Krayton are over three years old though. Sad to hear.
My Grail has it but is super easy to make new handles and replace them if need be. I don't look forward to the day because I like these as they are.IMG_4179.JPG
IMG_4253.JPG
Not looking forward to redoing my Pendleton Hunter. No sir that might actually take some effort.
IMG_3916.jpg

Damb things are everywhere around my house.
IMG_4109.jpg
 
ohen cepel said:
Will Cold Steel fix it and if so how do I make that happen? Warranty cover it?
Click to expand...

I would say you are on your own. Be sure to CALL Cold Steel and talk to a person directly about it. Do not under any circumstance actually believe what you are told over the phone. Once you have the rehandled knife back in your hands then there will be plenty of time for believing.

Go ahead Cold Steel prove me wrong . . .
 
:) Maybe being a slob about NOT doing much cleaning and polishing has finally served me well . My old 80's Kraton handles are still perfect except for mechanical wear and dirt .:p Or maybe just got lucky ?
 
Rubber is a petrochemical so it will break down with time, even car tires stored properly will go out of date for use. Does anyone really expect the Kraton to outlast the pyramids? Same with chemicals and rubber, they don't mix. I like the grippiness of the Kraton so I pick that over more durable materials, still have my Gerber Mark I, II for the really rough stuff.
 
nephron said:
Rubber is a petrochemical so it will break down with time, even car tires stored properly will go out of date for use. Does anyone really expect the Kraton to outlast the pyramids? Same with chemicals and rubber, they don't mix. I like the grippiness of the Kraton so I pick that over more durable materials, still have my Gerber Mark I, II for the really rough stuff.
Click to expand...

This ^........................... I've found a sticky mess on my hands from DEET in bug spray also. I can't remember about WD-40 though. It happens at weird times and with different materials like black hockey tape etc. If I had a handle rot off I'd just see it as an opportunity for an interesting project. I still have half an Elk rack that I found in the bush once.
 
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