Opinions on Cold Steel

Leo Greer

Leo Greer

Gold Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2021
Messages
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So, I’m relatively new to knives, and I’ve never owned anything from Cold Steel except for some random throwing stars. From what I’ve seen, Cold Steel has some issues, and some even seem to look at it like a black sheep, but then others love it and Cold Steels are regularly bought and sold on the exchange.

What are y’all’s opinions? 🤔
 
Leo Greer said:
So, I’m relatively new to knives, and I’ve never owned anything from Cold Steel except for some random throwing stars. From what I’ve seen, Cold Steel has some issues, and some even seem to look at it like a black sheep, but then others love it and Cold Steels are regularly bought and sold on the exchange.

What are y’all’s opinions? 🤔
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A lot of us are waiting to see what happens with the GSM buyout. So far the products seem to be fine, but much of that may have already been in the works, so may take more time to see the impact. One issue under GSM seems to be a complete lack of customer service.
 
They're the BEST!!

No, just kidding. I really do like CS well enough though, even though I, like everyone, am a little wary on how things will go post GSM-sale. I originally valued them for the large, high-toughness knives they were making, they were telling it true when they said "When every other manufacturer is making the dinkiest little knives on the market, we're making them large and strong", like, who else can say that, ZT? Those clunkers over at Medford or Strider, er, Burger? I guess 4" and fat is large... So, I love knives like the Espada and Voyager XLs.

Then, I realized what a great and tough work-knife they make. I love the AUS8a-10a for its soft toughness, so far it has been good to me and it seems like it can stand up to some whacking. That is my problem with modern super-steels, too brittle, most of them. Gotta get some Cruwear or K390 to do anything choppy. And the budget, the price is right. The lock is good. The styles are unique. They have a lot of good points with me. Of course their advertising is ridiculous, part of the charm.
 
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I've owned a decent number of Cold Steel knives.

I also have a handful of hawks, pole axe viking axe, shovel, blow guns etc.


Their folders with the triad lock are great. Super strong lock. I use two Recon 1 with triad lock and G10.

They have held up great over the years.
I have gifted several to my dad, and my sons.

Most are a solid value.

I had a Trailmaster in SanMai for about a decade. Solid knife...

Their higher end stuff, like the Sanmai offerings, I tend to look at other hard use knives like Busse, Swamp Rat or Scrap Yard knives or customs knives.

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Some test cutting ( we are all familiar with the cutring videos cutting the heavy duty shipping tunes. A much tougher target than I would have ever believed before getting one from Copd Steel and trying it out!! The tube would support my 350 lbs weight without crushing!!)

The trailmaster tended to twist in my hand and roll in the cut. This was due to the age/softness of the rubber handle. It was about 10 years old and well used at this point. I believe at it had been exposed to Deet from repeated use of bug spray. It was definitely a bit squishier than it once was.
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Another bigger knife from Busse made the cut with ease. I think the Trailmaster would have, if I had a fresh handle or replaced the handle with either stacked leather or micarta (I wish I had kept the knife stand done a rehandle).

I do prefer Busse's Resiprine C handle material greatly over what cold steel uses (i think the older CS stuff was called Kraton?). Busse/Swamp Rat, Scrap Yard's resiprine C is better. It is chemically stable, immune to solvents and Deet, and firmer/harder/ tougher but still comfy to use. It also, in my use, seems to absorb less, clean up easier has has a better tactile feel, and sticks to clothing/fabrics less and seems much more stable over time.

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I always had a love/hate relationship with Cold Steel, and I own at least ten different CS products, and I love them all. I will say that now that Lynn is gone, it's like the soul has left the body, and I find myself not interested in anything new that Sold Steel makes or will make in the future. No LT, no Andrew Demko = no further purchases from me. That doofus "Stickman" is the worst. He is a marketing dweeb whose personal opinion towards the people who loved Cold Steel has been obvious to me from the start. "Let me make this video so these mall ninja losers will buy our conglomerate's product, so this investment makes us a net profit. (heavy sigh and beckons an assistant to hand him that dumb walking stick)....Roll camera..."
 
I've owned many cold steel folders, but I always end up getting rid of them; none of their design really speaks to me and I found most triad locks to be a little too stiff on the thumb (let's say, compared to buck or spyderco LBs).

I will end up keeping the S35VN 4in Ti-Lite, because I like it for strange reasons (which I shall not name).

Also their pocket clips are atrocious.

Still, more solid knives than Gerber that for sure, or SOG. I havent had fit and finish issues with CS, and their edges are usually pretty outstanding, near spyderco territory.
 
dogstar said:
By the way, if you see any of my other posts, most of my knives are Cold Steel. They make functional, strong knives for a very good price. Color me a mall ninja, I embrace it proudly. 😸
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No shame!!! To me, one of the tenets of mall-ninjary is that their blade must be made of "HIGH CARBON 2CR STAINLESS". CS quality is a bit more than that. BudK is an example of a poor, irresponsible knife company ripping off CS, selling to mall ninjas.
dogstar said:
Let me guess... Mall Ninjas 🥷???
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That is what was implied, yes.
Dergyll said:
I will end up keeping the S35VN 4in Ti-Lite, because I like it for strange reasons (which I shall not name).
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Because it is cool, has the vibe of a stiletto, and you feel like Ace from Stand By Me every time you wave it menacingly in front of you? That's why I like my 6" stiletto 😁
 
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Leo Greer said:
So, I’m relatively new to knives, and I’ve never owned anything from Cold Steel except for some random throwing stars. From what I’ve seen, Cold Steel has some issues, and some even seem to look at it like a black sheep, but then others love it and Cold Steels are regularly bought and sold on the exchange.

What are y’all’s opinions? 🤔
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Cold Steel has been one of the highest quality knife manufacturers for 30+ years, it could be argued Lynn Thompson got his distribution model by copying Sal Glesser (Spyderco), but they're both wildly successful so I don't think anyone is complaining.
The biggest difference between the two companies is where Sal has concentrated on serving a utility focused community through direct input and interaction, Lynn focused on serving the Martial Arts community as an extension of his own interests, again, both have been wildly successful in filling their individual niche.
 
I own exactly one Cold Steel knife (their copy of Canadian Belt Knife). To me it's a disposable knife. It's in its sheath that's zip tied to the front of my trout boat as a just in case blade that won't be missed if it goes kersplash.

I am much the same with CRKT and recent Gerber and Kershaw stuff too so factor that in.
 
I've got the mini recon 1 in XHP steel, it's a decent knife.

And I also bought the small viking axe. The wood handle on this came almost paper white. Did a fluke mod on the wood. Mixed some ash with water and rubbed it down and voila now it looks pretty much antique!

I also epoxied the head onto the handle, it had a tendency to loosen.

So IMO they make some cool stuff, but be prepared to make some mods and fixes if you buy one of their "weapons".

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353 said:
I've got the mini recon 1 in XHP steel, it's a decent knife.

And I also bought the small viking axe. The wood handle on this came almost paper white. Did a fluke mod on the wood. Mixed some ash with water and rubbed it down and voila now it looks pretty much antique!

I also epoxied the head onto the handle, it had a tendency to loosen.

So IMO they make some cool stuff, but be prepared to make some mods and fixes if you buy one of their "weapons".

k7ROtqq.jpg
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If the epoxy ever comes loose, you can try to friction fit the head. They eye is tapered so the handle is pressed on with every strike. Throw away the set screw and use a rasp to remove the high spots on the handle. Also remove any burrs inside the eye. To be honest I think they make the handle with extra wood so you can custom fit every head.
 
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