Opinions on Cold Steel

Originally posted by John_Wayne777
So basically what I am hearing is that specific knives made out of known quality materials (Carbon steel) like the Trailmaster and the Recon 1 are still decent knives, but that they are starting to incorporate lower quality metals in many of their knives. So one should take care what they buy.

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You sorted it out perfectly. :D
 
Just so no one gets confused, as most people here do seem to realize, Carbon V is not a stainless steel. It is a carbon steel about as tough as any other carbon steel on the market. Look at some of the handles, too, and you'll see the (shh ...) Camillus hand in all of them.

I read that the Navy buys SRKs by the crate for BUDS training. Cheap, tough, salt water use? throw them away when they rust. Or learn to take care of a good tool even under harsh conditions.

My Vaquero Grande is as ugly a knife as anyone ever designed but it could eat Spydercos for breakfast and snack on CRKTs for dessert. The X2 line isn't nearly as tough; the hollow grind didn't hold up like the VG's flat grind.
 
Welcome John_Wayne777,

I have been wanting to get another folder for a while too, one that will serve as more of a general utility knife. One that will hold an edge really well and that will stand up to some mild abuse.
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The problem with this is that there are ALOT of knives that will fit the bill here. Without some more specific requirements (amount to spend, style, materials, etc). All I can provide is my anecdotal experiences, but I'll try to answer your question.

For folders, I've had CRKTs, Bucks, SAKs, an SOG, an Al Mar, and my favourite, a few Benchmades.

My two most expensive folders are an Al Mar SERE 2000 (which has passed the spine whack test) and a Benchmade LE 732D2 (an Ares in D2 steel, with a Black Teflon coating). I like them both very much, and am surprised at the edge retention of VG10 more than anything else I have.

I don't have any Spydercos, their style doesn't particularly click we me (with the exception of the Lil'Temperance). Spyderco has a great reputation here for utilities knives, which would probably fit the bill. Lots of options for price. Very popular Spyderco's are the Delica, Endura, Police and Military. Priced to suit.

In Benchmade, you can't really go wrong with the AXIS AFCK (in D2), or Ares (73x series) or a mini-griptilian or even fullsize (my mini-grip gets just as much, if not more carry than my larger folders).

I wasn't impressed with my SOG (an access card, almost a novelty item IMHO). Anyhow, CRKT makes some good knives for the money, I haven't had any of my 3 M16's locks fail on me. CRKT AUS8 is decent, but I'd have to give the nod to Spyderco's VG10 (from forum response) or Benchmade's 154CM or D2...

From my experiences, the best QC seems to be Al Mar, then BM/Spyderco (about even from what I've read), then CRKT.

Hope that helps,

Regards,

Shaun.
 
Not being too well informed, prior to joining the forum I purchased two CS knives. A 6" Tanto, and the Laredo Bowie. Reading all the replies on this subject is certainly an educating experience. Although I really like some of the knives CS makes, (the shapes and sizes) I did not know that the steel was in some ways inferior. ( what is the opinion on SAN MAI III?) I purchased the Tanto in AUS8, seems to be holding up well, and the Laredo Bowie I keep well oiled and clean. To clean that puppy I polish it with FLITZ, and wipe it down with a product called "Sheath". Seems to be working well. I was wanting to purchase a Voyager II, A Black Bear, and a Tanto XII. but I think I will reconsider. Gees, I wish there were other 6" blade folders in better steel out there. Cheers. c.j.g.
 
If Cold Steel has served you well than go for it, but I don't personally care for their products or their infamous customer service.
 
Originally posted by cjg1941
Gees, I wish there were other 6" blade folders in better steel out there. Cheers. c.j.g.
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The Camillus CUDA Maxx folders, both the excellent bowie and less utilitarian but beautiful stiletto, have 5.5" thin, distally tapered, razor sharp blades of D2. With their titanium framelock handles, they are extremely reliable and almost indestructible.

Check the sales forums and you'll find them for less than the approximately $150 retail.
 
I have only 1 CS knife. The REcon 1 Tanto PE in AUS-8A. I bought it before I learned anything about being a true Knife Knutt. So I thought I was getting the highest quality production folder there was.:rolleyes: I have never had to deal with the company directly so I don't know what people mean when they speak of being treated poorly. But as for the knife. It came shaving sharp out of the box and held that edge for a good while. After a while it did get dull and I took it to be sharpened. The only complaint I have heard was from the man that sharpened it. "These CS Tantos are a pain to sharpen." Afetr looking at the design I can see why he said that.

But overall I have been plaesed with the knife. The lock has zero play. And survived a slitghly over enthusiastic spine whack test. I am curious to know what you all think of some of their Factory Seconds. Alot of their 420A and AUS-8A steel knives come in Carbon V when bought as a Factory Second. I have wanted a Peacekeeper 1 for a while but after hearing what you all think of 420a that went out the window. But what of a PC1 Fac 2nd in Carbon V? Have any of you had experiances with these? Thank you for your time.
 
Originally posted by cjg1941
Not being too well informed, prior to joining the forum I purchased two CS knives. A 6" Tanto, and the Laredo Bowie.
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I've had the basic Tanto for years and IMO it is a good knife. There is nothing wrong with AUS8, though now I prefer carbon steel for fixed blades. Unless Cold Steel does something really stupid like supporting the Taliban or Handgun Control Incorporated, the only things I'll consider when buying their knives is the quality and price. Their retail prices are high but I never pay retail. I just got two Carbon V Peacekeeper factory seconds for $35.00 each. Cold Steel factory seconds are one of the best options for quality knives at low prices. My SRK was $30.00. I think their higher end stainless knives like theit Tanto line are good quality, but for the price I'd rather get a custom or semi-custom.
 
Gotta chime in on this one.

First off, I don't like CS marketing, or their "proof" video/dvd. If you won't warranty what you do when showing off, then you don't stand behind your product very well. Having said that, I've never broken one, so I've never had to deal with their customer service.

Their offerings in Carbon V and AUS-8 are great, in my opinion. Both take a great edge, but the AUS-8 doesn't hold it long enough, in my opinion. If Jeff Clark says that Carbon V isn't as tough as 5160, I would believe him. I couldn't care less about the rusting, as far as I'm concerned, that's what you get when buying ANY knife, and especially, any non-stainless knife. Stainless should be 2 words, not one.

For folders, I just love the Trailguides. Small, light, and hold a great edge with their Carbon V blades. I know several women who like to clip them to their shorts while jogging, simply because they ARE light, and better than fingernails for protection.

As for the fixed blades, I have recently received a Peacekeeper I in Carbon V, factory second. I love it. I also love the SRK and Master Hunter, especially after I have thinned the edge out somewhat on my Edgepro. The SRK is only 3/16 thick, not 1/4 as so many folks like to talk about.

Good luck with your decision. My Trailmaster factory second is the BEST chopping Bowie I've ever run across. Period.
 
I have several CS knives, 3 Vaquero Grandes, all bought new on EBay for average price of $39 including shipping. One Triple Action, also bought on Ebay for $47, used but in immaculate condition. One SRK, bought new on Ebay for $42. All prices included shipping charges. I am very satisfied with all the knives I got. The Triple Action is the only knife they make with AUS10 steel. The VGs are AUS8 and the SRK is Carbon V. Their MSRP is way too high. Check out Ebay and you can usually get a good deal if patient and not get carried away with bidding. I would never buy any of their knives that are made of 420.
 
For similar money, you can get much higher quality without the bullsh!t. I just don't like them, they leave a bad taste in my mouth. I would almost equate them to scammers. Bottom line, for the price, look somewhere else.
 
Originally posted by Matteo Escobar
For similar money, you can get much higher quality without the bullsh!t. I just don't like them, they leave a bad taste in my mouth. I would almost equate them to scammers. Bottom line, for the price, look somewhere else.
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OK, OK matteo, we get it. You hate Cold Steel, and the company and Lynn Thompson and *nothing* will change your mind. We get it. Fortunately, we can all make our buying decisions based on our *own* experience. ;)
 
Check out Buzzbait's Spyderco Military review in the Reviews and Testing forum; it made a believer out of me! I personally avoid Spyderco's lockback's unless I can handle one at the store because I have several with vertical play in the lock. Not unsafe, just really annoying. My personal EDC is the Camillus EDC, it may be a little small for your needs though. I don't use folders very hard because that's not what they were built for IMO. I don't feel the need to stress the lock to the utmost because I just don't ever do that. I'll use a fixed blade in such a situation, or better yet a crowbar. I really like some of Benchmade's axis locks too, plus they get rave review here.
 
There are many knives my differnet makers I wish I bought when I had the chance.
CS included. Bias is not a good thing.
Company bashing can have very negative effects on brands.
Evaluating - you've got it nailed there- is the ticket.
I wish I thought that way a while back when I missed the boat on a lot of Black Jack.
 
I own a few CS fixed blades, but none of their folders (this is likely to change though since I'm probably going to buy a Vaquero Grande within the next couple of months).

They build great and unique designs at reasonable price points, but from what I've heard they've constantly reduced their quality standards for the sake of higher profit margins.
Their steels - with the possible exception of Carbon V (I've never owned one of their Carbon V knives so far) - are not exactly the best out there and they tend to use a bit too much Zytel and Kraton even in their more expensive knives.
 
Well I have to say that my Recon 1 tanto seems to be a really good knife. I was really attracted to the strength of the locking mechanism on this knife. A good spine whack should be easily survivable by this design.

I got my Trailmaster in Carbon V in the mail yesterday, and wowsers! I had no idea a knife that big could be so bleeding sharp! This thing didn't just shave off some hair, it shaved a bald spot on my arm as smooth as my Gillete razor would have done. This is the best edge I have had on an out of the box knife. Even my Buck folders seem dull next to this one. I was not impressed with the sheath, however. I may try to find a better one at a later date.

The handle on the thing can also be slippery when wet. Not a terribly good thing on a 9.5 inch razorblade...

I hope the edge stays for a while, but time will tell. I think the CS Trailmaster will stand up to my requirements without too much problem, but I will probably rarely use this big knife.

After buying it, however, I suddenly am overcome with the urge to buy a Randall bowie. Those are just beautiful knives...

As to the folder, I was hoping to spend no more than 50 bucks, and I want a blade less than 4.5 inches to comply with regs here at work. I have a Leatherman Wave (which is a really nice tool and has withstood all sorts of abuse...) but I want something with more strength and cutting power for larger jobs. It will be used to cut boxes, rope, zip-ties, wire guide, light to moderate pry work, etc.

I am more than willing to entertain a knife that is more than 50 dollars if it will hold a really good edge and will be strong enough to fit all the bills described...

I am thinking a Spyderco would be good for this type of work. Any suggestions on a model?
 
If you want to do even light prying, you're going to go through good folders fast. Very few will hold up to sideways pressure on the pivot. A Spyderco Rescue, small or large would do great cutting on what you describe. For prying, maybe the Buck/Strider, which you can get with a 3" blade or a 4", and definitely the Greco folders will do it. Prices are over $50, but you can pick some of them up on the sales forums cheaper.
 
GO ahead and ask about my 18 thousand dollar hand sometime if you want to know about my COLD STEEL experience.

shane
 
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