Outdoorsman Lite -- nicer than I anticipated

[desmobob]

I live in a rural area in upstate NY with no knife shops around. I don't think I've ever seen a Cold Steel knife for sale at any outdoor store I've been in. So, when I buy a Cold Steel (or most other brands) knife, it is almost certain that I have never had the chance to see it in person or handle it.

Today I received the Outdoorsman Lite I ordered. It is much heavier, sturdier and more solid-feeling than I expected. I really like it. I only wish it was AUS10A instead of 4116, but I'm sure I'll be happy with it as is. Usually, when I get something that wasn't what I expected it to be, it is below my expectations. This knife was above expectations. That's a nice surprise!

Like the other Cold Steel knives I have, I consider it an outstanding value and unbeatable for the price.

 

[DangerZone98]

Yeah, I like the aus10a steel too. Unfortunately, the Outdoorsman Lite in my area is in 4034SS, lol.

 

[desmobob]

Unfortunately, the Outdoorsman Lite in my area is in 4034SS, lol.

I was lucky enough to find one in 4116. Not so with the Tanto Lite... I'll have to settle for 4034 in that one. No biggie... it's not like I'll be using it for hours at a time.

 

[upnorth]

I live in a rural area in upstate NY with no knife shops around. I don't think I've ever seen a Cold Steel knife for sale at any outdoor store I've been in. So, when I buy a Cold Steel (or most other brands) knife, it is almost certain that I have never had the chance to see it in person or handle it.

Today I received the Outdoorsman Lite I ordered. It is much heavier, sturdier and more solid-feeling than I expected. I really like it. I only wish it was AUS10A instead of 4116, but I'm sure I'll be happy with it as is. Usually, when I get something that wasn't what I expected it to be, it is below my expectations. This knife was above expectations. That's a nice surprise!

Like the other Cold Steel knives I have, I consider it an outstanding value and unbeatable for the price.

Appreciated, thanks.

 

[DangerZone98]

I’ll just piggyback on this thread rather than start a new one. The Outdoorsman Lite arrived today and it’s pretty awesome. I like the 6” of steel real estate (maybe around <6” of cutting edge), the handle ergonomics, and the substantial weight. The closest thing I could compare it to is the Kobun, and I far prefer the handle on the Outdoorsman. It’s a bit wider and more accommodating of my medium-sized hands. For a $25-ish knife, the fit and finish is also quite good.

The biggest drawbacks really are the blade steel and the sheath. I’d like to see GSM/Cold Steel upgrade the steel to Aus10a at least. Even if the price bumps up, the improvement in quality would be worth it I think. That way, you’ll have a far more reliable utility/general purpose/bushcraft blade. The low-cost plastic sheath isn’t terribly bad; at least the edge doesn’t drag against the plastic. But a version that exposes more of the handle and has a thumb ramp would be great.

Those are my first impressions for now! I’ll see about uploading pics.

 

[jbmonkey]

I have one of these in the 4116 steel. it has the plastic sheath instead of the older version nylon one. I prefer the nylon one. plastic doesn't fit my belts.

it reminds me more of the tanto lite with a different blade obviously. I prefer the tanto lite to this one but both are good knives for low dollars.

 

[mwhich50]

I live in a rural area in upstate NY with no knife shops around. I don't think I've ever seen a Cold Steel knife for sale at any outdoor store I've been in. So, when I buy a Cold Steel (or most other brands) knife, it is almost certain that I have never had the chance to see it in person or handle it.

Today I received the Outdoorsman Lite I ordered. It is much heavier, sturdier and more solid-feeling than I expected. I really like it. I only wish it was AUS10A instead of 4116, but I'm sure I'll be happy with it as is. Usually, when I get something that wasn't what I expected it to be, it is below my expectations. This knife was above expectations. That's a nice surprise!

Like the other Cold Steel knives I have, I consider it an outstanding value and unbeatable for the price.

I was pleasantly surprised,as well. If you are patient you can still find them online for $20.
I love 4116 because it is nearly rust proof (in my experience), which is always a good thing on the Gulf Coast.

 

[desmobob]

it reminds me more of the tanto lite with a different blade obviously. I prefer the tanto lite to this one but both are good knives for low dollars.

I think it's ironic that the Outdoorsman Lite has a blade that is much more like an authentic Japanese tanto shape than the knives Cold Steel calls "tantos"!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantō
I do have the Tanto Lite on a pending order, waiting for it to come back into stock.

 

[jbmonkey]

I think it's ironic that the Outdoorsman Lite has a blade that is much more like an authentic Japanese tanto shape than the knives Cold Steel calls "tantos"!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantō
I do have the Tanto Lite on a pending order, waiting for it to come back into stock.

good point. the san mai version is selling still at some of the big box stores and online style box store places and even a dealer or two, and not a bad deal for what it is.

 

[desmobob]

good point. the san mai version is selling still at some of the big box stores and online style box store places and even a dealer or two, and not a bad deal for what it is.

I've eyeballed it more than a couple of times. If I had more use for it, I might be able to justify spending the money on the much pricier non-Lite version. I bet it's a really nice knife!

 

[jbmonkey]

I've eyeballed it more than a couple of times. If I had more use for it, I might be able to justify spending the money on the much pricier non-Lite version. I bet it's a really nice knife!

you and me both.

im sure it is. truth be told I like the lite version in the 4116 enough for the tasks I use it for. I really dislike the sheath though.

 

[Man with no name]

I think it's ironic that the Outdoorsman Lite has a blade that is much more like an authentic Japanese tanto shape than the knives Cold Steel calls "tantos"!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tantō
I do have the Tanto Lite on a pending order, waiting for it to come back into stock.

Cold Steel Tantos are known as Americanized Tantos due to their reinforced points.

 

[d762nato]

I've been looking at the Magnum Tanto and the Recon Tanto in 3V what's the difference just the guard?

 

[DangerZone98]

I've been looking at the Magnum Tanto and the Recon Tanto in 3V what's the difference just the guard?

Functionally, yeah. Looks like it.

From what I understand, the Magnum Tanto is the more premium product. More premium price tag too. You can also get it in different blade lengths while the Recon Tanto 3V is in 7” only. Just pick the platform you’ll enjoy more, lol.

 

[jbmonkey]

I've been looking at the Magnum Tanto and the Recon Tanto in 3V what's the difference just the guard?

I own a 3v magnum tanto ii, but not the recon in 3v. I do have ones in san mai and vg1 and sk5. thats aside they are no different but steel.

they are similar, but the angles a bit different. nothing radical, and I havent measured them etc to see how different they are, overall close enough. I kinda prefer the magnum in feel. looks wise the recon was more appealing to me, but after awhile the magnums have won me over on looks too.

safe to say pick the one ya like more. the other is close enough you won't notice much if any difference.

 

[dogstar]

I would be all over the Outdoorsman lite if it were not for that "bone breaker" feature. It would chew up any baton and make it impossible to put your fingers on the spine. Without it, it would be a poor man's SRK.

 

[DangerZone98]

I would be all over the Outdoorsman lite if it were not for that "bone breaker" feature. It would chew up any baton and make it impossible to put your fingers on the spine. Without it, it would be a poor man's SRK.

The SRK is already pretty budget friendly though. SK-5 for like 50-ish bucks? Anyway, I wouldn’t recommend batoning with the Outdoorsman Lite, not just because of the bone-breaker, but because of the steel. 4034SS isn’t the toughest gal around. I’d keep it to food prep and light house/camp chores. For an all-around survival knife, definitely go with the SK-5 SRK or Recon Tanto.

 

[dogstar]

The SRK is already pretty budget friendly though. SK-5 for like 50-ish bucks? Anyway, I wouldn’t recommend batoning with the Outdoorsman Lite, not just because of the bone-breaker, but because of the steel. 4034SS isn’t the toughest gal around. I’d keep it to food prep and light house/camp chores. For an all-around survival knife, definitely go with the SK-5 SRK or Recon Tanto.

LOL, people gripe about SK-5 for the SRK also. (I'm not one of them)

 

[SALTY]

I throw my Outdoorsman Lite in the knife bag of the camper; it's a go-to for food prep and light duty chores.

BTW: +1 on the SK5 SRK and/or recon Tanto. Granted the handles may not be as durable as some and while they are good and grippy, they are not the most comfortable for extended use sessions but, if you buy both, you could hardly do better for $100. I am an admitted Becker fan and they are favorite utility fixed blades but do have both the SRK and Recon Tanto (both SK5) and can say that they provide good value.

Sorry for the thread drift; the Outdoorsman Lite is also a lightweight carry option that can handle most chores associated with travelling light.

 

[DangerZone98]

I throw my Outdoorsman Lite in the knife bag of the camper; it's a go-to for food prep and light duty chores.

BTW: +1 on the SK5 SRK and/or recon Tanto. Granted the handles may not be as durable as some and while they are good and grippy, they are not the most comfortable for extended use sessions but, if you buy both, you could hardly do better for $100. I am an admitted Becker fan and they are favorite utility fixed blades but do have both the SRK and Recon Tanto (both SK5) and can say that they provide good value.

Sorry for the thread drift; the Outdoorsman Lite is also a lightweight carry option that can handle most chores associated with travelling light.

No worries, I don’t mind thread drift lol. Love my Recon Tanto, man. Still waiting for the SRK to restock in my local online knife shop (you US folk are lucky to not have to pay for international fees hehehe). I’ve been interested in picking up a Becker as well. The BK2 is a little too beefy for me, but I might pick up a BK7 “jack of all trades” in the future.

If it can be found cheap, the Outdoorsman Lite is worth it. Not sure if I can justify the higher end version, especially when Beckers and ESEEs can be bought for cheaper. If the user understands its capabilities and limitations, the Lite should hold up to years of use.