Outdoorsman series

[grumps00]

I have a pair of Cold Steel of the Outdoorsman series.
A Cold Steel Mini Outdoorsman 18S and an Outdoorsman 18 (not 18H). I bought them new many years ago but don't remember how long ago and have never used the big outdoorsman 18. There is no stamping to indicate what steel only that they are Cold Steel Inc, Ventura, CA. Is there a way to determine when they were made and what generation they may be? I cannot find any of the newer ColdSteels that look like these Outdoorsman knives so I'm sure they are early gen. but would like to have more specifics.

 

[jlauffer]

Does the big one have the bonebreaker spine, or no? If no, then it is the first gen version from the early/mid 80's, and is Cold Steel's 400 Series Stainless. If it has a bonebreaker with more gradually curved ends, then it is the 2nd gen version from the late 80's/very early 90's and is also 400 Series Stainless. If it has the bonebreaker with more squared off ends, it is the 3rd gen that came back in 2001, in AUS 8A, but that version should say so on the blade.

The Mini is from the late 80's/very early 90's, and is 400 Series Stainless.