Positive firsthand experience with Lynn Thompson

[Quiet]

My opinion, not that anyone cares so dont attack me, is that Cold Steel is my favorite brand for folders.

I also own a large number of ZT, Kershaw, Benchmade, Spyderco, Reate etc so im not exactly a hardcore fanboy. Comparing to other high quality brands, I DO personally think their new 2015 product(and beyond) has some of the best value for the money. American Lawman for example, you can find it for around $75 with XHP steel and G-10 that's the same quality as the Paramilitary 2.

Also, MY OPINION after owning other high end production folders is that Cold Steel's quality control is on par, or even better. For example, the latest Benchmade 710 and 908 i received cannot compete with the Swift/Ultimate Hunter and other 2015+ CS offering in terms of fit and finish. However they are more expensive while having less "premium" steel.

Regarding their customer services, i think that they could do better on the email and web form front. However, from my experience the customer service over the phone has been great. I have had 4-5 warranty returns with CS over the phone(or sometime i just sent it in with a note), and each time the turn around for getting a replace has been less than 2 week from the day i shipped my knife out. Part of it is probably because i live in Socal so the shipping time is fast.

For perspective, here is a list of popular/high quality knives i own from other brands, so my opinion above is not based on just hype:
Kershaw/ZT - 0350, 0560, 0200, 0301, 0562CF, 0801, 0909, 0630, blur, knockout, link
Benchmade - 710, 940, 810, 908, 950, 551-1, 550-1, HK 14715, Adamas
Spyderco - PM2, Manix 2, Yo2, Milie, Endura, Gayle Bradley 2
Reate - Hills, Horizon C

For what it's worth, I respect this post 100%. You stated your opinion, the factors that for you specifically, helped you to arrive at this viewpoint. I appreciate it. I wish there were more posts of this type in this thread.

 

[ScaryLarry]

For the record, I like all the knife companies, myself. Literally all of them, including CRKT and Gerber. I nearly like Emerson MORE than Cold Steel, and I even like the ergos of their liner locks more than those of the Tri-Ad, but the Tri-Ad is simply stronger.

My remarks about Ernie aping Lynn, and that we should be more critical of his politics, were purely theoretical. A "thought experiment", like I said. Though I, personally, do believe that for a short time, Ernie was trying to do Lynn better than Lynn, but got a hold of himself (thank god) and knocked it off.

 

[Mecha]

H8erz gonna h8

 

[insta9ves]

A few of quick comparisons of CS folders with other high quality brands. IMHO, if you don't know anything about knives, you probably can't tell which one is more expensive.

Not trying to flood this thread with tons of photos, but i honestly think that CS's fit & finish is on par with anything being compared to here. In each of the pic here, CS is the cheapest.

 

[PURPLEDC]

For the record, I like all the knife companies, myself. Literally all of them, including CRKT and Gerber. I nearly like Emerson MORE than Cold Steel, and I even like the ergos of their liner locks more than those of the Tri-Ad, but the Tri-Ad is simply stronger.

My remarks about Ernie aping Lynn, and that we should be more critical of his politics, were purely theoretical. A "thought experiment", like I said. Though I, personally, do believe that for a short time, Ernie was trying to do Lynn better than Lynn, but got a hold of himself (thank god) and knocked it off.

Seems like its more than a "theoretical thought experiment" when you go on to say its a personal belief. When you believe something you think its fact, not theory.

 

[stabman]

My remarks about Ernie aping Lynn, and that we should be more critical of his politics, were purely theoretical. A "thought experiment", like I said. Though I, personally, do believe that for a short time, Ernie was trying to do Lynn better than Lynn, but got a hold of himself (thank god) and knocked it off.

Well, try this thought experiment:

I have knives, and also hit the heavy bag.
I was hitting heavy bags before I ever heard of Lynn or Emerson...by God, they've both been aspiring to be me!!!
I dare say they both owe me an apology and a bunch of knives.

 

[RedLynx]

Given that the thread has blown up (as we all knew it would) this may have already been confirmed but.. he hunts buffalo with a sword? Really? I;m not mocking the guy, if I had the guts that's how I would do it (if I was into hunting buffalo) as I think hunting with simple tools is the best measure of a hunter, but still. It just seems a little out there that he goes after such a beast with a sword... if true, good for him.

 

[insta9ves]

Given that the thread has blown up (as we all knew it would) this may have already been confirmed but.. he hunts buffalo with a sword? Really? I;m not mocking the guy, if I had the guts that's how I would do it (if I was into hunting buffalo) as I think hunting with simple tools is the best measure of a hunter, but still. It just seems a little out there that he goes after such a beast with a sword... if true, good for him.

Not a sword, that's probably BS, but with a spear he did. Here is the video of him spearing a cape buffalo, already skipped to the important part:
https://youtu.be/e8Q_Ga8Sv9A?t=1m37s

 

[RedLynx]

Not a sword, that's probably BS, but with a spear he did. Here is the video of him spearing a cape buffalo, already skipped to the important part:
https://youtu.be/e8Q_Ga8Sv9A?t=1m37s

I'll check it out thanks. If that's truly his thing more power to him. I like some of CS stuff and his personality doesn't really factor into my buying choices one way or another. I think the Voyager is one of the best folders for its price out there. Though in fairness it is also one of the more mundane designs (which I like.)

 

[G. Scott H.]

H8erz gonna h8

As I've said, if I had a van with shag carpeting inside, that would soooooooo be painted on the side! :thumbup:

 

[PURPLEDC]

I'll check it out thanks. If that's truly his thing more power to him. I like some of CS stuff and his personality doesn't really factor into my buying choices one way or another. I think the Voyager is one of the best folders for its price out there. Though in fairness it is also one of the more mundane designs (which I like.)

What he doesnt tell you though is that lynn is sitting camouflaged in a tree and simply waits for the baited animal to come under that tree and he stabs it from his crows nest well above the animal. And in the other buffalo kill video he chucks a spear at a buffalo while actually on the ground but misses and hits it in the horn and then pulls out a giant hand cannon and plants two in its face. Not sure why he didnt go for the nearest tree. Wait.......yes i do...

 

[RedLynx]

What he doesnt tell you though is that lynn is sitting camouflaged in a tree and simply waits for the baited animal to come under that tree and he stabs it from his crows nest well above the animal. And in the other buffalo kill video he chucks a spear at a buffalo while actually on the ground but misses and hits it in the horn and then pulls out a giant hand cannon and plants two in its face. Not sure why he didnt go for the nearest tree. Wait.......yes i do...

Ahhh okay, thanks. I admit I don't look kindly on the "sitting and waiting" version of hunting. It's not real hunting, IMHO. To hunt something, you need to go get it.

 

[stabman]

I think the Voyager is one of the best folders for its price out there.

I always thought the Voyager was one of three knives for the same sort of role, along with the Endura and Griptilian.
The price for each sometimes ends up being around the same (depending on how new or used, what year, what steel used, etc.), and all work similarly well pretty much, if you choose a model of the same size...obviously, my XL Voyager works to clear tall grasses far better than my Endura, but it doesn't work as well for some tasks done more easily with a shorter blade.

 

[ScaryLarry]

Given that the thread has blown up (as we all knew it would) this may have already been confirmed but.. he hunts buffalo with a sword? Really? I;m not mocking the guy, if I had the guts that's how I would do it (if I was into hunting buffalo) as I think hunting with simple tools is the best measure of a hunter, but still. It just seems a little out there that he goes after such a beast with a sword... if true, good for him.

Yes, Lynn hunts with close combat weapons all the time, like spears and bo staffs and whatnot. (Strangely, I have noticed that Lynn gets bored pretty fast with conventional firearms, unless they offer some kind of novelty or glamour.) I've never been hunting with Lynn, myself, if I'm honest about it. But that video of Lynn charging the buffalo corroborated hunting stories I've heard to my satisfaction. I'm happy everyone finally seems to be coming around to a favorable view of Lynn - or at least give respect where it is owed.

 

[stabman]

Ahhh okay, thanks. I admit I don't look kindly on the "sitting and waiting" version of hunting. It's not real hunting, IMHO. To hunt something, you need to go get it.

How about this?

[video=youtube;FKI1xmtf5Ck]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKI1xmtf5Ck[/video]

Gun beats spear.

 

[ScaryLarry]

I met Emerson a few times and formed a good impression of him. Then I heard Ernie was behaving like Lynn Thompson, out of the blue. My only thought was, "wow, that's unnecessary." Then I saw this video and was absolutely flabbergasted. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgPwmXnd0dI

Call it coincidence, but Lynn's been circulating footage of himself doing martial arts for literally over 20 years - always wearing his trademark black active wear with shorts. It would take some grossly inconsistent thinking for me to watch this video of Ernie in black active wear (and Lynn's trademark black shorts) hitting a heavy bag and somehow deny that at the time, Ernie was going through a Lynn Thompson phase.

Not that I blame Ernie AT ALL for apparently following Lynn's lead. But it simply was not a good look for him. I was relieved when I saw that Ernie grew out his beard and walks around looking like a professor these days.
I've said it a few times on here, and I'll say it again. I'm glad that we have both Cold Steel and Emerson Knives, Inc. And I'm glad their respective founders have finally settled on fixed personas.

 

[Andy the Aussie]

How about this?

[video=youtube;FKI1xmtf5Ck]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKI1xmtf5Ck[/video]

Gun beats spear.

..... that is a baby Asiatic buff he hunted here. He just annoyed it with the spear and killed it with a gun while a PH was standing by with a rifle....

I know a few of the folks who guided him here on buff hunts here, none are really critical of the man as a person, slightly unhinged was a common description. I think spearing a critter just for the fun of it and then pulling your pistola is BS, if he wanted to traditional hunt the baby buff with a spear, good luck to him but have the courage of your conviction about it.

 

[craytab]

I'm happy everyone finally seems to be coming around to a favorable view of Lynn - or at least give respect where it is owed.

Well that is not happening. Have you read this thread? Maybe don't put words in our mouths.

I'm fine with much of the product, though I don't need an invincible lock in a folder. That is not what I like in CS knives.

The main downside is the ridiculousness of the owner.

 

[craytab]

..... that is a baby Asiatic buff he hunted here. He just annoyed it with the spear and killed it with a gun while a PH was standing by with a rifle....

I know a few of the folks who guided him here on buff hunts here, none are really critical of the man as a person, slightly unhinged was a common description. I think spearing a critter just for the fun of it and then pulling your pistola is BS, if he wanted to traditional hunt the baby buff with a spear, good luck to him but have the courage of your conviction about it.

Good info.

 

[Quiet]

I met Emerson a few times and formed a good impression of him. Then I heard Ernie was behaving like Lynn Thompson, out of the blue. My only thought was, "wow, that's unnecessary." Then I saw this video and was absolutely flabbergasted. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgPwmXnd0dI

Call it coincidence, but Lynn's been circulating footage of himself doing martial arts for literally over 20 years - always wearing his trademark black active wear with shorts. It would take some grossly inconsistent thinking for me to watch this video of Ernie in black active wear (and Lynn's trademark black shorts) hitting a heavy bag and somehow deny that at the time, Ernie was going through a Lynn Thompson phase.

Not that I blame Ernie AT ALL for apparently following Lynn's lead. But it simply was not a good look for him. I was relieved when I saw that Ernie grew out his beard and walks around looking like a professor these days.
I've said it a few times on here, and I'll say it again. I'm glad that we have both Cold Steel and Emerson Knives, Inc. And I'm glad their respective founders have finally settled on fixed personas.

I candidly feel like you are sincerely trolling at this point. First of all, let me set you straight. Ernie Emerson has about a thousand times the integrity that Lynn Thompson has ever had even in his wildest fantasies. That you sincerely look at that video and think that Ernie's attempting to act like LT is either the most insane, or the most asinine thing I've read here in awhile, I'm not sure which.

Also? No, everyone's NOT "coming around to favorable view of Lynn". I certainly don't have one, I think he's a ridiculous oaf, and so do many others. So, please take your hero worship elsewhere, because it's becoming trollish and embarrassing.