powernoodle
Power Member
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2004
- Messages
- 11,972
Here's a quick look at the Cold Steel Hold Out II folder. I just heard about this knife a few days ago, and being a fan of the CS lineup I had to get my hands on one.
Specs:
Blade Length: 4"
Blade Thickness: 3.5 mm
Overall Length: 9"
Steel: Japanese AUS 8A Stainless
Weight: 4.2 oz
Handle: 5" Long G-10
Pocket Clip: Stainless Pocket / Belt Clip
MSRP: $104.99
Street price: $63.00 shipped if you know where to look. [Edit: or less, actually].
This is a Cold Steel knife in every way, with the strong Tri-ad back lock, heavy duty G10 and solid construction. Its about the same size as the Recon 1 and AK-47. What immediately struck me, though, was the lack of finger grooves and scale sculpting which is so prominent on the other CS folders. Whereas the AK-47 is designed in such a way as to almost grip your hand like fly paper, the Hold Out is sleek and smooth like a stiletto. I knew this going in, but its degree of sleekness does not sink in until you get your hands on one.
As you can see, there are no finger grooves or ergo sculpting whatsoever. The Hold Out does have good jimping above and below, and a single, small cutout for your index finger, and this helps a lot. But this is not a knife for stabbing or plunge cutting, as I would be afraid that my hand would slide up the blade.
And its a sharp, beautifully shaped blade which CS claims is reminiscent of "the Black Knife or Skean Dhu (Gaelic) of the ancient Scottish warriors." I have no idea what that means, but its a good looking knife to my eyeballs.
Also notable are the milled holes in the G10, which add a little traction to some already grippy G10 but I see as mostly there for looks. The large Hold Out II shown has 4 holes, while the smaller Hold Out III has 3, which is an easy way to identify them. The hole closest to the clip provides an excellent grip point for pulling the knife out of the pocket, which is cool.
I have a few days of pocket time with this one, and it rides nicely in the vertical pocket on a pair of 5-11's. As will all CS folders, I'll need to sand down the G10 under the clip to prevent the shredding of my pockets.
I must acknowledge that I came very close to selling this knife, and I almost never sell knives. It was such a departure from the Recon 1 and AK that I just did not dig it at first. But its smooth lines have grown on me, and I appreciate the minimalist G10 shape which makes it much easier to slide my hand in my pocket relative to the Recon 1 and AK-47.
So far so good, and I'm like this one more each day. The FFG blade profile, razor sharpness out of the box, solid construction, Tri-ad lock and overall look of this knife make it a winner. I see it as a large, good looking utility blade, though I would not hesitate to use it in a last option life or death defensive role, God forbid.
Size comparo with the 2010 Recon 1. Note the streamline profile for good looks and easy pocketability.
Compare the sculpting of the AK-47, but at the cost of eating up pocket space.
Urban survival package.
Specs:
Blade Length: 4"
Blade Thickness: 3.5 mm
Overall Length: 9"
Steel: Japanese AUS 8A Stainless
Weight: 4.2 oz
Handle: 5" Long G-10
Pocket Clip: Stainless Pocket / Belt Clip
MSRP: $104.99
Street price: $63.00 shipped if you know where to look. [Edit: or less, actually].
This is a Cold Steel knife in every way, with the strong Tri-ad back lock, heavy duty G10 and solid construction. Its about the same size as the Recon 1 and AK-47. What immediately struck me, though, was the lack of finger grooves and scale sculpting which is so prominent on the other CS folders. Whereas the AK-47 is designed in such a way as to almost grip your hand like fly paper, the Hold Out is sleek and smooth like a stiletto. I knew this going in, but its degree of sleekness does not sink in until you get your hands on one.
As you can see, there are no finger grooves or ergo sculpting whatsoever. The Hold Out does have good jimping above and below, and a single, small cutout for your index finger, and this helps a lot. But this is not a knife for stabbing or plunge cutting, as I would be afraid that my hand would slide up the blade.
And its a sharp, beautifully shaped blade which CS claims is reminiscent of "the Black Knife or Skean Dhu (Gaelic) of the ancient Scottish warriors." I have no idea what that means, but its a good looking knife to my eyeballs.
Also notable are the milled holes in the G10, which add a little traction to some already grippy G10 but I see as mostly there for looks. The large Hold Out II shown has 4 holes, while the smaller Hold Out III has 3, which is an easy way to identify them. The hole closest to the clip provides an excellent grip point for pulling the knife out of the pocket, which is cool.
I have a few days of pocket time with this one, and it rides nicely in the vertical pocket on a pair of 5-11's. As will all CS folders, I'll need to sand down the G10 under the clip to prevent the shredding of my pockets.
I must acknowledge that I came very close to selling this knife, and I almost never sell knives. It was such a departure from the Recon 1 and AK that I just did not dig it at first. But its smooth lines have grown on me, and I appreciate the minimalist G10 shape which makes it much easier to slide my hand in my pocket relative to the Recon 1 and AK-47.
So far so good, and I'm like this one more each day. The FFG blade profile, razor sharpness out of the box, solid construction, Tri-ad lock and overall look of this knife make it a winner. I see it as a large, good looking utility blade, though I would not hesitate to use it in a last option life or death defensive role, God forbid.
Size comparo with the 2010 Recon 1. Note the streamline profile for good looks and easy pocketability.
Compare the sculpting of the AK-47, but at the cost of eating up pocket space.
Urban survival package.
Last edited:
