Rating Cold Steel Knives?

I'll give them an 8 for design, sharpness and manufacture. They do a good job with the temper on their AUS8 and VG-1, landing them comfortably in the category of competent users. Two points off for no lifetime warranty, although I have never heard of CS turning down a legitimate failure in or out of warranty.
 
I have Edc'd a Cold Steel AK (G-10, Tri-Ad model) for well over a year now and have had zero issues. Easy to sharpen and lock up is absolute. Though I would gladly pay a little extra for an American made version of this knife, 8 out of 10.
 
Are we rating individual knives, or just the company as a whole? If Individual, then I would choose to rate my Hold Out III with a solid 8/10. The AUS 8 has a wonderful HT. It stays sharp a long time, and sharpens VERY easily using a fine ceramic stone and strop. The lockup is very solid and has absolutely 0 blade play. Value for the dollar, I give it a 10/10. Really, the only reason this knife doesn't get a perfect score is because the G10 is too course (not really an issue. I took it down to a comfortable level with a file while I was board at work) and because the grind begins a little after the choil. Really, those are my only two qualms.

Now, were I to rate Cold Steel knives as a group: I would likely only give them 6/10. I like that they have some non-conventional styles of blades and they don't mind making some weird stuff. I think all that is fun. But it seems that they focus on the lower to mid echelon too much. I would love to see more knives from them offered with CPM-S30V, or 154cm, or even 440c. But it looks like they focus a little too much on 4116 and AUS 8. I was excited when they released a flat ground camp knife with SK5, but in only a year they have changed it to a saber ground Krupp blade (likely, just because some jackass tried to baton through a knot.) I like their Secure-ex rigs. I think their nicer knives are too over-priced, and they keep discontinuing them. Over all, they interest me but I don't purchase too many of them. However what I do buy, I end up really enjoying.
 
They are pretty good knives. Id say 6/10

Decent users, average edge retention, poor handle material but most stuff is decently priced. I think the Sk5 trailmaster at $140 is a good deal.

I think the best knife they have is the Kukri. Its a good worker and chops very well.
 
6-7 voyager series, good edc. 8 recon 1 big edc. Srk and recon tanto 7. Trail master 8-9. For the price bump up one.
 
Fixed Blades: 9/10. Cold Steel fixed blades are affordable, strong and simple. They have good sheath (secure-ex) as well, which compliments their knives well. However, put them to hard use and the kraton handle will end up loose. But it's a fixed blade, so if the kraton handle becomes too loose, a paracord wrapped handle could work.

Folders: 7/10. Sure, the tri-ad lock is incredible and their folders are tough. But Coldsteel's Aus 8 rusts pretty easily, G-10 is too aggressive with the tight pocket clip, and average quality materials used (paper thin nylon washers, etc etc)
 
I don't like their higher end or even mid priced items. I think they're a bad value. The Lawman is appealing. But the fixed blades and voyagers don't do it for me. For value and performance, 5/10.

Where they shine is the weird crap on the lower end that nobody else will make. The SF shovel, which could be a lot better, is still far more useful and versatile than any competing shovel out there. And it's cheap. So is their Bushman, true flight thrower, pocket bushman, and likely several more. For value and design on their lower priced items, 9/10.
 
Spontoon said:
On a scale of 1 to 10 from actual experiences, how would you rate Cold Steel knives... and why?
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They make good knives, have been using their products for over 26 years now.

No, I don't like everything they make, but the same goes for all knife companies.

Overall my experiences have been positive and they make some solid products based on the ones I own and have used over the years.
 
I have their inexpensive stuff. Very happy with them all. Good steel, no breakages. I have the SF shovel, barong machetes, true flight thrower and Frontier hawk. Overall 8.5/10
 
I'm amazed at how many manufactures provide a beautiful knife made out of advanced materials which is, in many ways, a work of art, while at the same time being damn near useless for real work. I for one am no longer interested in spending hundreds of dollars on a knife that's too refined to be of use and which history dictates I'll loose within two years regardless.

I've had two Voyagers and two Spikes. 10 out of 10 for both. Quite simply the absolutely best knife per dollar I've ever found. The Spike is an astoundingly effective wound-inflictor, and the Voyager is hands down the best hard-use folder I've ever owned and the most folding knife for the money I've ever seen by a factor of three. I've got folders that cost four times as much and aren't half the blade. When I loose a Voyager I know two things: I got more than my purchase price out of the knife in what it did for me, and that includes pride of ownership and enjoyment of use, and I can buy another one without impinging on my grocery money for the month.

The company owner is a joke and the marketing is pathetic, or maybe the other way around, but those two knives are, in my opinion, worth many times what they cost. I'd take a 2000~2010 voyager over any folder (and a lot of the fixed blades) out there for hard work and good value. The Spike is simply a killing instrument, but for those that need such a thing, it's the sharpest, best designed, best sheathed shank I've ever found.

So based on those examples, I give CS 10/10.
 
Lynn Thompson has been one of the most innovative knife designers of the past couple of decades IMHO. The Master Hunter, SRK, tanto and numerous other designs are classics. I'd bet my life on a Voyager. People who have problems with his marketing are making a mistake by dissing his blades: they all cut as they are supposed to do.
 
i give it a 3/10.

my ak-47 is neat, pommel is cool, aus-8 is nice, blade wave feature is cool, ergos are decent


---but it got blade play in about 3 weeks. g-10 is a pants killer, knife blade stock is on the thin side for me. can't open the knife one handed w/o looking handicapped, lock back is strong but it sticks even when clean and needs 2 hands to safetly close
 
I have several Cold Steel knives. Each has performed well and I consider them good value for the dollar. I am aware there are a number of "gimmick" knives which I would never think about buying. Much of the marketing is laughable.

However, rating the company "based on actual experiences" with the Cold Steel knives I own? That would be a 9 out of 10. Because they performed well overall and were well worth the price.
 
Based on my experience with these 2 knives and their customer service I would give them a 3, assuming a 5 is middle of the road average. Here is something I just posted in another thread:

FlaMtnBkr said:
I haven't been real impressed so far. I have a fixed blade (master hunter?) that I really think something is wrong with the heat treat. I have sharpened it many times and got it Sharp and stropped it on a diamond loaded strop and looked at the edge under magnification. I do this to see what the edge looks like and to make sure there is not a wire edge. The first time it hits something somewhat hard, like a piece of wood, the edge rolls. I have also sharpened it and matched the original fairly thick edge bevel.

I contacted CS's CS and I didn't have a receipt since it was a gift from my father. They would do nothing since they only offer a year warranty on their super strong knives that they prove in their proof video. So with no receipt means no year warranty. All I wanted was for them to confirm the hardness was adequate, but since they don't actually make their knives they probably don't have a Rockwell hardness tester. They did say I could pay 20 bucks and have it sharpened.

I also bought an American Lawman due to the design, Triad, and the positive reviews. It was old stock so it has the metal liners. For a $60 knife it isn't up to par in the fit and finish department. None of the 2 scales, 2 liners, or back spacer are aligned with the componet next to it. Many knives you can't tell where one ends and the next starts unless there is a change in color. I also carried it in a pocket for one day that I normally carry my Rift and a big chunk of the coating came off. The Rift is carried everyday and is M4 so black coated and there is no place where the coating is worn all the way to shiny metal and it has been carried daily for a few years now. There is also vertical blade play in the holy Triad lock. Nothing I have done has taken it out. It is a strong lock as it transfers both positive and negative blade forces to a stop pin. Just like a handful of other lock designs. The Triad is a good strong lock but it isn't a great one hand knife and takes a lot of force to depress the lock. Not a ton but it is stiff and makes using the knife at the top of a latter not nearly as easy as other locks. It's a good lock but there are others I would much rather have for a ease of use stand point. The AUS8 is better that anticipated, but I did get a roll and small chip while cutting on a bamboo cutting board. Could be just new metal that needs to be sharpened off.

I haven't ruled them completely out, but the lack of warranty and service, as well as the issues I have had, it will take a special design to pay good money for another one.
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Watching their promo videos you'd think they only make knives for fat people. All jokes aside I'd give them 8 out of 10 they're the most innovative company offering the biggest range of knives and weapons. The only area they're slightly lacking in is their use of average blade steels. I'm the happy owner of many of their products.
 
I've only owned fixed blades, and of course I expect what I pay for... In my experience they have all more than paid for themselves. 8/10-I took two off because their marketting ploys disgust me.
 
OK, i'm not entirely sure how to respond..... so, i'll limit my rating to knives i've used/come into personal *use*/contact with as well as those i personally own.

My 1st contact with a Cold Steel Product was in 1988 when a new guy (from California!) came to my Company. He had a Cold Steel Tanto and although it was a new style for me, it was a fantastic knife. As sharp as my hand-sharpened knives, profoundly strong tip for stabbing/penetration and just a solid, quality knife. The Kraton handle was a pleasure to use/hold so my rating for it was a 9/10 (the Tanto style is limited, but can't fault the quality).

My personal ownership experience is limited to 2 knives - a Trailmaster in SK5 and my American Lawman.

The Trailmaster is a "tried and true" performer, though i've personally found it to be difficult to sharpen (admittedly, i think my sharpening stone needs to be replaced...). It is a very nice field knife and is fantastic for some of my favorite activities (processing wood!!!!), but I'm not a wood chopper so won't comment there. I've seen some catastrophic failures of the Recon Scout/Trailmaster due to poor batoning technique, but that still puts a question in my mind about the design of the tang with 90-degree angles/stress risers and all. It's a big knife and well-made except for the 90-degree angles/stress risers at the tang junction.
Rating strictly on quality 7/10 - rating on overall knife at price point - 8/10.

The American Lawman is absolutely fantastic!!! I have the "newer" version sans steel liners. My knife has zero blade wobble/wiggle - locked or unlocked. Zero. When it's locked i have complete confidence that it will not accidentally become unlocked. My only fear, as is with *any* folding knife, is that i will press the unlock lever. However, i'm confident with this knife, like no other i've ever held before, that the lock will *never fail*. I really like the blade steel - takes a crazy sharp edge quite easily - even with my failed sharpening stone. I do wish it held that edge a little bit better, but for $60 i'm not complaining.
Rating strictly on quality 8/10 - rating on overall knife at price point - 10/10!!!

Sure, their marketing is over the top. Sure, they make/perpetuate alot of "Mall Ninja" designs/products. Sure, they make alot of obscure "traditional" designs (swords? spearheads? ABS bats? etc). They cater to a very, very diverse market that's for sure!!!

Overall, in my experience, limited as it is, i'd give Cold Steel a 8/10 for the price points they operate in.
 
The knives? Most are 9 out of 10 for the models I've owned; several voyagers, old AXIS type AK, new gen Recon 1 and an SRK in CV. The steel they use is doing right by me, especially for the price. Ergonomics are great, build quality is on par with knives at two times the price, and they are tougher than they need to be. I've been aware of Cold Steel's lockbacks heading into 3 decades now, but I was never aware of the "Proof" videos until the dawn of the internet. Stick to the knives and you'll be pleasantly surprised, or, get the shock and awe response (from youtube) and possibly miss out on some of the most underrated knives out there.
 
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