RE: CS Talwar Folder

[Oxydrene24]

Bros, thinking of getting an EDC. Trying to decide which one to get? The Black Sable or Talwar?

Are they worth their prices?

Opinions pls

 

[steelscout30]

I believe that the upper crust series of Cold Steel folders are significantly overpriced. If the price is good on the secondary market, I'd suggest the Black Sable. I found one for an excellent price and pulled the trigger, and don't regret it. It's a very robust folder, and the fit and finish is quite nice. I do wish that the blade was something like CPM S30V rather than the San Mai III of Cold Steel hype/fame, but it's certainly not a bad knife.

That being said, I would never pay over $200; this is a debate that will rage forever, and that's just my personal opinion. In the price range of $400 folders (as their MRSPs are), I would suggest that you look at the Chris Reeve Sebenza @ $385 from New Graham. It's an excellent folder with excellent blade geometry in S30V steel, titanium handles with a frame lock, and the famed CRK quality.

Good luck in your quest.

So, in summation---get the Black Sable if you can find it for a very reasonable price, and look elsewhere if not; there are many excellent options in the $200 to $400 bracket available as well. (Benchmade Skirmish---$175, Bradley Alias---$220, Sebenza---$385, various Striders, etc.)

 

[Confederate]

I agree. San Mai III is a laminated steel that is supposed to have a high carbon, hard center knife with two slabs of softer, tougher, more corrosion-resistant steel on the side. The thing is, CS doesn't use a particularly hard, high carbon core steel, but uses VG-1, which is an upper medium quality steel that CS also uses to make large knife blades. But if it's suitable for making large knife blades by itself, why does it need the soft slabs?

I don't know, perhaps they make that center core harder than their other production pieces, but I'd pay the extra $$$ for a really nice premium knife unless, as Steelscout30 said, you can get it at a good, reduced price.

The Black Sable is a gorgeous knife, however, and if you can get one at a decent price, you won't regret it. I bought two Konjos for a hundred bucks apiece and they are incredible. I certainly wouldn't have paid the normal asking price for them, though.

 

[ikiddp9]

I would prefer the Talwar, looks more versatile than the Black Sable, It has the thumb plate that mimics the wave system, a ball pommels that serves as a non lethal weapon, and the same quality...