Review Request - Cold Steel SAK's

RH

Joined
Jan 31, 1999
Messages
2,094
"Swiss Steel". These are in the new Special Projects catalog. More reasonably priced than Vic's or Wegner, but they don't say what kind of steel.

Anyone handled one yet?
 
Jeez, their web site lists the MOST expensive model at $7.99! Low price seems like what they're selling. Here's some text from their web site:

"<i>We have always admired the European made Swiss Army knives but thought they were awfully expensive to actually use in the field where they could be lost or broken. That's why we have developed our own extremely affordable alternatives we call Swiss Steel.

Now, make no mistake, despite our low prices, every Swiss Steel knife is fully functional and has been extensively field tested by our staff in Africa under very rigorous conditions. The knife blades are made of good quality stainless steel and come fully sharpened and hold a decent edge. The scissors and saws actually cut quite well and the screw drivers, awls, can openers and other tools are equally useful and can be relied on to give years of faithful service.

If you are looking for a hard working Swiss Army style knife but don't want to pay a lot of money, we can't think of a better value for your money than Swiss Steel.</i>"

I am a total cheap skate, but would still rather pay $20 - $40 for a mid-level genuine Victorinox SAK such as the Spartan (which I have) or Soldier or Explorer. YMMV.

For what it's worth, I DO like the tool layout on their 5 Tool knife, which is something like the Vic Spartan but has both a cork screw and phillips head screwdriver on the back of the knife. I never much cared for having an awl and actually do use the corkscrew from time to time. If the Cold Steel corkscrew would hold one of the tiny Vic screwdrivers, even better!

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's actually handled or used one of these.
 
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Hmm. I don't know where these knives are made, but Only Victorinox and Wenger are authorised to use the Swiss cross on their knives. If these are made in China or Taiwan, they should not be displaying the Swiss cross and I assume legal action could be taken by Victorinox and Wenger as one could be misled in believing that these are authentic Swiss Army Knives. Is Cold Steel claiming that the knives have Swiss parts?
 
>"They look like teh same chinese POS's you can find for about $5 at gas stations."

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My thoughts exactly. :barf:
What is Cold Steel thinking? Do they have no shame? :confused:
 
Cold Steel never ceases to amaze me. Here the are importing piece of crap, chinese knock-offs of swiss army knives, and slapping the Cold Steel name on them. Really low-class, if you ask me. Listen to their words. "the scissors and saws ACTUALLY cut quite well." It sounds as if they're surprised the knives work. I hope Victorinox and Wenger sue them.
 
They "hold a decent edge."

I can make anything down to a piece of wood hold a decent edge. What a joke. If I'm getting a $5 SAK, it'd better have my name or a Pokemon on it...
 
I agree, it looks like a Chinese made POS. I see a lot of these "Swiss Army Type" knives on ebay. The first thing that gives them away is the hump on the stationary half of the scissors. I ot one for renewing a magazine years ago and gave it away. I'd rather spend an extra $20 or so to get something that will work.
 
Looking at Cold Steel's website, I could not find any statement as to where these "Swiss Steel" knives are made in. Now here is the following statement from their website:

"We have always admired the European made Swiss Army knives but thought they were awfully expensive to actually use in the field where they could be lost or broken. That's why we have developed our own extremely affordable alternatives we call Swiss Steel."

I have always liked Cold Steel knives like the Voyager series and the SRK and I own several of their knives, but, some of their models are downright overpriced, like their Ti-Lite. Even their new Carbon V traditional folders are overpriced if you ask me, so how is it that they find European made Swiss Army knives as expensive?

I find Victorinox and Wenger knives priced reasonably depending on the model and the implements, but Cold Steel's most expensive Swiss Steel folder is $7.99 which is the one with 11 tools. Their cheapest is $4.99 for the one with 5 tools. I have to wonder what these things are made of, so I've placed an order for one out of curiosity.

Personally, I'll still stick with Victorinox and Wenger if I want the original and genuine Swiss Army knife. I'll update this thread when I receive the one I just ordered, but Cold Steel needs to do is remove the Swiss Cross off of these little things before they get sued.
 
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