Share your Cold Steel shopping list

Chris_Texas said:
I have no problem with the Taiwanese products or steels. I very much have problems with Chinese steel. First, there is zero quality control, and second I consider it immoral to do business with China. Other people feel differently, and I understand that, but to me doing business with China is one step worse than doing business with Nazi Germany.

Maybe someone could look past all that if the price was fantastic, but in the case of these new Cold Steel Chineseum products the price is (in my opinion) absurd. Which is, of course, the reason they made the switch.

It is an unfortunate reality that when a company is racing to zero, desperately competing for the lowest possible price point, they inevitably devalue the legitimately good products they make. Mr Thompson (a man I have nothing but respect for) has produced multiple videos highlighting the objective competitive advantages of his products, often seemingly puzzled that people are not snapping them up. Sadly, Cold Steel is no longer widely known for making exceptional and revolutionary combat weapons at reasonable prices (though they still do this, and better than anyone), they are instead known as the guys who make blister pack trash machetes and ninja gear for big box chains. When it comes to maintaining a reputation for quality, or more importantly, tactical legitimacy, that is precisely the last thing you should do.

But it might pay very well.

That's great for the company and Mr Thompson, but not so good for the fans of what they used to be.
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I liked this post because I'm sad that CS might lose reputation over this. Low prices are OK if quality is consistent. We can all agree that some Cold Steel knives are just pure bargain. And I don't really know if there's a company that can match CS price/quality ratio.

I don't know where they get their steel from, and that decision is up to them. My main concern is the steel they use. I would like to see more "mid range" and high end steels.

If you move production away from China, yes you do hurt Chinese government, but you also hurt Chinese people who work there. And not everything they make is of poor quality.

There is also a large number of people who wouldn't be able to afford Cold Steel knives if the price was higher.
Cold steel has a wide product range. And so it has price range.
From AUS8 and VG-1/10 to SK-5, San Mai over 52100 and A2 to 3V (sorry for skipping some stainless steels).
But point is that CS has a knife in almost every price range.
 
Smiling said:
I liked this post because I'm sad that CS might lose reputation over this. Low prices are OK if quality is consistent. We can all agree that some Cold Steel knives are just pure bargain. And I don't really know if there's a company that can match CS price/quality ratio.

I don't know where they get their steel from, and that decision is up to them. My main concern is the steel they use. I would like to see more "mid range" and high end steels.

If you move production away from China, yes you do hurt Chinese government, but you also hurt Chinese people who work there. And not everything they make is of poor quality.

There is also a large number of people who wouldn't be able to afford Cold Steel knives if the price was higher.
Cold steel has a wide product range. And so it has price range.
From AUS8 and VG-1/10 to SK-5, San Mai over 52100 and A2 to 3V (sorry for skipping some stainless steels).
But point is that CS has a knife in almost every price range.
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True. Not everyone could afford or would be willing to buy the 20CV 4Max. It’s still a fairly expensive knife. But, and I say this as a Spyderco fan too, I’d still pick up a 4Max first over a similarly priced Shaman in some exotic steel.
 
DangerZone98 said:
What’s the steel currently? 4116 stainless? If so, i don’t know enough of that steel.
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Yeah, it's 4116, it's mostly used for pharmaceutical purposes and also kitchen knives. It's best quality is the corrosion resistance, edge holding is decent, it's easy to sharpen and it should be tougher than other low end stainless steels, with CS heat treatment it's pretty good.

I can't comment on edge retention and ease of sharpening compared to SK-5, but I can say that it won't match toughness of SK-5. So if that's what matters for you, and you don't care about corrosion resistance, SK-5 is a better choice.
 
Lots of edge retention tests of CS 4116 on YouTube, it's on par with 8Cr13MoV. No magic, does well for a budget steel. I like it, won't hesitate to buy more in this steel. Easy to sharpen is a plus in my book.
 
I just jumped-on a Cold Steel Scout. Seems they are 'hot' right now, and relatively hard to acquire. The first-time I hesitated, and my knife-seller, was almost instantly; out-of-stock! Got an email today, that stock was available; and so I jumped on it immediately. Final price out-the-door was $99.00 w/coupon code. My premium Italian-version; needs the summer-off. This is a great-price for AUS-10 steel, and a 'tri-ad' locked Demko behemoth. Also, picked-up some new paracord for lanyard material. For some time now, I've been mulling-over getting the green-skinned, SR-1 clip-point model too.
 
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I did a pre-order on a Ranch Boss 2, really looking forward to it. I love the traditional folding hunte pattern. Hope it comes in soon!
Bob
 
That
Zephyr One/Zero said:
I just jumped-on a Cold Steel Scout. Seems they are 'hot' right now, and relatively hard to acquire. The first-time I hesitated, and my knife-seller, was almost instantly; out-of-stock! Got an email today, that stock was available; and so I jumped on it immediately. Final price out-the-door was $99.00 w/coupon code. My premium Italian-version; needs the summer-off. This is a great-price for AUS-10 steel, and a 'tri-ad' locked Demko behemoth. Also, picked-up some new paracord for lanyard material. For some time now, I've been mulling-over getting the green-skinned, SR-1 clip-point model too.
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The SR1 clip point folder is a good knife. The blade is ground a little thick, but a very strong outdoor knife.

I ve been thinking for some time about the AD10. I really like my UH and wonder if the AD10 is that much better for the jump in price.
 
Just found a Spartan in AUS-10 for $59, so I went ahead and ordered it.

My last 7 knife purchases have been Cold Steel. This makes #8.

Honestly, I am not sure if it will do anything for me or not. The large, polished G 10 Espada I just got may have ruined me for lesser knives.
 
whp said:
That


The SR1 clip point folder is a good knife. The blade is ground a little thick, but a very strong outdoor knife.

I ve been thinking for some time about the AD10. I really like my UH and wonder if the AD10 is that much better for the jump in price.
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I bought my brother an SR1 for Xmas, and he stated it was 'big and sharp'. So it will almost be, my next purchase for myself. Pretty-much another go-to-war blade from Cold Steel. Only you can answer, or justify paying for an AD-10. These are beautifully-done G10 show-stoppers. Many who own the massive 4 Max's, opt to carry the AD's. Which is in many respects is a scaled-down 4 Max. The size-footprint of the bigger Cold Steel's are irrelevant to me, since I routinely carry the 'big-ones'. The Ultimate Hunter, and AD-10 are both excellent choices. It depends also on your knife-buying philosophy. I collect, and carry many knives and numerous brands. It's really hard-to-pass on any of these blades, featuring the 'tri-ad' lock-up. The AD's routinely sell-for-less-than $150 USD on Amazon. I'll probably snap-up a Hunter too.
 
Zephyr One/Zero said:
I bought my brother an SR1 for Xmas, and he stated it was 'big and sharp'. So it will almost be, my next purchase for myself. Pretty-much another go-to-war blade from Cold Steel. Only you can answer, or justify paying for an AD-10. These are beautifully-done G10 show-stoppers. Many who own the massive 4 Max's, opt to carry the AD's. Which is in many respects is a scaled-down 4 Max. The size-footprint of the bigger Cold Steel's are irrelevant to me, since I routinely carry the 'big-ones'. The Ultimate Hunter, and AD-10 are both excellent choices. It depends also on your knife-buying philosophy. I collect, and carry many knives and numerous brands. It's really hard-to-pass on any of these blades, featuring the 'tri-ad' lock-up. The AD's routinely sell-for-less-than $150 USD on Amazon. I'll probably snap-up a Hunter too.
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Agreed. The Hunter looks like a more portable version of the 4-Max, lol. The Hunter’s definitely on my radar too.
 
Chris_Texas said:
I have no problem with the Taiwanese products or steels. I very much have problems with Chinese steel. First, there is zero quality control, and second I consider it immoral to do business with China. Other people feel differently, and I understand that, but to me -- based on their ongoing and historic human rights abuses -- doing business with China is one step worse than doing business with Nazi Germany.

Maybe someone could look past all that if the price was fantastic, but in the case of these new Cold Steel Chineseum products the price is (in my opinion) absurd. Which is likely the reason they made the switch.

Profit is great, I am a business owner myself, but but is an unfortunate reality that when a company is racing to zero, desperately competing for the lowest possible price point, they inevitably devalue the legitimately good products they make.

Mr Thompson (a man I have nothing but respect for) has produced multiple videos highlighting the objective competitive advantages of his products, often seemingly puzzled that people are not snapping them up. Sadly, Cold Steel is no longer widely known for making exceptional and revolutionary combat weapons at reasonable prices (though they still do this, and better than anyone), they are instead known as the guys who make blister pack trash machetes and ninja gear for big box chains. When it comes to maintaining a reputation for quality, or more importantly, tactical legitimacy, that is precisely the last thing you should do.

But it might pay very well.

That's great for the company and Mr Thompson, but not so good for the fans of what they used to be.
Click to expand...

It’s honestly sad when folks dismiss Cold Steel as the mall ninja brand lol. They’re missing out on some rock-solid knives that are proven to dish out and take punishment like tanks. But what the heck, I’m just a knife bro sharing his two cents.
 
DangerZone98 said:
It’s honestly sad when folks dismiss Cold Steel as the mall ninja brand lol. They’re missing out on some rock-solid knives that are proven to dish out and take punishment like tanks. But what the heck, I’m just a knife bro sharing his two cents.
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Cold Steel marketing is what differentiates Cold Steel from others, some people will findit over the top, while I personally like the fact they show us what their product is capable of. And I'm not gonna lie - it's entertaining.

I'll rather buy a knife I saw perform in the video, than something I never saw used.

But some people refuse to buy the product because they dislike the marketing, while there are others who will buy the product because they like the marketing :D

Youtube videos are also mostly viewed by younger audience which also likes them better, and I think that those are the reasons for "mall ninja" stereotype some people might have.
 
Smiling said:
Cold Steel marketing is what differentiates Cold Steel from others, some people will findit over the top, while I personally like the fact they show us what their product is capable of. And I'm not gonna lie - it's entertaining.

I'll rather buy a knife I saw perform in the video, than something I never saw used.

But some people refuse to buy the product because they dislike the marketing, while there are others who will buy the product because they like the marketing :D

Youtube videos are also mostly viewed by younger audience which also likes them better, and I think that those are the reasons for "mall ninja" stereotype some people might have.
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True. Never gets old seeing Mr. Thompson destroy Manila rope with facts and logic. :D
 
Smiling said:
Cold Steel marketing is what differentiates Cold Steel from others, some people will findit over the top, while I personally like the fact they show us what their product is capable of. And I'm not gonna lie - it's entertaining.

I'll rather buy a knife I saw perform in the video, than something I never saw used.

But some people refuse to buy the product because they dislike the marketing, while there are others who will buy the product because they like the marketing :D

Youtube videos are also mostly viewed by younger audience which also likes them better, and I think that those are the reasons for "mall ninja" stereotype some people might have.
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I too, find that dismal mindset to be short-sighted, and borderline asinine. Cold Steel 'markets' their knives first, and foremost as weapons; that also have important, utilitarian aspects. None of the Cold Steel blades I've bought, over the last few years could ever-be construed as novelties, or junk-toys. A lot of younger buyers are well-aware of build-quality, and premium steel. I would posit the knife-world, also; has it's share of Fudds too. As I stated in a previous monograph, I purposely seek-out the 'best-for-the-buck' available. Cold Steel blades are tough-bargains, that are extremely hard to beat in the competitive knife-market. There's nothing wrong with advertising, and self-promotion. Does the product perform as the seller-claims, or not? Which is the all-important bottom-line. That's all I really, or actually; care about.
 
Zephyr One/Zero said:
I too, find that dismal mindset to be short-sighted, and borderline asinine. Cold Steel 'markets' their knives first, and foremost as weapons; that also have important, utilitarian aspects. None of the Cold Steel blades I've bought, over the last few years could ever-be construed as novelties, or junk-toys. A lot of younger buyers are well-aware of build-quality, and premium steel. I would posit the knife-world, also; has it's share of Fudds too. As I stated in a previous monograph, I purposely seek-out the 'best-for-the-buck' available. Cold Steel blades are tough-bargains, that are extremely hard to beat in the competitive knife-market. There's nothing wrong with advertising, and self-promotion. Does the product perform as the seller-claims, or not? Which is the all-important bottom-line. That's all I really, or actually; care about.
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Agreed. I have a huge respect for other knife companies too, don’t get me wrong. We all could stand to learn something from Sal Glesser’s shiny footprints philosophy. Just that Cold Steel takes the cake for me 9 times out of 10 haha.
 
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