Spyderco vs Cold Steel

I

Impyboy

Joined
Mar 18, 2002
Messages
17
Hi fellow blade users!

Just wanna know your views and experiences (good or bad) with knives produced by two companies...Spyderco and Cold Steel.

I am thinking about buying myself another Quality knife.
I am currently a Spyderco and Al Mar person.
but recently, in my research for a new knife, I was able to get access to the videos put out by spyderco and Coldsteel.
I was impressed by both videos, but more so by Cold Steel's 'Proof' video. I believe it was the extreme and harsh tests they put the knives thru that impressed me. Spyderco seems to concentrate on the quality of production of their knives, and only lightly touches on tests.

but of course, both these videos were obviously made to sell.. but i want to know if anyone out there have had any bad experiences with using these knives. I know it's a very general question coz they both produce many different knives. I just want a general result of how people feel about the knives.

also, if you can recommend a better company...I'm all ears.

thanks in advance.


-Impy boy
 
You won't find a better company than Spyderco. Sal Glesser is probably one of the best human beings in the cutlery industry, and Spyderco makes some of the most high-performance cutting implements. Oh yeah, Spyderco basically shaped the modern cutlery market, with serrations and pocket clips being two of their innovations.

Cold Steel? I don't think the quality is where it was five years ago (cryo-treated 420? Gimme a break). Also, I believe if you replicate the stuff they do in their proof video it voids the warranty. That said, I think their Carbon V knives are consistently one of the best values out there in a field knife that you don't mind getting dirty and probably won't break.

Many years ago Spyderco ran an about showing one of their knives slicing through a steel cable. Turns out a diver used one to saw through a wire his buddy was tangled in underwater. The ad puts it plainly "It ruined the knife." Spyderco gave the guy a new one. That's what I like about Spyderco: knives you can count on to do the job, no hype, and great customer service.
 
Hi Burke,

Thanks for the fast reply.
yeah, I've been a spyderco owner for years now and I know about their quality. And I've read heaps from Sal in the spyderco forum! very interesting and informative stuff there!!


I realise that spyderco offers great service there, but I'm actually in Australia..which makes it really hard for me to take advantage of their services (free sharpening and replacements, etc)

The only reason I was looking at knives other than spyderco is just to 'try' something different. I currently own 3 spydies, and will be considering another, if 'other companies' couldn't convince me otherwise.

anyway, I will continue my research as I always do. thanks for your input, coz every bit counts.
Spydies will always be one of my first preferences, but there are always other companies up there with the best of the best!

-Impyboy :)
 
In my opinion Spyderco is the best way to go. In my mind the company has been an instrumental block in the foundation of the knife industry. I have several spyderco folders and two cold steel folders. The cold steel folders sit in the junk/misc. cabinet and the spyderco's are rotated in my EDC. For quality, usability, durability, and customer service, Spyderco wins hands down.

I don't think you are in bad shape with a cold steel folder, I just think you are in great shape with Spyderco.
 
I would look at individual knives more than the brands. Some of Cold Steel's higher end products are better than lower end Spyderco's. I have owned several of each (Vaquero Grande, Voyager Lg. Clip, Recon Scout, LTC Kukri, etc. and Endura, Standard, Snap-It, etc.) and I would say that I like Cold Steel's Zytel-handle folders better (stronger build), but higher-end Spydies are just terrific. The workmanship on the Standard is first rate. Right now I am saving up for a Lil' Temperance.
 
Its worth it to buy Spyderco over Cold Steel simply to know that by not buying Cold Steel you are limiting the amount of hot air that can come from Lynn Thompson. ;)

Mike

PS Plus, I like Spydercos better anyway. Nyah nyah nyah ;)
 
I disagree i think spyderco makes the crappiest and ugliest knives on the knife market today.:barf: :barf: :barf: :barf:
 
Originally posted by Th3-Sp3ci4lis7
I disagree i think spyderco makes the crappiest and ugliest knives on the knife market today.:barf: :barf: :barf: :barf:
Click to expand...

Well, I guess this just proves that opinions are like noses: everybody has one and they all smell. ;)

Seriously, I'm curious if you have any empirical evidence for the "crappiness" of Spyderco knives. I can understand not caring for the appearance of the "Spyderco hump" but aside from that you sound like an unusually retarded troll.
 
I would defiently get a Spyderco. They have much better utility designs, and are simply better made. On Cold Steel's behalf, I played with my friends Medium Tanto Voyager quite a bit, and thought it was very well made. There was no blade play and overall construction was good. The handle is also thicker than an Endura. As far a CS's folding knives go, I think the Voyager is the best deal. Material wise, a VG-10 Endura would destroy an AUS-8 Voyager.

It seems like the quality of Cold Steel is going down a bit. Using 420 steel and saying it out performs high end steels is crazy. Almost any knife can be stabbed through a 50 gallon drum or cut free hanging rope with proper technique. CS dosn't really innovate or come out with anything new, Spyderco comes out with a great new product every few months. Needless to say, Spyderco also has some of the best customer service of any company.

Spyderco knives may be ugly to some but, they are certainly not crappy. They will out perform the majority of knives on the market today.
 
Cold Steel is getting a lot of bad crap because of their newer stuff. They're just trying to expand their market. They still carry their older models. By using 420 sub-zero, they can lower the prices on those knives dramatically. A person who normally wouldn't buy one of Cold Steel's other knives might buys one of the less expensive models, and then they are more likely to buy one of the higher end models from them. I own 8 Cold Steels, more than any other company, and while they might not be my favorite knives, I have never had one fail me or otherwise disappoint me, either in performance or quality. I do not own any Spydercos, but have heard good stuff about them. Go with whichever you like most, they both make good knives.
 
Originally posted by Th3-Sp3ci4lis7
I disagree i think spyderco makes the crappiest and ugliest knives on the knife market today.:barf: :barf: :barf: :barf:
Click to expand...

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!! Thanks for the good laugh buddy.
Crappy? Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!! Crappiest on the market? Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!! BTW - Your user name is so l77t d00d! You must be a l77t h4x0r! :rolleyes:


Impyboy,

I agree that you should compare model to model.
Don't forget to take into account the respective audiences of the two videos you watched. Lynn Thompson is just trying to give kids like Th3-Sp3ci4lis7 a hardon with the crap pulled in that video. A knife is for cutting.
Spyderco's video is to show dealers the superb quality put in to each knife.
Don't get me wrong, Cold Steel makes some great knives, but advertising like that is negligent IMO.
To see the Spyderco ad mentioned (which if you read between the lines is basically a spoof of Cold Steel's campaign) check out my website. Here's the direct URL: http://spyderads.tripod.com/steelcable.htm
 
I am a fan of both companies. I think Spyderco makes a nicer fit and finish knife on their folders.(LOVE the Civilian) However, that being said the Cold Steel Voyager series is pretty tuff to beat. I have had several Spyderco Endura's (great knife) but the Cold Steel tanto held up to "abuse" such as cutting concreate board, wire, and other things you shouldn't ask of a knife to cut.
Also, maybe it's just me but I can get one wicked edge on Cold Steels AUS8 over Spyderco's VG-10.
 
I used cold steel voyager before switching to spydercos. The CS folders have tough blades because, borrowing Cliff Stamps' terminology they are "overbuilt" : thick edge profile in aus8a which is relatively tough for stainless stell and good in small folders like Spderco Dragonfly or CS Tufflite but, not very wear resistant for medium and large folders. I switched to Spyderco because quality in manufacture is higher, materials and designs are better conceived and they have appropriately keen edges, not over-thick like on CS.


However, if you are considering something new-why not consider "leap" to higher price folder? Sebenza by Chris Reeve is big leap in price but many, like me, moved on from Spyderco to Reeve sebenza and not regretted it. Appreciation of Spydero quality provides excellent "education" for appreciating Sebenza. And anyone with Sebenza can appreciate intelligence and quality of Spyderco even more, and see Spyderco easily as best big co. maker around. That first "plunge" into wallet for Sebenza is painful but, then you realize it is worth it. If you buy from reputable dealer, as him/her to check for unlikely flaws before shipping, then you will get Sebenza that will last beyond your lifetime.

My humble opinion,

Martin
 
Go with Spyderco, you won't be disappointed. Also note that while Cold Steel beats the heck out of their knives in 'Proof', none of that treatment is covered by their warranty....you'd think with all that talk about how tough their knives are, the warranty would reflect their confidence.....
 
Thanks again to everyone for their input.
at this stage, I think Spyderco is the winner, hands down.

as for the Sebenza...i checked it out on the web. I think a rough price was about $350...which would make it about $700+ in Australian dollars!! ouch! i don't think i can justify forking out that much. and if i could afford to pay that much, it would take me a whole lot of convining to get me to even take it out of the custom built air-tight and armour proof display cabinet i will make for it. sorry, great suggestion, but way over my budget. way way over! :)

yeah, spyderco it is...
I think I will welcome the 4th kmife into the spyderco Family.

thanks again to everyone for their opinion!!

i'm so glad i found this site!
 
I know that you have already made a decision, but I thought I'd add my opinion anyway. I really enjoy Spyderco and their knives are some of the best on the market. However, don't overlook ColdSteel. My medium Voyager tanto is one of the best work knives I own. It is super light and super tough. I plunged the knife through 3/8 in thick plyboard and through a plastic milk jug carton without any damage to the blade or to the lock. After about a year now, the knife has developed some play, but the lock seems as strong as ever. And as far as the steel goes. I have one with the AUS 8A (?) steel and I've had nothing but good experiences with it. It sharpens easily and stays sharp. I love the Delica and Endura and Spydercos high end models, but for really tough work, I'd pick the Voyager.
Matt
 
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