The Cold Steel Spike

misque

misque

Joined
Jul 9, 1999
Messages
3,316
I grabbed up one of these little cuties on a whim while I was visiting Ruff's the other day.
The knife is the very definition of a bare bones defense knife.
It was designed by Barry Dawson I believe and features a 7/32" thick distally tapered 4" long blade that ends in a frightening needle point. Steel is 420HC methinks. The knife has an amazingly slim 1/2" profile at it's widest point.
The blade is a full height flat ground affair with a zero bevel edge. That is, there is no secondary bevel for the edge. The knife goes straight from spine to edge. This to me is an amazing feat in itself. I'm sure it was done using CNC machinary as it is perfectly executed.
The knife is cord wrapped in a very thin nylon looking cord and is tightly done to boot.
Lock up in the sheath was quite tight and secure and will easily execute an inverted carry mode.
I bought it because it's sub $25.00 price point and Secure-ex (Kydex like plastic) neck sheath looked to be a good buy. A lengthy ball chain is included.
I was rather surprised at the keen edge the knife had as I played with it in the store. When I got it home I tested the edge by slicing some paper and paper towels. I really wasn't expecting much in the way of performance from the edge because of the knife's thick spine and extremely short 1/2" distance to it's edge. Astonished is a good description of my reaction as the knife sliced paper towel and thin ad paper like the proverbial razor. The knife sliced the entire distance on the paper towel with nary a snag. A very clean slice too. Same with the newspaper ad paper. This is not what I was expecting from this tiny but stout knife.
eek.gif

To conclude:
I think this knife will really appeal to the cloak and dagger crowd as I'm fairly certain this bare bones blade will do major damage if brought to bare against flesh. YIKES!

I'm really impressed with this knife. It is a bit long for a neck knife but it has holes and slots on the sheath that let's your imagination go wild finding new ways to lash it to different areas on one's self.
Have fun and stay safe!
smile.gif




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If the enemy is in range, SO ARE YOU!
 
I agree with all you have said about this knife. I picked one up a few weeks ago. It is so simple, and functional. I havn't worn it much since I bought it, but that will change. In the summer I don't like to wear heavy cloths that would faciliate easy concealment of a folder of sufficient size for self defense. The knife is easily concealable under a light shirt. I bet it would make a decent utility knife as well. As stated above, the price is perfect. Go get one. You won't be dissapointed.

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Lanning L Kann,SSgt,USAF
89th Security Forces Sq
copcar.gif
 
The only thing they forgot was a boot clip. Some guys, me included, wear suspenders, leaving nothing to attach it to.
It looks a bit like MOD Razorback.
 
A boot clip would have been a wonderful addition for sure. It would open up more carry options. I'm thinking about getting a mini Tek-Lok for it.
smile.gif
 
I once spoke with Barry at a show and he told me that some customers request a boot clip, but a lot of others slip it directly into the boot. They take a few stitches out of the top, where the outer leather is sewn to the liner leather. They then use a blunt object, like a pen with the cover on, to separate the leather and liner in one area (often the liner and outer leather have some glue holding them together). They then slip the Spike into the slot they have created.

My biggest concern would be that the Spike would wear through the liner leather and nail you (no pun intended). Of course, you could probably trim the concealex sheath and insert it between the layers of leather. You'd probably have to anchor it some way so that it would stay behind when you drew the Spike. Then again, I've seen Tuhon Sayoc and Guro Inosanto hold a knife by the handle and flick the synthetic sheath at an opponent. If you have the time/range, it can be a real distraction to have a sheath fly at your face.

DPD.
 
I’m not sure what the Cold Steel Spike’s sheath actually looks like, since I have a Dawson original, which was called the “Letter” back when I bought mine several years ago.

You could simply tie a cord through the sheath and into your boot laces, making a static cord that would pull the sheath free as you drew the knife.



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Allbest,

Jim Six
Adventure, Intrigue & Cheap Thrills
jim@six.org
www.jim.six.org
 
Jim Six has a good point. This is one of the beauties of this knife!
It has a very slim profile and the Securex sheath follows suit. The sheath also has a pair of 1" long slots cut into it and holes up and down the length of the sheath. These can easily be used as tie down points.
Lots of carry options with this one! :D
 
do you guys Reckon it would make a suitable utility knife (camping and the alike) or is it only realy suitable for defense?
 
A couple days ago I picked up the Scimitar and Tokyo versions. Both came razor sharp with perfect fit/finish. The sheaths work great as well. Only thing I don't like is the ball chain. As mentioned, a clip or something would be nicer. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them, but I couldn't pass them up, just too handy. I was thinking about mounting one in my vehicle somewhere as a last-ditch go to if something happens while driving. I have some elastic straps with velcro from an old ankle holster and may try to rig something up with that. Very nice practical design I think. The Scimitar spike doesn't seem like it would be good at utility, but the Tokyo likely would work well in any role a light fixed blade would. I plan to pick up the Bowie version in the near future also.
 
misque said:
...The blade is a full height flat ground affair with a zero bevel edge. That is, there is no secondary bevel for the edge. The knife goes straight from spine to edge. This to me is an amazing feat in itself. I'm sure it was done using CNC machinary as it is perfectly executed.
The knife is cord wrapped in a very thin nylon looking cord and is tightly done to boot.
Lock up in the sheath was quite tight and secure and will easily execute an inverted carry mode.
I bought it because it's sub $25.00 price point and Secure-ex (Kydex like plastic) neck sheath looked to be a good buy. A lengthy ball chain is included.
I was rather surprised at the keen edge the knife had as I played with it in the store. When I got it home I tested the edge by slicing some paper and paper towels. I really wasn't expecting much in the way of performance from the edge because of the knife's thick spine and extremely short 1/2" distance to it's edge. Astonished is a good description of my reaction as the knife sliced paper towel and thin ad paper like the proverbial razor. The knife sliced the entire distance on the paper towel with nary a snag. A very clean slice too. Same with the newspaper ad paper. This is not what I was expecting from this tiny but stout knife...
Click to expand...

hey misque,
i got to handle a buddy's "tanto spike" and the zero ground factory edge was indeed impressive... :thumbup:
 
Just picked up a CS Tanto Spike a few weeks ago myself. Absolutely inspiring how sharp that blade is, and with the point strength of the tanto design to boot. I work in an environment where they don't approve of "WEAPONS", no matter how many times I point out that it's the thing between yer ears that's a weapon, everything else is just tools. I can wear this under my shirt, with the bead chain done up through lower holes in the Secure-EX sheath so it rides higher and no harm done to those who would be mentally abused by thinking that some law abiding, thinking, responsible individual in their midst actually had a "WEAPON" on them.

I'm kinda on Napolean Bonaparte's team when it comes to knife work for defensive purposes. "THE POINT! THE POINT! THE POINT!" Gotta give it to this one though, CS got the edge too!

Conquer yourself first, all else will follow.

KJ.
 
I picked one (standard model) up a while ago, and was very impressed. Has a very good edge and very solid design. Could easily be hidden under a shirt, in a deep pocket, or in a boot.

As for utility purposes, i've cut steak and fruit with it. It does a "ok" job, but due to the wide spine it makes thin slices a little harder to do. But if you're like me and want a nice little stainless knife for food when you're out and about, it works just fine.
 
I agree with BoxANT, due to the wide spine, a lot of other applications for this knife are out of the question. I like knife that; though it was designed for a specific purpose, will do many other jobs.
 
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