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the Will of Cold Steel

jfalkos said:
I think one of the reasons Cold Steel gets so much hate is because of how diverse their lineup is. Unlike a lot of companies they try to cater to everyone. Looking through their catalog I've realized that they're trying to appeal to literally everyone. Yes they make some crazy claims, but have you ever read an emerson catalog?! His claims are INSANE and he too says that his knives (particularly the cqc7) are the best available. Some may argue that emerson has more experience but LT has also used a LOT of blades. Happily enough, Andrew Demko seems very involved in the production process at CS. He is definitely one who knows his knives.
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Most def. Andrew Demko's custom AD-10 (very similar in size and form to a American Lawman) is one of the most well-respected hard-use custom knives out there.

I don't think anyone hates on Spyderco for having such a diverse lineup, or Cold Steel, or Benchmade, or Kershaw. They all have knives that range from workshop to bushcraft to combat to EDC to borderline fantasy. Cold Steel gets flak for their blade steels and their marketing, and their tendency to release XL versions of things that are so ridiculously big that it defies all practical use.

That did not keep me from wanting an XL Espada back in the day.
And it doesn't keep me from kinda wanting one now, years later.
 
Cold Steel makes some very usable and affordable blades as well as some art stuff. The over the edge videos are fun in small doses. I suspect the more serious haters are still butt-hurt over the GI Tanto ads calling out the stolen valor dudes. Must have stung seeing their heroes' sins being run up the flagpole like that.
 
EDIT: I had a question about the knife in the original post, but found the answer.

Notchy Bob
 
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Blackie Scantling said:
Most of my favorite knives, the Trail Master, Recon and GI Tanto are made by Cold Steel but I can't stand Samurai sword looking curved blades...not after WWII.
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The vast majority of Japanese soldiers in WWII were definitely NOT descended from the samurai class, and most of the swords that were carried during that war were relatively inferior, mass-produced products. It's been almost 70 years now.

As for Cold Steel, a lot of the hate comes from the marketing, pure and simple. If they had a less verbose marketing campaign, similar to Spyderco, etc., etc., I highly doubt there would be as much negativity directed towards it. But the fact is, they do sell some very good products. I haven't bought any CS knives for many years now, but the ones I have are quite good...not my favorite by any means, but good.

Jim
 
Advertising aside have to say my 4" tanto Recon is by far the strongest hard use folder I have. I trust the lock far more than the frame lock on my ZT 301. I have used it to cut battery cables on cars and all kinds of stupid stuff. The half serrated edge rips thru some rediculous stuff! Seems they have their heat treat nailed on this knife.
 
kdurt said:
Advertising aside have to say my 4" tanto Recon is by far the strongest hard use folder I have. I trust the lock far more than the frame lock on my ZT 301. I have used it to cut battery cables on cars and all kinds of stupid stuff. The half serrated edge rips thru some rediculous stuff! Seems they have their heat treat nailed on this knife.
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If they stepped things up to 154CM with that same kind of heat treat mastery, they would suddenly be a huge contender in the knife market.

An American Lawman in 154CM
Plzplzplz
 
Comeuppance said:
If they stepped things up to 154CM with that same kind of heat treat mastery, they would suddenly be a huge contender in the knife market.

An American Lawman in 154CM
Plzplzplz
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I understand your point but I would debate whether they are or aren't a huge contender in the knife market. They may miss with the elitist super steel or die afi's on the forums but they seem to do just fine in their niche.
 
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CS has been doing quite well in the knife market for a long time. On these forums, we tend to feel that if a company is not mentioned in the 'latest greatest' column, that they are somehow not very big in the industry. The people who post on these forums are knife connoisseurs, and represent only a fraction, overall, of the people that keep the knife companies in business.

Jim
 
jfalkos said:
Happily enough, Andrew Demko seems very involved in the production process at CS. He is definitely one who knows his knives.
Click to expand...

This. Cold Steel got the Triad Lock. It is in most of their current folding knives. That counts for something.
 
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