Thinking to buy my first cold steel. Help choosing model?

Surfingringo · May 25, 2014

Hey all, I am a huge Spyderco fan and a regular over on that subforum. I have bought and used their knives almost exclusively for quit a while now; mainly because I think so highly of their designs and how Sal runs the company. Anyway, I've been slowly reading and learning some things about Cold Steel and their products that have me interested.

I kind of overlooked the brand for a long time as I had the impression they made "mall knives" (my apologies to the company and fans as that is not meant in any way to be an insult) but I keep hearing folks whose opinions I trust speak highly of some of their products! In fact I have heard some things of late that lead me to believe I might have been way off base...not sure. So I've been thinking about giving em a shot and I figured I should step in here and ask some questions.

Can someone give me a little background on the company? Seems from what little I've watched and read that they have kind of an interesting business philosophy and a high commitment to quality control and customer service. These are some of the things that I really dig about Spyderco. I'd like to hear a bit about cold steel as a company from those of you who know what's up.

Ok, so let's get to the knife recommendations. I have heard some great things about the triad lock so I might eventually want to try out one of their folders, but I'm probably looking more at a fixed blade for the moment. Something to keep in my truck whose main job would be cutting the tops off of coconuts (I live in the tropics). It would mostly live in the truck and maybe get carried IWB occasionally.

I saw one called the Recon Tanto San Mai. Looked interesting but then I saw another called the Kobun lightweight I think? I was kind of leaning towards that one for a few reasons. Seems like it has a thinner blade stock which I think would work better on the coconuts

. Also, the sheath is set up for boot carry I think which seems like it would work well iwb too? Also, it's significantly cheaper and wouldn't cost me a ton of money to give it a shot.

So tell me what's up with these. I know that the Kobun has cheaper steel and is generally less robust because of the blade stock, but is it still well made? Any other ideas?

Ok, sorry to ramble on but I was trying to introduce myself and ask for recommendations all at once. I am a little bit intrigued by this company so I would appreciate any information and recommendations you guys can pass along.

Thank you in advance,

Lance

TrueBlade1 · May 25, 2014

I Absolutely love Cold Steel Knives! Sorry though can't help much on fixed blades, as I have not been looking at then to buy.
I own 3 Cold Steel knives atm. The Recon 1 (folder) the American Lawman, and the Code 4. All have very strong locking and come super sharp out of the box. I lean more toward the American Lawman for EDC, and the Recon 1 for hard use knives, the G10 handles on both have great ergo and very durable.

How long of a knife do you need? Is there any particular type of steel you require? The Recon Tanto does look cool. I can only tell you that I have been very satisfied with my Cold Steel knives and would not trade them for anything.
You may also want to take a look at Kabar fixed blade knives, they have a wide selection at various price points. You might be interested in the Kabar, Becker Machax. or the Zombie Famine Tanto - it has a 7 1/2 inch 1095 Cro-Van steel tanto blade.

I don't know if you like Serrated knives, but I can tell you I find the serrations of Kabar knives to be much more effective than my Cold Steel knives. I have 2 Kabar knives: the Kabar Mule - which I really love and the Kabar USMC short, both have large effective serrations.

I hope this has helped.

Kels73 · May 25, 2014

I'll let others who are more knowledgeable than me comment on the background of the company. Suffice it to say that I own several Cold Steel products, and I'm very pleased with their design and durability. I appreciate the fact that Cold Steel offers such a wide range of products at such a wide range of price points. I also appreciate the fact that Cold Steel offers so many unique designs that you just don't seem to find elsewhere. For instance for coconut splitting, you could choose a classic fixed-blade like the Recon Scout. It has a bowie-style blade that's 7 1/2" long and 5/16" thick, and it comes with a sheath that could easily be modified for IWB carry.

However with Cold Steel, you also have the option of using a folder on coconuts. No kidding, check out the Rajah II. It has a kukri-style blade that's 6" long and 4.8 mm thick. It's an absolute beast, and I have no doubt that it could split coconuts with the best of them. Or, since it sounds like you appreciate the American tanto, you could check out the Recon 1 XL or the Voyager XL in their tanto configurations. They each have blades that are 5 1/2" long and 4 mm thick. That's what I mean when I say that Cold Steel has unique designs that you just don't seem to find elsewhere.

You've probably gathered that I like their big folders; however, you said you're leaning toward a fixed-blade, and their are two that you mentioned, so I'll comment on them. The Recon Tanto is a tough knife. I'm sure that it would make light work of coconuts. In regard to the Kobun, it's a model that was purposely designed to function as a light weight boot knife. It can also be carried in an IWB configuration, and would definitely be the easier of the two to conceal. The main concern that some have with the Kobun is the handle. Because the knife was designed for ease of concealment, some find the handle to be too thin for their liking. Additionally, some don't feel comfortable with the guard, wishing that it was bigger for safety's sake. With that, you might want to handle one before making your purchase to make sure that it suits you.

I'm glad to hear that you're open to Cold Steel. Spyderco is a great company, and I appreciate many of their knives; but variety is the spice of life, and I believe that Cold Steel is definitely worth checking out.

brush_loper · May 26, 2014

GI TANTO! Fun solid knife and a blast to modify.

Freman Bloodglaive · May 26, 2014

The GI Tanto is a good introduction to Cold Steel fixed blades. It's big, beefy, and it won't break the bank.

I also like and respect Spyderco and its products, but I find my Cold Steel knives fit my hands better.

416isToronto · May 31, 2014

The Kobun, you can't go wrong for the price. Its a great package, sheath is decent. Low profile, the handle is rather thin, but good grip, very light in hands. If im not mistaken it does have the thinnest blade of the tantos..
Tanto Lite is another alternative, even cheaper, with 4116 Krupps, but the sheath it comes with is not great, but usable...
The San Mai tantos have fairly thick blades...

Ulf Krogstad · May 31, 2014

Don't have a ton of Cold Steel products but everything i have of their's is excellent. Can't be much help with the fixed blade part. Only fixed blade i have of their's is a GI Tanto. For a $19 dollar knife really like it. I think the steel is only 1055 or something but it actually keeps an edge well. Cut carboard alot with it and haven't sharpened it since i got it. For folders if your a Spyderco fan would get a Holdout 2. It's very slicey and i am very much a fan of Aus 8 steel. That bacon's frozen. The Tri-Ad lock is very powerful. I don't think there's many of their knives you can go wrong with.

[/URL][/IMG]

SOFileworks · Jun 3, 2014

I've got the Cold Steel Kobun, and it's a fine knife, the handle is thin, but it is very grippy so unless you have hands like a lumberjack, I think it would work just fine for you. And yes, the carry options are just as you expected, in boot, or inside waist band. If you'd like to buy, contact me through my email here, and we can work out something I'm sure. Since you are a Spyderco fan, you might also want to look into one of the Mule Team models, it is one fine fixed blade, and I just happen to have one of those for sale as well with 52100 carbon steel, custom kydex sheath and brown micarta scales.

One way or the other, I hope you find what you're looking for, I don't think you'll be disappointed with Cold Steel knives.

omegapro · Jun 15, 2014

I am late in posting a reply, sorry! In reading your thread, you said you live in the tropics and from seeing your post-picture, I would guess you saltwater fish a lot, right? You definitely need a stainless steel blade to cut-down on rust & corrosion. However, in doing so, you don't want to trade-off the toughness and durability that carbon steel offers you. So, if you want to stay with Cold Steel, and given you want to "lop the tops off coconuts", I would go with a blade made from San Mai. I would choose the Recon Scout (#37S). The blade is 5/16" thick at the top and tough beyond belief. It is sharper than you can imagine and when laying in the truck for long periods of non-use, it won't rust up on you like carbon steel. Make no mistake, this is a big knife although, it is 'baby brother' to the Trailmaster, which I find just too big for waistband carry on long hikes. Anyway, this is my 2/cents - if you do opt for a carbon steel knife just remember to keep it clean and greased-up or you will find it rusted and useless the first time you need to use it.

Inkbender · Jun 16, 2014

Surfingringo-- obviously I'm a huge Spyderco fan as well. I'll just say this that Tri-Ad lock is the bee's knees! Demko genius that inspires much confidence.
Used my Barong Machete to open a few coconuts, but I think you'd have a heck of a time carrying IWB there haha.
Since the (AUS 8A) Recon Tanto has served me well in rough use, I would definitely like to acquire one in San Mai in the future.
Their Counter Point folder (with Tri-Ad!) has been my most recent obsession paired with the S110V Lightweight Manix for EDC

Sorry for the quick, disjointed statements operating half-awake here and gotta zip out for some ZZzzZz's. Until later-- looking forward to seeing what you go with!