This is why I’m a Cold Steel fan boy

R

rlewpolar

Joined
Oct 4, 2022
Messages
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Just received this Espada XL in the mail. Gratuitous pic with another similar blade shape (that’s where the similarities end) of the Lionsteel Gitano I received yesterday. Both excellent in their own way. But…look at the blade centering on the Espada. 7.5” blade and it’s dead centered. Blows my mind, the QC is so spot on with them. It’s like that with every folder I receive from them. I know lots of people don’t care about blade centering but to me, this just says that whoever over there in Taiwan is producing these cares and takes their job seriously. Hats off

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coolbreezy37 said:
I really like the 4max, it’s so big and heavy but awesomely indestructible for a folder. For $50, it was a jillion percent worth it.
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Same here. Just bought my third one because…$50. I have a buddy who buys Chinese clones. I keep telling him, for that $50, go buy a Cold Steel. Decent steel, good heat treat, excellent build quality. The next time I talk to him, he is going on about his new $40 Sebenza clone 🤦‍♂️. Some people can’t be helped
 
I've never had a bad knife from CS over more than 30 years. Lynn Thomson is one of the most remarkable designers of the last several decades. I have at least a dozen CS knives (not counting the one I've given away), but the one that stands out most for me is the Master Hunter.
 
Alberta Ed said:
I've never had a bad knife from CS over more than 30 years. Lynn Thomson is one of the most remarkable designers of the last several decades. I have at least a dozen CS knives (not counting the one I've given away), but the one that stands out most for me is the Master Hunter.
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He and Andrew Demko together designed some true masterpieces. That Triad lock is something else
 
Another Cold Steel fan, here.


I am so NOT regretting the purchase of my Jimi Slash chopper. I've been enjoying the hell outta' that thing.

Beyond that, my SR1, Survivalist, Trench Hawk, and SRKs (*both SK-5 and 3V) have been wonderful. I honestly don't believe that you can stretch your value-per-dollar any farther.
 
For those of you who don't have one, do yourself the favor of going to score an SR1 Lite right now. Don't be confused by the name; there's nothing "lite" about that knife. The "lite" has to do with the substitution of more affordable materials, S35VN-vs-8Cr steels and the G10-vs-GrivEx handles.

If my math serves me correctly, they're $30 right now. Even if you don't carry it, (*at that price) you could afford to throw one in the console of every vehicle you own...and never be without a really robust and capable folder.


Just my humble opinion.
 
I find the ergos on most Cold Steel knives to be very impressive as well.

To wit; a couple of years ago, I jumped on the Spyderco Shaman bandwagon. It was to be Sal Glesser’s ergonomic masterpiece and he supposedly spent a couple of years designing and refining the handle. Ok, it’s a really good knife. Beefy and refined feeling at the same time. He nailed the ergos, no question. Bought two of them. A little while later, ended up picking up an AD-10. Lo and behold, the AD-10 feels as good and maybe even better than the Shaman. The G-10 is exquisitely contoured. The action is amazing. It’s cuts as well as the Shaman and it’s even a tougher knife due to the Triad lock. Even that goofy pocket clip melts away when holding the knife . At half the cost of the Shaman. I was hooked
 
Alone said:
For those of you who don't have one, do yourself the favor of going to score an SR1 Lite right now. Don't be confused by the name; there's nothing "lite" about that knife. The "lite" has to do with the substitution of more affordable materials, S35VN-vs-8Cr steels and the G10-vs-GrivEx handles.

If my math serves me correctly, they're $30 right now. Even if you don't carry it, (*at that price) you could afford to throw one in the console of every vehicle you own...and never be without a really robust and capable folder.


Just my humble opinion.
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The one folder besides the 4Max Scout that the destruction monkey (Joe X) could not destroy. An amazing knife, no matter what the cost. I have both the clip point and the tanto. The SR1 lite is one of my favorites
 
rlewpolar said:
The one folder besides the 4Max Scout that the destruction monkey (Joe X) could not destroy. An amazing knife, no matter what the cost. I have both the clip point and the tanto. The SR1 lite is one of my favorites
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You post made me think of something. A bit unrelated, but...


It's funny how some fears/anxieties from your childhood kinda' stick with you. I'm 53yo and still have a healthy respect for Buck 110s and 119s. I can't tell you how many times that I've stuck or ventilated myself with one of those blades. I'm always amazed at just how sharp they come from the factory.

With that, they have both been kinda' "dethroned" as the sharpest knives I've received out of the box. When I got my 4MAX Scout, I was blown TF away by how stupid and wickedly sharp it was. I would love to say that it cut like a ________ (*fill in the blank), but honestly can't find the words to describe how it cut. It was ridiculous.

That knife also made me fall in love with another steel, the AUS 10A.
 
Alone said:
You post made me think of something. A bit unrelated, but...


It's funny how some fears/anxieties from your childhood kinda' stick with you. I'm 53yo and still have a healthy respect for Buck 110s and 119s. I can't tell you how many times that I've stuck or ventilated myself with one of those blades. I'm always amazed at just how sharp they come from the factory.

With that, they have both been kinda' "dethroned" as the sharpest knives I've received out of the box. When I got my 4MAX Scout, I was blown TF away by how stupid and wickedly sharp it was. I would love to say that it cut like a ________ (*fill in the blank), but honestly can't find the words to describe how it cut. It was ridiculous.

That knife also made me fall in love with another steel, the AUS 10A.
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The 4max Scout has no business cutting the way it does for its size and thickness, agree 100%. The convexed San Mai Trailmaster always felt that way to me. How can it be possibly cutting like that? The other one that blew me away with its sharpness is the Recon Tanto. It’s the stickiest sharp knife I’ve ever handled hands down.

AUS10A is great stuff. It’s a great all arounder and tough
 
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Good lord, you people need to stop cajoling me into buying another Cold Steel that I totally don't need.

For what it's worth, I picked up an Old Steel Talwar in CTS XHP ad it quickly became my favorite CS folder. A little bummed it's fully serrated but pleasantly surprised how useful it is in spite of the needle serrations. It'll be a fun project to grind it into a plain edge when the serrations finally dull.
 
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