Thoughts on the Cold Steel Engage (3.5" S35VN)

MudCamper

MudCamper

Joined
Feb 15, 2011
Messages
74
First, this is not a complete review, just my first impressions. And I am a big fan of the later Demko / Cold Steel knives (SR1, AD10, AD15, etc.).

It's a great knife. It's the same high quality design, materials, production, and fit and finish that you would expect from Cold Steel's Taiwan factory. But I was left underwhelmed. Let me explain.

I like big, heavy, overbuilt knives. I love the AD10. I had the mistaken impression that the Engage was going to be something like an AD10 with a lock something like a Demko Shark lock. It is neither of those things. It is smaller than an AD10 in every dimension. It has a shorter blade, shorter handle, thinner handle, and it's a little lighter. Now for some this may be an improvement. But not for me. Every time I get out the knife, I just think, "It's so small!" (I hope Cold Steel eventually makes an XL version.)

And the Atlas lock is no Shark lock. First, it's position makes it impossible to reach with your finger without moving the knife up in your hand. This is a bit awkward. So this means I end up just using my thumb on the lock, letting the blade fall and the choil hit my finger, then I rotate the knife and flick it the rest of the way closed. This is fine, but this is also exactly how I close my AD10. Second, the force pulling/holding the blade closed is very very weak. It often fails to close all the way. A Shark lock pulls the blade closed from as far out as 45 degrees. No comparison there.

So it's a perfectly good knife. No, it's a really good knife. But it's just not quite as good as an AD10, or certainly an AD20. I will carry it for a month, to see if it grows on me.
 
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Cons of the weaker detent: It might open in your pocket. It won't close all the way if you don't release the lock at just the right instant.
Pros: I'm not sure. If you like being able to flick the knife open (without using the lock or thumb studs) then maybe that. (Another fun/fidget feature.)

Neeves Knives YouTube video comparing the Engage and AD20 shows the differences pretty well. See the beginning of his video here:
 
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After carrying the knife for close to a week, it has grown on me some. It is a quality knife. It came crazy sharp right out of the box. The action has smoothed out nicely with use. The Atlas lock, while not as convenient as a Shark lock, is easier to use than a Triad lock. When using your thumb on the lock to drop the blade, it is much more forgiving than a Triad. On an AD10 for example. you must have your finger in exactly the correct spot, or it will punish you, possibly severely. The finger choil on the Engage makes for a wider range of finger placement without risking injury. The knife is also quite fidgetable. I think for most folks who think an AD10 is too big, this knife is a big improvement. Again, for me, I hope Cold Steel makes an XL version of the Engage, because I've never seen a knife too big nor too heavy for my taste.
 
The size and lock interest me, but aesthetically, I don't like how the front part of the scales angle backwards. Also not crazy about how far the finger "guard" sticks out.
 
Thanks for the comparison pics,boy i didnt realize it was that much smaller than the 10 and 15,both of which i have. By the time you add that choil, the blade edge might only be 3.25 Not crazy about the blade size and short width, and that elongated front guard like others said..Too much handle, not enough blade bothers me too.I think we are seeing these shortcomings because Andrew Demko didnt design it.Otherwise the blade would be bigger,wider,no choil cutting into blade edge,, and not such a radical guard,and maybe a more foward placement of the lock release...
 
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MudCamper said:
[...] The Atlas lock, while not as convenient as a Shark lock, is easier to use than a Triad lock. When using your thumb on the lock to drop the blade, it is much more forgiving than a Triad. [...]
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How do these 3 locks compare in strength? I'm assuming the Triad is the strongest, but I'm wondering by how much.
 
All 3 locks bode well for heavy folders, and the Atlas lock looks tough! Anyone know who designed Atlas? It deserves a bigger blade with more reach for the 6.8oz. I think Demko did the strap lock, and that man's earned top chops. Some states don't allow concealed carry of fixed blades, lame and irrational as that is, 6.5oz begins the push towards fixed n a sheath, and I'm beginning to look at holsters as just another piece of clothing for EDC. Demko's 20.5 is a great package-frame, steel, weight, and lock, for my budget.
 
MudCamper said:
Cold Steel has stated that the Atlas is stronger than the Triad. Whether that's true or not I don't know. I think the Triad, Shark, and Atlas are all strong enough that the blade or the liner/scales would fail before the lock.
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The patent for the Tri-ad lock is soon to expire . :eek:

GSM needs a new exclusive pony to bet its future on . ;):thumbsup:

I've seen nothing, thus far, to convince me that the Atlas is in any way superior to the well proven Tri-ad design , for hard use folders .

I'm waiting to see larger , MUCH larger , folders with the Atlas .

5.5" to 7.5" blades , just like the old Cold Steel models . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
DocJD said:
I've seen nothing, thus far, to convince me that the Atlas is in any way superior to the well proven Tri-ad design , for hard use folders .
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As a hobbyist looking at both lateral and blade arc forces, I thought separate slots and 2 stop pins inside the fork would yield a stronger lock, but yes it is hard to beat Demco's record with his improved backlock, already a known quantity for so long.
MudCamper said:
Cold Steel has stated that the Atlas is stronger than the Triad
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Question is not who named Cold Steels lock, it was who designed it, big difference LOL. It is the designer who will hear from the street and tweak detent for next rev no doubt.
DocJD said:
5.5" to 7.5" blades , just like the old Cold Steel models . :cool::thumbsup::thumbsup:
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just leaves me laughing, remembering Lynn's demos! Great suff n I learned some things about being dead serious in certain situations, keeping in mind the Marines told the owner of Bark River something like, they have plenty of guns for fighting and need a cutting tool... 7 yards is too close... unless your waving hi with both hands, yea right.
 
MudCamper said:
View attachment 1859310
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MudCamper MudCamper , thanks for posting those pics! I am a fan of the "working man's" knives that Cold Steel puts out and have a few. With the pics, I can see that it falls in size just under my AD10, making it about the size of my Ultimate Hunter. Blade shape is a little different and the G10 sculpting in the handles is excellent on the UH, but otherwise it is close enough I will buy another model before I get that one. Too similar. In fact, as mentioned here, the UH could almost be the little brother of the AD10 in practical use. And I don't actually like the deep pocket carry on the Engage since I use my knives for work. Gotta be able to get it out of the pocket fast, so I need something to grab besides the side of a clip.

Pictures say a thousand words... thanks.
 
I think all three knives pictured above are supposed to have 3.5 inch blades. Just different handle lengths.

While I have an AD10, I can t see it doing anything my Ultimate Hunter can t do equally as well. My UH remains one of my hard use work knives, and my AD10, admittedly a fine knife as a more carry friendly version of the 4 max, remains in the box.

I prefer knives with longer handles. More comfortable for my hand.
 
whp said:
I think all three knives pictured above are supposed to have 3.5 inch blades. Just different handle lengths.
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By my measure, the AD-10 has a 3 & 5/8th edge and the Engage has a 3 & 1/16th edge.
The AD-10 handle length is 5.25" and the Engage handle length is 4.75".
 
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