unusual Cold Steel Folder

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kabukiman

Joined
Apr 18, 2002
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I traded for a Cold Steel folding Tanto in Pueblo, Co. last weekend, I've never seen anything like it, although I have owned many of their knives over the years.
It's like a Voyager, but no thumb stud and no pocket clip. Heavier than the current Voayagers, and the handle is more "rubbery".
The blade is triple laminated (San Mai I assume). Condition is good. Tanto style blade, no serrations.
It's marked Cold Steel, California. Made in Japan.
HELP! Is it old or what? When made?
Should I trade it for a new current large Tanto Voyager?
THANKS!
 
Don't know much about CS, but does it have a lockback? If not it might be the ring lovk Twistmaster. Thats my only guess. I am sure someone round here can give you a definate answer
 
This is an old Shinobu folder. It used to come in three sizes and was one of the first - if not THE first CS folder.
These folders are still from a time where pocket clips and thumb studs were not nearly as popular as today.
I got this from a Cutlery Shoppe 1992 catalog and it shows the three versions with specs.
 

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I had the large version back in 1993. It was nice, but with my recent discovery of Spyderco, the two handed, belt sheathed Shinobu was "out".

It was extremely stout, and very nicely made. The handle material was very unique. I notice the ad above says Kraton rubber. It wasn't. It was made from the same material Packmyer pistol grips were made. The old ad direct from Cold Steel actually stated this fact.

I should have kept mine, but I used it for a partial trade on a new BM Emerson back in 1996 when they were brand spankin new!
 
Ah, see what my ideas are worth. Thats cool. I would definately keep one if I had one. You can pick up a voyager anytime. I have never seen these before.
 
I've been carrying a large shinobu for about 17 years.

It's held up well considering I used it for skinning power cable and general shop work most of that time. Doing the same work, a Buck 110 or Schrade LB7 would last me a couple of years.

I don't think you can trade it for anything better. :) :)

The Clip-Mate was the same basic construction with a clip blade.

I had to glue the handles back on, and there's a little side-play in the blade now but lockup is still solid. Handles are worn smooth now.

All in all, very satisfactory performance.

Regards,

Pat
 
Congratulations Kabukiman, that is a rare piece, it is in san mai, there is a fingernail groove I presume? Anyway we have quite a few fans of that folder over here, meaning it can get sold fast over here if the price/condition is right.

Regards Bernard
 
Welcome to BF.It sounds like one of the Models that they called the
Shinobu. Tanto blade with the fingernail groove at the top, no stud,
no clip.
 
I just registered today. I thought I would take a browse to see if I could find the model number of this knife. You guys are excellent. I have had one for about 10 years I guess. Now I finally know what it is. Perhaps I will take it out of the box. :)

Thanks much.:)
 
I've had one for years as well. About 1992/93, while stationed at West Point, I stopped in a little sporting goods shop in Walden, NY. Still had them in the showcase. Maybe if anyone lives near there, they might go and check it out. I'd love to have another one. Might still be in stock. I remembered I paid about full retail of what it was when first introduced to the world.

Good luck!
Ed
 
I just purchased one of the older san mai clip points. I have been in the knife business for 13 wonderful years as a manager, consultant, and knife sharpener. I still like the older CS series. They were well thought out and well built. The only problem I heard about the series is that occasionally the scales would come off, but that's nothing a little 2-ton epoxy couldn't fix. Enjoy the knife.
 
If it is in great shape it is a collector worthy piece. These are from the 'infancy' era of Cold Steel really so they are unique in that regard.

The steel is so expensive to produce that the same folder today would be up there in cost for sure.

Esav Benjamin knows a good bit on these also, so when he chimes in later he can probably fill in some of the gaps left by the rest of us.

I have one of those little folders myself. The middle one in that list posted earlier. It used to be one of my carry knives. It is a neat little folder.
 
Man I just got a notice for a post in this old thread. Funny thing is I just pulled my shinobu out to look at it yesterday, first time since I posted in this thread last in 2002. Day later the thread comes alive
 
Here is a better close up for those that can't see the pics to well. Wish I could read the writing on that advertisement. Anyone else able to make out what that says? If you look closely on the one pic you can see the temper line on the blade of the laminated steel.
 
I retired my old Shinobu last year. The scales fell off again (in the hands of the CS sales rep at Blade :) ) and I decided it was 'time'.

Since I'm not working and rarely need a pocketknife anymore, I decided to just carry something cheap and lightweight. Someone gave me a Gerber LST some years ago for Xmas, so I dug it out. Mind you, I still have 2 NIB large Clip-Mates in the safe, but I wanted something a little smaller and lighter.

Fast-forward to the Greenville gunshow last winter. Friend spies something in the display case of a big knife dealer. A mid-size Clip-Mate. He got it for $35 if memory serves. Talk about a DEAL! I paid $85 each for the two in the safe 10 years ago and was bloody glad to get them for that.

Fast forward yet again. Having lunch with the same friend at my favorite resturant, Wanpen Thai Resturant. Best food on this side of the Pacific. Anyways, he has the Clip Mate out and I'm oogling it again. He hands it to me. I notice he's thinned the edge down to no secondary bevel just like I like them to be. After a while I go to hand it back to him.......he grins, shakes his head and doesn't reach for it.

ITS MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Regards,

Pat
 
Cool!!! Thanks Russel!. I'll forward that to someone who was asking about a shinobu the other night on IRC.


Regards,

Pat
 
I still have my little Shinobu San Mai keychain sized version. It's a neat little knife. I received it as a gift back in 1990-1991.
 
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