What Is The General Consensus on Cold Steel Folders

I think the folders that they have on closeout are a bargain pure and simple. I have the Rajah 1 and the Black Rhino which I have been edcing constantly. No complaints whatsoever. I also own a couple of Recon folders and the newer Recon folder and for what I paid again no complaints at all. The Voyager series is good too. Don't let the AUS8a steel hold you back, it is about as good a steel and easy to sharpen and stays sharp longer than any other AUS8a I have used. The VG1 they use is good too. Get past the hyperbole of LT and the folders and most of the fixed blades they have made are excellent choices. keepem sharp
 
Looks like w/ all this great feedback, ill be getting some cold steel soon! Thnaks! :thumbup:

Lets get some user pix up
 
I bought a Spectre through Closeout for $99 instead of $399 MSRP. I was dissapointed and returned it.

Fit/Finish doesn't look worth $400, maybe only $100 IF THAT. Opening/Closing Action was very stiff and difficult. Liner lock was very thin and looked unwieldy. Hard to depress even with a large "pad" on it.

The knife just didn't look or feel good. And to top it off, I received a Manix 2 CTS-XHP the same day, which came out to be only $5 more after tax/shipping, and it just blew the Spectre away.
 
I have an extra large Voyager, I carry it for self defense when I am in big cities. Light, fits in my pocket but open it is very large almost as big as my BK2. Quality wise it is not as good as Spyderco's, Kershaw's and CRKT's I have owned though.
 
I've bought quite a few CS knives over the last couple of months and have been more than satisfied.

My first was a Rajah II, I've been using that one for a few months and I carry it more than I thought I would. I find it very easy to wave open.

Then I bought the Rajah I, Talwar and Black Sable all on closeout.

The Talwar is a very well made knife, the original selling price is a little high, but getting one at 1/3 of MSRP makes it that much nicer.

Here's a few pics of the Rajah II

in the pocket - this is a huge knife and it carries pretty well

raj5.jpg


raj1.jpg


closeup of the TriAd lock
raj4.jpg
 
I had and used a 4 inch Voyager, never had a problem, it did all I asked of it. I'm not familiar with any other models.
 
I have the Cold Steel American Lawman, the Mini Lawman, and the Spartan. They are all 3 good knives and can take a lot of abuse. I've never had a problem with either one them, and I'm also looking forward to the new Voyager series with the Tri-Ad lock, I will be getting a few of those.
 
Got a Kudu recently, seems huge--will try to trim down the size in hand and pocket. COuld be a great food knife--thin and large. Would recommend one for fun--so cheap, heard that the steel is hardened ~56.
 
The Pocket Bushman is a folding tank. It's extremely slim, so it carries very well, but the handles are so thin that it is a little uncomfortable for hard work. The blade profile is very nice (a thin flat grind) and the lock is absolutely rock-solid. You might want to mod in your own thumb studs though. The provided ones don't do a thing :)
 
I never would have considered a CS knife. Because of all the bashing over the years I figured they were crap but something changed me, STR's reviews. His reviews of the American Lawman changed my mind, and I'm glad I did! I own some mid and upper-end BM, Spydercos, EKI, CRKT, Boker, and Victorinox knives. My American Lawman has been my most favorite now since I got it months ago. It easily stands next to any of my more expensive knives in terms of f&f, lockup, and what I deem as reliability. I have to admit I'm looking forward to handling the new Voyagers, though it's gonna be hard to be as good as the American Lawman.
 
sodak said:
I just got a Lawman, and I love it! Solid, solid lock. Thanks STR!!!
Click to expand...

No sweat. I've lost track of how many guys have thanked me now for my thoughts on these Cold Steel folders. While its nice to know there are a few guys out there that read some of my thoughts on the forums now and again it is Andrew that deserves all the credit and thanks for these knives and this lock. I just called it like I see it after owning some of them.

STR
 
I got the Talwar last week and liked it so much I bought the Black Sable.

UPS dropped it off yesterday.

Both are lockbacks, made in Japan and really well put together, I like the style of the Talwar a bit more.

Talwar

TAL3.jpg


and the Black Sable

BLSAB2.jpg
 
JPD1998 said:
I got the Talwar last week and liked it so much I bought the Black Sable.

UPS dropped it off yesterday.

Both are lockbacks, made in Japan and really well put together, I like the style of the Talwar a bit more.

Talwar

TAL3.jpg


and the Black Sable

BLSAB2.jpg
Click to expand...

Awesome scores man. :D :thumbup:
 
I've got a fair number of CS knifes fixed and folded. Same can be said of my spiders/BM SOG/ Kershaw/ etc etc I don't like every model any one company has put out, I buy what I like and leave the rest. CS has some interesting stuff, and some diverse ones (throwing stars and blow guns REALLY???) but they stake their reputation on the toughness and sharpness of their knives and they are still around. that's gotta say something.
 
As to their toughness, many moons ago (18yrs or so)I had a cheap CS double edged serrated knife that opened like one of those exacto knives, can't remember the name. I used it to cut and shape 3/4 inch rubber mats made out of shredded tires. enough to cover the entire floor of a commercial sized weight room. I'd say that was pretty tough.
 
Perhaps mine was a lemon, but I got a recon 1 from la police gear that was incredibly dull. There were no wear markings anywhere on it indicating use. The blade also wobbles side to side a bit, is that normal? I did sharpen it, no big deal but it kinda bummed me opening up the box all excited only to discover it can't cut paper. The black coating is weak too. The experience has left me kind of up in the air about CS knives.
 
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