What, or who, is driving Cold Steel's push to next level?

robot37 said:
My gut tells me that Cold Steel is making the right move with their new 2015 offerings.
Some of my immediate reactions:

1. Fans and customers, myself included, have been clamoring for a steel upgrade across the board. The addition of CTS-XHP, O-1, CPM-3V, and CTS-BD1 to the mix is just what the doctor ordered. These steels are the right mix of edge-holding, toughness and mass-appeal. It's a no-brainer.

2. The split of CTS-XHP and CTS-BD1 across the line of folders provides a higher and lower price point for folks with different discretionary spending levels. But as we've seen with everything else CS has made in the past, EVERY single folding knife they've made is a dependable piece of hardware. Function & dependability is always priority #1. I've always felt that I could bet my life on EVERY Cold Steel knife that I've ever owned, and I've owned a lot of them over the years.

3. Benchmade especially, and Spyderco, to a lesser degree, have left me cold these last couple of years.
Specifically I've been rather frustrated with the Axis lock models of recent vintage. They've had too much blade play. The mechanism requires too much mechanical precision, and once the company starts to focus on volume & price-point the mechanical tolerance of the finished product will inevitably suffer.
The Tri-Ad lock, on the other hand, is a mechanism of supreme mechanical elegance & simplicity. It's hard to mess it up, and it is more forgiving of larger mechanical tolerance variations than other company's locking mechanisms.

3. I've ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS thought that Lynn Thompson could design an ergonomic & effective folding knife. That's never been an issue. In fact, I wish that LT would bring back some of the previous folders like the Night Force or the ProLite, but adapted for the Tri-Ad lock.

4. Bottom Line: The Tri-Ad lock is THE THING that has kept me with Cold Steel for the last several years. I knew that they had something special with this lock, and that it was only a matter of time before they paired it with an upgraded blade steel. I'm not saying that I'm some sort of Prophet or anything, but I like to think that I've been a loyal fan & customer. So, I'm glad to see that LT & crew are giving back to their customer & fan base in a truly meaningful way.

-nate
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I honestly could not have said it better
 
CS--great line-up this year... you are the team to beat. I have a couple of your recon 1's, and I will certainly be getting one with the steel upgrade. Maybe an Espada too. Let's see you make the big clip version of the recon 1 with the upgrade, and for that matter, where is the new and improved ak-47? Come on now, let's have it! Man, if there was a thumb plate on the recon 1's... well that would be all I'd carry. OK, OK, maybe not... but it would be one of the one's I'd carry almost all the time!

Great job guys... let's see more!

:thumbup:
 
Cold Steel stepped up this year beyond my expectations. Keeping a more afordable line while delivering higher grade steels. And that 4-Max is getting purchased! :D
 
robot37 said:
My gut tells me that Cold Steel is making the right move with their new 2015 offerings.
Some of my immediate reactions:

3. Benchmade especially, and Spyderco, to a lesser degree, have left me cold these last couple of years.
Specifically I've been rather frustrated with the Axis lock models of recent vintage. They've had too much blade play. The mechanism requires too much mechanical precision, and once the company starts to focus on volume & price-point the mechanical tolerance of the finished product will inevitably suffer.
The Tri-Ad lock, on the other hand, is a mechanism of supreme mechanical elegance & simplicity. It's hard to mess it up, and it is more forgiving of larger mechanical tolerance variations than other company's locking mechanisms.
Click to expand...

I completely agree about other knife companies leaving my cold in recent years. Even Cold Steel left me lukewarm last year by not unveiling any new folders. Spyderco and Cold Steel are my two favorite knife companies. I also enjoy some CRKT knives. I used to be a fan of Kershaw, but they've turned me off the last few years. Unfortunately, (for me at least) Spyderco has been turning more of their attention more towards very high end knives the last few years. Many of their newer offerings are in the $150-200 street price range. While they still have some value priced options (to me value priced means street price anywhere between $50-100) those options are coming fewer and farther apart. I'm very excited about these new CS developments as I feel that we'll be getting premium materials in Cold Steels amazing designs at a very competitive price. The Code 4 with upgraded steel has an MSRP of $134.99. Based on the markdown on the AUS-8 version with my favorite dealer, the upgraded version should go for about $75-80. That's a steel for an amazing hard use knife with CTS-XHP steel. I think the Recon 1 will be the same kind of amazing value with it's G-10 handle, CTS-XHP blade, and DLC coating.
 
MaxFisher said:
I completely agree about other knife companies leaving my cold in recent years. Even Cold Steel left me lukewarm last year by not unveiling any new folders. Spyderco and Cold Steel are my two favorite knife companies. I also enjoy some CRKT knives. I used to be a fan of Kershaw, but they've turned me off the last few years. Unfortunately, (for me at least) Spyderco has been turning more of their attention more towards very high end knives the last few years. Many of their newer offerings are in the $150-200 street price range. While they still have some value priced options (to me value priced means street price anywhere between $50-100) those options are coming fewer and farther apart. I'm very excited about these new CS developments as I feel that we'll be getting premium materials in Cold Steels amazing designs at a very competitive price. The Code 4 with upgraded steel has an MSRP of $134.99. Based on the markdown on the AUS-8 version with my favorite dealer, the upgraded version should go for about $75-80. That's a steel for an amazing hard use knife with CTS-XHP steel. I think the Recon 1 will be the same kind of amazing value with it's G-10 handle, CTS-XHP blade, and DLC coating.
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Recon 1 in XHP is up for preorder at Knifecenter for right at $100. And, while Knifecenter is an excellent dealer, they're often a bit more expensive than some others. IMO, that price puts it right in line with some very, very heavy hitters in terms of value.
 
Insipid Moniker said:
Recon 1 in XHP is up for preorder at Knifecenter for right at $100. And, while Knifecenter is an excellent dealer, they're often a bit more expensive than some others. IMO, that price puts it right in line with some very, very heavy hitters in terms of value.
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I saw that. With KC having that price, I'm thinking some of the less expensive dealers might have it for closer to $80-85 which is an extremely competitive price for G10/XHP. I'm very psyched.
 
As a traditional knife lover, I am just ecstatic about the Lucky. I can't wait to have one in my pocket.

Many, and I mean MANY, of these new and upgraded knives just went on my "need" list.
 
This is a sweet year for CS offerings. There are a handful with upgraded steel that I will certainly be purchasing. Thanks LT! :thumbup::thumbup:
 
XHP and DLC for the Recon 1 - sold! Now I hear D2 for the Leatherneck... Too good. Keep 'em coming Cold Steel.
 
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