What the heck? Does Cold Steel not own a ruler?

[Goosey]

Here are four knives from Cold Steel. All are advertised as having 4-inch blades.

On this paper I've marked two lines, the space between which measures exactly 4 inches.

From left to right: Counter Point I, Large Voyager Vaquero, Recon 1, Broken Skull

As may be seen, only the Large Voyager Vaquero meets the advertised length, measuring 4.00 inches. The rest are either too long or too short.

The Counter-Point I measures a mere 3.73 inches. Comparing them, the blade on this knife is shorter than that on a Spyderco Endura 4, which measured 3.77 inches. This is a large error and the shorter-than-advertised length could irritate many customers.

The Recon 1 is slightly shorter than advertised, at 3.86 inches. The difference is fairly small, so this is not too troublesome.

The Broken Skull is perhaps the worst offender, as the blade easily exceeds the 4-inch mark. It measures about 4.11 inches. This could cause trouble for those in certain jurisdictions.


The blade of the "4-inch" Counter Point I is actually shorter than that on a "3.75-inch" Endura 4

I recently purchased a Cold Steel Pro Lite Tanto. This knife is advertised as having a 3.5-inch blade.

In fact, when I measured it I found the blade length to be approximately 3.26 inches. Another large discrepancy from Cold Steel.

The blade on the Pro Lite Tanto is advertised as 3.5" but measures only 3.26"

Here is the Cold Steel Extra Large Voyager Clip Point. The blade length is advertised as 5.5 inches.

However, when I measured it, I found it to be only 5.31 inches.

The blade on the Extra Large Voyager Clip Point measured 5.31", 0.19" shorter than advertised

Why does Cold Steel seem to dislike providing their advertised blade lengths in increments smaller than one half-inch?

Does Cold Steel not own a ruler?

 

[Monofletch]

Too worried about making lock testing videos I guess.

 

[shinyedges]

Lol call them and ask for Lynn, if they ask who is calling, let them know it's goosey (sternly) and they'll patch you through.

Let Lynn know you've been measuring his blades and you'd like to know if he owns a ruler. Oh and while your on the line with him ask him what the hell is going on with his San mai lawsuit.

He's a reasonable man and will probably send out new blades to replace your defective ones. You'll probably get to keep the ones you got as well. Good luck and let me know how it goes!

 

[115Italian]

My code 4 tanto is longer than advertised.

 

[Insipid Moniker]

Lol call them and ask for Lynn, if they ask who is calling, let them know it's goosey (sternly) and they'll patch you through.

Let Lynn know you've been measuring his blades and you'd like to know if he owns a ruler. Oh any while your on the line with him ask him what the hell is going on with his San mai lawsuit.

He's a reasonable man and will probably send out new blades to replace your defective ones. You'll probably get to keep the ones you got as well. Good luck and let me know how it goes!

This made me laugh.

 

[NJBillK]

They aren't the only brand that does this. I know that I personally have seen some Beckers, ESEE, and a few others that have been up to 1/4" shy of supposed lengths.
- In the Beckers defense, they are hand sharpened and that can be apparent sometimes.

In regards to Cold Steel, you can't call them out on it. They own the measurement systems like they do the words "San Mai"...

Sorry, I wish I could offer more than a snarky answer but The Company sort of does what they want and try to bully those who try to correct them.

Mods and OP, my apologies for the immediate derail... I hope someone will come by and have a straight answer for you.

 

[Wowbagger]

Doesn't Cold Steel Own A Ruler

Ha,Ha
Sounds like something I would have wrote.
Followed closely by "Grump, Grump, Grump"

But since you beat me to it I will play the other side and say. Often on a drawing of a machine part the "length" may be measured from the center of the pivot. We know they aren't referring to the actual edge length. So from that perspective you SURE GOT YOUR MONEY'S WORTH. :thumbup:

Does it REALLY matter ?

 

[RevDevil]

Could they be measuring from the pivot hole? Technically that is still part of the blade.

 

[Jens Schuetz]

Some Chinese makers used to measure from the pivot to the tip.

 

[Leftytwogunz]

Size does not matter. Lock strength is the ONLY useful measure in folding knives.

After measuring, did you strap them into some sort of weighted cable device and prove their superiority over every other knife brand?

 

[Goosey]

Some Chinese makers used to measure from the pivot to the tip.

But since you beat me to it I will play the other side and say. Often on a drawing of a machine part the "length" may be measured from the center of the pivot.

Could they be measuring from the pivot hole? Technically that is still part of the blade.

Measuring from the pivot, all the knives would be far over specified length. Measuring from the furthest aft part of the bolster that still intersects with the blade, the reverse of the commonly accepted method, the Counter Point I and Pro Lite appear to come close to the specified lengths. The other knives aren't as affected, in some cases would be more over-length.

 

[RamZar]

Could they be measuring from the pivot hole? Technically that is still part of the blade.

Some Chinese makers used to measure from the pivot to the tip.

Kizer used to measure from the center of the pivot to blade tip.

The standard measure for blade length is by the American Knife and Tool Institute (AKTI):

"Where a statute, regulation or ordinance refers to knife blade length, the measurement shall be the straight line extending from the tip of the blade to the forward-most aspect of the hilt or handle."​

 

[whp]

Interesting that this discrepancy in apparent blade lengths was brought up in regard to Cold Steel. I ve never noticed it with other knife brands, but I have realized a big difference in blade length between my Code 4 and my American Lawman. I m glad the Lawman with the black blade is shorter. Less threatening to some when I open it. Doesn't t really matter to me.

 

[whp]

Kizer used to measure from the center of the pivot to blade tip.

The standard measure for blade length is by the American Knife and Tool Institute (AKTI):

"Where a statute, regulation or ordinance refers to knife blade length, the measurement shall be the straight line extending from the tip of the blade to the forward-most aspect of the hilt or handle."​

Good information.

 

[ourgon]

I had the same with Benchmade 913. It was 3-4 mm shorter when it was brand new, than in description on the website. And BM 950 is 2 mm shorter than in description in catalog or on the website.

 

[maccarelli]

Kizer used to measure from the center of the pivot to blade tip.

The standard measure for blade length is by the American Knife and Tool Institute (AKTI):

"Where a statute, regulation or ordinance refers to knife blade length, the measurement shall be the straight line extending from the tip of the blade to the forward-most aspect of the hilt or handle."​

that
schematic looks like a buck Alpha.just saying

 

[ichor]

Is this all you have to do?

 

[Henry Beige]

Has anyone ever believed an automaker's horsepower claims?

 

[NJBillK]

Is this all you have to do?

How about yourself?
This is a bit like the pot calling the kettle black, eh? If I had to, I would go so far as to say the OP has offered more to the conversation.

 

[jbmonkey]

Every brand over and under estimates their blade lengths. In fairness though depends on where you measure. Plenty to pick on cold steel over, but singling them out on this is just silly.