Whats up with noone liking Cold Steel!?

Originally posted by King Grinch
Correct me if I am wrong. If you see a car in a crash test commercial and you buy it and scientifically repeat the test is the car still covered by a warrenty?
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You are correct, but there is a difference. Crash tests are done by the companies to help improve safety and are done by the test groups to see how the manufacturers have done. What Cold Steel did with those videos was done for the sole purpose of hyping their products.
 
Originally posted by Evolute

1) Their behavior in regard to American Tomahawk company was just plain low.

2) Their serrations break off easily, are very difficult to resharpen, and they won't resharpen them for you.

3) The secrecy, silliness, and hype regarding what Carbon V is, and how it performs, in addition to seemingly misleading statements about "subzero quenched" 420, and AUS 8.

4) Saying the following:

"Simply put, our competitors grossly exaggerate, they SUGGEST and IMPLY high performance, rather then PROVE the worth of their products We back all of our claims with horrendous torture testing and graphic demonstrations. We prove that we make the WORLD'S STRONGEST, SHARPEST KNIVES and document it all on video tape."

When, in fact:

A) Their knives are not the world's strongest (the world's sharpest claim is absurd, too, though they do make 'em sharp), are less strong than those of many of their competitiors.

B) Their tests on tape are relatively simple for other's knives to meet, and are misleading.

C) Their warranty doesn't back customers performing the tests shown, unlike Himalayan Imports, Busse, Strider, Chris Reeve, Swamp Rat, etc.

D) Their competitors DID also perform toture tests, viewable on video. The only difference is that those were serious torture tests.

--Mike
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Gee Evolute, it's all marketing hype...
but then, you're not quite right on all your points...

1) Although ATC has a better product, Cold Steel did have that trademark already registered. One hires a good lawyer for trademarking and ATC's lawyer dropped the ball. I think ATC should thank their lucky stars that Cold Steel did not request royalties.

2) Serrations are in fact weak. Almost every brand of serration wil break. They are not the easiest to break nor are they the hardest. Cold Steel is a marketing company and not a maker so they are simply not equipped to sharpen them for you.

3)Carbon V is not shrouded in secrecy.... it's just not consistent... They may use one high carbon steel for this one knife, and another for another... then switch for the next batch... ect... it's easier than keeping track of all the different steels. Notice his statements are somewhat unsubstantiated to the novice knifeknut, but not to us. For example, I recall a statement that Aus8a is better than ATS 34... well, it is ,if resiliency and corrosion resistance is your definition of better.

4)Those statements are marketing hype... just like when you watch a commercial for Mercedes Benz, BMW or Jeep... Do you really believe that the Toyota 4-Runner can climb Mount Everest as they show in their commercial? Do you swear of Toyotas because you know they can't?

a) Marketing claim... others make similar claims, yet if you narrow down it to price range, they may be right.
b) Marketing hype... How are they misleading? a stunt is a stunt.
c)As far as I know, of your list of makers who warrant their work, I know Chris Reeve will not warrant abuse, while Strider told a good friend who chopped concrete blocks that their warranty is reserved for knives that were damaged during normal use (but as the Strider guys are standup guys, they will replace his abused knife this time). I don't know about the other makers... Reeve's knives also cost two to four times more than a CS... Strider, 5 to 6 times. I'm sure Lynn Thompson can do everything the other makers can do... and charge you accordingly.
d) That's just plain silly to say... what is a real torture test and what is not? My idea of a real torture test is to soak a knife blade in bleach for a day. What's yours?

I'm no fan of Lynn Thompson's marketing, but I do appreciate his low cost blades. I like the fact that he has a few knives that perform very well and a few who's low prices allow me to overlook lowered performance.

I think those who hate Cold Steel and steers everyone else away from them is doing the knifeknuts a very big disservice. CS, although not the best and the hottest, markets good working knives and affordable prices. Lynn Thompson's marketing strategy may be Cold Steel's biggest hindrance on this board, but for every Forumite he loses here, he probably gains two or three out in the "real world".
 
I like Cold Steel knives. I've had a few over the years that were real users, specifically, a small tanto Ultralock, large droppoint Twistmaster, and my Vaquero Grande. Lynn's hype is fun and so are his videos. His Special Projects catalogs are beautiful. Who else is marketing off-the-wall stuff like his spears and axes and push daggers like he does?

Don't take the hype too seriously, and you'll see he is only doing what any good engineer should, testing his pieces to destruction. If they can come through abuse beyond what you would need to subject them to, you can have some confidence they'll hold up day-to-day.

Of course every other knife company should be able to do the same because every other knife, well-made of comparable materials, is just as good. But Lynn covers the low end with a lot of knife knuts' first knives. Then we move on to better.
 
One of the very first real knives I bought was a Cold Steel SRK 2nd for 45bux from the special projects catalog, I still use it today but mainly as a loaner for a friend when we go camping it's a great knife that takes a razor sharp edge and holds it well. Then came the tomahawks back before ATC the only one that had halfway decent tomahawks was Cold Steel everything else that I could find was made in india or pakistan. I've got a few Cold Steel items that were discountinued the the warhead (a double edge dagger/spearhead/clubhead), a clip point twistmaster, and a couple more that I cant remember but thier still around somewhere. My one big gripe about CS is they've taken some cool designs and started making them in a crappy steel like the desperado, the kobun, and the spike. I just ordered a Vaquero Grande from www.eknifeworks.com for 30bux,for a serrated mega folder in aus8 I think I got a real good bargin and if I dont like it I'll give it to a friend or something but I'm pretty sure that it's gonna fit in just fine with the rest of my knives. Cold Steel has it's problems like any other company but I think it's main problem is not listening to its customers, and the whole 420 steel use.......
 
Ugh! 44 replies already? Well, I have read only about the first seven, but independent of anything I've read, I will say this:

I have only one Cold Steel knife -- The Spike (drop point), and I like it a LOT as a covert neck knife. It is stout, with a nice thick spine, and a great taper that says, "Insert me somewhere!" It's flat ground and strong as hell, but when you sharpen it the finish goes to sh*t because of that. But for a sharp, neat-looking blade that you could really count on in a pinch, it's a good investment, and not very expensive. I recommend it.
 
How do I get the "video"??
I myself don't like CS fodlers, I've owned 3 and was'nt impressed with them at all. They're fixed blades look decent and worthy of trying....
I'm just curious what this video shows,....Cuz I don't think there's anything a CS can do that my other cheap production blades can't, maybe I'm wrong:rolleyes:
 
I think that many here just don't like their marketing or cost-saving measures, but the knives still have all of the same love or hate they always had.
 
Nugget:

to get the free DVDs call their customer service number and tell them you want the free PRoof videos, you saw the advertisement in Gun World magazine ( or other mag if youy saw the ad, I saw it in several gun mags). you'll get it in about 6 wks
 
I own one Cold Steel Black Bear Classic, subhilted fixed blade... because I found the design so goodlooking but it was DULL as a bone, the bevels were UNEVEN. In other words... it couldn't cut anything. Very dissapointing.
 
That's really a shame, because CS always prided themselves on how sharp their knives were out of the box. If they're making wall-hangers now, why even bother with 420, why not just use aluminum? :p
 
back to the car crash comment

it is different because...
what company has a car, says the car will withstand tests that no other car will withstand. Then makes claims that other cars can't do it and are 'scared' ( more or less, my take on it).

but then says don't try this with your car because we can do it, you can't, if you do then tough $hit.

what if airbag manufacturers said this
not so much trust in that lifesaving airbag anymore now?

just my 2¢

dave
 
I like them. I don't agree with some of their "newer, cheaper knives" -- I think they aren't worth the money. I do love the their Carbon V stuff though. Recon Tanto, Trailmaster, and the LTC have all been through some serious cuttin' and have come out strong. I would have no doubts that any of these knives can do whatever I need them to do without failing.
 
I dunno guys. As much as I'd like to say they're products are crap...

...I own 3 cs products: the trailmaster, xl voyager, and vaquero grande. And they're EXCELLENT for my purposes. I certaily don't like the kraton on the trailmaster, but the blade itself is tough, sharp, and quite hassle free.

The folder locks are VERY strong. Whacked them hard (ten times each) with full-power strikes with my trusty eskrima stick, and they NEVER closed. Didn't even ding the spine.

On top of that, the balance of the knives are quite exquisite, particularly the large folders. I'm more of a tactical guy, so these qualities count for me.

Frankly, I think they make great knives!

Just my 2 cents...
 
I have an original Tanto (brass guard and pommel), Recon Tanto, Recon Tanto 2nd, SRK 2nd, AUS8 Kobun, Urban Skinner, Minipal, original Urban Pal, LG Voyager Tanto, XL Voyager Tanto, Javelin, Bushman, and 3 VN Tomahawks. Aside from the tomahawks, they are all good performers. The Carbon V knives are very good performers as are the AUS8 knives. I don't have any 420 ones nor do I really plan on getting any. CS also makes more unusual things most companies won't make like spears, swords and pushdaggers, not to mention the Bushman.

Zytel handles on my Spydercos and Voyagers don't bother me though I do like G10 as much as the next guy. The thing I don't like about Voyagers is their opening mechanism. I carried one for a year, trading on and off with my Endura, and there were a few time it would not open on my first try. For a defensive blade, a 99% opening rate is not acceptable IMO. I replace it with an Emerson CQC-7 for EDC. The Emerson is smaller and twice the price, and though they are both tantos they are too different to really compare.

Cold Steel shouldn't be compared to Busse or Strider, or any customs IMO. For knives of similar size you will pay much more and wait a lot longer. You can buy a Cold Steel now and have it in a few days if time is important. I do have a Busse and it took 12 weeks to get, and my second one is was ordered in early December and I'm still waiting. I'm not complaining as I expect this for customs. I'm just pointing out that if you need a knife fast a custom might not be the way to go. I like my Rinaldi Warhawk better than any of my CS knives. I also paid more and waited longer. It is worth it. If I needed a new knife this week, a production would be the only way to go. CS has a much larger selection than Busse and Strider combined.

Cold Steel's real competition as far as fixed blades go is Becker, and I plan on getting a few of those. Their main competition in folders is Spyderco which I also use and will probably buy more of. The Endura is the standard for folders IMO. :D
 
Benjamin, as long as you're cool with Spydies, have you looked at the Massad Ayoob for SD? Great grip, tough sharp blade, and the angled blade and hooked butt make it a multi-effective weapon.

Have you ever tried the BM 975? It's a CQC-7 with the extra long blade. They show up on the sale forums pretty often. Mine really took a beating without any trouble.
 
Esav, I'll check out the Ayoob folder. I've handled the BM 975, but that was a few years before I was into higher end folders. Emerson is releasing an extra large CQC-7B this year IIRC. The Commander also looks nice. The problem is my "to buy" list is already very large. Too many knives, not enough money. :D
 
IMO Cold Steel has good knives and junk knives. My favorite CS knife is the Night Force. I know that the blade is not made out of a very good SS and it is made in the big "T", but I really like this knife! It is inexpensive and it locks up like a bank vault. I thank that it is one of the best values in its price range. OTOH, I just rceived a CS Scimitar in the mail. WHAT A PIECE OF CRAP!!! When I ordered this knife I was very excited because it is so cool looking. Talk about a major letdown. It had so much blade play in it I could not believe that the factory shipped it. When it was locked open I could here a click when I moved my wrist. The zytel handle felt very cheap and weak. BTW, I have nothing against zytel, but in this knife it just did not work. I will never buy a CS product off the internet again. If I can't inspect it before I buy it, I will not buy it. I urge you to do the same!!!
 
I had an SRK that was given to me, brand new out of the box. I never used it and it sat around. The other day I figured I'd see what it was made of and clamped the tip in my vise. With hardly any pressure at all the first 1/2" of blade snapped right off! I was amazed, a child could have done it.

The cross section of the steel looked powdery, like it was cast. I cut off the rubber handle and it loked to me like there was a casting seam around the tang.

I'm not sure, but that's what it looked like to me.
 
If you'll send your SRK back they'll happily replace it.

Lots of folks here apparently do not like the CS products or their advertising/hype efforts.

As a reseller I can tell you that CS is one of the best sellers for my customers. Though many may not like them, many more do and Thompson probably is not worried about going out of business anytime soon.

They make a great product for the money.
I think it is a little much to ecpect a CS 100.00 item to perform as well as something 3x times that amount.

I like the srk and have had no issues with any of them I have sold over the years. I also sharpen knives and have seen some srk abused very badly by people. They take an edge pretty readily and keep it a good amount of time.

There is no pleasing everyone and most makers don't try knowing it's futile.

I'll stick with my srk's for hard use with nary a thought for it failing when I need it. For serious social work I would have to take the $1100.00 Bagwell Bowie thats handforged. I would not expect the Trailmaster to be able to perform in the same venue as the Bagwell and the price reflect it accordingly.

Brownie
 
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