What's up with the Cold Steel hate around here?

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PharaohX3

PharaohX3

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Been prowling these forums for awhile and I'm constantly seeing people knocking Cold Steel and I'm not sure why. Where is all this hate coming from? I'm guessing these haters have never actually owned or used such legendary knives as the Trail Master, Recon Scout, SRK, etc.

Is it because Cold Steel produces some lower end Chinese-made blades? Not a big deal imho. Many very well respected makers do the exact same thing and dont get anywhere near the flack that Cold Steel does. Is it Lynn Thompson's marketing campaign that bugs people? I personally cant see why it would even though I've seen many people bagging on it.

I own more knives than I can readily count, with a multitude of brands represented, including several Busse and high end customs, and my Cold Steels still maintain a high place in the pecking order. Their higher end knives are fantastic. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Cold Steel is the greatest brand that ever was, I'm just saying the ones I own have served me well and made me very happy. Trusted companions that I know I can count on.

Love them or hate them, I'd like to hear your opinions on Cold Steel with details on why you feel the way you do. Lets try to keep this thread civil, not looking for a fight, just an intelligent discussion.

Thanks!
 
this comes up often. Frankly, I don't think that there is any 'hate' for Cold Steel. There certainly are those that think Lynn Thompson's videos and advertising copy is a bit over the top, but I have never seen anyone say that they 'hate' him for that.

They make mostly decent products, out of fairly good steel, most of it coming from foreign shores. I find their products 'ok', but unremarkable.

No hate here at all, but then not a lot of desire to own what they sell either.
 
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It seems like you really are asking, so Ill put in my $0.02
Most people hate the company. Not the knives.
They tend to be very in-your-face and not alot of people like that.
They bad-mouth other companies.
Lot's of money are asked for the knives and they are made overseas with inferior steel (but heat treated well).
They make their knives almost as though they were designed to be used in fights or designed to hurt people.
Most of it it so tactical that its mall-ninja style stuff.
Some people like them, some people flat-out-hate them.
Im pretty neutral.
There's better knives to be had for what they cost though.
 
Why does it matter why Cold Steel is hated? Do you work for Cold Steel? If you like their knives then good for you, speak to your experiences and let others know you're a happy camper.

not looking for a fight,
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then you said:

Where is all this hate coming from? I'm guessing these haters have never actually owned or used such legendary knives as the Trail Master, Recon Scout, SRK, etc.
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If you wanted to avoid an argument, this would not be the way to start your post IMO.
 
do a Google search on CS and if a hundred threads don't pop up on this topic I' 'll eat my CS Urban Pal.
 
Yo Mama said:
Why does it matter why Cold Steel is hated? Do you work for Cold Steel? If you like their knives then good for you, speak to your experiences and let others know you're a happy camper.



then you said:



If you wanted to avoid an argument, this would not be the way to start your post IMO.
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This is the exact type of nonsense I was looking to avoid here. Go find another thread to troll, dude.
 
T. Erdelyi said:
do a Google search on CS and if a hundred threads don't pop up on this topic I' 'll eat my CS Urban Pal.
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You're right I found several(not a 100 though so make sure you have some dipping sauce for that Pal! JK!) none of the ones I read had much in the way of real discussion and all quickly degraded into foolishness and trolling. I was just hoping to have a logical discussion about the Cold Steel brand on this one. Sorry if it's been done to death.
 
PharaohX3 said:
Is it Lynn Thompson's marketing campaign that bugs people? I personally cant see why it would even though I've seen many people bagging on it.
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Bingo. There are some who feel that the cheesy, over-the-top, uber-tactical/super-impractical, meat stabbing, mall-ninja porn that they produce does nothing to promote the responsible use of knives and casts a shadow of embarrassment over the entire knife community. I think it's mostly the presentation and not the product that people don't like when talking about Cold Steel...
 
bladeboss, I think you have some good points there although I've never seen them bad mouth anyone specific. As far as being made overseas, I gotta agree. It does bug me a little.Many of the cold steel I own are USA made and I'd say theres nothing wrong with the Japan made stuff, Japan knows knives. As far as being tactical they are one of many. Sooo many brands are going for the tactical look these days. Knives like the TM are really more for wilderness use, I'd say.
 
Like many things. People either like them or they don't. Usually it is based on personal experience, sometimes others experiences. I have some CS products. I like them just fine. They are sharp. They hold an edge well. They are easy to sharpen. They have not broken yet. Whats not to like in my experiences. 2 CS Trail Masters, Bushman Bowie, RECON 1 Tanto, Large Lawman, Trail Hawk, Spike hawk, Trench hawk & maybe a few more. I have batoned with 1 of the Trail Masters & the Bushman Bowie. I have chopped a LOT of stuff with the hawks. No issues. Are their products the best---certainly not. Are they a good value for the money---only you can decide for yourself. I think so. Many hate their advertisement videos. It is like many things in life, always a compromise. Ford/Chevy/Dodge/Jeep. Foreign or domestic. Pickup truck or car or suv. ETC....etc....

That being said, i only paid $80 for 1 Trail Master & $40 for the other, new. I would NOT pay the MSRP !!!
 
timberweasel said:
Bingo. There are some who feel that the cheesy, over-the-top, uber-tactical/super-impractical, meat stabbing, mall-ninja porn that they produce does nothing to promote the responsible use of knives and casts a shadow of embarrassment over the entire knife community. I think it's the presentation and not the product that people don't like when talking about Cold Steel...
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Good point. I think in trying to prove the virtues of their knives they may have gone a little over the top. You gotta admit, knife porn is kinda fun though lol! Do you think you would gravitate to the brand a little more if the advertising relaxed a bit? As far as being uber-tactical/super-impractical, seems like so many big-name brands are doing the same thing nowadays. I still really feel like Cold's flagship knives are geared to wilderness and utility use however.
 
PharaohX3 said:
I'm guessing these haters have never actually owned or used such legendary knives as the Trail Master, Recon Scout, SRK, etc.
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You classify those knives as "legendary"?

I guess it is a very subjective word.

Would like to see your high customs and busse's. Pictures are nice.
 
zImsKee said:
You classify those knives as "legendary"?

I guess it is a very subjective word.

Would like to see your high customs and busse's. Pictures are nice.
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Yes I would. Those knives have been around a long time and are loved by most everyone that owns them. I call them legendary because everyone here knows of those specific knives and their reputation. Sorry but I'd rather not take and post pics of Busse and customs on a thread I started about Cold Steel. Perhaps on another thread someday though.
 
I don't hate them. I am disgusted with them and Buck and Case and Kbar and Camilius and .... who have closed USA factories and put thousands of work and now sell lower quality knives made in China or wherever they can make it the cheapest. A knife is a tool and I will spend the extra $$ to get good made in USA tools.
Scott
 
PharaohX3 said:
Good point. I think in trying to prove the virtues of their knives they may have gone a little over the top. You gotta admit, knife porn is kinda fun though lol! Do you think you would gravitate to the brand a little more if the advertising relaxed a bit? As far as being uber-tactical/super-impractical, seems like so many big-name brands are doing the same thing nowadays. I still really feel like Cold's flagship knives are geared to wilderness and utility use however.
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I think most serious knife enthusiasts are able to simply roll their eyes at the crazy Cold Steel vids, but the problem is with the non-knife people and advocates who regard such marketing as fuel for their anti-violence campaigns. Well, that's my two-cents and I don't really want to get into politics--just going to stop right there. Bottom line is that I think Cold Steel makes some good knives. I don't own any but there are a few models that pique my interest. I just choose to ignore all the hoopla... ;)
 
scott.livesey said:
I don't hate them. I am disgusted with them and Buck and Case and Kbar and Camilius and .... who have closed USA factories and put thousands of work and now sell lower quality knives made in China or wherever they can make it the cheapest. A knife is a tool and I will spend the extra $$ to get good made in USA tools.
Scott
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This is an idea that most everyone here can agree on, I'd think. It's such a shame that more and more classic knife brands are cranking out China products. I think we'd all love it if we could get our old favorites still USA made. Seems like 9 out of 10 products we buy nowadays(not just talking knives here) are made overseas. It's the way of the world and it's a pity. With so many formerly great knife brands doing it, I do still wonder why Cold Steel gets so much more flack for it while others get a pass...
 
scott.livesey said:
I don't hate them. I am disgusted with them and Buck and Case and Kbar and Camilius and .... who have closed USA factories and put thousands of work and now sell lower quality knives made in China or wherever they can make it the cheapest. A knife is a tool and I will spend the extra $$ to get good made in USA tools.
Scott
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:thumbup:
 
Haters going to hate........ IMHO, some of their knives are great bang for the buck however, they aren't the end all most "Fanboys" of theirs think they are.

That being said, anyone who things Cold Steel's "Cheesy" video's are that well, the same was said for Magpul and well 90% of the companies who used media to market their product instead of word of mouth. Sure, there are some aspects that I don't agree with but all in all, showing what your products are capable of isn't a bad idea, let alone standing behind them over and over again.

If their CS is poor, that would definitely deserve some hate........ Right now, even ol' Spyderco is on my ishlist.... ruined my holiday with their "CS". Everybody has good and bad days, makes mistakes etc.
 
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