What's you opinion on cold steel?

V

victoribuck

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Apr 17, 2014
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Hey guys, I'm considering on buying a cold steel recon 1 or a cold steel ak-47 as a tough knife. What is your opinion on this company's quality? And of these 2, what do you think is better?

Victoribuck
 
I have a recon 1 and it has been a great knife for what it is. Its my all purpose around the house knife. I use it as an ice pick as well.

 
Cold Steel makes outstanding knives for the price. They are probably the best in class at the $40-$50 range. It is difficult to beat the lock strength and durability of these knives. The major flaws of CS knives at this price range are the terrible pocket clips and mediocre AUS-8 steel. However, despite these flaws, CS knives are still an exceptional value and perform incredibly well.

I suggest getting the Recon-1 over the AK-47. It carries better in the pocket and is more ergonomic.
 
My thoughts?

Good quality for the price.
Strong, reliable knives.
Crazy marketing.
They do AUS8 right.
 
No idea on the folders, I have a SRK that's been in my bug out bag for 15 yrs. wouldn't trade it for nothing.
 
I generally like Cold Steel. The materials are adequate, the knives are incredibly durable, and the QC is on par with many $100-200 knives. Can't say I'm a big fan of most of their designs or their emphasis on novelty-sized megablades, but the quality you get for the price is at least as good as Kershaw (the other value king).

If you dig their designs, go for it.
 
I really like the quality cold steel offers at the price point they do, I find most of the offerings a little tactical and flashy, but they have some solid designs and the recon 1 is one of them.
I just bought a hold out 3. And love the knife but hate the pocket clip, I don't carry it because the clip is so stiff that it makes the knife very difficult to remove from pocket.

I find the steel adequate and have no complaints there.
 
The only downside I can think of is the pocket clip and G10 combo will shred your pants, but it's nothing a pair of pliers and some sandpaper can't remedy. Other than that, they make a solid product and do a good job with the materials offered. The main knock on them is that they usually stick with lower end steels, but they're just starting to dip their toes into the high end stuff with a few offerings in CTS-XHP.
 
At the risk of coming across condescending, I think Cold Steel is a good place to start for the new collector. They have a really diverse line up that's affordable and has amazing fit and finish for the price.

Their mostly used AUS8 steel is also a good place to start to develope some basic sharpening skills as it takes a razor edge incredibly easy. It's also going to help you appreciate better bladesteels later on.

I have several Cold Steel models including the Recon 1. It's a sturdy no nonsense folder that will serve you well as a user blade as long as you are reasonable in your expectations. The Recon 1's incredibly tough Tri-Ad lock will write checks it's delicate hollow ground AUS8A edge can't cash. I've rolled the edge on mine doing some light yard work.

As you'll hear many others say, I wish they would offers higher end steels as an option for some of their more popular models.
 
Thanks a lot for all your input. I did hear about the pocket clip and the g10 handle being aggressive on pants, but like Insipid Moniker said I can easily sand down the handles a bit

And even though I didn't get too much preference on ak-47 and recon, 1 I heard a few recon 1 suggestions and will get that in the clip point as I was leaning closer to that any way

Victoribuck
 
Lynn Thompson is hilarious and their knives are amazing.

The Code 4 is my favorite, it's just incredibly thin and lightweight while still retaining the incredible strength of the Tri-Ad lock. I have the clip point but I love it so much I want to get both the spear point and the tanto as well.

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I like 'em, and they make excellent work knives. I have an American Lawman that I bought after seeing a maker here on BF give it a huge thumbs up, and revealing that it is his folder of choice. (He makes fixed blades, so no conflict there!)

Their AUS 8 is fine, and better than the AUS 8 on the other knives with that steel. The AL is lightweight, locks up really tight, and is a solid piece of equipment. If you are looking for collector's knives, these aren't your ticket. If you are a steel snob, look somewhere else. Regardless of the knife made, folks on BF ALWAYS want a different, more expensive steel. There are no exceptions to that BF rule.

Since it is a work knife for me, I had to take the clip off (comes with two so you can carry as you please) and install for tip up right hand carry. I marked where the clip hit the knife, taped off about 1/4" on either side of it and sanded it smooth. Bent the clip a very tiny bit, and it clips perfectly. The width of the AL makes it a nice handful for work, and the thinness makes it an easy carry, even under my tool bags.

I buy knives based on price/quality/performance/longevity. These knives win in all categories for me. I have the AL now, and when I get some extra scratch, the Recon1 is next.

For more opinions including comparisons, Google is your friend. Scroll around this page a bit:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=cold+steel+american+lawman+vs+recon+1

Robert
 
Thanks midnite flyer for your input. I have been browsing this forum for probably 2 years and completely agree with the knife meeting criteria for its price

mk.ultra that ones pretty sweet doesn't look insanely tacticool but I like that it's more simple
 
Their marketing is a bit over-the-top, but the finished product is fantastic. I traded away my Recon 1 because it was too big, but I'm getting another one in the smaller size. I also just ordered a Code 4 tanto that I'm very much looking forward to. The Tri-AD lock is awesome.
 
I don't own the current generation Recon 1, but I do own the Ak-47, and I can tell you it's a great hard use knife.
 
A couple of my squad mates have them and love them, never really floated my boat but they're built well if those muppets havn't broken them yet.

A word though: their coating is weak. It will peel and flake through the simplest task. Just aesthetics, but something to be aware of.
 
If you jut look at the knives, they make some very solid ones. Unfortunately, the marketing theatrics don't exactly do much in terms of earning respect...I was at Bass Pro a few weekends ago (first mistake, I know) and the kid at the knife counter said I need to have "one of these", pulling his concealed Espada XL out...sigh...
 
I own several CS knives and would say at one time they offered incredible value for the price. Agree they "do AUS-8 right" and the triad lock is very solid. I would add that over the past few years, other value brands have surpassed CS. In particular several companies with manufacturing in Taiwan such as Ontario knives now offer better quality for the price. Still, the CS knives are not bad...they are well built and have a great reputation...they just aren't the bargain value they once were. I have also seen some quality issues on a few CS knives recently, in particular uneven grinds.
 
i sent mine back, what a rip-off. on opening the box, the knife was cold alright. but after a few minutes, it turned warm.
 
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