Why do I hate Cold Steel?

I have never met Lynn, likely never will and if I did, I would highly doubt that we would be BFFs.

I have 2 new Recon 1’s and my Rajah III was delivered today. I absolutely love these knives and will likely buy more assorted CS models.

If I can get a CS XHP bladed Taiwanese knife that is rock solid and well made for under $100 and in BD1 for around $60, I don’t really care if I don’t want to have beers with the owner or watch their meat cutting videos.
That may be the case, but I can choose to not send him my coin either.

Being an adult, I can do this due to the things that I respect, like class, and integrity.

These are the same reasons that I don't buy Marfione, Strider, or QRTRMASTER knives...
 
I have never met Lynn, likely never will and if I did, I would highly doubt that we would be BFFs.

I have 2 new Recon 1’s and my Rajah III was delivered today. I absolutely love these knives and will likely buy more assorted CS models.

If I can get a CS XHP bladed Taiwanese knife that is rock solid and well made for under $100 and in BD1 for around $60, I don’t really care if I don’t want to have beers with the owner or watch their meat cutting videos.
I know what you mean. A good deal is a good deal, regardless of the marketing. I never even noticed Cold Steel before they had their xhp and bd1 blades with dlc coating. When I discovered the Ult. Hunter, the Lawman and the Recon1, I realized I d found quality tools that seemed built to last forever. So far, I ve been right. And with competitors map pricing pushing their prices higher , these become even more of a bargain.
I ve always been able to largely disregard marketing when evaluating a product.
 
How do people feel about them changing their grinds from hollow to FFG? (If I’m wrong I’ll edit this). For me, it doesn’t make much of a difference as xhp does all of the work I need it to wonderfully (including chopping through a thick branch), and I also don’t know too much about hollow vs FFG in use (conceptually I think I get how it works though)
 
What bearing does that have?

My membership expired a few weeks ago, once I get some more cash in Paypal I'll renew it. My opinion will be no different then either.
No bearing just saying
 
How do people feel about them changing their grinds from hollow to FFG? (If I’m wrong I’ll edit this). For me, it doesn’t make much of a difference as xhp does all of the work I need it to wonderfully (including chopping through a thick branch), and I also don’t know too much about hollow vs FFG in use (conceptually I think I get how it works though)

I think they did it to make the blades a bit tougher. A hollow grind can suffer gross damage if abused. You'll occasionally see a pic of a hollow ground knife (from any brand) with a huge edge blowout.
A side-benefit of the change to flat grinds was bringing the grind all the way back to the ricasso. Some of the hollow ground knives had a section of partially ground/unsharpened edge.
I'm fine with either flat or hollow. My Recon1 is hollow ground and I see no reason to replace it. If I were to get an American Lawman or Ultimate Hunter I'd opt for the new flat grind.
 
No bearing just saying

Not sure what it is you're trying to say. Perhaps that paid members tend to dislike cold steel while free members tend to have a more favorable opinion? I think it's more of a matter of some people focusing on the knives themselves rather than the reputation of the CEO.

On the subject of boycotting a company, to me it affects your life a lot more than the owner's. Lynn Thompson will be wealthy whether I buy his knives or not. My boycott would literally have zero effect on the successfulness of the company. However, I would be missing out on quality products that get the job done. If I'm in the market for a durable knife in CTS XHP (also somewhat applies to fixed blades in cpm 3V) and I eliminate cold steel as an option, I am essentially automatically going to pay twice as much for whatever knife I choose, and it will most likely be less durable and have an inferior (in comparison) heat treat. The way I see it, I will be down an extra ~$80 and receive an arguably less useful product because of (my opinion of) Lynn Thompson. It's almost as if purchasing the CS knife is saying "I'm not letting this #@&$!head effect my life". I fully understand the "it's the principle" of not supporting someone of which you think unfavorably, but the only one missing out is you. IMO.
 
Cold Steel is a definitely controversial brand. It's a pity because the products are solidly and honestly produced, with a design sometimes very well thought out. So, what's the problem ? I'd put lots of gold (if I had any) on the answer that the owner is a definite braggart, a shitty hunter and a total clown. It's all part of the fun, of course. But I will put my money elsewhere. And to be clear, I like some Cold Steel products a lot, use them anytime in the kitchen, but don't gobble the hype and end up using knives that perform better, with more pleasure and greater efficience. I hope I gave credits where they were due.
 
That may be the case, but I can choose to not send him my coin either.

Being an adult, I can do this due to the things that I respect, like class, and integrity.

These are the same reasons that I don't buy Marfione, Strider, or QRTRMASTER knives...
While guys like Marfione, Thompson, etc can be controversial, they are not on Jared and Mickey Ray’s level. Not even close.
 
While guys like Marfione, Thompson, etc can be controversial, they are not on Jared and Mickey Ray’s level. Not even close.
One can argue that stealing valor, or stealing a pattern are comparable. In so much as, what you are claiming is yours, is not, and has not been earned. To go even further, to profit from this, is despicable and should be shunned by those with any sense of positive moral compass.

If acts like these are considered "passable" by others, then we must carry ourselves completely differently. If I do not like what a person does, and I disagree with it, I will look elsewhere. Especially if I am speaking with my dollar.

If you buy a Marfione or a Strider, you are acknowledging and accepting of their deeds, be it stolen valor, or stealing a pattern, then trying to sue the inventor of said pattern for them making another copy of their own original design... If you aren't accepting of it, you are at least telling this person that you don't mind what they have done.

I cannot do this. Especially when there are plenty of other brands to buy from, ones that do not practice these shady methods of drumming up business and making themselves appear to be better than they are...
 
Sorry, the short answer should have been : there's no reason to hate Cold Steel but there are tons of reasons to choose another brand.
I don't hate cold steel, I dislike their CEO and I feel that he is a petulant man-child. Due to this, I buy knives from other companies.
 
In so much as, what you are claiming is yours, is not, and has not been earned. To go even further, to profit from this, is despicable and should be shunned by those with any sense of positive moral compass.

If acts like these are considered "passable" by others, then we must carry ourselves completely differently.

If you buy a Marfione or a Strider, you are acknowledging and accepting of their deeds, be it stolen valor, or stealing a pattern, then trying to sue the inventor of said pattern for them making another copy of their own original design... If you aren't accepting of it, you are at least telling this person that you don't mind what they have done.

Wow, going hard! I don't think this is true at all. Buying a knife based purely on value is a common occurrence. It certainly doesn't mean the buyer supports any and all actions of the company. Insinuating that people who buy a cold steel knife have an inferior moral compass to yours really says more about you than anything else. Boy, this issue really riles people up!
 
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Insinuating that people who buy a cold steel knife have an interior moral compass to yours really says more about you than anything else.
To be quite honest, I would be more worried if every single person had the exact same moral compass. We are all individuals.

To infer that I said, if you don't agree with me, you are beneath me, is ridiculous... No where in that post did I say that I looked down on anyone who buys them, uses them, or even supports the people themselves.

I only stated that we have a different moral compass. While I did say that those with a "positive" moral compass should disapprove, but that would be based upon MY perspective. Your positive may be, and likely is, completely different. As such, your approval or disapproval may not be swayed in the slightest...

I don't understand why folks take more out of posts than what is there...
 
There it is, in plain English again. Oh well. We can agree to disagree on more than one front.

Sorry for sidetracking the thread.
 
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