Why do I hate Cold Steel?

Bought a mini recon just to try out the triad lock.

Pros:
- Great steel, XHP.
- Very nice ergos.
- Strongest lock out there?

Cons:
- Very rough finnish on the scales, needs to be lightly sanded IMO.
- Clip is way to stiff.
- Hard to unlock.
- A bit chunky to pocket(picture with the small21).
- Studs have sharp edges and will rip your pockets.

When it comes down to it, it's sitting in the back of my knife drawer. Poor thing, I might take it out for some tough jobs one day, a beater on stand by. But I'll more likely take a beater fixed blade come to think of it..

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Mick_1KRR said:
Just thought I’d add one more thing, my 2 favourite daily carries from cold steel at the moment are their new satin blade exclusives in S35VN. Never leave the house without one of these in my pocket. The smoothness of the action, blade grinds, edge bevels and overall fit/finish on this new run have been flawless.
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I saw those on Apostle P's youtube channel. They look amazing, but isn't it arguably a downgrade from their CTS XHP? And $50 more expensive? I kind of want to get one in XHP one day and sand the DLC off and mirror polish it.

In other news, I recently got an Italian 4max ($279.99 from Midway). Fit and finish is near flawless. The lock is certainly harder to press but doable. The edge is ground fully and evenly, and will shave, however it is a relatively coarse edge that "needs" some stropping. I can see it being too large or too heavy for some, but it is truly a fantastic blade.
 
These folders are Demko designs. The 4Max is absolutely true to the Demko, save being a production knife.

And their big San Mai knives are made by Hattori-the same maker of the Fallkniven Northern Light series. True master class blades.

Their D2 Leatherneck in DLC can be had at dealers for less than $80-outstanding value. And they have several sub $150 fixed blades in DLC’d 3V, that are jaw dropping in what you get for your money.

There are many knives in their lineup that do nothing for me. With that said, they have the most extensive catalogue of knives/designs, of any knife company-and by a wide margin.
 
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You hate Cold Steel cos you wish Emersons were sold at that price :D
It's understandable.
I hate them too, but I like some of their knives.
 
BladeScout said:
I have nothing against LT per se.

He has made one heck of a business venture, thats for sure.

Hearing him say, that he lives a martial life, the way of the warrior, can be a bit too much.

Could be argued to be part of the advertising of course...

Some of his knives do cater to the mall ninja type, some of whom tend to be a tad fanatical.
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He was smart enough to bring Andrew Demko in, and make him the lead designer. Imagine if KAI or Benchmade had the foresight to make that move instead...
 
clovehitch said:
I saw those on Apostle P's youtube channel. They look amazing, but isn't it arguably a downgrade from their CTS XHP? And $50 more expensive? I kind of want to get one in XHP one day and sand the DLC off and mirror polish it.

In other news, I recently got an Italian 4max ($279.99 from Midway). Fit and finish is near flawless. The lock is certainly harder to press but doable. The edge is ground fully and evenly, and will shave, however it is a relatively coarse edge that "needs" some stropping. I can see it being too large or too heavy for some, but it is truly a fantastic blade.
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In use so far i honestly can't tell a difference between the XHP and their S35VN, i think they are pretty good with their heat treats, if i notice any difference over time i'll post up my findings. And congrats on the 4max, such a slicing monster but feels refined at the same time.
 
Minnesota Man said:
Leave the knife half open in a drawer over night for a few nights.
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Thanks for the great advice, you miserable bastard. ;):p

I forgot the “drawer” part and left my ‘new today’ Recon 1 Serrared on my nightstand 1/2 open. Quite the shock when I reached over to set my alarm.:eek: Forgot to put it in the drawer.

Like a friggin mouse trap...

Damned thing are sharp!!!!

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I almost hate to chime in on such a long thread about a controversial issue but I will. Back in the day, 40 years ago, the Cold Steel Tanto was the best production knife on the planet. Many of the the other makers from back then are gone or have come in and out of bankruptcy one or more times. Thompson is like Trump. He is the real deal and isn't afraid to tell you how good his products are.

If he really did steal others designs (Emerson, Spyderco,etc.) he would have been sued.

Today, if you are on a budget, you can't find better performing fixed blades or folders than Cold Steel.

I only own one CS folder, the 4 Max. I have many other high end production and custom folders but if I could only choose one and it had to meet any possible scenario, I'd choose the 4 Max.
 
I quite like some of the CS products.

As you say, some are excellent affordable solid blades.

But no politics, please.

Lets make knives gr....., I mean, lets make it about the knives.
 
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Minnesota Man said:
Leave the knife half open in a drawer over night for a few nights.
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I ground off 0.010" of the middle portion of the lock spring(from 0.040" down to 0.030") and that did the trick for me, doesn't bruise my thumb when closing yet the lockup is still solid as heck.
 
SharpieB said:
Thanks for the great advice, you miserable bastard. ;):p

I forgot the “drawer” part and left my ‘new today’ Recon 1 Serrared on my nightstand 1/2 open. Quite the shock when I reached over to set my alarm.:eek: Forgot to put it in the drawer.

Like a friggin mouse trap...

Damned thing are sharp!!!!

View attachment 848401 View attachment 848402
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She's officially yours now! Thank me later when you bond with her!
 
I've had a couple and, while I don't hate them, they aren't on my "gotta get" list mainly because of the triad lock. I had a Counter Point XL for quite a while I was desperately trying to loosen up which never did. I could never flick it open and that dang lock just about broke my thumb every time I tried to disengage it. NOT user friendly, so I got rid of it. I was comically too large to carry, for me anyway. I like the aesthetics of the Counter Point and if I could find a #1 (4" blade) that was easy to open and unlock, that would be great, but I don't think I'd buy another online without handling it first.
 
SharpieB said:
Thanks for the great advice, you miserable bastard. ;):p

I forgot the “drawer” part and left my ‘new today’ Recon 1 Serrared on my nightstand 1/2 open. Quite the shock when I reached over to set my alarm.:eek: Forgot to put it in the drawer.

Like a friggin mouse trap...

Damned thing are sharp!!!!

View attachment 848401 View attachment 848402
Click to expand...
Sorry man, I shouldn't laugh, but that is funny.
 
I own an aus 8 American lawman, it’s a good knife. What I can’t get over is the names of the knives: broken skull, ultimate hunter etc....I just can’t stand them. Even the name cold steel bugs me. Performance wise I have nothing bad to say about them.
 
Well ..., it is cold steel.

And remember; there is always companies with more idiot blurb/front figures.



...RYP...etc
 
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