Why is there sometimes snobbery against Cold Steel knives? They are great!

[Maddogg774]

Every time one of these threads come up:
1. People who own and love their CS defend.
2. People who don't own CS tell how inferior their steel is(without research of the difference in Aus-8 and Aus-8 sub-zero)
3. Everyone likes what they like.
Btw- all the knives that have steels that have better edge retention than CS are $100 more.

 

[MJF]

Every time one of these threads come up:
1. People who own and love their CS defend.
2. People who don't own CS tell how inferior their steel is(without research of the difference in Aus-8 and Aus-8 sub-zero)
3. Everyone likes what they likes.

True enough Maddogg.

Still though, I'll take my M390 over Aus8 any day of the week. I don't even care if it's on a slip joint.

 

[G.Moll]

I just have a problem buying knives made over seas while there are great U.S. made products out there. I do own knives made over seas, but they seem to be lacking something for me. "Made in the USA" printed on the knife box just makes me want to buy it over a foreign knife. The first thing i look at while debating whether or not to buy a knife is the country of origin. If it doesn't say the good 'ol U.S.A., the knife will have a hard time finding its way into my collection. I may be snobby in the eyes of some, but i think I'm a patriotic consumer!

 

[Vanguard41xx]

I just have a problem buying knives made over seas while there are great U.S. made products out there. I do own knives made over seas, but they seem to be lacking something for me. "Made in the USA" printed on the knife box just makes me want to buy it over a foreign knife. The first thing i look at while debating whether or not to buy a knife is the country of origin. If it doesn't say the good 'ol U.S.A., the knife will have a hard time finding its way into my collection. I may be snobby in the eyes of some, but i think I'm a patriotic consumer!

+1...

 

[Vanguard41xx]

double post...

 

[res1cue]

If the blade steel isn't up to par, nothing else really matters

I completely disagree with this statement. I have seen plenty of knives made out of "good" steels perform poorly. Blade geometry, edge geometry, grind and HT play a very big role. I would take a "crappier" steel in a well designed blade, than some POS Gerber or Mantis puts out in s30v

 

[MJF]

Ah yeah, true enough. I'm thinking of the big three versus Cold Steel though. I'd purchase a benchmade/spyderco/kershaw before I'd purchase a Cold Steel. Just my opinion.

 

[res1cue]

Ah yeah, true enough. I'm thinking of the big three versus Cold Steel though. I'd purchase a benchmade/spyderco/kershaw before I'd purchase a Cold Steel. Just my opinion.

I used to think like that too. Now I own more CS than anything else. If you haven't tried some of their newer stuff, I'd give it a chance.

 

[EagleScouter]

Btw- all the knives that have steels that have better edge retention than CS are $100 more.

Spyderco Delica 4, Dragonfly 2, Endura 4, and Stretch in ZDP-189 can all be had for under $100.

Kershaw Speedform II in ELMAX can be had for well under $100.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

I own several CS products from the early 80s to now, most of 'em I like, actually all the ones I own I like but I do get tired of these threads started by people who appear to me to be rehashin' old threads for a laugh.

If ya really wanna know why people have the feelin's towards CS or more specifically LTs personality do a search here or on google and read the hundred or so similar threads that all wind up in W&C eventually.

These same threads are mildly entertaining at first, eventually resultin' in someone havin' a meltdown or gettin' banned for inappropriate, disrespectful behavior or sassin' a mod.

I'll pass on some advice for a newcomer with 15 posts, ( I was where you are once) read more, post less, use the search function and read the FAQs and Stickies in the header of each forum and subforum, these will spell out what is considered acceptable behavior for the respective forums.

On that last note, Welcome to the Forums, reap the benefits of the collective knowledge of the best minds, (and worst) in the industry, from Manufacturers, and Custom Makers to Collectors and Historians, it's all here for ya providin' ya act responsibly and post accordingly.

Here's to seein' ya on your upcommin' post.

Got my popcorn and in before the move.

 

[MJF]

I'm sure some of their newer stuff is fine, but it chaps my ass to pay what they want for AUS-8 (which I don't think is a horrible steel, but it's certainly not high end) and the clowniness of their marketing turns me off. Just my opinion.

 

[Maddogg774]

Spyderco Delica 4, Dragonfly 2, Endura 4, and Stretch in ZDP-189 can all be had for under $100.

Kershaw Speedform II in ELMAX can be had for well under $100.

None of those have a better edge retention than the Aus-8 sub-zero.

 

[roninelh]

I will admit to a little snobbery when it comes to cold steel and I own quite a bit of there products. I don't care for how the company handles themselves and they market there knives as weapons instead of tools. I purchased cold steel a lot when I was far less involved with the knife community, and the more I learned about the owner and company the less I considered them for my next knife. It's just my opinion, I don't really like cold steel. There knives are adequate and if you like them then have at it. Also the triad lock is strong, but "best" is the opinion of the user.

 

[EagleScouter]

None of those have a better edge retention than the Aus-8 sub-zero.

Any data on that? I'm honestly curious.

 

[MJF]

None of those have a better edge retention than the Aus-8 sub-zero.

Huh?!? Seriously? AUS8 now has better edge retention than ZDP-189 and Elmax?!?

 

[Viper2]

Hmm......I'm starting to get the feeling that this is more about prejudice against foreign-made products than anything else. And of course that AUS 8A argument, but that argument doesn't really hold any water.

I don't care where a product is made, as long as it's high quality.

 

[res1cue]

I'm sure some of their newer stuff is fine, but it chaps my ass to pay what they want for AUS-8 (which I don't think is a horrible steel, but it's certainly not high end) and the clowniness of their marketing turns me off. Just my opinion.

Not for everybody, thats for sure. Like I said, I used to put down AUS8 too, but then I got "educated" for that by Sal himself on these boards!

With a good HT I have been pleasantly surprised by it. As to cost, the large voyager is going for like 40 bucks on ebay. That is comparable to most companies' budget lines in AUS8 or 8Cr13MoV. SOG and CRKT are actually charging more. Spydercos in that size range is about 40 bucks too.

 

[res1cue]

Hmm......I'm starting to get the feeling that this is more about prejudice against foreign-made products than anything else. And of course that AUS 8A argument, but that argument doesn't really hold any water.

I'd say the biggest turn off to most people is CS's marketing.

 

[razorsdescent]

None of those have a better edge retention than the Aus-8 sub-zero.

Your telling me that zdp-189 and elmax have worse edge retention that aus-8 of any kind? Please elaborate, what cutting tests have you-or anyone that has posted here, performed that backs up that claim. Im not trying to start a fight, I really want to see this. Edge retention is not the Same as Toughness and even then.....

 

[Viper2]

I'd say the biggest turn off to most people is CS's marketing.

Marketing?

In my opinion, that's a totally ridiculous reason to not buy a particular brand of knife.

I actually like Cold Steel's marketing, and their website is very good as well.