XHP Hardness

Insipid Moniker

Insipid Moniker

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Feb 28, 2011
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I know the stated hardness of the XHP CS is using is 60-61, which should make for solid all around performance. However, from what I've been reading the Ultimate Hunter is treated much more aggressively, with a target Rc hardness of 62-64, much closer to the optimal hardness for edge retention.

Just one question for the Cold Steel mod, are any other models getting this tweak? I commend y'all for pushing the limits of the steel much more than most production companies and I'd love it if, say, just as a totally random example and not at all a knife I'm lusting after, The Swift had that same heat treat.
 
Bumping this, as I posted it on a weekend without thinking that the Cold Steel mod hopefully gets weekends off.
 
I'm sorry I don't know the answer to that.
To my knowledge the RC on our XHP is 60-61.
I'll reach out to my colleagues and see if they know something I don't
Thanks
 
Cold Steel Knives said:
I'm sorry I don't know the answer to that.
To my knowledge the RC on our XHP is 60-61.
I'll reach out to my colleagues and see if they know something I don't
Thanks
Click to expand...

Appreciate it! Ankerson had his Hunter tested at 63.5 and he mentioned speaking to some people within the company and confirming that they were deliberately running it harder, rather than his just being an outlier.

I figure it might make it easier on you if you know where I'm getting my info from.

But seriously, as a knife enthusiast I strongly hope this is true and that at least a few other models get that treatment. XHP at 64 for just over $100 would be leaps and bounds beyond most of what's available in terms of performance and value.
 
Can you guys pull one off the line and see what they're testing at?

My new XHP Recon 1 didn't arrive sharp like my Code 4, but a few minutes on the strop had it were it needed to be. The lock on the Recon 1 disengages much easier than the lock on my older Code 4 (AUS8) did when it was new. I'm glad to see CS has decided to add higher end steel to their product line though I never had any issues with the AUS8 users I've owned. If you guys would make a run of the Recon 1's with a non-coated blade I'd buy one in a second...that XHP doesn't need to be coated.

I know this isn't the OP's topic, but I'd love to know the answer...I'm not a CS hater by any means, my first CS knife was the Recon Scout in Carbon V and I EDC two of their folders now, I simply want to know the truth.

Does Cold Steel manufacture all of their own knives & swords and if so how long have they been doing so? I saw a video on YouTube (who knows, maybe it's B.S) regarding a Cold Steel Katana and another brand and the maker of the video was claiming that Cold Steel has their Katanas made by Huánuco Sword Art (Huanuo Forge). I'd love to see the rumors of Cold Steel being a "design and advertising company" proven wrong once and for all, if in fact that has never been the case.
 
KLJTech said:
Can you guys pull one off the line and see what they're testing at?

My new XHP Recon 1 didn't arrive sharp like my Code 4, but a few minutes on the strop had it were it needed to be. The lock on the Recon 1 disengages much easier than the lock on my older Code 4 (AUS8) did when it was new. I'm glad to see CS has decided to add higher end steel to their product line though I never had any issues with the AUS8 users I've owned. If you guys would make a run of the Recon 1's with a non-coated blade I'd buy one in a second...that XHP doesn't need to be coated.

I know this isn't the OP's topic, but I'd love to know the answer...I'm not a CS hater by any means, my first CS knife was the Recon Scout in Carbon V and I EDC two of their folders now, I simply want to know the truth.

Does Cold Steel manufacture all of their own knives & swords and if so how long have they been doing so? I saw a video on YouTube (who knows, maybe it's B.S) regarding a Cold Steel Katana and another brand and the maker of the video was claiming that Cold Steel has their Katanas made by Huánuco Sword Art (Huanuo Forge). I'd love to see the rumors of Cold Steel being a "design and advertising company" proven wrong once and for all, if in fact that has never been the case.
Click to expand...

I don't believe Cold Steel has ever manufactured their own knives and swords, though I could be wrong. Most major knife companies make extensive, or even exclusive, use of OEM, so I don't think it's really a big deal.
 
KLJTech said:
Can you guys pull one off the line and see what they're testing at?
I know this isn't the OP's topic, but I'd love to know the answer...I'm not a CS hater by any means, my first CS knife was the Recon Scout in Carbon V and I EDC two of their folders now, I simply want to know the truth.
Does Cold Steel manufacture all of their own knives & swords and if so how long have they been doing so? I saw a video on YouTube (who knows, maybe it's B.S) regarding a Cold Steel Katana and another brand and the maker of the video was claiming that Cold Steel has their Katanas made by Huánuco Sword Art (Huanuo Forge). I'd love to see the rumors of Cold Steel being a "design and advertising company" proven wrong once and for all, if in fact that has never been the case.
Click to expand...


Hi
I've asked our guys to look into this.
I work in the office here at CS HQ. I see prototypes and production blades, I don't have much hands on experience with anything in between.

We design and develop our blades in-house, and produce our prototypes here in the USA. The mass production of those products is often a project between multiple facilities, often in several countries. We have several factories / forges that we work with in order to mass produce our designs. These facilities often have CS equipment, machinery etc. and they work with us to develop new techniques using different materials from different sources. It's a long standing partnership and a collaborative process.
For example, our Recon series of folding knives uses steel manufactured and heat treated here in the USA. They also use handle materials sourced right here. But the knife is assembled and finished at a facility in Taiwan.
The final step of the process is what is classed as the country as manufacture, so that's what you'll see stamped or etched on the products. It might say "Taiwan" on the blade, but I see them more like international hybrids :D

I hope that helps. Thanks and have a great day!
 
Thanks for the information and taking the time to answer the question. Much appreciated.

Any chance we can get some Recon 1's with non-coated blades? The Tanto blade on the Code 4 just looks so sweet without the coating and the Recon 1 would look stellar the same way.
Thanks again.
 
Oh well, can't fault a guy for askin'.

I've been carrying the new Recon 1 for the past week and it feels really nice in hand and I think it's going to make for a great, low-cost EDC. Highly recommended.
 
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