Cold Steel "Hold Out"

I'd actually never heard of them until now.

In general though, I've found that Cold Steel swords tend to be a lot better than their knives.

From my (limited) experience here, I'd venture to say that for the money you could probably do better.

I like Cold Steel knives.
I've carried and used the same one for years.
As good as new still.
As far as doing "better for your money" I don't know. Cold Steel
knives generally are real bargains, inexpensive and high quality.

Okay, with further research (a google shopping search) I retract my previous statement.

At $104 (from the OP's link), there is no way that knife is worth the money, I stand by that.

But it turns out that you can buy these things for about $50, so... yeah, it's probably a decent knife, for that.

No experience with the "Hold Out"......but high praise for the "Master Hunter". Cold steel makes great knives.

CS sells a good knife if you pick them up for around half or less of MSRP.

RX-178 said:

I'd actually never heard of them until now.

In general though, I've found that Cold Steel swords tend to be a lot better than their knives.

From my (limited) experience here, I'd venture to say that for the money you could probably do better.

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Cold Steel swords are mostly rebadged Paul Chen, Hanwei or Windless Steelcrafts swords.

Cold Steel are only marketers and somewhat designers (excluding what they stole from others) of edged tools and weapons, nothing more--they have NEVER manufactured anything...For the money they charge for a high end but production made blade, you can have a full blown custom job made of better steel, by a known maker for usually less they they charge...$600 for a kukhri, $500 for a folder c'mon?

Add the fact that for the most part, their cheaper[est] knives are all Chi-Comm made, I'll pass on them...Granted some have switched back to Taiwan but having to go through boxes to check which knives are which, I've got better things to do.

"Cold Steel swords are mostly rebadged Paul Chen, Hanwei or Windless Steelcrafts swords.

Cold Steel are only marketers and somewhat designers (excluding what they stole from others) of edged tools and weapons, nothing more--they have NEVER manufactured anything...For the money they charge for a high end but production made blade, you can have a full blown custom job made of better steel, by a known maker for usually less they they charge...$600 for a kukhri, $500 for a folder c'mon?

Add the fact that for the most part, their cheaper[est] knives are all Chi-Comm made, I'll pass on them...Granted some have switched back to Taiwan but having to go through boxes to check which knives are which, I've got better things to do." -SeekHer




SeekHer, I've seen Windlass swords, they are not finished/polished as well as the Cold steel offerings, but I hear some good things about them.
As far as the others you mention, if they are as good as Cold Steel and sell for less, more power to them!
Cold Steel is not a manufacturer, no factory or blacksmith shop. But they have done a good job mostly of selecting good makers and maintaining quality standards. They treated me right when I had a problem (sheath), were very responsive.
Whatshisname the owner (Lynn Thompson?) does a too-good job of self-promotion that annoys some people. But no doubt he is innovative and unafraid to take a chance by offering something different. Sometimes it works out, sometimes not.
As far as chi-com stuff, I'm with you. I see that happening a lot, Cold Steel is not alone unfortunately.

I'll always prefer American-made. Japan is good. Argentina, Europe is good. But I don't want any Chinese 'worker's paradise' stuff!

CS sells a good knife if you pick them up for around half or less of MSRP.

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The extraordinary high MSRP really upsets people, but what these people do not understand that the high MSRP is a business strategy. Cold Steel does not want you buying knives from them. You buy a knife from Cold Steel Ventra California, unless it is a close out, you are going to pay MSRP.

Cold Steel wants you to buy knives from their dealers. Dealers offer much better pricing.

This a business strategy and it works. Cold Steel can sell a lot more knives this way. Dealers have to maintain inventories so they have to buy product. Dealers have to carry the risk of unsold inventory, just like car dealer ships. The high MSRP means Cold Steel is not competing with its dealer network, at least not competing for intelligent shoppers.

Cold Steel are only marketers and somewhat designers (excluding what they stole from others) of edged tools and weapons, nothing more--they have NEVER manufactured anything...

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This a one tenet of the Religion of Cold Steel hate from BadForums. Apparently you are only allowed to design, market, and sell products which you manufacture in house. This is a idea begot from unhappy broom pushers who will never advance beyond broom pushing.

I wish these broom pushers would fold up their Nokia’s, IPAD’s, their Androids, their Dell Computers, all their electronics, and simply fade away. Because none of their electronics are made in a factory owned by the brand name.

Regarding CS's advertising, it may be over the top but it seems pretty legit to me. I'd rather have a company putting out ridiculous videos bragging about their product quality, rather than just expecting me to trust them or go by word of mouth. I've been pleased with the few blades I've purchased from them.

I also like that their catalog has a lot of variety. By contrast, most of Spyderco's knives look roughly the same to me. That's great if you really like that design, but in my case it doesn't really turn me on so I haven't bothered to buy any of their knives. I think anyone would be hard pressed to look through all of CS's blades and not find even one that appeals to them.

SlamFire1 said:

The extraordinary high MSRP really upsets people, but what these people do not understand that the high MSRP is a business strategy. Cold Steel does not want you buying knives from them. You buy a knife from Cold Steel Ventra California, unless it is a close out, you are going to pay MSRP.

Cold Steel wants you to buy knives from their dealers. Dealers offer much better pricing.

This a business strategy and it works. Cold Steel can sell a lot more knives this way. Dealers have to maintain inventories so they have to buy product. Dealers have to carry the risk of unsold inventory, just like car dealer ships. The high MSRP means Cold Steel is not competing with its dealer network, at least not competing for intelligent shoppers.

This a one tenet of the Religion of Cold Steel hate from BadForums. Apparently you are only allowed to design, market, and sell products which you manufacture in house. This is a idea begot from unhappy broom pushers who will never advance beyond broom pushing.

I wish these broom pushers would fold up their Nokia’s, IPAD’s, their Androids, their Dell Computers, all their electronics, and simply fade away. Because none of their electronics are made in a factory owned by the brand name.

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The point is that far too many people believe that:
a) Cold Steel makes their own stuff in house,
b) Cold Steel makes their own axes, tomahawks and swords.
c) Cold Steel is all American made,
d) Cold Steel are the most honest makers out their with a great design team who doesn't steal other's plans and make them without paying royalties.
e) Cold Steel has never undercut their retailers.

To ALL of the above statements--Bullcrap!

If someone says that "they make"--that is incorrect...Call it goddamn semantics if you will but had they said CS "has made for them" is an entirely different statement, all together...When the company claims that they make something, then they should, don't you think!

I like Cold Steel's early knives, I have eighteen of them, all different models, now I won't touch them for they are either Chi-Comm made or overly over-priced for their Japan and Taiwan made goods and I have no qualms of buying from either of those two countries.

As to their MSRP being high--guess what, then their selling prices to the distributors are just as high--50% (or whatever it is) discount is the same for a $300.00 SK5 or $665.00 San Mai kukhri or a $19.00 Roach Belly...Sure you can get them cheaper on the street (after they've added their markup) but you're not going to be paying $150.00 for the San Mai Kukhri now are you--try $ $180 for the SK5, $390.00 for the San Mai and $12.95 for the roach Belly--prices are from Knife Center but comparable to other Internet retailers.

Also, have you noticed that the prices of the blades that were made in China have gone up by around 30% since they are now being made (some again) in Taiwan.

As to outsourcing, every company does to some extent--Your brand new GM vehicle is probably 65% American made parts (now what percent of those parts are partly outsourced you/I won't know) where the other parts come from--Japan, Europe, China, Mexico, you'll probably never know and 25% of the GM shareholders' profits will go to Toyota.

How many knife companies use American made steel for their blades? Not many...Swedish, German, Japanese definately...How many use USA made nylon or synthetic materials for their sheaths and handles? Not many...But at least they make them themselves and make them in the USA.

So you want an EDC to use for cleaning fingernails, cutting string, opening boxes, letters etc. and the same for defense? You need to carry two. My personal choice for EDC and use is a SAK. For defense/offence I carry a SOG assisted opener behind my belt buckle, can be reached and opened with either hand. The SOG is like a razor, a last ditch weapon never used for mundane chores. The SAK handles most everything. Consider both.

I would like to point out, since this tangent is apparently being laid at my feet, that in none of my posts did I use the word 'makes' or 'made by'.

didn't Cold Steel used to sell nice knives, for a decent price? what happened?

Would enjoy this folder review being updated. Thinking about trying it. Any changes or improvements?

I have a Hold Out III. I like it quite a bit. I have no problem with the steel. The lock-up is super tight with zero blade play. I really like the styling and blade profile. I seem to recall I paid in the high thirties or low forties. Worth every penny.

A few things I should add. The Hold Out is a six inch blade. The Hold Out II is four inch, and the III (the one that I have) is a three inch blade. I have handled all three. The six inch is huge but handles smaller than its size. The four inch is a nice size but on the larger size. I will most likely add a four inch. The three inch III to me is the best for EDC use. It dissapears in my pocket and is light. The blade profile is well suiting for plunging but has enough belly for general cutting.

If I was only going to have one it would be the III. I suspect I will end up with all three.

I don't have the Holdout, but I do own a good number of COLDSTEEL knives. I started buying their products right after they came on the market. I have seen a large price increase over the years. But I have also seen a larger inventory & a number of very innovated products, and some very good steel. Yes the do have a lower brand & a higher brand. As do others, which offers almost everyone with a nice knife they can afford & will work for them! I own a few made in China, but they are well made also! I think if you look you will find a COLDSTEEL product that will work for you! JMO. As to the Holdout, that's not bad on the price, if you can get it for 50% or more off, I would grab it! Especially if you like it!