Cold Steel: Is anyone better?

[hso]

Sandman,

Kris Cutlery (http://www.kriscutlery.com/) and Cas Ibera Paul Chens (http://casiberia.com/cas/productsearch.asp?page=22&recs=10&searchtext=hanwei) both produce good swords at better prices than CS and I find them to be as good and better than the CS.

 

[Sandmann]

Any other good knives

hso,

CAS Iberia and Kris Cutlery both look like they have a great selection.

Are they any other die hard knife or sword fans out there who stand by their products?

What about K-bar, Marbles, Black Jack, Schrade, Buck, or Randall? Any luck with any of these blades?

 

[Estela216]

All I have to say is, "when you buy quality, you only cry once." I've had my Battle Mistress for years and it is the best backwoods knife (the one I reach for when I go deep into the woods) for the job. Even though it cost an arm and a leg, I know that if it ever breaks, it gets fixed or replaced for free.

How about that for a manufacturer standing behind his product? The only service that bests Busse is Bark River Knife and Tool. Mike Stewart is the best owner around.

Kev

 

[ecos]

swamp rats also have a lifetime guarantee...but thats expected since swamp rats are basically busses. owned by busse, made in the same factory, on the same machines during a different shift.

 

[Coronach]

Cold Steel knives are OK.

There are other good knives at that same point on the cost/quality curve, and I dislike Cold Steel's bloviating attempt at an ad campaign. It makes me laugh, in the same way that any film by Ed Wood does. I prefer Spyderco and Benchmade for folders, HI for khuks, and various and sundry makes of fixed blades. There are lots of other options for knives, without contributing to global warming via CS's marketing hype (read: hot air).

That said, their knives aren't bad, and can be a good deal.

Mike

 

[berettashotgun]

Spyderco always everyday,everywhere- well almost everywhere. Even have Syyderco kitchen knives.Found a Cold Steel tanto folder when I was fishing. Don't know the model but it is a big folder. Great knife for free- but too big for everyday carry- besides, I like a drop point.

 

[JShirley]

Estela,

HI has a warranty as good, if not better. On at least one knife, if you break it, they'll send you two more.

J

 

[hso]

K-bar - Some of their knives are excellent (especially the Dozier)

Marbles - Excellent knives with tried and true designs

Black Jack - Old Effinghame Black Jack knifes bring premium prices for good reason. The new Ken Warner Black Jacks are worth every penny.

Schrade - KIA The new Schrades are iffy

Buck - No opinion

Randall - legendary for good reason, but you can get as good a performing knife from other makers for less. Of course, it's dang hard to get a more desirable knife.

 

[GW]

Cold Steel knives are a good deal.
I have :
Tanto
Recon Tanto
Outdoorsman
SRK
LTC
Desperado
Trailmaster and both of the push-daggers
And the Warhead (Remember that one?)
Assegai and that mace they were pushing as well
Their folders never impressed me-- I agree with the other fellow
Benchmade at the upper end & CRKT at the other for my folders
CS's greatest attribute is that its a good blade that won't break your wallet (or your heart if you should break it)
I own Randalls, Swamp Rat, Beckers (A great value!!)
Chris Reeve a Mad Dog, SOG's and others but its CS that I tend to use the most because I don't care if I scratch or break it (which I haven't been able to do yet)
The things I've done to a CS (Trailmaster & Recon Tanto in particular) I'd never do to the Randalls
So, once again that that is CS' greatest virtue--- You don't care if you trash it and therefore YOU'LL USE IT!

 

[rs3604]

I like Benchmade knives in 440c or n690 also for a good blade steel it's hard to beat VG10 and Spyderco makes some nice ones using VG10. AUS steels are ok but tend to be a little bit weaker. Benchmade, CRKT and others have been using it alot. Coldsteel makes some good knives but remeber it's all in the steel. Buck also does some amazing things with 420hc which is a low end steel, Except when Buck gets done with it.

 

[TMM]

i just bought a Cold Steel Ti-Lite for myself. CT is a sheeple state, so i can't carry it except at home. i'll respond on what i think. should arrive today or tomorrow.

bought grampa a BM 551S, i'm also happy with them. the 440C steel is kinda iffy though. 154CM i heard, is great stuff.

~TMM

 

[GunGoBoom]

I find Cold Steel knives to be decent values in the fixed blades, but not-so-much of a value in their folders. Much prefer Kershaw (or CRKT) in folders. Those Beckers and Swamp Rats are good deals in fixed blades as well, it would seem.

 

[TMM]

well, i got my CS. to my dismay, it was made in taiwan. the blade did not look as sharp-edged (not the cutting edge. like, the corners and stuff. they're a bit rounded), which didn't make it look as good as in the pic. pocket clip was too tight. the little guards are kinda sharp, which i'll fix. sluggish flicking, which i'll fix. felt real dull, but shaved hair twice as well as the NEW BM551 that i got for grampa! i'm going to chop some other stuff later.

i do like it. it just needs getting used to. i just love my benchmade... fits my hand so well it makes me smile, after holding the CS.

~TMM

 

[Don Gwinn]

Don't despair, there are good knives coming out of Taiwan. CRKT sells some really good stuff made there.

Besides, you've got time for all the expensive stuff. A guy your age needs a knife he can use, abuse and lose without crying about it.

 

[TMM]

good point - yet i can't carry this except around the house because CT is infested with sheeple. i mean, i could carry and probably never have a problem - but if i need to defend myself...

 

[Sandmann]

Cold Steel Swords vs. Custom

How would a Cold Steel Sword hold up in a "combat" situation, ie. very hard use in sparring, compared to a custom made sword?

I know the Cold Steel swords are made of 1050 tempered spring steel, but would it hold up to custom forged sword?

 

[TMM]

they seem extremely strong and sharp, but what i'm worried about is weight and balance.

~TMM

 

[Guyon]

CS seems to elicit a lot of controversy among knife knuts. There are "love 'em" types and there are "hate 'em" types. A lot of the hard feelings seem to be generated by Lynn Thompson, owner of CS.

There's a current, rather long thread on Bladeforums right now about CS.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=366361

I like the one CS knife I own--a Master Hunter in Carbon V. Keeps a wicked edge and is one hefty chunk of steel for the price. Nice grippy rubber handle and a decent sheath to boot.

 

[Sandmann]

Guyon,

What caused the "hard feeling"? Is Thompson are difficult, opinionated sort of character? Or does the industry like to take pot shots because he puts out a good product?

 

[middy]

The Cold Steel swords will hold up fine in actual use. The problem is what TMM said, they are pretty heavy compared to a true fighting sword like an Angus Trim.

 

[JShirley]

Or does the industry like to take pot shots because he puts out a good product?

No, bombastic hype and personal arrogance is much more likely to generate ill feeling than good product.

John

 

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

I'm not much impressed with Cold Steel. Any company who thinks it's cool to cut through automobiles with a knife doesn't quite "get it", in my opinion.

They're decent knives, though. Buy one if you want. But you won't see me carrying a Cold Steel any time soon.

 

[Valkman]

Edit: I said I was gonna stay out of this, so I'm staying out of it.

 

[Guyon]

What caused the "hard feeling"? Is Thompson are difficult, opinionated sort of character? Or does the industry like to take pot shots because he puts out a good product?

I think most of the invective is aimed at the man and his dispositions rather than the products. Happens a lot. Many folks on this board despise Bill Ruger yet will admit that Ruger makes a pretty good gun. Some folks just don't like CS knives though. Different strokes, different folks.

Regarding Lynn Thompson, I think the "hard feelings" have mostly to do with two factors: business practices and personality. Check out that Bladeforums thread.

Frankly though, I don't know all the details.

 

[hso]

Sandman,

Mr. Thompon's personality is one factor. In the past he has been a terrible braggart. The expression of his personality in the videos and advertising is another. Both are selfagrandising. That's the truely polarizing issue. Lynn comes off as a cross between Rambo and Hemingway. Whether the knives are any good or not is actually the smallest factor in the strong opinions held about CS.

In recent years he's seemed to mellow at the shows where we've talked. His employees say he's great to work with. It's just that the in your face, bigger than truth, bombastic way the products get promoted that galls a lot of people.

I like the CS knives that I like in spite of the hype.