Cold Steel Swords

[Logan5]

I own a Cold Steel 1796 light cavalry sabre. I'm fairly satisfied with it.
It's quite sharp, and arrived slathered with heavy grease; even after a wipedown and some test cutting I haven't needed to reapply any sort of rust preventative. My only complaint is that the blade is very slightly out of line with the guard. Otherwise it's quite solid and satisfactory, although admittedly I haven't bashed it against other swords.

 

[kannonfyre]

To Logan 5 or any other CS sword owners,

are your swords made in India? Does CS maintain quality control on their Indian made blades?

 

[carebear]

Don't know if anyone has mentioned this group

Historical Armed Combat Association

They have some live steel videos and a ton of info.

 

[bad_dad_brad]

The Cold Steel swords are made in China.

Again, a treatment of CLP Breakfree on your blade and you will not have any corrosion problems.

 

[bad_dad_brad]

Another positive opinion:

http://www.themartialist.com/pecom/cskatana.htm

 

[Mr.BadExample]

I have a CS katana (the old 88K, the higher quality one) and would recommend it if you require a low price traiditonal-looking katana. Paul Chen also offers lower priced traditional looking ones. If looks don't matter, Himalayan Imports makes a cheap tough one, and Rob Criswell makes a kick-butt tactical katana of A2 tool steel for $420.
The CS cuts and holds up, though. It's just overpriced for what you get.