General consensus of Cold Steel?

[scbair]

I agree they're good values. My favorite CS blade is the now-discontinued Twistmaster; essentially an Opinel, with synthetic handles (won't swell when wet), and Carbon V blade. I bought a Large Twistmaster for butchering deer, and discovered it is a strong, lightweight, scary sharp, folding butcher knife!

I've since found two more for sale by individuals/former dealers at gun shows, and bought both of 'em. I believe I paid $20 apiece. Mine's gonna wear out some day . . . I just know it . . .

 

[hso]

kuser,

Welcome to THR!

 

[jahwarrior]

the quality of CS depends on which forum you're reading.

 

[cnorman18]

My $0.04

I've owned several CS knives, and have no complaints about any of them. Didn't care for the folding tanto--it just felt clumsy in my hand. Medium twistmaster is about as sharp and tough as any blade I own. Others were ok--nothing all that special. I think the scimitar is cool-looking, but I don't know how practical it would be. CS knives come sharp from the factory, in my experience.

I collect knives, in a casual kind of way; I just buy what I like, mostly for the collection. I do keep a CS push dagger in the side pocket of my car just in case--best push knife around, IMO. Illegal as hell to carry in Texas--a lot of my knives are, and they stay in the drawer (Gerber covert A-F folder with the false edge sharpened, e.g.--also a Filipino Balisong with a 6" double-edged Kris blade).

W. R. Case knives are still 100% made in the Case plant. I collect mostly those lately--I have over 2 dozen. I know they're more for collecting than using, but I carry one daily just because I like it. (For more serious purposes I carry a Spydie Civilian, too.)

I've bought more other stuff from CS than knives; I have an old-style Purple Heart walking stick with the large knob that's among my favorite sticks (I collect those, too). Most recent acquisition was a pole axe that I cut down to 36". I love it; best battle-axe ever made, IMO, and I've owned several. Where else can you get a combat shovel or a boar spear?

I kind of envy Lynn Thompson. It must be nice to be an arms freak and own your own company that'll make whatever you want... Same for Hank Reinhardt at Atlanta Cutlery. He started Museum Replicas so he could make his own swords. Geeez...

 

[peacemaker45]

My first esperience with Cold Steel was one of their Large Voyagers, with tanto point and half serrated. That was my favorite knife for about 3 years. Only ever had one problem with it. I lost it. :banghead:

I needed a knife in a hurry, and I thought I'd upgrade a little in the process. I bought a smallish example of benchmade's redbox line as a replacement. After cussing the BM's smallish nature, and the behavior of the axis lock for quite some time, I donated it to my father.

I then went on an internet hunt for a good replacement. Wound up with the Extra Large Voyager, Gunsite edition. I now have a new favorite knife. I use it quite a bit, but can't claim to have torture tested it. It's done everything I've asked it to, though, and hasn't needed sharpening yet.

~~~Mat

 

[jahwarrior]

it's really all about personal opinion. people go on and on about benchmade, and i used to own two myself. used to. i've never picked one up that i've liked, to me they suck, but that's just my opinion. i own knives from CS, spyderco, gerber, crkt, mantis, mtech, HAK, and one custom. i have to say my favorite knives are, in order: my custom aikuchi necker, spyderco chinook II, utility HAK, CS mini kukri, spyderco karambit, CS xl voyager, spyderco rescue 93mm, and crkt plan b. so i don't think you can say "are CS knives good/crap?" as much as "which CS knives are good/crap?"

 

[goon]

I just got one of their Norse hawks today as an early birthday present. The consensus is that its about the coolest gift I have ever got. My brother and I spent a large part of the afternoon throwing it at an old stump out in the yard and the reports from others are that they are about indestructible so other than replacing the handles that I'm likely to break it should be pretty much trouble free.
Based on past experience though I probably wouldn't buy one of their machetes. The one I have didn't stand up to light use at all.
But all their other stuff seems to get good reports.

 

[Mike Sastre]

I like Cold Steel! They aren't afraid to call knives weapons and they make some pretty damn good fighting knives and Bowies. I've got a LOT of experience with their Carbon V knives, and they'll take and keep a good edge. I had a Trailmaster that lived in my truck, that I used for clearing put-in and take-out trails and some of our local kayak spots. This also gave me great practice with snap cuts and cleaving cuts. I'm currently evaluating an SK-5 Laredo, and so far, while it is not quite Carbon V, it still performs well for what I want a Bowie to do, and costs half as much as the Carbon V Laredo. Lot of knife for the money!

 

[hopkin]

"BRKT, Queen cutlery, Northwinds, and several others are all made here."

From the photos I've seen, Bark River Knife & Tool products are made in a small shack by attractive ladies. No glossy factory in evidence, just good craftsmanship and sound design.

BRKT is one of the companies I always recommend for people who want to buy American. Mike Stewart, the owner, is tireless in helping people on knife forums. Great knives and a company I am glad to give my money to.

BRKT people: if you want to send me a golok for that, feel free.

 

[hso]

This one's gotten a bit long in the tooth.

The consensus is that they're awful/great knives that are over hyped/interestingly advertised and they perform well/are crappy.

Some good, some bad.