C.S. Perfect Balance Thrower Review
May 30, 2011 23:49:45 GMT
Post by avery on May 30, 2011 23:49:45 GMT
Cold Steel “Perfect Balance” Throwing Knife Review
by Avery Pierce
Introduction
This is a knife I've wanted to get my hands on for a long time now. I've seen these, even handled them, but never really liked the shape or style. They seemed too “stylized” for me. See, I like a solid throwing knife but I want one that has a bit class. Even if it's lower class, I still want that look. Like my set of throwing Bowies, ugly as hell, I'll admit; but they have the power of brute strength, that savage look of a drunk somewhere in a back ally you don't want to screw with, but they knew their place....never tried to be anything other than a nasty beater.
Cold steel goes one further with this one. They dress the beater up, give it a tuxedo, a bow tie and socks that are new black. Underneath it all though, it's still a bruiser.
Upon Arrival
Well, I'll just say I got this from a friend who sent it to me without my knowledge. The box arrived in an outer brown paper wrapped by the sender seen here, I had no idea what it was at this point.
After shaking, I set the box down on my kitchen counter in order to try a guess. Yeah, I was one of those kids that wasn't allowed to touch the presents until Christmas morning. Now, I shake presents before opening whenever I get the chance.
I then went about my normal routine, all the while thinking about this brown box, 'till after I was sitting on my back porch winding down. I slid my pocketknife under the scotch tape on one side in order to open the end. I peeled the paper back only to reveal a bar code. The suspense was killing so I shook out the box. Out came a brand new cold steel box with the “Perfect Thrower” picture attached.
This knife wasn't one of the things I thought about, I gotta admit it was a neat surprise. When I opened the box, I found the knife to be tightly wrapped with a length of bubble wrap stretched around a section of card board. I think it's safe to say this knife was protected with the thought of “ hey, what if the truck turns over?” I'm trying to say it was well packaged.
Stats.
Overall length – 13 3/8”
Overall handle length (from top of plastic scale to the bottom of tang) 4 1/2”
Handle scale length – 3 7/8”
Handle scale width at guard – 1 1/8”
Handle scale width at butt – 7/8”
Tang exposure at butt – 7/16”
Scale material – hard plastic with flat head rivets.
Blade material – 1055 carbon(according the Cold Steel)
P.O.B. - 7” from tip
Price - between $25-$35
Blade
Well, I'll say this, the edge lives up to Cold Steels reputation for being sharp. Hair shaving sharp. One thing in the promo video that is is incorrect on mine is that Lynn states the clip point is sharpened. This one is not. Honestly I'm glad about that; I don't really prefer any edge sharpness on my throwing knives. That way I can throw from the blade without concern for getting cut. With the cutting edge being darned near razor sharp, I'll not be throwing from the blade with this one.
The blade came with a secondary bevel, about 1/16th inch wide. Not a big deal for me on a knife.
There is one small blemish on the edge, but considering the throwing I'll put this through, again not a big deal.
Handle
This may be my biggest gripe with this knife. These damned plastic scales. They're held on by a pair of male/female rivets which makes replacement easy; but the simple fact is, when you're throwing more than one knife at a target you're bound to hit the handle eventually. The first time these scales are hit, it's over. They'll be busted and you'll be breaking out the electrical tape. They're not exactly brittle as they have some play when twisted, but I'm 99% sure they won't hold up to an impact from another knife. I just hope I'm good enough at throwing to never find out.....
On the other hand, the tapering wedge shape of the handle coupled with the length of the scales make for a good combo when throwing. It really resembles the shape and feel of a thin tomahawk handle, and I highly doubt that is a coincidence. The scales are small enough so that you can get good finger placement every time, while the tapering handle allows for an almost effortless release. If you have big hands, you'll probably find the scales to be too small and have to compensate by putting your little finger behind them at them on the exposed part of the tang.
Another thing I do like about the handle shape is that it allows for an over hand throw, under hand throw, and even a “no spin” throw. Also, given that the clip point edge isn't sharpened you can throw from the blade if you're careful enough about your grip. Like I said, I won't be throwing from the blade.
Cutting
I decided that since this was a throwing knife, first and foremost, I wouldn't waste time showing how well it'd cut bottles and such. I did do a quick bottle cut, it did fine but I didn't get pictures. I will do if there are requests.
Dry Handling/throwing
This knife is designed for no other purpose than throwing. Despite it's hair shaving edge, it can't do much else. I found it kind of funny in the Cold Steel promo video that they never throw this. Lynn cuts some rope with it and that's about it. I figured I'd just throw it a few different ways to see if it stands up to it's name.
The paces from the target for this knife is 4, 6 if you decide to throw from the blade. My first throw I threw softly to make sure I didn't over rotate the knife and I threw too softly. It under rotated, and fell out of the target. The next throw I adjusted my velocity a little and got a bite. I admit, I was surprised by the target penetration on such a light throw.
Next, I threw underhanded with the blade facing backwards from the paces and got the same good results. After that I began to just fool around a bit and see what it could take. I even tried a "no spin" throw with it from about 9 paces back, with a surprisingly good result.
I messed around for about an hour or so, trying different throws and different styles of throwing and the only complaint I have is that the release on this knife at 10-15 paces back is pretty tight; not much room for error on a knife this size. It either hits well or the target'll spit it back out. However, when thrown at a closer range, it's very easy to throw. I think some one new to throwing would have little difficulty.
All in all, I was impressed with how the scales held up, I had a few throws that were a little too hard and they took the brunt of the hit. So far they seem to be holding up.
Pros
- High carbon steel that can take a beating.
-Easy for beginners to throw.
-Comes razor sharp. Kind of a con for me, but I'll add it to the pro list.
-easy to replace scales.
Cons
-Plastic scales
-Grip is too small for moderate to large handed folks
-Clip point not sharpened as advertised(hey, if the blade is going to be sharp, might as well have that sharp too)
The Lowdown
Well, I'll say this to start; I think it'd be great for a beginner except for the price. There are better deals out there for a beginner that can take a bigger beating for a smaller price. Having said that, if you're an avid thrower, this is a very versatile throwing knife. It does the trifecta very well; over hand, underhand and no spin all are no issue with this knife. When it comes to looks, it has a very modern feel to it, ergonomic you might say. If you're in the market for a traditional looking throwing knife, this isn't it. But, if looks take a back seat to good overall function, this is a good choice.
I know we've done away with the star rating, but just for the helluva it, I give this one 3.5 out 5.
by Avery Pierce
Introduction
This is a knife I've wanted to get my hands on for a long time now. I've seen these, even handled them, but never really liked the shape or style. They seemed too “stylized” for me. See, I like a solid throwing knife but I want one that has a bit class. Even if it's lower class, I still want that look. Like my set of throwing Bowies, ugly as hell, I'll admit; but they have the power of brute strength, that savage look of a drunk somewhere in a back ally you don't want to screw with, but they knew their place....never tried to be anything other than a nasty beater.
Cold steel goes one further with this one. They dress the beater up, give it a tuxedo, a bow tie and socks that are new black. Underneath it all though, it's still a bruiser.
Upon Arrival
Well, I'll just say I got this from a friend who sent it to me without my knowledge. The box arrived in an outer brown paper wrapped by the sender seen here, I had no idea what it was at this point.
After shaking, I set the box down on my kitchen counter in order to try a guess. Yeah, I was one of those kids that wasn't allowed to touch the presents until Christmas morning. Now, I shake presents before opening whenever I get the chance.
I then went about my normal routine, all the while thinking about this brown box, 'till after I was sitting on my back porch winding down. I slid my pocketknife under the scotch tape on one side in order to open the end. I peeled the paper back only to reveal a bar code. The suspense was killing so I shook out the box. Out came a brand new cold steel box with the “Perfect Thrower” picture attached.
This knife wasn't one of the things I thought about, I gotta admit it was a neat surprise. When I opened the box, I found the knife to be tightly wrapped with a length of bubble wrap stretched around a section of card board. I think it's safe to say this knife was protected with the thought of “ hey, what if the truck turns over?” I'm trying to say it was well packaged.
Stats.
Overall length – 13 3/8”
Overall handle length (from top of plastic scale to the bottom of tang) 4 1/2”
Handle scale length – 3 7/8”
Handle scale width at guard – 1 1/8”
Handle scale width at butt – 7/8”
Tang exposure at butt – 7/16”
Scale material – hard plastic with flat head rivets.
Blade material – 1055 carbon(according the Cold Steel)
P.O.B. - 7” from tip
Price - between $25-$35
Blade
Well, I'll say this, the edge lives up to Cold Steels reputation for being sharp. Hair shaving sharp. One thing in the promo video that is is incorrect on mine is that Lynn states the clip point is sharpened. This one is not. Honestly I'm glad about that; I don't really prefer any edge sharpness on my throwing knives. That way I can throw from the blade without concern for getting cut. With the cutting edge being darned near razor sharp, I'll not be throwing from the blade with this one.
The blade came with a secondary bevel, about 1/16th inch wide. Not a big deal for me on a knife.
There is one small blemish on the edge, but considering the throwing I'll put this through, again not a big deal.
Handle
This may be my biggest gripe with this knife. These damned plastic scales. They're held on by a pair of male/female rivets which makes replacement easy; but the simple fact is, when you're throwing more than one knife at a target you're bound to hit the handle eventually. The first time these scales are hit, it's over. They'll be busted and you'll be breaking out the electrical tape. They're not exactly brittle as they have some play when twisted, but I'm 99% sure they won't hold up to an impact from another knife. I just hope I'm good enough at throwing to never find out.....
On the other hand, the tapering wedge shape of the handle coupled with the length of the scales make for a good combo when throwing. It really resembles the shape and feel of a thin tomahawk handle, and I highly doubt that is a coincidence. The scales are small enough so that you can get good finger placement every time, while the tapering handle allows for an almost effortless release. If you have big hands, you'll probably find the scales to be too small and have to compensate by putting your little finger behind them at them on the exposed part of the tang.
Another thing I do like about the handle shape is that it allows for an over hand throw, under hand throw, and even a “no spin” throw. Also, given that the clip point edge isn't sharpened you can throw from the blade if you're careful enough about your grip. Like I said, I won't be throwing from the blade.
Cutting
I decided that since this was a throwing knife, first and foremost, I wouldn't waste time showing how well it'd cut bottles and such. I did do a quick bottle cut, it did fine but I didn't get pictures. I will do if there are requests.
Dry Handling/throwing
This knife is designed for no other purpose than throwing. Despite it's hair shaving edge, it can't do much else. I found it kind of funny in the Cold Steel promo video that they never throw this. Lynn cuts some rope with it and that's about it. I figured I'd just throw it a few different ways to see if it stands up to it's name.
The paces from the target for this knife is 4, 6 if you decide to throw from the blade. My first throw I threw softly to make sure I didn't over rotate the knife and I threw too softly. It under rotated, and fell out of the target. The next throw I adjusted my velocity a little and got a bite. I admit, I was surprised by the target penetration on such a light throw.
Next, I threw underhanded with the blade facing backwards from the paces and got the same good results. After that I began to just fool around a bit and see what it could take. I even tried a "no spin" throw with it from about 9 paces back, with a surprisingly good result.
I messed around for about an hour or so, trying different throws and different styles of throwing and the only complaint I have is that the release on this knife at 10-15 paces back is pretty tight; not much room for error on a knife this size. It either hits well or the target'll spit it back out. However, when thrown at a closer range, it's very easy to throw. I think some one new to throwing would have little difficulty.
All in all, I was impressed with how the scales held up, I had a few throws that were a little too hard and they took the brunt of the hit. So far they seem to be holding up.
Pros
- High carbon steel that can take a beating.
-Easy for beginners to throw.
-Comes razor sharp. Kind of a con for me, but I'll add it to the pro list.
-easy to replace scales.
Cons
-Plastic scales
-Grip is too small for moderate to large handed folks
-Clip point not sharpened as advertised(hey, if the blade is going to be sharp, might as well have that sharp too)
The Lowdown
Well, I'll say this to start; I think it'd be great for a beginner except for the price. There are better deals out there for a beginner that can take a bigger beating for a smaller price. Having said that, if you're an avid thrower, this is a very versatile throwing knife. It does the trifecta very well; over hand, underhand and no spin all are no issue with this knife. When it comes to looks, it has a very modern feel to it, ergonomic you might say. If you're in the market for a traditional looking throwing knife, this isn't it. But, if looks take a back seat to good overall function, this is a good choice.
I know we've done away with the star rating, but just for the helluva it, I give this one 3.5 out 5.