|
Post by acheron223 on Dec 25, 2016 1:01:00 GMT
Hey I was just curious how a cold steel sword handles? Do they actually have quality as high as they claim? Would I be better off saving up to buy a different brand? Edit) I figured I should clarify is the balance good? Grips feel good. Are they as good as they advertise?
|
|
|
Post by bloodwraith on Dec 25, 2016 1:23:04 GMT
I have never owned a cold steel but by all accounts most of their products are overbuilt and handle like crowbars. You can find better options out there.
|
|
|
Post by Timo Nieminen on Dec 25, 2016 1:23:04 GMT
It varies from sword to sword. They're made by different manufacturers. Their Japanese, Chinese, and lots of their European swords, are made by Huanuo, who also makes swords for Dynasty Forge. Their sabres usually come from India. Some handle well, and some are really bad. Some are well-balanced, and some are bad. In my experience, the grips are fine. In the end, buy the sword, not the brand.
I don't think they're as good as they advertise, but that's because their advertising is OTT.
|
|
|
Post by Adrian Jordan on Dec 25, 2016 1:50:01 GMT
I've handled one of their katanas, I cannot remember which one, and it handled much the same as my Cheness Kaze. Thick, fairly tip-heavy. Not unmanageable, but not optimal for a guy who likes lighter, quicker swords. I also own one of their sabers, but have no other sabers in hand to compare it to. Very stout feeling, though.
|
|
|
Post by Jordan Williams on Dec 25, 2016 3:56:26 GMT
The only CS sword I've had was the 1852 prussian, and there was a good sized Gao between the blade the slot for the guard. This resulted in it becoming loose within one cutting session. The blade was also not as thick as advertised, being advertised as 7mm thick and if I remember correctly around each at the foible. It was around 5mm at the base and more like 4 at the foible. Not as good handling as the windlass 1860, which sells for over 120 usd less than the CS. They also in my opinion overprice their products. The cheapest you can the CS 1860 (really an 1840) for example is 250USD. The cheapest you can get the Windlass 1840 (which has cold steel stamped on the tang) is 134USD. I'd say the reason they do so well is being sold with the marketing of an invincibility stick and also being presharpened. That all said, I did just order their training sabre for hema. I'll do a review when I get it.
|
|
|
Post by tancred on Dec 25, 2016 4:48:37 GMT
I own Cold Steel's Model 1796 Light Cavalry sabre and their Dragonfly O-tanto. I really like both. The sabre is a lot lighter and faster than I thought it would be. Bought it used, and absolutely no complaints. Bought the o-tanto new, because for a long time there, Cold Steel seemed to be the only ones offering o-tantos. For what it is, its over-priced. I think this is the case for most of Cold Steel's offerings. You can find equal or better for less cash. You just have to look. I do still really like the o-tanto, though.
What blade of theirs are you thinking of getting?
|
|
stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,649
|
Post by stormmaster on Dec 25, 2016 5:00:18 GMT
cold steel fittings have a tendency to be loose, everything is about $100-$150 overpriced for what you could get at that price point, would recommend you get something else for cheaper at the same or better quality
|
|
|
Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Dec 25, 2016 5:53:08 GMT
My first Katana was a Cold Steel which I thought was good until I got better brands now it's just barely okay. Read KOA disclaimer on Cold Steel Katanas, they stopped separating the blems because " the majority of them come this way ". I had one of their Chinese made Scottish Broad Swords that the blade broke on it the first day I had it just putting a slight flex on it. They replaced it with a India made one which is okay. As a BIG Viking sword guy all I can say is their Viking sword is laughable. They do have some good products you just have to weed them out.
|
|
|
Post by leviathansteak on Dec 25, 2016 6:32:14 GMT
Well it would depend on which sword you're interested in. I've owned the grosse messer and italian longsword. The italian longsword was far superior in my opinion. Handled well, light and good edge geometry. The guard however was slightly loose and the pommel rotated out of alignment with the grip. The blade should have also been stiffer for its type. The grosse messer was a bit clunky and has no distal taper whatsoever. Cuts like a beast once sharpened properly though.
|
|
|
Post by bfoo2 on Dec 25, 2016 6:32:28 GMT
I can only speak for their modern military reproductions. There they seem to be a bit hit-or-miss Afoo and I had their French Napoleonic, Prussian 1852 and Thompson sabre (links are to older reviews from this forum). Despite the bad press about being overweight and unbalanced, I found these three to be okay. They're not as light and well-balanced as original antiques, but they're not terrible either. I found they weren't a bad place to start a collection, but we left ours at the wayside once we really got going. Not that they were terrible, but we ended up with better things On the other hand, they recently came out with a mortuary sword. Advertised as a 6.5mm blade- but delivered with a 4mm-wide joke. A lot of people on this forum weren't happy to say the least (and quite rightly so). Mixed reviews of their M1796. Some people like it for brute chopping power, others think it's too heavy and unbalanced. Looking at the numbers comparing it to an original I'd be inclined to agree with the latter. (https://sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/44273/military-heritage-british-sabre-originals) Long answer short- best to ask about the specif sword you're looking at. Hard to make generalizations about an entire company's product line:) No. But their advertisements imply that their weapons are the ultimate swords crafted after years of work and refinement. Some of them aren't bad, but they're not wonder-weapons. For 18th/19th century swords I don't think they're any better than other companies on the market. A lot of people don't like Cold Steel's marketing. Can make a case that it's a bit misleading...
|
|
|
Post by William Swiger on Dec 25, 2016 8:27:36 GMT
I have had a small number of them over the years but never bought any of their medieval swords except the Messer. Currently have:
French Saber Heavy Cavalry Saber Boar Spear Grosse Messer
They are alright for what I paid except for the Boar Spear which in my opinion is crap even though some like it. Cold Steel farms out their products to other forges and do not have their own forge (others do this as well). I rate Cold Steel along the lines of Windlass (they make some CS stuff) which makes them hit or miss on their product line. Chen (not Hanwei) makes some of their stuff as well.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Dec 25, 2016 17:53:02 GMT
You want specific answers to general questions. I have an old manufacture of their Butterfly Swords. At that time the scabbard was poorly designed with one ring and tab, not sufficient to support the weight of the swords and it separated over time merely by the sword’s weight. They have since beefed this up. Although poorly designed and broke without abuse they wanted full price to replace with by the time I would receive it amounted to about $180. I did not replace. I have an Assegai spear. It’s no beauty but is probably the best functioning spear out there, certainly for the price. Their machetes are quite good and no complaints with their spike tomahawk. Their blowpipe and accessories require tweaking. Two of my pipes came with a bend and one with machine marks in the bore. Some products are good some not so. Their customer service is touch and go, don’t count on complete satisfaction, but sometimes it's there. All in all their stuff is not junk but don’t count whatever you buy a God’s send. They have troubles like everybody else and the price is higher than should be, Lynn has to pay for those trips somehow. Hehe I find that I generally get better value elsewhere, but haven't written CS off.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2016 5:54:50 GMT
their new euro-blades are very good... see my review for german longsword. Older models is hit or miss, the italian is superbeautiful nevertheless. And i like my Messer a lot... and my Thai machetes!
|
|