Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2009 2:37:10 GMT
Hello all For some time, I watched the many promo videos on Cold Steel website, mostly about their fixed blade knives and folding knives. Its a good pastetime during free time at work, watching a folding knife handle beeing able to hold a car's weight or get steped on by an elephant, seeing the back edge of a saber breaking through concrete, etc ... (Now, try to make out which of these isn't on CS website ) Anyway, I was wondering if anyone here has any of these knives (any fixed blade or folding ones, especially those sold for more than 100 $, like the Rajah 1 & 2, Recon 1, trailmaster, any bowie, tanto, etc). I am also thinking about their 1830 Napeleonian saber (not the best from an historical viewpoint, but I wonder if it can really take such a beating without taking heavy damage). If any of you have any of these products, are they THAT tough ? Is there any other producer that offer better bang-for-buck ? On a side-note, I am quite annoyed by some of their videos, with multiple cuts while they are abusing their products, makes me wonder if these weapons really survive those abuses unscathed ...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2009 3:16:47 GMT
I have the Recon 1 folder in my personal collection, it is a very durable sturdy knife. I have used it as a camping knife to pry small logs apart, cut branches to make firewood. Overall I would say its a great knife. However, I do like my CRKT m1614LE a little better though. just a more comfortable knife in my opinion. As for the sword, I have mixed feelings about them. I have had great experiences with some and others I had to send back to Cold Steel. Hope that helps.
Richard
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2009 4:17:44 GMT
I have only one knife from CS, which is an americanized tanto folder GUNSITE ( older model, with AUS-8 blade, made in Japan ). It's use to be my everyday wearing knife, until recently I dropped it on a tile floor and a thumb stud just cracks in two halves. Now I keep it at home. Good knife for money, very sharp, right out of the box you can shave with it ( and I did once ), big and comfortable Zytel handle, useful even if you wear heavy gloves... But my favorite folder for urban warfare was and will be Spyderco POLICE model with stainless steel handle and plane edge blade. Hope it helps.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2009 4:36:37 GMT
Well I don't have any of their knives but I have two of their Tomahawks, which in their videos they slam through car hoods, and they are NOT that strong. Both of my have completely destroyed edges from simple rocks and what not.
|
|
|
Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Feb 13, 2009 4:44:00 GMT
I'd say rocks are considerably harder than car doors. I have a cold steel sword and I don't like it much. it's too whippy to be a good cutter but it is rather tough. just remember nothing is indistructible and if you treat it that way you will destroy it. there's a reason tests like that are called "destructive" by those who know.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2009 4:48:24 GMT
Well one chipped on the other axe in throwing but the other one just fell on a pebble, no bigger than an inch of two. The edges dull too fast just from wood too.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2009 5:15:44 GMT
Ken
I have the 1860 Napoleon Sabre as your interested in ....... I got their Cutlass and Light Cavalry Sabre too ....... long story short CS make great knives, but overly heavy swords ....... something like their great sword would be good cause DAMN if it isnt heavy any which way ....... The Napoleon Sabre is nice, cut reasonable (cut factory edge is useless) ....... also because they want these things so tough the blades are overly thick, heavy ....... when a lighter, thinner blade makes for true cutting ........
Their Cutlass I like the most, very sensible no nonsense, their LC Sabre is good, wicked chopper but you couldnt fence with it to save yourself (mean that) ............
I also have their Laredo Bowie in SK5 High Carbon, really good knife, super light for its size, wicked sharp outta box, good looking, nice finish, yeah its good, also got a Kukhri in SK5 which is a big reccomendation to anyone ........... My Bowie is my best cutter .........
Want a good knife, Cold Steel is good, their video's not to bad either, their swords .......... puke .............. But they filled my sabre niche
|
|
|
Post by hotspur on Feb 13, 2009 14:25:52 GMT
One thing to consider about Cold Steel is that they are a distributor, not (per se) a manufacturer. It is somewhat senseless to lump their entire line into one category of goods. As with so many other goods, price per mile or smile can say a lot. Very much so, there is no free lunch and one will get what one pays for. Knives over the $100 mark tend to be better made than knives less than $100. The Carbon V mythology comes in a lot of versions but the truth is that Cold Steel Jobs out manufacturing. For some time, it was Cammilus as a supplier and trade has moved on. This is no less true than the swords. Cold Steel does not make them, they source them out. Tommahawks and spears? Well, again, there is no sense in equating one genre of products with another. They aren't made by the same manufaturers, nor made to any specification of goodness as a code of cost. Expecting a $30 axe from one company to compare to a $150 axe from another is simple folly. As to handling and durability, as well as fit and finish; The dollar will again fit into the equation. Certainly there are modest and budget knives and swords that can get the job done and treated nicely can prove to be moer than enough to perform over time. Ad copy and videos to garner interest and sales is no different than a sideshow medicine man peddling tonic for the sick or ill. PT Barnum was often quite as astute as any marketing from Cold Steel. I own one Cold Steel knife. It is the Cold Steel Tai Pan made of AUS-8 and I find it a pleasant handling modern made dagger. A bit pricy even in its time (more than a decade ago) the quality of fit and finish is apparent in the build. I'm not as crazy about the Kraton but it has grown on me and I would avoid using it with insect repellent, which is said to make such types of grips mushy. I like that one, the video for it is fun to watch. Would I buy a zytel bodied folder with no metal liners from anybody? Probably not but I did get one of the old Eagle brands as a freebie once. Within it's limits, I'm sure it will last forever. Quite honestly, I have broken exactly two folding knives in more than forty years of use. One was the clip blade of a Case trapper I had abused for years. It simply gave up the ghost while cutting up and opening tin cans. The other was a standard Opinel that broke the blade while carving sheet rock, instead of carrying a sheet rock saw. Other using knives I own and have used range the gambit from two hundred dollar (plus) folders to fixed blades in the hundreds. There are absolutely usuable knives that do cost less than $100 that are of value but I am not ready to agree that many of the more expensive have been well worth their cost. Only a handful are really investment grade and singular but some have kept their value. Examples of production knives maintaining value would be the Tai Pan, a couple of Black Jack examples, a Gerber BMF, my Randall #2, etc. Here with the Tai Pan are some of my fixed blade assortment and a couple of the "pocket" knives. Some quite well used, others not so much. One last note and it refers to how swords such as the Cold Steel offerings handle. Never lose the context of what the originals were made for, pay attention to the modern suppliers of them and if one ever gets the chance; go to an arms show and get a chance to handle originals. Cheers Hotspur; none of the knives pictured were purchased due to ad copy or videos
|
|
|
Post by shadowhowler on Feb 13, 2009 14:35:26 GMT
Thats a LOT of knives...
|
|
|
Post by hotspur on Feb 13, 2009 14:50:32 GMT
Thats a LOT of knives... A bigger view of those here ClickThe folded blade bowie and folder above are Vince Evans. The bowie with the brass buttcap and finial are Kevin Cashen. The other stag grip bowie was from the Ralph Bone days, one I replaced in the 1970s. Knives kind of led me to the production sword hobby, which has led back to old swords and occasionally more knives. There was still more left at home that day but here is an overall from last fall. Click HereNever give up dreaming and interests. Some of my horde may move on from time to time but they are often replaced by others. Cheers Hotspur; the tool box of folders would fill up nearly the same amount of table space
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2009 16:21:34 GMT
My 2 cents: I own several CS knives, the higher end blades being a Scimitar folder and a Peace Keeper II. I also have a Napoleon saber and a Imperial Double Edge Katana.
First off, I have to state I paid less than retail for all these blades (the Scimitar and Nap saber were used). The knives are very sharp out of the box and well made but the hilt/grip are mediocre. CS loves that Zytel but I find it cheap-looking. I tried the Scimitar as an EDC but it was a little to big to carry comfortably (I'm 5'6"). Overall, both are well made blades but lack any outstanding qualities that I feel would justify the paying full price. In comparison, my current EDC is a Kershaw Storm II. At an avg retail price of $35, it gives more bang-per-buck.
The Napoleon is heavy (again the opinion of a little guy), edge was not as sharp as I would have liked but that may have more to do with it being purchased used. It seems sturdy but i don't try hitting cinderblocks. It has held up without damage against 2x4s however.
The Imperial DE katana is very nice but I paid $400 for it versus ~$540 retail. The blade looks very similar to my Dynasty Forge Kogarasu Maru and the F/K and tsuba also look DF-made, so I'm assuming they are all from the same forge and are DF quality. I don't know if I would pay full price though I would be tempted. At the price I paid I am very pleased with the sword.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2009 23:52:07 GMT
I own the Voyager X2 (yes, the big beast) and have to say I really love it. The zytel handle is definitely not everybody's cup of tea but it works. While the X2 is nearly too big to be used as a normal knife it makes a nice "folding dagger". The handle is long enough to switch holding position and I find it also quite secure. Of course there is the danger of slipping unto the blade, but I guess thrusting is something not everybody does with a folder. The blade... man, that is scary sharp. There is absolutely no sharpening needed, it is superb out of the box. As far I can tell the blade is also sturdy (not sure what tested already) and the folding mechanism is definitely not snapping on you. Actually it is quite hard to press the "releasing button" the first times. Overall, a really great knife in my opinion. Apart from that, I own a bushman. That is farther down the price range but I can't say it doesn't takes good to abuse. Put a small tree down with it without problems. Absolutely can't complain about the edge as well. Of course, after using it repeatedly it isn't as razor sharp as it came, still does a good job for every job I find around the house. And about paying the full price, never do that. I prefer "shopping" here: knifecenter.com/The prices are better and the service is good. Hope that helps a bit.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2009 0:14:39 GMT
I own the medium Voyager. The grip is pretty solid with a fairly good contour to it, although that's really personal preference. The locking mechanism is also quite solid with no blade play, but then again, it's not a liner lock.
The blade does come sharp out of the box. Don't expect hair-splitting sharp, but that's not what I look for in an EDC anyhow.
As long as you buy under retail, s'all good.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2009 18:04:56 GMT
i have the cold steel bushman and that thing can take anything.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2009 19:09:54 GMT
I have Cold steel Willow leaf sword and it is the exactly the same one from the demo video ,they used different swords for the test and retired them at thier annual parking lot sale each May. My sword is rust and pitt away but they rebuff and resharpen the sword and it cut better than the brand new one that cost 10 times higher ( I got my super star -that is the nick name I give to my sword for being on DVD for $33 without scabbard ) I totally agree with brissybeater that Coldsteel swords are overly heavy and unbalance that you are hard press to defend your life with it when you come up against well trained opponent with better balance blade but where else you are going to find a sword that can punch through car door , steel drum , chop off the machine gun barrel I don't know why you ever want to do that but if you want to Cold steel sword can do it . I have several Cold steel Kukri and kukri machete. I will not go camping without one and I even have a pair of LTC Kukri with me while serving in the army but I could not convinced my CO that I can dig my way out of a burning tank with it and he ordered me to keep that things lock up in the armsroom
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2009 23:06:10 GMT
Hello all
First of all, thanks to everyone for their comments about all their knives, folders, sabres ,etc from Cold Steel, they are much appreciated. Another thanks for the suggestions, about other knives and products.
Hotspur : Thanks for reminding us that Cold Steel doesn't make their blades and products, most of these are built elsewhere (someone once said their sabres are from Windlass ...), by different producers. I think it will help us by not making large general statements about Cold Steel (example : all Cold Steel products are oversized overbuilt etc etc).
Cara : A big thank you for showing me that link (knifecenter.com), really love those prices ...
I especially liked the comments about the 1830 napoelo...whatever saber, since it is the saber that interest me the most. However, I am looking for a saber that has at least decent handling, so I don't know if anyone here knows another producer, seller, that offers a similar saber with better handling.
Also, I liked the comments about CS knives. I narrowed my selection to 120 $ and below fixed-blade knives, so if anyone has anything to suggest at this price tag ......
|
|
|
Post by hotspur on Feb 15, 2009 1:23:12 GMT
Hi Sebastian, I may be just underlining again that the Cold Steel Napoleonic is still offered through Military Heritage and Stromlo and manufactured by Weapon edge. At least Military Heritage will put a better bit of ad copy up regarding historical timelines (and free shipping for the first order). www.militaryheritage.com/swords1.htmHandling is one of those subjective things as well. How exactly does someone expect a cavalry sword to handle for them? What comparisons have they considered or experienced? There are a couple of reviews/overviews of the Cold Steel NApoleonic offering and those folk liked them. Have they changed in the past decade? I honestly couldn't say. Cold Steel did use to offer leather on wood as an option to the steel scabbards. On the knife front, I do believe that the company tries to endorse items sturdy enough and well built enough to be worth their price point (discounted or not). There are some politics behind the company regarding "borrowing" other's efforts but it is inevitably brought up that they are the not the only ones capitalizing on someone elses work/design. By and large, there are similarly offered knives and swords available elsewhere and few seem truly unique, despite some offerings that have become somewhat iconic. I've never seen all the videos completely. I'm sure they are a good promotional device but truth told, anything built to competent levels will perform as well. Cheers Hotspur; somehow I wouldn't expect a cavalry sword to handle like my spadroons or even shorter artillery and infantry sabres
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2009 3:04:55 GMT
Hello Hotspur
I will describe what I expect, from a cavalry saber, in term of handling. I think cavalry sabers where usually top-heavy weapons, to allow strong and authorative cuts and chops. However, I also think these swords offered enough handling to allow parries, feints and other maneuvers that could keep their owners/wielders in one piece.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2009 18:33:06 GMT
Cara : A big thank you for showing me that link (knifecenter.com), really love those prices ... Second to that, bookmarked it for future references. Cara +1 to you
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2009 18:49:30 GMT
One thing to consider about Cold Steel is that they are a distributor, not (per se) a manufacturer. It is somewhat senseless to lump their entire line into one category of goods. As with so many other goods, price per mile or smile can say a lot. Very much so, there is no free lunch and one will get what one pays for. Knives over the $100 mark tend to be better made than knives less than $100. The Carbon V mythology comes in a lot of versions but the truth is that Cold Steel Jobs out manufacturing. For some time, it was Cammilus as a supplier and trade has moved on. This is no less true than the swords. Cold Steel does not make them, they source them out. Tommahawks and spears? Well, again, there is no sense in equating one genre of products with another. They aren't made by the same manufaturers, nor made to any specification of goodness as a code of cost. Expecting a $30 axe from one company to compare to a $150 axe from another is simple folly. As to handling and durability, as well as fit and finish; The dollar will again fit into the equation. Certainly there are modest and budget knives and swords that can get the job done and treated nicely can prove to be moer than enough to perform over time. Ad copy and videos to garner interest and sales is no different than a sideshow medicine man peddling tonic for the sick or ill. PT Barnum was often quite as astute as any marketing from Cold Steel. I own one Cold Steel knife. It is the Cold Steel Tai Pan made of AUS-8 and I find it a pleasant handling modern made dagger. A bit pricy even in its time (more than a decade ago) the quality of fit and finish is apparent in the build. I'm not as crazy about the Kraton but it has grown on me and I would avoid using it with insect repellent, which is said to make such types of grips mushy. I like that one, the video for it is fun to watch. Would I buy a zytel bodied folder with no metal liners from anybody? Probably not but I did get one of the old Eagle brands as a freebie once. Within it's limits, I'm sure it will last forever. Quite honestly, I have broken exactly two folding knives in more than forty years of use. One was the clip blade of a Case trapper I had abused for years. It simply gave up the ghost while cutting up and opening tin cans. The other was a standard Opinel that broke the blade while carving sheet rock, instead of carrying a sheet rock saw. Other using knives I own and have used range the gambit from two hundred dollar (plus) folders to fixed blades in the hundreds. There are absolutely usuable knives that do cost less than $100 that are of value but I am not ready to agree that many of the more expensive have been well worth their cost. Only a handful are really investment grade and singular but some have kept their value. Examples of production knives maintaining value would be the Tai Pan, a couple of Black Jack examples, a Gerber BMF, my Randall #2, etc. Here with the Tai Pan are some of my fixed blade assortment and a couple of the "pocket" knives. Some quite well used, others not so much. One last note and it refers to how swords such as the Cold Steel offerings handle. Never lose the context of what the originals were made for, pay attention to the modern suppliers of them and if one ever gets the chance; go to an arms show and get a chance to handle originals. Cheers Hotspur; none of the knives pictured were purchased due to ad copy or videosHotspur who made that pretty Kukri ? Is that gold inlaid on the sword of shiva ? how long is the blade ?
|
|