FT Cold Steel knives any good?

[Uzi Hunter]

Item Name: Cold Steel knives any good?

Location: 30016

Willing to Ship: No

Item is for: Trade Only

Trade Value or Items Looking For: 2 cents worth

Item Description: I keep looking at some Cold Steel knives. I like the way they look and feel, bit I just can't get by the "China or Japan" stamps.
Anyone got any insight if they are worth buy or not? And why?

Thanks, China shy

 

[Trader Jordon]

Great knives for the price, I have a machete and Kurikui and they both are great.

 

[fistfullaholla]

I picked up a cold steel Ti-Lite folder on a whim. Same issues as you are having, didn't want to buy anything not USA made. Been carrying it every day for about 3months and really like it.
This is one of the sharpest blades I have ever owned straight out of the box! The construction is rugged and it locks solid. I"d much rather have a Benchmade, but they can cost you. My Coldsteel was $38 and I don't regret the purchase.
View attachment 106324

 

[The Russian]

Cold Steel is great, check out their awesome videos on youtube!

 

[Patronus]

I LOVE Cold Steel knives.

My first Cold Steel was the Magnum Kukhri machete, then the smaller version. Since I bopught 3 of the G.I. Tantos for my bug out bags a Tanto Spike neck knife and a Kobun Tanto. Oh and also a Bushman knife/spear/pike head(just add pole).

 

[Leviathan Arms]

Depends on what you use them for. Most cold steel blades are made out of 440 stainless, which is a good all around steel but tends to get dull fast. Bottom line: if you plan to spend $10-$20 cold steel is good. Any more than that and you should be looking at Ontario knife co. or Ka-bar.

 

[Magius]

Most Cold Steel is made from AUS 8a steel, not 440. AUS8 has pretty good edge retention, takes a wicked edge, and is easy to sharpen
Their economy line is Krupp 4116, which is a great value at their price point. They have a few inexpensive neck and key chain knives in 440.

Cold Steel's top line knives are San Mai III, which is a VG1 core wrapped with 440a. The combination renders a blade with excellent edge retention and excellent stain and rust resistance. However, it is expensive, and probably overpriced for what it is, IMO.

Their non-stainless knives use SK5 carbon steel which is another good performer.

The Tri-Ad lock is probably the strongest lock in the knife business. However, the Tri-Ad can be fairly stiff to close on some models when new.

Do CM154 or S30V have better edge retention? Yes. Unfortunately, they also have a much higher cost. IMO, it's hard to beat Cold Steel at the price point.

 

[Vdub5818]

Benchmade ftw. Buy once buy right. They can be kind of pricey, but more than worth it.

 

[Cadcom]

Depends on what you use them for. Most cold steel blades are made out of 440 stainless, which is a good all around steel but tends to get dull fast. Bottom line: if you plan to spend $10-$20 cold steel is good. Any more than that and you should be looking at Ontario knife co. or Ka-bar.

X2! Ontario has some good stuff.

 

[Leviathan Arms]

Most Cold Steel is made from AUS 8a steel, not 440. AUS8 has pretty good edge retention, takes a wicked edge, and is easy to sharpen
Their economy line is Krupp 4116, which is a great value at their price point. They have a few inexpensive neck and key chain knives in 440.

Cold Steel's top line knives are San Mai III, which is a VG1 core wrapped with 440a. The combination renders a blade with excellent edge retention and excellent stain and rust resistance. However, it is expensive, and probably overpriced for what it is, IMO.

Their non-stainless knives use SK5 carbon steel which is another good performer."

I stand corrected. Thanks!