what do you think of CS ???

[ratman]

(Cold Steel) specifically the Kobun and Desparado, any comments/opinions ?



thinking about getting one of each.



is it ok to go off the <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> topic ?

[Tightwad]

Sure, we welcome positive discussions of all knives.

The cold steel knives you mention have what's called "eye"
appeal to some folk's. As to are they good knives, I'd say
yes..... in the right application. What you might want to
consider is ......are you collecting them or going to use them.

Collecting is whatever you like while using requires knowledge
of the task.

Good luck , mate.

[Rex G]

Cold Steel has recently been labeling tomahawks, made in Taiwan, with the company name of a U.S. manufacturer of tomahawks. This is at the very least deceptive, and probably illegal.

[Jazzman]

I haven't heard anything about the renaming issue, I would like to see an article or link if you have one. Personally, I think that CS is a great brand. Their Voyager line are some of the toughest zytel knives around. I had used the heck out of my Medium Tanto and it performed without a hitch. I also appreciate the strength of their lockbacks. I did some pretty heavy duty cutting that should have been done with a FB and the Voyager stood up to it with minimal blade play afterwards.
Matt

[glockman99]

I have owned a Kobun, and to be honest, I wasn't all THAT impressed with it as the blade and handle was too thin for my tastes. I DO presently own a CS Gurkha Kukri, and THAT one IS very SOLID.

I have a couple of Cold Steel folders; A medium PE clip-point Voyager, and a monster Vaquero Grande. They are both pretty well-made, but not near as solid as my Spydie Chinook and (Massad) Ayoob folders. (It's a SHAME that Spyderco didn't make the Vaquero Grande...(VG-10 steel, G-10 scales with dual stainless liners, and the "hole"...****, THAT would REALLY be one FINE folder!).

Dann Fassnacht Aberdeen, WA glockman99@hotmail.com ICQ: 53675663

Edited by - glockman99 on 10/5/2002 10:51:08 PM

[ratman]

i too prefer the <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>, but the Kobun is only $31 and the Desparado $39, a couple of inexpensive users, and you don't have to feel bad if you mess them up.

the knives are ok as far as design and style, but the kydex sheaths on these two are outstanding, they are well made and you forget your carrying them, it's to bad that good sheaths don't always come with good knives. i'm not really crazy about the Krayton handle or tanto style-but the price makes them real attractive.

<img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> a big brute <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> would be sweet! i know not everyone wants to carry something that big, but that would be COOL !

[Rex G]

The tomahawk issue was covered in Bladeforums.com. I have owned several CS products, some of them quite good. I would say their folders are a step down in quality control from Spyderco. The R1 Military Classic is a design copy of the Randall #1, and a favorite of mine. Serrated CS blades can be a real bear to sharpen, according to numberous references in magazines and forums. My CS knives are all plain edge. One warning, their Carbon V steel is not rust resistant at all! Keep it protected from the day you receive the knife! If anything, it is extra-sensitive to a humid environment, and will get those little reddish-brown spots quicker than any steel I have ever found.

[ratman]

had the same experience with the Carbon V Kobun i had before, it's also much more $ than the stainless (AUS-8 i think), i don't like the serrations on the CS (prefer <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>) but thats the only way you can get the Desparado, i would like one more it plain blade. <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

[Sword and Shield]

Carbon V= 50100B= awesome! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0> While I don't much care for CS, especially their marketing campaigns, I do happen to love 50100B, their Carbon V. It's a great steel, at least in my humble ELU experience.

CV/Carbon V will stain like there's no tomorrow, but that doesn't affect performance. Keep it well oiled if you want it bright and shiny, or cut up some tomatoes to start that "carbon patina". In humid environs, SS may be a better idea, as it'll be a lot of work to prevent rusting.

Now, a disclaimer. I don't own any CS blades in 50100B, but I do own Case knives in 50100B. I assume here that heat treatment is roughly comparable, and from outside information, it is.

Never underestimate the impossible.

[Rex G]

Yes, Carbon V is a great steel for using for heavy chores. Here on the Texas Gulf coast, though, it's "stainful"..... I now live farther from salt water, so now it's just the humidity, and not as much of a problem.

[Rex G]

I just may try that tomato trick, if I get a stag-handled Trailmaster. Make that bugger look like an antique in no time!

[Knife Knut]

If the Cold Steel Spike had decent steel, and a practical belt capable sheath I would carry it as EDC. Heck, if it only came in a decent steel, I would try my hand at making my first sheath.

Hmm, $85 from the designer, barry dawson, in 440C.

Knife Knut on a shoestring budget.

[Rex G]

Barry Dawson has some truly nice knives. My wife likes her spike, and uses a neck sheath.

[dialex]

Hey, Rex, for that antique look you could also consider "cokerizing" the blade (putting it into a glass of Coke for a few days). Anyway, tomato or Coke, the acid or phosphorus (or whatever) that penetrates the steel in order to give that particular look slightly damages the blade <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>
BTW, to be on topic, CS isn't that bad, really. But I stick to the spidies as I couldn't find better knives, at least so far <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

[java]

Hmmmm.

Just pulled my Cold Steel Spikes out and sure enough, there's spots of rust on the blade edges. Thin profile and nice lines for a neck knife but I think better steel or more frequent dressing and treating the blade is needed on my part. Thanks for the heads upon rust but nix to the cokerization for the reason offered by Dialex. Kaizer had some interesting views and insightful responses when he brought this up in a previous post.

Rust or not, I'll still buy an Oyabun and Kobun (and give my CS babies a little better care). I don't think you can go wrong with Cold Steel prices, especially on e-bay! So happy hunting there, Ratman! By the way, does the USPS guarantee overnight delivery or do we need to call Interstellar Express when it absolutely has to get there??




"A hole-less knife is a soul-less knife is a whole less knife" Neo-Javanese proverb

[metaxasm]

I have the Vaquero Grande and would trade it in a second for a civilian.

[ratman]

java, LOL <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>.

[Knife Knut]

Java:
Thank goodness! I thought I was the only one that could make 420 rust! I haven't seen the cutlery steel that would not rust from my skin moisture.

I don't really like the tanto spike, and am going to soften the bevel transition.

Is there an Official Cold Steel Forum?

Edited by - Knife Knut on 10/8/2002 8:13:46 PM

[Shang Chi]

I've owned Cold Steel knives since Lynn Thompson started the company, and they've certainly been innovative when it comes to marketing and the design of production knives, but it seems to me that most of their best "ideas", (as well as the best "ideas" of other companies), when it comes to folders, seem to come under license from Spyderco, if you know what I mean.

I prefer the quality of Benchmade knives over the quality of Cold Steel knives, and I prefer the designs of Spyderco over the designs of Benchmade.

My idea of the perfect knife for day-to-day carry would be an Endura with stainless steel liners, G-10 scales, the Axis lock by Benchmade, and a blade made from 440V.

*sigh*...if only....