So I bought my first Cold Steel knife.

[bearfacedkiller]

Some day soon I am gonna pick up a Master Hunter in 3V. It looks like a great value.

If they ever make a Trailmaster in 3V I would be all over it.

The Finn Wolf with the orange handle has appealed to me as a companion knife to large fixed blade.

my first run Master Hunter has a truly useless blade grind. So thick it will never break... Or slice

If they have revised the blade dimensions it has promise, if not it's basically useless for anything but breaking down joints. YMMV

I am under the impression that the 3V version is ground much thinner with a much more pronounced distal taper. It is made with thick stock but every review I have seen has said it is ground quite thin.

[bearfacedkiller]

I do admit that I have been wanting to pick up a Trailmaster or Recon Scout lately. Something I can take camping.

I have no experience with the Trailmaster and I want one too. It is a nice looking knife and should perform well.

I do have considerable experience with the Kabar/Becker BK9 which is about the same size and it is amazing. Excellent ergonomics and Kabar seems to be pretty good with their 1095CV. It is both insanely tough and still a reasonably good cutter. It can both chop and baton very well and the ergonomics are terrific. I have even used it for some food prep while camping but that isn't its main purpose. It has a great reputation and I highly recommend it.

[xceptnl]

I do admit that I have been wanting to pick up a Trailmaster or Recon Scout lately. Something I can take camping.

I have no experience with the Trailmaster and I want one too. It is a nice looking knife and should perform well.

I do have considerable experience with the Kabar/Becker BK9 which is about the same size and it is amazing. Excellent ergonomics and Kabar seems to be pretty good with their 1095CV. It is both insanely tough and still a reasonably good cutter. It can both chop and baton very well and the ergonomics are terrific. I have even used it for some food prep while camping but that isn't its main purpose. It has a great reputation and I highly recommend it.

Thank you for the input Darby. I will be sure to look into the Becker when I get ready to seriously purchase.

[Capt'n Boatsalot]

I do have considerable experience with the Kabar/Becker BK9 which is about the same size and it is amazing. Excellent ergonomics and Kabar seems to be pretty good with their 1095CV. It is both insanely tough and still a reasonably good cutter. It can both chop and baton very well and the ergonomics are terrific. I have even used it for some food prep while camping but that isn't its main purpose. It has a great reputation and I highly recommend it.

Darby,
I've got a BK9 in the mail now, and I am pretty excited for it. Looking forward to using it around the campfire. It does seem to have an exceptionally good reputation, which I hope to enjoy as well.

[vivi]

Well if we're going to talk choppers I've got to post my Dogfather. I always felt the rubberized handle absorbed shock better than an exposed tang design with similar dimensions, and the slight angle of the handle gives it superior chopping action IMO.



It's been used a bit :)

I love Scrapyard knives but hate their business model. If I could simply visit their website and order a knife and have it shipped to me the next day, I'd have a lot less money

Seriously though, visit their website and try to buy a knife. http://www.scrapyardknives.com/knives/ I really don't understand it.

[vivi]

Back to the Spike.

Got the paracord tension sorted. The Spike carries very well for how long it is. Like I said I normally don't carry FB's this long horizontally, but with how thin and light it is I find it plenty comfortable.



The steels sharpens nicely. I ran it along the sharpmaker browns in the 15 degree slots and that hit the apex. That is rarely the case with production knives that still have the factory edge in my experience. Took it up to the fines and it pops arm hair effortlessly, no stropping.

Here's a shot of the blade with THE SPIKE sanded off. Much cleaner looking now.



I plan to order one or two more. I'm really enjoying EDCing this design.

[xceptnl]

Well if we're going to talk choppers I've got to post my Dogfather. I always felt the rubberized handle absorbed shock better than an exposed tang design with similar dimensions, and the slight angle of the handle gives it superior chopping action IMO.



It's been used a bit :)

I love Scrapyard knives but hate their business model. If I could simply visit their website and order a knife and have it shipped to me the next day, I'd have a lot less money

Seriously though, visit their website and try to buy a knife. http://www.scrapyardknives.com/knives/ I really don't understand it.

That company and it's sister companies have always made their products seem elusive in my opinion. That on top of the high street price has turned me off to them many time over. Lots of other high value blades in their particular market so I will s
Find something that suits me eventually.

[vivi]

I don't blame you. I got lucky and had an offer from someone for that dogfather + high end kydex jump rated sheath for my S90V / CF Military. Still one of my favorite trades I've ever made.

I had one of their mudpuppies at some point too, those were nice. If they ever brought them back I'd have to grab one. Very comfy handle. Regret selling mine.

[ThePeacent]

well I won't comment much as I am admittedly biased, and a well-known Cold Steel lover. They were "the brand" for me before Spyderco.
I've had most of their older Spikes and some of the new ones (much better and improved) and I really liked the ease of sharpening of the steel and the thin, very lightweight profile.
See how thin they are compared to most of my folders (spike in the middle more or less)...



Ergonomics were not spot on for me but in other aspects they are above most fixed blades in that weight, size and price range. Sheath is way above your average inexpensive FB sheath



I'm glad you like it and interested in seeing your opinion(s) on it versus mine. My favorite are the the Bowie Spike, the Drop Point like yours, and the older discontinued scimitar spike (if it weren't because of that heavy, useless ball on the butt... :confused: )

[vivi]

I wanted the bowie version for better pokey pokey, but some states I travel to have laws against concealed bowie knives, so I opted for the drop point to play it safe. One of the few times knife laws have affected a purchase for me...it's usually not something I have to worry about.

I didn't realize how thick some of those cold steel folders are. I still need to check out some of their XL voyagers and recons in person sometime soon.

[ThePeacent]

I wanted the bowie version for better pokey pokey, but some states I travel to have laws against concealed bowie knives, so I opted for the drop point to play it safe. One of the few times knife laws have affected a purchase for me...it's usually not something I have to worry about.

I didn't realize how thick some of those cold steel folders are. I still need to check out some of their XL voyagers and recons in person sometime soon.

beinf used to thin Spyderco fixed blades and folders, most of their CS counterparts will feel thick indeed. I came the other waya round so I got used to "thick" first. Truth is that the weight penalty isn't that big, compared to ZT, Benchmades, or other brands' knives in that size range.
Fixed blades apply too.

CS has the lightweight characteristic spot on, as does Spyderco. Nobody other than CS has 4, 5 and 6 inch blades with 3, 6 and 8 ounces of weight in the folding knife market, Spyderco being the notable exception in the 4" blades (as some BM)

I am glad you liked the Spike and hopefully that'll bring you to other CS knives, at least to try Marketing apart, CS makes good knives and has a huge diversity and variety of styles, blades and steels as does Spyderco.



here you see my favorite and most carried neck knives these last years, the Scimitar Spike and Bowie Spike have been deeply scratched, chipped and abused but they still work as the first day, and they make one of the best long blades for the size and ease of carry that I've found
:spyder:

[vivi]

I've already got a second in the mail :)

Which Leatherman is that? I'm shopping around for a new one for EDC. Some days the Micra is too minimal. Leaning towards a knifeless rebar or sidekick at the moment.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Peacent my friend I see you have the new Cold Steel Swift, correct? Is that a really robust and good and durable knife? How is it?

[Bill1170]

I bought a Cold Steel folder with a 5” blade. I think it was a Recon 1. It is a very nice knife, built strong and light for its size, but the Triad lock requires greater strength to unlock than I want to exert on a regular basis. I gifted it to a friend who loves it, only after evaluating the feasibility of removing the thumb stud and grinding a round opening hole. This is what I’d do if I got another one to carry myself. It came very sharp, too.

Yeah, their marketing seems juvenile, but they make some very nice products. It is great that they upgraded their steel choices and that they offer DLC in place of the weak Teflon they used before.

[ThePeacent]

I've already got a second in the mail :)

Which Leatherman is that? I'm shopping around for a new one for EDC. Some days the Micra is too minimal. Leaning towards a knifeless rebar or sidekick at the moment.

That's the Wingman, one of the 4 budget entry level Leatherman (Sidekick, Rev, Wingman) which is essentially a Sidekick but with outside accessible scissors instead of saw.
I have much more use for those scissors than I do a saw, TBH.



It's a good tool for the price, but nothing really outstanding (and spring loaded pliers, which I do not like. and 50/50 edge which I also tend to avoid on MTs)
My favorite Leatherman is teh Rebar, though



lacks scissors (blades version has them, and they're good) but the SAK makes up for that :D



it's incredibly tough, and thinner (and lighter) than most Leathermans like the famous Wave, ST300, OHT...etc. while still providing full size implements and replaceable cutters



IMO it has no rival in its price range and it's the best LM to go for if you're starting to consider one, durable and a companion for life (unlike the Wingman, with worse tolerances and flimsier construction) :spyder:

[ThePeacent]

Peacent my friend I see you have the new Cold Steel Swift, correct? Is that a really robust and good and durable knife? How is it?

I got the Swift last year, even though I was hesitant at first because it's had many spring failure issues and quite a few breakages reported throughout the Internet, but I got a screaming deal on it (bought used) and it has been opned at least 500 times since then, plus the additional openings of the previous owner.
No problems at all



I don't have many A/O folders and this was the best yet in smoothness, speed and reliability to open. It has the TriAd lock and feels very strong, while being still easy to disengage with one hand (I fold the blade pushing spine against the leg or other things if needed).



The handle texture is extremely smooth and nice, opens and locks with authority, the grind is quite high and so it cuts very well, it's pretty slicey even for the thickness it has. I'd change the clip (ugly) but knife sits in a very appropriate position. I also like the weight, pretty low for a knife this size/strength. Swedge is very well done :cool:



I quite like it and expect it to last, no noticeable changes in action so far

PS: Sorry Vivi for hijacking your thread!!!

[vivi]

Well I bought a Sidekick but it's still in the package. After reading your post and comparing models online I think I might return it for a knifeless rebar.

I also saw the Leatherman Signal, which is interesting. Ferro rod, hammer and knife sharpener built in.

[vivi]

I ended up returning it and ordering a black rebar

[ThePeacent]

I ended up returning it and ordering a black rebar

I think you did very well. To me the Rebar, Wave and Skeletool are "the three" Leatherman must-haves and the ones that represent its essence the best
I'd have acquired a BO Rebar (I quite like BO Tools) but mine was engraved with the Mt.org forum logo so it has a very high personal and sentimental value to me :D



IMO, the one thing the Rebar lacks (and the other 2 mentioned do have) apart from scissors, and even more importantly, is a pocket clip. As thin as it is, it'd be golden with that.



On the aforementioned forum, though, there's a dozen threads at least about adding it to it -be it a LM clip or from a different brand- and that makes it absolutely joyful to carry and tote around



I'll be interested in your thoughts on it (as with most things :spyder: )

[MacLaren]

The ASH2 has a fantastic feel in the hand. This blade feels very nimble for its size. ( 9" - .220" )