I bought a Cold Steel... Seriously (a review)

[araneae]

So a short while back, something odd happened- I saw a preview of a Cold Steel knife and I was interested. I generally have little interest in their products, although I am sure there are plenty of them that are great for many people. They generally just don't appeal to me. Anyhow, it was the Mini Tuff Lite. A small knife from a company better known for their jumbo folders. The ingredients all looked good: Wharncliffe blade, deep finger choil, oval thumb hole, lightweight, back lock (Triad lock if you like), low price.

Here are the specs:
Blade Length: 2"
Blade Thickness: 2.5 mm
Overall Length: 5"
Steel: Japanese AUS 8A Stainless
Weight: 1.7 oz

So I've had the knife for a couple weeks and thought I'd share my impressions. Overall its not a bad little knife. The tiny blade is packaged in a Grivory (FRN) handle that is ergonomic and solidly constructed. The small but functional clip allows only one position, RH tip down. Sorry lefties. The tiny blade features a large, deep choil that should accommodate meatier fingers than mine. Thumb jimping is pretty useless. The 4 large scallops create a hot spot under my thumb during use. Although I am a huge fan of jimping- I'd just as soon not have them or replace them with a finer jimping like Spydies have.

The blade is well ground and the thumb oval works adequately for opening. It was quite sharp out of the box, I will have to wait to comment on edge retention- its AUS8 so I expect adequate, but not amazing. When clipped in the pocket, I find that the exposed tang corner is quite pointy and readily scratches my hand when I'm digging in my pockets. The lock mechanism is a backlock (Triad). I find it is a bit less smooth to disengage than my Spydies. The blade geometry is a little off IMO, I would prefer that there was a negative angle- it would make this little blade more friendly for utility work such as box cutting.

All in all its a decent blade that could use a bit of refinement. Its a fairly unique design and doesn't really have much competition at this price; and for $20 its a good deal. Still, I'd rather carry a Spin, Cat or D'fly I suppose.

[araneae]

I'll try to get some comparison photos up later. Here's a stock pic for now.

[Jazz]

Well... it is a wharnie. Actually, it's kind of cool looking.

- best wishes, Jazz.

[Dr. Snubnose]

Switch the post to off-topic..... Doc :D

[gunnut35]

It looks like a poliwog and native had a baby.

[Zendemic]

Honestly I don't usually pay any attention to Cold Steel's offerings what so ever, all though this is one of the extremely rare ones that caught my eye. I can't wait for those comparison photos :D

[Freediver]

I owned a SRK years ago and really liked it, but sold it off when I got hooked on Spyderco. I have also owned/used a few of their machetes and you really can't go wrong for the price point with them.

[Dr. Snubnose]

Cold steel IMHO can't make a decent folder to save their lives....They make great fixed blades and if this little wharnie was one I'd already own it....who cares about edge retention,
I'd be more interested to how long the overall knife lasts with use before ready for the garbage...good price point or not I have found almost every folder they make a POS.....Not trying to sugar coat things here at all...Just my experience...Crap is Crap...no getting around it....Enjoy your purchase while it lasts...Now I think I'll go wash my shoes off so I can have shinny footprints agan...Doc :D

[224477]

That knife recalls some early unpublished CLB design sketches to me.

[jackknifeh]

I saw this knife a while back and thought the design would definately be a usable one. But, I try to stay away from Cold Steel for one reason. I hate the advertising attitude they have. They were one of the first knife products I saw when I started looking at knives a few years ago. I got a catalog and read the opinion of management about their products and knowledge compared to the products and knowlege of the competition. They called the competition people "posers" and used statements like "they have no knowledge" and things like that. That was about people, not even the products. Very immature I think. At first I thought it may be true because no one would be stupid or childish enough to say that if it weren't true. Well, now I know better. I had a Mini-Tac neck knife and it was ok but I sold it. I still have a machete. It works and cost me a total of $18 plus shipping. That was a good deal I think. If you haven't read the statements on the first couple of pages of their catalog or seen it on their web site I encourage you to. Don't quote me, read it yourself. Maybe they changed it since I saw it.

I hope I didn't say anything too bad in Spyderco's eyes. They don't like bad mouthing the competition. If their products were so much better I would buy them even if the management was made up of 4 year olds.

Jack

[araneae]

Here are some comparison photos. Note the actual blade length is quite small- less than the ladybug.



Sorry for the large images and the finger blur- I'm using my phone. In the pocket the mini tuff is bulkier than a dfly. Its similar in thickness to the Cat.

On a side note I noticed some rust speckles on the mini tuff during my photos. I don't remember cutting anything that would account for that.

[BDNX]

I saw that knife not long ago and it actually looks pretty cool. I have a Cold Steel Spartan...fairly happy with it....even though it doesn't come close to touching any of my :spyder: 's.. :)

[cubsfan1969]

I just purchased a Rajah 3- so so far its ok. I have only had it for like 5 days so cant say a whole lot about it yet. It is a wee bit thick, but it does get attention when you pop it out if you looking for that. So far I like it, and we will see how long it lasts. I do agree with Jack that they seem to have this attitude that no other maker but them is competent. The knife came with this DVD which is a catalog of their products slashing, stabbing, lock strength tests, etc. I also get the feeling they do not like bikers, as many of the slashing tests involve motorcycle jackets stuffed with meat! Also they test a lot of their clubs on MC helmets. I got it from Jeff from the Cutlery Shoppe, so the price and shipping was right. I just thought I'd give the a try!

Will write a little more in a few days after I cut myself with it once or twice. =P This is my first knife with that pocket assist opening so already somehow put a hole in a shirt.

Ok, just figured out how to post pics. No, I am not a computer person. However I noticed this whatever it is forming on the blade. Any clues anyone? Sorry pic is so big, maybe next decade I'll figure out how to make them a hair smaller!

[DeathBySnooSnoo]

It's an interesting design. Next to the Spydies though it looks rather cheap.

[Donut]

The lock pivot appears to be in a spot where the mechanical advantage is for the spring. Either they are using a weak spring or it would be very difficult to disengage the lock.

[WalzAaronFFG]

I think the recon folder line is pretty decent. For $60 you get a knife that can take a decent amount of abuse. It is too big and bulky for my taste, but it has a thick blade and a pretty solid lockback design.

I would rather have another Delica 4 or a Native/Cetofante 3, but I don't try to abuse my blades. I live in a city and use my knife for lighter tasks most of the time. Buying a giant bulky folder just because it can take abuse makes no sense for me.

[cubsfan1969]

Cold Steel customer service replied today, said that the discoloration was from sweat in my pocket. Made sense, as the side in question is the one facing my carcass when it is in the pocket. To remedy the problem, they said use some Flitz and a cloth to clean it up. Now, I happen to be around aircraft hangers on a daily basis- so Flitz was on hand. However, if you not familiar with it, it is not cheap. So one of the mechanics suggested a product called TR-3 resin glaze- he states it is pretty much the same thing, but a can of it about a 1/4 of the cost. So, since after all it is was not a terribly expensive knife, I gave it a go. Results were perfect, and it worked in an instant. So if anyone has this problem in the future, TR-3 will not break the bank. Also, I had been using Tuff-Glide to coat my blades, and was told this wasn't oily enough. Said it was great for the locking mechanism and things like that. I really wish my C135g had that Wave feature, as that is one of my favorite folders. I'm thinking of trying a C103g, however I'm more of a fixed blade guy, and own almost all in the Spyderco line up.

[jwingfie]

I want your spin sooooooooooo badly. I do agree thought, the mini tuff lite does look cheap next to the Spydies.

[gb12549]

Haters gonna hate!
I'm a Spyderco fan/owner, but realize there are manufacturers that make a niche item that Spderco doesn't make or make as well, and I buy it. Visa Versa as well with Spyderco being the best or only choice for some niches.
This knife is a a feather weight, small profile that gives you hand purchase like a much bigger blade, is hard use utility capable and is sub $20. Spyderco isn't making anything like that right now at that price point. They got 200lbs hanging off this thing without failing for goodness sake! Granted as discussed ad nauseum, it's not fully indicative of real world use, but still. A Ladybug is the category match up to do the comparison with.

Cubsfan1969:

It's the bead blast finish. I took 600 grit sandpaper to my Spartan and used every military boy's fave - Brasso. I like the Satin finish much better.

[Jordan]

I picked one of these up when my B&M shop (well, not mine, just the one I shop at :p ) got them in. I gave it away pretty quickly (not because it was bad or anything... just inexpensive when I needed an inexpensive knife to gift to somebody), but for the short period I had it, seemed fine. Thanks for posting the review and pics!