Quite frankly as if they asked "What's the absolute cheapest steel you can hook us up with?"
A2 Steel Update
- Thread starter Cold Steel Knives
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AntDog
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I’ll take up that torch, bro. I have no problem calling bullshit, and this sure smells like it.
Even if the price is low, I don’t expect spectacular results. WTF are they thinking, honestly?
Even ol’ bubba out there in the sticks who thinks Cold Steel is the best of the best knafs is gonna be able to tell these are crapola compared to the carbon steel versions.
Hell, they’re already using 52100 and they choose to go with this junk? Flame suit getting just a lil bit warm, Lynn?
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Could be thinking, "Wow! Gerber gets away with 420HC in their "hard use" knives. Why can't we?"
Once upon a time, Gerber made top of the line knives. Not so anymore.
I'd hate to have to say that about CS.
AntDog
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Ptac157
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Agreed x2. I see no reason for this change other than cost cutting. If that’s the case, so be it. But don’t treat your loyal customers like morons by telling them that despite your best efforts, you can’t source A2 of a high enough quality to out perform a United Cutlery level stainless. That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. Even if that was true, are you saying there are no other higher quality carbon steels out there that will out perform 4034? Other makers seem to have no trouble finding it. Disappointing to say the leastAgreed 100%.
not2sharp
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So they have gone from Carbon V to Surgical Stainless. They should be using that proprietary heat treatment on their design/marketing team rather than this junk.
n2s
My SK-5 Recon Tanto which was considered a budget option might become a flagship with how things are going.
Still no answer as to why didn't they just use 52100 or SK5 instead.
And Outdoorsman lite is already made out of 4034.
Small fixed blades are land of AUS and 4116... and sadly we're soon going to miss those steels.
If they invested the resources spent for propietary HT of that junk into proprietary HT of 52100 or geometry, design or fit and finish it'd be way better.
They made their name on selling good knives made out of good steel and now they are going to ride the old fame to sell same steel used on flea market knives?
If they cared about consumers they'd do something about their sheaths by now.
They are switching their focus to new audience - mall ninjas.
Mall ninjas don't care about steel used. They only want it to be cheap and look badass.
Same as their new videos. Who in their right mind promotes their knives by massacring human shaped dummy in a dungeon? - nobody who's target audience aren't mall ninjas.
When I used to watch old CS videos they looked like proud company demonstrating their product to the audience. I liked that. It was very entertaining in a good way.
Now... it's even funny. I agree with what my friend said earlier. Their videos are well over the top, and almost pure comedy because everything is trying to look so badass, while in reality it looks like it's recorded on the same set/stage as BDSM porn.
The same is happening with knives now. Cutting costs at expense of quality of material and only goal is to sell for high profit margin.
If all you see in me is a profit margin and don't care about my opinion or satisfaction as your customer - then I no longer want to be your customer.
I get it, most of your customers are average joe's, some are mall-ninjas and lots of them will never even use the knives they buy. If that's your targeted audience, so be it. Others will have to find a brand that cares about people who are actual users and want their knives to perform. And brand which will take care of their sheath issues. Friend of mine contacted you on facebook regarding the issue and you didn't even offer him new sheath or shown any interest to help him. That's incredibly disappointing.
Still no answer as to why didn't they just use 52100 or SK5 instead.
And Outdoorsman lite is already made out of 4034.
Small fixed blades are land of AUS and 4116... and sadly we're soon going to miss those steels.
If they invested the resources spent for propietary HT of that junk into proprietary HT of 52100 or geometry, design or fit and finish it'd be way better.
They made their name on selling good knives made out of good steel and now they are going to ride the old fame to sell same steel used on flea market knives?
If they cared about consumers they'd do something about their sheaths by now.
They are switching their focus to new audience - mall ninjas.
Mall ninjas don't care about steel used. They only want it to be cheap and look badass.
Same as their new videos. Who in their right mind promotes their knives by massacring human shaped dummy in a dungeon? - nobody who's target audience aren't mall ninjas.
When I used to watch old CS videos they looked like proud company demonstrating their product to the audience. I liked that. It was very entertaining in a good way.
Now... it's even funny. I agree with what my friend said earlier. Their videos are well over the top, and almost pure comedy because everything is trying to look so badass, while in reality it looks like it's recorded on the same set/stage as BDSM porn.
The same is happening with knives now. Cutting costs at expense of quality of material and only goal is to sell for high profit margin.
If all you see in me is a profit margin and don't care about my opinion or satisfaction as your customer - then I no longer want to be your customer.
I get it, most of your customers are average joe's, some are mall-ninjas and lots of them will never even use the knives they buy. If that's your targeted audience, so be it. Others will have to find a brand that cares about people who are actual users and want their knives to perform. And brand which will take care of their sheath issues. Friend of mine contacted you on facebook regarding the issue and you didn't even offer him new sheath or shown any interest to help him. That's incredibly disappointing.
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I’ll take up that torch, bro. I have no problem calling bullshit, and this sure smells like it.
Even if the price is low, I don’t expect spectacular results. WTF are they thinking, honestly?
Even ol’ bubba out there in the sticks who thinks Cold Steel is the best of the best knafs is gonna be able to tell these are crapola compared to the carbon steel versions.
Hell, they’re already using 52100 and they choose to go with this junk? Flame suit getting just a lil bit warm, Lynn?
turn up that heat. some ones got to.ya ain't wrong there at all.
The Mastiff
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With low wear resistance it becomes super easy to get a high polish finish on a knife. Of course because of the low wear resistance and low hardness it will scratch easier also.
Joe
Joe
I've seen some comments about knockoff Gerbers performing about the same or better than original Gerbers.
I hope I won't be reading the same about Cold Steel...
But considering they'll now make their originals out of same material that knockoffs are being made of...
I hope I won't be reading the same about Cold Steel...
But considering they'll now make their originals out of same material that knockoffs are being made of...
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I can't see how this is a good thing at all. Maybe the success of the SR1 Lite and the 4 Max Scout made them think that they should veer more in that direction.
Are we going to see the S35VN models begin to be made with super low quality steel now? Are we going to hear that they were unable to source high quality S35VN so shifting to 4034 for those as well?
I am a huge Cold Steel fan. I have been selling off most of my non-Cold Steel folders over the past 6 months to go with the Triad lock exclusively. I even enjoy the videos that I lot of people seem to hate and follow Lynn Thompson on social media. I am not flaming the company and will continue to purchase knives made with great steel. However, this is a concerning move and I don't see any reason for it other than to capitalize on the Cold Steel name and reputation with horrible steel.
Are we going to see the S35VN models begin to be made with super low quality steel now? Are we going to hear that they were unable to source high quality S35VN so shifting to 4034 for those as well?
I am a huge Cold Steel fan. I have been selling off most of my non-Cold Steel folders over the past 6 months to go with the Triad lock exclusively. I even enjoy the videos that I lot of people seem to hate and follow Lynn Thompson on social media. I am not flaming the company and will continue to purchase knives made with great steel. However, this is a concerning move and I don't see any reason for it other than to capitalize on the Cold Steel name and reputation with horrible steel.
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I think Buck are the only ones who have a standard they hold their 420hc to, and their 420hc is good stuff. I could see 4034 being a good steel with a good heat treat (like the Bos heat treat), but I can't understand why they are replacing A2 with it. It will not perform the same, no matter what.
So, what is Cold Steel thinking?
not2sharp
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They are probably thinking that they can con a lot of people and go out of business before the warrantee claims begin to stack up.
n2s
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No matter how you rationalize it - this will still be wrong.
Buck makes decent blades out of 420HC but that's still not high performance blade. And well heat treated A2 or O1 will be leagues ahead of well heat treated 420HC.
I'm gonna jump in on the flame train and openly say that this is straight up disrespectful.
People waited these for years only to get this excuse?
As others have said, A2 is industrial tool steel and as such it shouldn't be hard to find.
And even if it is then why not use 52100 or SK-5? We all know they have decent supply of those.
They got huge bulk of 4034 for extemley low price and will now cash in on their name and brand reputation.
Buck makes decent blades out of 420HC but that's still not high performance blade. And well heat treated A2 or O1 will be leagues ahead of well heat treated 420HC.
I'm gonna jump in on the flame train and openly say that this is straight up disrespectful.
People waited these for years only to get this excuse?
As others have said, A2 is industrial tool steel and as such it shouldn't be hard to find.
And even if it is then why not use 52100 or SK-5? We all know they have decent supply of those.
They got huge bulk of 4034 for extemley low price and will now cash in on their name and brand reputation.
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True. But those issues have been here for years and nobody did anything about them meaning nobody cares.
And now each time I'll be buying Cold Steel knife I should prepare to cash in for custom sheath or make my own or buy after market options? I'd rather get a knife without sheath then for even lower price.
Point is, I didn't have to either mod or replace sheaths of my ESEE, Manly or Boker.
And this with steel is even worse, as you said - you can't change steel formula.
I took this advice today, and I think if anyone else wants a decent Trailmaster, they better follow it as well.Get those San Mai Trail Masters while you can! They probably won't be around much longer, and when they're gone.............4034???
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I would like to think everyone who WAS a cold steel customer email cold steel and tell them why you are not any longer
the end for them has been coming for some time with no customer service and inferior products
then we get great products like ad 10 and 4 max
too little too late for me to waste or gamble any more money
especially after reading amazon and other reviews of even these knives having huge flaws come through quality control
my kabar 1292 is the shoot though
to cold steel
https://www.coldsteel.com/trail-master-in-a2-steel-39lma?returnurl=/fixed-blade/?count=66
still listed on your website
why?
I have stated it for years at one time cold steel was a great company with great ideas and products
collectors used to look forward to your true SALES
collectors used to look forward to catalogs new products and HONESTY
your fighting knives nothing but wall hangers so you make more of the
so it took almost TWO YEARS to determine you won't use A2
just another nail in your coffin
disappointed isn't enough
I am done as will hundreds of others
we have too many options to choose from
from cold steel
Good afternoon ,
We thank you for your interest in our products and we are saddened to see that we will be losing you as a customer. We want to thank you for your valuable feedback and we want to wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors.
Thank you and have an excellent day.
the end for them has been coming for some time with no customer service and inferior products
then we get great products like ad 10 and 4 max
too little too late for me to waste or gamble any more money
especially after reading amazon and other reviews of even these knives having huge flaws come through quality control
my kabar 1292 is the shoot though
to cold steel
https://www.coldsteel.com/trail-master-in-a2-steel-39lma?returnurl=/fixed-blade/?count=66
still listed on your website
why?
I have stated it for years at one time cold steel was a great company with great ideas and products
collectors used to look forward to your true SALES
collectors used to look forward to catalogs new products and HONESTY
your fighting knives nothing but wall hangers so you make more of the
so it took almost TWO YEARS to determine you won't use A2
just another nail in your coffin
disappointed isn't enough
I am done as will hundreds of others
we have too many options to choose from
from cold steel
Good afternoon ,
We thank you for your interest in our products and we are saddened to see that we will be losing you as a customer. We want to thank you for your valuable feedback and we want to wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors.
Thank you and have an excellent day.