Cold Steel Machete Steel & Production

D

Dr.IsR

Joined
Nov 8, 2017
Messages
11
Hi folks,
Hope you’re all doing well.
I’ve recently found out that cold steel have moved production of their machetes from South Africa to China!! Furthermore, they have switched steel from trusted 1055 to Chinese 65mn 😡.

I’m looking for a cold steel jungle machete made in South Africa from 1055. I’m based in uk and have been unable to find a website stocking the South African made blades who are willing to ship to me.

Are there any good Samaritans here willing to find and ship one of these machetes over to me? Would be happy to pay a tip for your time and effort.
 
Dr.IsR said:
Hi folks,
Hope you’re all doing well.
I’ve recently found out that cold steel have moved production of their machetes from South Africa to China!! Furthermore, they have switched steel from trusted 1055 to Chinese 65mn 😡.

I’m looking for a cold steel jungle machete made in South Africa from 1055. I’m based in uk and have been unable to find a website stocking the South African made blades who are willing to ship to me.

Are there any good Samaritans here willing to find and ship one of these machetes over to me? Would be happy to pay a tip for your time and effort.
Click to expand...
call knifeworks....they'll do international shipping for a fee and show in stock as I post this.....
 
jbmonkey said:
call knifeworks....they'll do international shipping for a fee and show in stock as I post this.....
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply. Yeah I’ve used knife works before, they are the only place I could find who would ship to me. Unfortunately, they only have new chinese stock of the jungle machete. They don’t have any of the old south african made stock left.
 
Dr.IsR said:
Thanks for the reply. Yeah I’ve used knife works before, they are the only place I could find who would ship to me. Unfortunately, they only have new chinese stock of the jungle machete. They don’t have any of the old south african made stock left.
Click to expand...
sorry...guess they didn't update their website yet.

think theyre likely mostly gone other than some oddball place with old stock. gonna require lots of calls
 
Could try Lasher directly and see what they say - https://lasher.co.za/knives/ . They were Cold Steel's subcontractor. One of the problems is that Lasher has trimmed back the machete pretty strongly the last 4 years or so, also they bought Okapi knives, sorta making them a competitor against the Kudu. So Cold Steel's hand might've been forced.
 
tltt said:
Could try Lasher directly and see what they say - https://lasher.co.za/knives/ . They were Cold Steel's subcontractor. One of the problems is that Lasher has trimmed back the machete pretty strongly the last 4 years or so, also they bought Okapi knives, sorta making them a competitor against the Kudu. So Cold Steel's hand might've been forced.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the suggestion, will definitely ask them.
 
Have had very positive experiences with Chinese 65mn, in my Crkt machetes.It take and holds an excellent edge.

IMHO an improvement over 1055.
 
Maybe you can try asking in a CS Facebook group. Perhaps someone has an extra one and might be willing to sell it. Just a thought. BTW that Lasher website had some nice looking “farm” blades. Was digging the Kukri.
 
If I recall correctly, GSM was having issues with the Africa made machete when they first took over. The machete’s were arriving unsharpened (not even beveled) and since they had shut down the Cold Steel facilities, there was no longer a way for them to finish them. Before you buy one you should confirm that you are getting a finished machete.

N2s
 
I picked up four Barong Machetes for $100 shipped last year, because it was either order the two that I wanted and pay for shipping, or just order 4 and get them here for free. Glad I did, I have a lifetimei supply of a really cool design.

It's sad to see Cold Steel continue their downward spiral.
 
I always had good luck with the SA machetes , and probably have enough already for my foreseeable needs .

Still sad to see them go , IMO .

I've no experience with the China made , so IDK . Hopefully they will be just as good or better .
 
FWIW, my chinesium Seax machete has been holding up well with my needs here. Shame to see the production move there since SA needs the industry more than China does.
 
Any further feedback on the newer 65mn chinese machetes? I have seen a few joex destruction tests on youtube in which he demonstrates that they are not quite as tough as the older 1055 machetes made in south africa, but the "testing" is completely over the top, and way beyond what could be considered normal usage.
I found the ht in the older 1055 models to be a bit soft sometimes, and although extremly tough, could have been a little "springier".
 
Last edited:
Dr.IsR said:
Hi folks,
Hope you’re all doing well.
I’ve recently found out that cold steel have moved production of their machetes from South Africa to China!! Furthermore, they have switched steel from trusted 1055 to Chinese 65mn 😡.

I’m looking for a cold steel jungle machete made in South Africa from 1055. I’m based in uk and have been unable to find a website stocking the South African made blades who are willing to ship to me.

Are there any good Samaritans here willing to find and ship one of these machetes over to me? Would be happy to pay a tip for your time and effort.
Click to expand...
I found a few US stores that still sell the South African version.
 
Dr.IsR said:
Hi folks,
Hope you’re all doing well.
I’ve recently found out that cold steel have moved production of their machetes from South Africa to China!! Furthermore, they have switched steel from trusted 1055 to Chinese 65mn 😡.

I’m looking for a cold steel jungle machete made in South Africa from 1055. I’m based in uk and have been unable to find a website stocking the South African made blades who are willing to ship to me.

Are there any good Samaritans here willing to find and ship one of these machetes over to me? Would be happy to pay a tip for your time and effort.
Click to expand...
I do own the 1055 South African version, but it's my favorite Cold Steel Machete. I only have one. If I can find the 1055 South African model online, I'll consider getting one for you.
 
razorburn said:
Have had very positive experiences with Chinese 65mn, in my Crkt machetes.It take and holds an excellent edge.

IMHO an improvement over 1055.
Click to expand...
I disagree. Cold Steel South African machetes had their 1055 heat treat down to a science. They performed like 1075 carbon steel.
 
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