Cold Steel OSS?

AlaChoctaw

AlaChoctaw

Joined
Jul 17, 1999
Messages
795
Has anyone had their hands on the new Cold Steel OSS for long enough to get an impression? I really want a Black Bear Classic, but am short of cash and don't want to trade off anything I have of that value right now. I will soon be able to afford an OSS, if they're worth it. Opinion, anyone? Thanks, James:confused:
 
I hadn't even heard of the OSS until your posting so I logged onto the Cold Steel web site to check it out. I know you asked for people to respond that have actually held one in their hand but here's my two cents. It's nothing more than a Black Bear Classic that's been taken a little down market to make it more affordable. I'm sure it's a well made knife, your decision should be made based on personal preferrence. Do you care that the handle, hilt and sub-hilt are all molded from one piece of plastic? Do you care that the blade is bead blasted instead of polished? If you've answered "no" to each of these questions go ahead and buy the OSS, on the other hand, if you're bothered by the differences save your money awhile longer and buy the Black Bear Classic. Hope that helps without sounding negative.
 
AlaChoctaw,
I messed with one a few weeks ago at Ruff's.
The knife is pure fighter as far as I'm concerned.
The Kraton on the finger/secondary guard is pretty stiff.
I was actually surprised at the stiffness.
It works, but not as well as the metal guarded version. Obviously.
The knife is thin edged and hair poppin sharp.
It felt lightweight and fast in my hand and was comfortable to hold.

IMO, it looks well worth the relatively small price they are going for.

Especially if they are using 420HC, like I hear.
CS is only saying 420, but as you know, there are a couple of different grades of this stuff.
The 420J2 I would use only on a butter knife.

The 420HC, OTOH, has been used by Buck for a long time on their 110 and various other models. Works pretty damn good on those models.

I have every intention of coming home with one the next time I'm out there.
 
Go here

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=137876

for an initial review I did of the OSS. Read the entire thread because it gets a little interesting...

I have since taken the OSS out on a few occasions and have been ever more impressed with it. I know it's a fighter by design but I have used it mainly as a general purpose, utility/camp blade. I have really been impressed with the sheath. I am considering getting the UWK in this line to use as a general purpose knife to replace the OSS because it is more suited to the tasks of "general purpose" as opposed to the fighter design.

Peace-
Cam
 
James,
Drop by Southeastern Guns in Centerpoint if you want to handle one.
Can't remember the price, but they're close to internet prices on most of their stuff.
 
Hi There !

This is my initial response based upon a visual inspection, so I can't get into its steel quality bit. I found the finish on the blade acceptable, it must have been the work of a modern CNC facility. Only draw back was that its guard wasn't of brass or something harder. To me a fighting knife requires something a little more protective than a kraton guard, don't you think? Its a major drawback for a blade on blade situation. So perhaps the guard should have been made thicker and shorter, if having a kraton guard was the intention. I was expecting something a lot less in appearance. Wasn't too bad but it would take some getting use to for old time Cold Steel users, granted that the Seki blades were exquisitely made with a better grade of steel.

On this I would say that the OSS is an extension to the Peacekeeper range rather than a poorman's Blackbear. Frankly, it's a "must have" if only because its the introduction to a new phase in the manufacture of Cold Steel knives today. Now if only they can convince me that 420 is "the knife steel" for the future. I would have preferred to see a different set of original designs from Cold Steel Knives instead of replicating known knife patterns. Maybe than others would have been more receptive of their latest fixed blade effort. To be entirely fair, the Spike was interesting and the Recon-1 folder is probably the best looking folder from Cold Steel to date. Now that's raising the bar a level higher!


Krizzard. out.
"...Whoever kills with the sword must be killed by the sword... "
- The New Testament, Revelation 13:10
 
theres a million knife people out there, someone must have a used CS Big Bear in good condition for sale, no ??????

the coated guard was my objection to the OSS, the metal guard is so much more practical, i might just bite the bullet and shell out the
big $$$ for the big bear.
 
I have no experience with either of the cold steel subhilts. However, there's a guy who lives close to me (a fair way away from you :) ), who is making some custom subhilts at prices you would not believe. E-mail me if you want contact details.

James
 
I have a NIB Black Bear Classic but I am not able to sell or trade here on BF's so guess I will just have to keep it. :rolleyes:
 
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