Cold Steel Ti-Lite: Titanium vs Zytel

A

ayz

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Jul 5, 2004
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These two are the same knife, except the titanium version has a titanium handle and AUS8A steel blade, whereas the zytel has a zytel handel and 440A stainess.

My question is, is there a signficant enough difference between the two knives to warrant the $60 difference? If anyone owns one of these, your input would be greatly appreciated. Basically, i'm worred about blade and handle strength on the zytel.
 
I have the Zytel model. It's not a bad knife and I like it for something different. It's very grippy and I like the long thin blade. It's a typical Cold Steel: the materials aren't cutting edge but the design is fiercely original and workmanship is satisfactory. Not exemplary just satisfactory.

I'll give it points for being unique and well made (haven't had a bit of trouble with mine) but it's not my favorite knife in its price range.

Pros:

Unusual design. I actually like the guards; they were a very good idea considering the shape of the handle and blade. It's a good looking piece and it's a bit of a conversation piece as well.
Seems well made. The fit and finish on mine are satisfactory.
Pierces very well. It almost cuts like a slipjoint.
I personally like the size of the Ti-Lite.

Cons:

They could have used a slightly better steel and kept the price the same. It's a bit overpriced for what you're getting but not too overpriced.

It's not really a quick opener. This combined with the fact it's a liner lock makes it not really viable for a tactical folder in my mind.

I give it a B-

If you want something a little bit different I'd say go for it but I wouldn't spring for the Ti handled version unless you just really like this design. Try the Zytel model first so you can go "errr... neat but not my favorite". Even if you are the 1 in 10000 people who would actually EDC the Ti-Lite I'd get both versions so you can have a "beater".

For something different the Zytel model is fun but if I were looking for a $100 knife I'd get an offering from Spyderco or Benchmade and get more for my money.
 
thanks. the main thing is that i like the stiletto design. i have plenty of tactical folders, the main one i carry around is a benchmade stryker automatic. i just want to buy a stiletto-styled knife this time.
 
ayzianboy said:
My question is, is there a signficant enough difference between the two knives to warrant the $60 difference? If anyone owns one of these, your input would be greatly appreciated. Basically, i'm worred about blade and handle strength on the zytel.
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Hey Ayzianboy:

I have the titanium Ti-Lite and am glad that I went with the more expensive version with the better handle and steel. I have a choice of EDCing several high-quality knives, but after a while I just started EDCing the Ti-Lite every day.

The blade shape is perfect for most of the cutting that I do, and the knife snaps open easily when I pull if from my pocket, which is a handy one-handed feature. It's just a very nice knife to use.

The first one I got didn't open right and Cold Steel exchanged it for one that works like a dream. The liner lock is not my favorite, but in the titanium version the lock is titantium, which I presume is stronger than steel.

One problem I've noticed is that if I snap the blade open too hard, the lock jams and takes quite a bit of effort to close the knife.
 
Putting AUS-8 inside titanium handles seems like putting vinyl seats in a Ferrari to me.

Out of curiosity, if autos are legal in your area, why not get a "real" stilleto auto? You can get the Darrel Ralph/Wilson for around $150 (154CM), a Protech Godfather for $160-250 (basic-special models) or a Godson for less, a Dalton Companion for $175, or any number of "classic" styled ones for cheap (for cheap ones) to extremely expensive (for customs).
 
Twindog said:
The first one I got didn't open right and Cold Steel exchanged it for one that works like a dream. The liner lock is not my favorite, but in the titanium version the lock is titantium, which I presume is stronger than steel.
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Even on the cheap version it's a well made liner lock. It seems reliable. I think the version you have will supposedly take 75 pounds of spine pressure before catastrophic failure which is about what an Endura will take so that's strong enough. Remember that strength isn't reliability and vice versa but it seems the TiLite's lock is okay in either version.

Planterz said:
Putting AUS-8 inside titanium handles seems like putting vinyl seats in a Ferrari to me.

Out of curiosity, if autos are legal in your area, why not get a "real" stilleto auto? You can get the Darrel Ralph/Wilson for around $150 (154CM), a Protech Godfather for $160-250 (basic-special models) or a Godson for less, a Dalton Companion for $175, or any number of "classic" styled ones for cheap (for cheap ones) to extremely expensive (for customs).
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That's kind of how I see it too, I'd rather buy something else for so much money, but if you just really like the Cold Steel design I can see spending the extra money. Besides I doubt that autos are legal where they are; most people don't live in Oregon :p

The TiLite isn't for everyone but it is an interesting knife imho.
 
DeadManWalking said:
Besides I doubt that autos are legal where they are; most people don't live in Oregon :p
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Neither do I. I live in Arizona, and autos are legal here too. :p And unlike Oregon, you can conceal them. :cool:

One thing to be aware of though, is that even if autos are legal, "stilettos" are often listed in the description of illegal knives (along with other archaic descriptions like "bowie", "dirk" and "dagger").
 
Planterz said:
Putting AUS-8 inside titanium handles seems like putting vinyl seats in a Ferrari to me.

Out of curiosity, if autos are legal in your area, why not get a "real" stilleto auto? You can get the Darrel Ralph/Wilson for around $150 (154CM), a Protech Godfather for $160-250 (basic-special models) or a Godson for less, a Dalton Companion for $175, or any number of "classic" styled ones for cheap (for cheap ones) to extremely expensive (for customs).
Click to expand...


The Godfather at $220 is out of my price range.

I've tried the Darrel Ralph/Wilson TAS before, and I don't like the action on it. It doesn't quite snap too well, seems kinda weak.

If you could link me to some of these other alternatives, that would be great.
 
Not all Godfathers are that expensive. The Basic can be hand for $160. Other models (mostly handle variations) are around $200-250. The Godson is basically the same knife, just smaller and cheaper. The Dalton Companion may be harder to find. Here is a site with a couple varients for $175. The same site ( www.pvk.com ) has a wide assortment of the cheaper italian styled stilettos, but these aren't the greatest knives (great letter openers though). Hubertus makes a couple stiletto bladed knives too (also found at pvk).
 
I have a T-light titanium. Great knife the over locking discribed will not happen after break in ( about 200 openings or 3 days for me lol ) I don't understand the comment of slow to open I can snap mine as fast as my assisted opener's and it can be waved open on your pocket like an Emerson when drawn so it is verry fast. Over all I like it. :D
 
"The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of a bargain is forgotten."

I ordered one in Zytel, anyway.

trix
 
My Ti-Lite Zytel arrived today and is my new EDC. I don't think I have any regrets that I didn't get the Titanium. There's always something better out there, more custom, whatever. I guess if it was purely for collecting, the Titanium would be the way to go, but for the way I use (and lose) knives, this will do.

I can open the Ti-Lite as fast as my Endura and the edge is plenty sharp out of the box. Whether it keeps an edge waits to be seen.

If there is a down side to this, my family thinks I've gone a little too far walking around with this stiletto in my pocket.
 
Planterz said:
Putting AUS-8 inside titanium handles seems like putting vinyl seats in a Ferrari to me.

A Ferrari with vinyl seats is still an awesome car. You'd rather have a Chevy with leather seats?
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Uh, Ferrari did use Vinyl seats in the Testarossa at some point. Besides, GM's leather is...::shudder
And AUS8 takes one nice edge
 
I had a Chevy with vinyl seats... Maybe that's why I have a knife with 440A and zytel. With the money I saved, I bought one of those new Schwinn Stingrays for the kid. Pretty sweet.
 
Current C/S Ti-Lite production (last 15-years at least) have not been Titanium handle scaled.

Only Zytel & 7075 Aluminum handle scales with stainless liners. I have Ti version from way back as comparison knife.

A properly tuned a Ti-Lite will open as fast as any knife (pocket-draw, thumb-flick, quillion-rake, gravity-flick, quillion-thumb-flick, etc.).

As a non-leathal impact device is where this Phil Boguszewski (R.I.P.) design/influenced knife really achieves great levels of performance (those sharp quillions are very persuasive. Additionally, raking the quillion on an opponents arm, leg, chest is an interesting deployment option that very few defensive knifes offer (the ability to open & lock the blade in a close combative strike. Catch that quillion on anything and the blade flies open into locked position. Be careful practicing this, as knife can both open & penetrate on same motion.
 
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