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- Aug 4, 2013
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I believe the 2021 CS catalog still has the Lynn Thompson Saber, but not the 1917 Cutlass and it's variants.
But... Lynn Thompson's new 'Never Unarmed' company does have them on their website.
The standard CS 1917 Navy Cutlass is almost a straight up reproduction of the Dutch Klewang, not of the 1917 US Navy Cutlass. But, yes, the US Navy 1917 Cutlass was obviously based on the Klewang, with the biggest difference being that the 1917 Navy Cutlass had a non perforated basket handguard, where as the Klewangs were perforated.
If you search engine the Dutch Klewang, and then the original 1917 US Military Navy Cutlass, it becomes obvious that Cold Steel misnamed their offering from the get go as the 1917 Cutlass. It should have been titled as the Cold Steel Dutch Klewang, since that is what it's a dead ringer to. Not a biggy either way, but when someone asks me about my CS 1917 Cutlass, I always make it a point to be clear that the Cold Steel Cutlass is basically a reproduction of the Dutch Klewang, (which I believe the Dutch made some themselves, and had some made in Germany and the United States).
The American made Klewangs were made by two firms, 'Milsco' and 'Vince'.
I do wonder if more of Cold Steel's discontinued products will wind up being picked up by Lynn Thompson as his own company's offerings?... Hmm!
I mean, it would have been a pretty brilliant move on his part if he made such a deal during the sale of his company. If he foreseen that they would likely turn more politically correct in their offerings in the near future, he could have arranged for the option of being able to pick up any of their discarded models. His less than politically correct 'Never Unarmed' brand could continue to carry things that GSM decides they want no part of. This way there would be no competition between them, with him simply offering what they won't carry.
It does seem that the CS 1917 Navy Cutlass goes pretty way back with Lynn Thompson... It may have been one of his first sword offerings. It is said that it has one common CS sword drawback, that being that it's a bit heavier than the original Dutch Klewangs. That said, it may also be one of the most robust/durable swords that CS has ever offered. The Klewangs are truly full tang, (as is Cold Steel's Cutlass). The CS Cutlass Rosewood handle scales are attached on both sides of the tang, with the tang clearly being seen all the way around in between those scales. I believe original Klewangs had their scales secured by rivets, where as the CS rendition has them secured via brass screws. The CS Cutlass uses a 1055 blued steel blade.
My personal specimen, shown in the photo below, was very well executed in it's blade, handle, and sheath construction. I feel it's a lot of product for the little amount of money they could be had for. If they remain at the same quality under Lynn's new company, and if the price can be held to the same level they've been selling for, it makes for a lot of bang for the buck purchase
Another thing I noticed in Cold Steel's 2021 catalog, is the mentioning of using "Sal Wood" for handle material on a lot of products that previously used to be done with "Rosewood".
While the catalog itself has the Malaysian Sal Wood in place of where it was usually Rosewood that was being used, the CS website page descriptions of products are still listing the Rosewood.
I don't have hands on experience with Malaysian Sal Wood, but from what little I have read about it, it's not good for polishing, where as I have found Rosewood to polish up very well. Also, based on photos online of the woods appearance, it seems like very bland stuff, not a grain that will be exciting in any way to one' eyes.
My reading on the Sal Wood also says that it's hard and durable, but prone to developing cracks when exposed to sunlight.
I imagine the change to Sal Wood is a matter of cost savings. I don't know how this new wood choice will pan out in the long run, but I will say that I have surely appreciated the Rosewood.
But... Lynn Thompson's new 'Never Unarmed' company does have them on their website.
The standard CS 1917 Navy Cutlass is almost a straight up reproduction of the Dutch Klewang, not of the 1917 US Navy Cutlass. But, yes, the US Navy 1917 Cutlass was obviously based on the Klewang, with the biggest difference being that the 1917 Navy Cutlass had a non perforated basket handguard, where as the Klewangs were perforated.
If you search engine the Dutch Klewang, and then the original 1917 US Military Navy Cutlass, it becomes obvious that Cold Steel misnamed their offering from the get go as the 1917 Cutlass. It should have been titled as the Cold Steel Dutch Klewang, since that is what it's a dead ringer to. Not a biggy either way, but when someone asks me about my CS 1917 Cutlass, I always make it a point to be clear that the Cold Steel Cutlass is basically a reproduction of the Dutch Klewang, (which I believe the Dutch made some themselves, and had some made in Germany and the United States).
The American made Klewangs were made by two firms, 'Milsco' and 'Vince'.
I do wonder if more of Cold Steel's discontinued products will wind up being picked up by Lynn Thompson as his own company's offerings?... Hmm!
I mean, it would have been a pretty brilliant move on his part if he made such a deal during the sale of his company. If he foreseen that they would likely turn more politically correct in their offerings in the near future, he could have arranged for the option of being able to pick up any of their discarded models. His less than politically correct 'Never Unarmed' brand could continue to carry things that GSM decides they want no part of. This way there would be no competition between them, with him simply offering what they won't carry.
It does seem that the CS 1917 Navy Cutlass goes pretty way back with Lynn Thompson... It may have been one of his first sword offerings. It is said that it has one common CS sword drawback, that being that it's a bit heavier than the original Dutch Klewangs. That said, it may also be one of the most robust/durable swords that CS has ever offered. The Klewangs are truly full tang, (as is Cold Steel's Cutlass). The CS Cutlass Rosewood handle scales are attached on both sides of the tang, with the tang clearly being seen all the way around in between those scales. I believe original Klewangs had their scales secured by rivets, where as the CS rendition has them secured via brass screws. The CS Cutlass uses a 1055 blued steel blade.
My personal specimen, shown in the photo below, was very well executed in it's blade, handle, and sheath construction. I feel it's a lot of product for the little amount of money they could be had for. If they remain at the same quality under Lynn's new company, and if the price can be held to the same level they've been selling for, it makes for a lot of bang for the buck purchase
Another thing I noticed in Cold Steel's 2021 catalog, is the mentioning of using "Sal Wood" for handle material on a lot of products that previously used to be done with "Rosewood".
While the catalog itself has the Malaysian Sal Wood in place of where it was usually Rosewood that was being used, the CS website page descriptions of products are still listing the Rosewood.
I don't have hands on experience with Malaysian Sal Wood, but from what little I have read about it, it's not good for polishing, where as I have found Rosewood to polish up very well. Also, based on photos online of the woods appearance, it seems like very bland stuff, not a grain that will be exciting in any way to one' eyes.
My reading on the Sal Wood also says that it's hard and durable, but prone to developing cracks when exposed to sunlight.
I imagine the change to Sal Wood is a matter of cost savings. I don't know how this new wood choice will pan out in the long run, but I will say that I have surely appreciated the Rosewood.
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