Original Cold Steel San Mai Knives

[tatfiend]

I have a couple of the original Cold Steel San Mai made in Japan composite blade knives from the 1970s or so IIRC. One is a fixed blade large Tanto and the other a 3.5" blade lockback folder with a fully checkered rubber covered handle with no visible pins or screws. At the time I bought them the San Mais were Cold Steels top of the line knives I believe. Are these still considered to be good knives? What were the two steels used in the blades out of curiosity?

I note that Cold Steel does not even bother to have a manufacturers presence on the group. Do they still make any knives here?

 

[CWL]

Cold Steel never made any knives in the USA as they have always imported their knives. Your Tanto knife is likely from the mid 1980's as CS wasn't around in the 1970s.

San Mai is still their higher end junk, but it is still only laminated steel, which isn't all that expensive to buy. Just hype. These are functional but not exceptional knives.

The reason why CS doesn't bother with a presence here or on other knife sites is that it wouldn't fit ther marketing style. CS sells on hype and Lynn Thompson is good at that himself. Also, CS steals a lot of designs and wouldn't be interested in giving a voice for this to be aired.

Did you notice my lack of respect for CS?

 

[longbow]

CS has always made there Cabon V line in the U.S. CS gets alot of respect here on the forums. When they don't it is mostly due to LT's advertising hype and from folks that have never owned one. Some of their designs are unique and have mall ninja appeal but some are rock solid users, like my Carbon V Master Hunter bought when it first came out. Not a better hunter/field utility or all rounder made imho. I just bought a Talon folder too, Taiwan made and it is frankly a kick ass folder and I don't say that lightly. CS was not around in the 70's, but started I think around mid 80's. I've owned a bunch over the years mostly Voyager series, and the TM and Recon Scout series of fixed blades and some of the original Recon Series(that CS licensed the axis from BM) that were used as beaters. The tri-ad lock is hands down the BEST locking system out there for a folder, and again I don't say the lightly either. So there ya go. The San Mai steel mostly was AUS8a on the cutting edge but I believe they used VG-1 at some point too. I've owned several of the "custom" series of folders and fit and finish on all 3 that I owned was beyond reproach. Mostly into handmade's now but that in no way diminishes what CS has made. keepem sharp

 

[crom]

CS's knives up until recently were produced in USA, Japan, Taiwan and China. The USA manufactured knives have been discontinued since the maker went out of business. The SAN MAI knives are still made in Japan IIRC and have a VG1 core with something like 420 stainless cladding, hardly "junk" and probably overpriced nonetheless.

 

[416isToronto]

The Cold Steel San Mai knives are still all made in Japan. According to old CS catalogs they introduced VG-1 in 2006. Seems like before that they used Aus8a for the core in San Mai blades. Current ones are VG-1 sandwiched by 420J2 and marked as VG-1 San Mai whereas the Aus8a one were marked just San Mai.
Another difference i have noticed is that the newer Tantos have a more angular transition near the tip of of the blade...


The two Magnum Tanto ii s are current and marked VG-1, the Master Tanto is older and marked San Mai, Recon Tanto is also marked VG-1 San Mai.

 

[CJZ]

Cold Steel never made any knives in the USA as they have always imported their knives. Your Tanto knife is likely from the mid 1980's as CS wasn't around in the 1970s.

San Mai is still their higher end junk, but it is still only laminated steel, which isn't all that expensive to buy. Just hype. These are functional but not exceptional knives.

The reason why CS doesn't bother with a presence here or on other knife sites is that it wouldn't fit ther marketing style. CS sells on hype and Lynn Thompson is good at that himself. Also, CS steals a lot of designs and wouldn't be interested in giving a voice for this to be aired.

Did you notice my lack of respect for CS?

Actually, their balisong, the Arch Angel, was manufactured in the US