Time to review another of Cold Steel's low-cost fixed blades: the Canadian Belt Knife, model number 20BCBL. It's a copy of the Grohmann Belt Knife, and sells for about $11 in stores. The knife is 8.7" overall and weighs 2.2 ounces without the sheath. On with the review...
Handle Specifications and Impressions: The Canadian Belt Knife has a black polypropylene handle that's 4.7" long. It has a lanyard hole about 1.3" from the butt. The polypropylene makes the handle more stable than wood, and it has a nice soft texture to it. The handle is off-set to the blade, keeping your fingers away from the edge. The handle is a little thinner than I would like, but it's comfortable and safe. I was able to use it in a variety of grip methods: mostly reverse and saber, but a thumb-reinforced icepick was difficult due to the semi-pointed surface of the butt of the handle. Overall, it keeps with its job as a utility tool, and doesn't twist loose like some knives do.
Blade Specifications and Impressions: The Canadian Belt Knife's blade is 4.1" long, with a 3.9" cutting edge. It's made of 4116 Krupp stainless steel, treated to Rc 56-57. It's a hollow ground blade and is 2.5mm thick. The left side of the blade had "Canadian Belt Knife" along with a logo etched on it, while the right side has COLD STEEL above TAIWAN etched on it. Both of these etchings can be easily removed with some sandpapaer, if you wish. The Canadian Belt Knife's blade has an elliptical shape (think a leaf). This makes it very effiecient at reducing drag, and the blade goes through materials with very little resistance. The back of the blade has thumb grooves for more control over the knife, and so your thumb doesn't slide forward on the blade. The blade came out of the box very sharp with only a small burr, which was quickly made shaving sharp. The knife retained this edge for about 15 or so times at batoning into some soft pine. It would still cut paper cleanly, but wouldn't shave. Keeping this edge, I cut some deer meat and fur with it. The fur quickly dulled the blade to the point that I had to touch it up before it was usable. Back to razor sharp, I cut up some cardboard and household items (brown paper grocery bags, rope, etc.) and the knife did a fine job at all of these. The cardboard dulled the blade, but this was to be expected on a razor-sharp blade. It was still sharp enough to go through 550 cord and rope with minimal effort.
Sheath Specifications and Impressions: The sheath is 6.75" long, not counting the belt loop that's sewn on. The belt loop is designed to fit on a belt up to 2" wide. The sheath is made of black Cordura, while the belt loop is black nylon. It's an open top sheath; there's no snap or Velcro on it. It is also straight in the back, with a slightly upswept front to accomodate the edge. The knife goes all the way into the sheath, excluding about 2.5" of the handle. This exposed portion is enough to get a grip on and pull it out, especially if you have a lanyard attached. The sheath does a fine job of not moving much while it's on your belt, but the first few times you'll have to get used to the sheath coming up about an inch or so when you withdraw the knife.
I believe this is another good value from Cold Steel. It won't compare to the Grohmann it's based on, but for an $11 knife, it's sure to satisfy your utility needs. It's okay for hunting, but for a morning walk in the woods or the apartment, this is a good buy. Check it out at http://www.coldsteel.com/20cbl.html
Handle Specifications and Impressions: The Canadian Belt Knife has a black polypropylene handle that's 4.7" long. It has a lanyard hole about 1.3" from the butt. The polypropylene makes the handle more stable than wood, and it has a nice soft texture to it. The handle is off-set to the blade, keeping your fingers away from the edge. The handle is a little thinner than I would like, but it's comfortable and safe. I was able to use it in a variety of grip methods: mostly reverse and saber, but a thumb-reinforced icepick was difficult due to the semi-pointed surface of the butt of the handle. Overall, it keeps with its job as a utility tool, and doesn't twist loose like some knives do.
Blade Specifications and Impressions: The Canadian Belt Knife's blade is 4.1" long, with a 3.9" cutting edge. It's made of 4116 Krupp stainless steel, treated to Rc 56-57. It's a hollow ground blade and is 2.5mm thick. The left side of the blade had "Canadian Belt Knife" along with a logo etched on it, while the right side has COLD STEEL above TAIWAN etched on it. Both of these etchings can be easily removed with some sandpapaer, if you wish. The Canadian Belt Knife's blade has an elliptical shape (think a leaf). This makes it very effiecient at reducing drag, and the blade goes through materials with very little resistance. The back of the blade has thumb grooves for more control over the knife, and so your thumb doesn't slide forward on the blade. The blade came out of the box very sharp with only a small burr, which was quickly made shaving sharp. The knife retained this edge for about 15 or so times at batoning into some soft pine. It would still cut paper cleanly, but wouldn't shave. Keeping this edge, I cut some deer meat and fur with it. The fur quickly dulled the blade to the point that I had to touch it up before it was usable. Back to razor sharp, I cut up some cardboard and household items (brown paper grocery bags, rope, etc.) and the knife did a fine job at all of these. The cardboard dulled the blade, but this was to be expected on a razor-sharp blade. It was still sharp enough to go through 550 cord and rope with minimal effort.
Sheath Specifications and Impressions: The sheath is 6.75" long, not counting the belt loop that's sewn on. The belt loop is designed to fit on a belt up to 2" wide. The sheath is made of black Cordura, while the belt loop is black nylon. It's an open top sheath; there's no snap or Velcro on it. It is also straight in the back, with a slightly upswept front to accomodate the edge. The knife goes all the way into the sheath, excluding about 2.5" of the handle. This exposed portion is enough to get a grip on and pull it out, especially if you have a lanyard attached. The sheath does a fine job of not moving much while it's on your belt, but the first few times you'll have to get used to the sheath coming up about an inch or so when you withdraw the knife.
I believe this is another good value from Cold Steel. It won't compare to the Grohmann it's based on, but for an $11 knife, it's sure to satisfy your utility needs. It's okay for hunting, but for a morning walk in the woods or the apartment, this is a good buy. Check it out at http://www.coldsteel.com/20cbl.html
