I’ve always been curious about Cold Steel’s 1055 knives but online reviews mentioning uneven grinds, less-than-ideal edge retention, and soft heat treatment gave me pause. I’m referring to the 1055 Kukris, Black Bear knife, Latin machete, gladius, etc.The bowie machetes are very under rated. Not as machetes - blades too short - but as a fighting bowie. Big, light, fast - easy to sharpen (including the clip for a back cut) and easy to mod. Cheap enough that if you lose or destroy one, it's not exactly a tragedy.
Well, those are cheap machetes, but they are functional. I own a couple and they don't disappoint.I’ve always been curious about Cold Steel’s 1055 knives but online reviews mentioning uneven grinds, less-than-ideal edge retention, and soft heat treatment gave me pause. I’m referring to the 1055 Kukris, Black Bear knife, Latin machete, gladius, etc.
The Shanghai Warrior and the Shanghai Shadow are the best renditions of a smatchet at a very reasonable price that I know of.
When I think underrated, the Recon 1 comes to mind. The Cold Steel community regards it highly, but I don't feel that it gets the praise it deserves in the broader knife community.
I also agree with what others have said about the American Lawman. I put it in the same category as the PM2. It is a fantastic EDC.
“In the broader knife community,” that’s true. Based on the EDC threads, most folks seem to prefer ZTs, Hinderers, CRKs, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Those are very fine knives too.This could have been my post. Totally agree with both assessments.
Nice, you got it in XHP too. I’ll probably just get the Aus10a large version in the future.Medium Espada IMO is the best of the Espada series, it's probably the strongest knife of this size. I didn't know it was discontinued until i tried to buy another last night. It's a bummer :-(
Just picked one up. Cant wait to use it tomorrow.The Recon 1s and Trailmasters are fantastic knives, but do you have lesser known knives that performed better than expected? My pick would be the Rajah 3. Heck of a utility knife, and the scales feel great in hand.
She’s a gem alright. Hope you enjoy your new knife.Just picked one up. Cant wait to use it tomorrow.
I ordered a Frenzy 2 last night. I have been meaning to get one for awhile...ready edge
para edge
super edge
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I ordered a Frenzy 2 last night. I have been meaning to get one for awhile...
I can't wait for it to get here. My biggest folder will remain my Ti Lite 6" in aluminum and S35VN.
But the frenzy should be quite a bit more pocketable and weighs a lot less.
Too bad they did not sell well as it looks like an excellent design.
I think cold steel is under rated in general by the knife community. They’ve added a lot to the knife culture and in my opinion deserve to be placed in the top category of knife companies. They have great designs and affordable prices with quality steel not matter the type.
Anyone can get a cold steel knife thanks to their selection of knives and price levels. Their lite lines are and awesome thing. Hats off to making great knives.