Which Cold Steel Knife? (2 to avoid, and 2 to buy)

Controversial opinions on these cold steel staples

Cold steel Voyager (Clip Point)
Cold Steel Air Lite

other knives from Cold Steel I highly recommend:
SR1 Lite
SR1
4MAX Scout
American Lawman
Bush Ranger

[dlrmon]

Out of the box, I can relate. Over time my Recon 1 and Voyager have improved greatly. My Code 4 took over a year till it started working well.

[shawnsears]

Modified my Code 4 with a pattern of gun tape on the scales, a titanium deep pocket clip, a snaggletooth and a 3 inch pigtail of braided paracord. It's now a near perfect ever day carry.

Purchased my custom Recon 1 without the black coating on the blade. No issues with deployment.

[SteveJohnsonPHANTOM]

Ive owned and used just about every Cold steel knife ever made. And the Recon 1 is the absolute best on the Market.

[skibbiethegamecat]

I like the thick blade stock on a Cold Steel knife for confident heavy use. I have the SR1 in tanto point and enjoy the neutral handle without the grooves for fingers a little better. The Voyager XL is great and always puts a smile on the face while using. The serrated version is great on those for hacking and slashing and destroying whatever you give it.

[iboo]

edc my code 4 for a few years it got sand blasted and polished, it grips grate it does not slip out your hand, while polishing it it cought the buffer wheel several times, we are talking industrial grade equipment. it kicked hard but it suprisingly stayd in my hand and dint go flyng. blade is great keeps sharp and does not brake i open cans of food or anything. it s a work horse

[danielsmit]

I wish they would upgrade the scales on the Code 4 to a frag pattern. Such an awesome knife, just add a little texture and maybe the slightestbit of extra thickness. I love the hollow grind on it for edc.

[jdh]

Definitely check out the Black Talon 2. I have the plain edge version and it is insanely badass. Big and smooth and solid with a razor chisel edge. Can be "waved" open and actually has a decent pocket clip. And almost as slim as an Air Lite, which is crazy. You can easily carry it in the waistband of gym shorts.

[gregorygolden]

RECON-1 in my pocket Everyday. It don't sit on a shelf with 20 other knives. Its for working, not looking at.

[jonrost]

I want to try an American lawman from cold steel. Great video.

[cashdingo]

I bought an XL voyager and then bought the discontinued colossus as it had prettier g10 compared to frn and XHP compared to AUS10, but like you said the voyager is way more satisfying to use and I find myself always grabbing it instead.

[franciscoscaramanga]

I have 2 Recons (in AUS 8A & S35VN). They were made during the Lynn Thompson era, and I don't have any issues with them whatsoever. They both work perfectly and are incredibly smooth.

[fivevs]

Love the airlite. It's nearly perfect with the only flaw being the screws they provide for the pocket clip. The screws are required to keep the knife together and the pocket clip screws are too long to use without the pocket clip. I hate pocket clips because they catch on things all the time and then they send your knife or tool flying out of your pocket.

[NJames-dhkz]

Is that a bow drill divot in the custom AD10 handle scale?

[mikeborrelli]

The Air Lite is most definitely a hard use folder when objectively compared to almost any other brands folding knife. However when compared against hard use CS Triad folders made by Cold Steel (like the Recon 1, AK47, AD10, ect it might fall a bit short. But just barely. That being said, the Airlite punches FAR above its 3 oz weight. Other hard use lightweight sleepers are the 3" Recon Mini and the 4" Range Boss (FRN version of the discontinued Broken Skull) with lower grade steel..

[gnomersy]

Interesting to see how different our opinions are.

I never had any issues with my Recon 1 for deployment but the lock initially was pretty brutal and although the G10 feels good in the hand it was so rough it wanted to take my pockets with it anytime I took it out. Gave the scales a quick hit with a sanding block to take the edge off and it's served me faithfully ever since.

The Code 4 is definitely more pocket friendly than it is hand friendly given how narrow it is but it's a pretty light and comfortable knife to carry for the size of knife it is so I don't think it's that much of a bad thing for an edc knife and I personally don't feel like it's going to slip out of my hand when I open or use it but obviously ymmv.

I don't have the AD10 but I do have the 4max scout which is pretty similar if a bit chunkier and that is a comfortable and thwack-y knife to play with but the 4max is probably about as unrealistic to EDC as the Voyager XL.

Speaking of the Voyager out of all of the cold steel knives I have it feels by far the cheapest and most plastic-y in the handle department. Still a perfectly sturdy knife and practical assuming you get the normal sized ones but the scales don't feel high quality from a tactile perspective.

[vanemaster]

Just so you know, there's also a medium Voyager. Smaller than the Large.

Edit: been discontinued though.

[jamesg]

I have the code 4, not a bad knife for $62, not really that slippery unless you have no grip strength, it's slim so it's nice for EDC. No hard feelings I like them all.

[Richard-nbiv]

I currently edc the CS American Lawman. I used to edc my Code 4 clip point but in -20 it can leave quite the cold spot on my pocket leg and cold to the hands. The g10 handles eliminate that problem.
The first Cold Steel folder I bought is the AD-10, beautiful knife! Since then have have bought over 20+ Cold steel knives including 2 XL Espadas( s35vn and Aus 10).
You should notice that when the Recon 1 is closed there is no gap to prevent the deployment of the knife because of debris. This has happened to me with the A.L. fortunately I was just mucking about when I noticed it wouldn't engage. That's a definite pro for the Recon 1.
If I were requiring folder for harsh conditions the Recon 1 checks most of the boxes.
Great video, love the content! 😂

[thorin]

If you something ridiculous try the Rajah 2.
Big but can still sort of pocket carry.

[Clitcommander]

You can return a blade just because you dont like it?