My promise to you was more Cold Steel videos, and boy I intend to keep my promise
even if it’s a stupid internet promise. Now on my videos where I feature any Cold Steels, and
sometimes just out of the blue I’ll get suggestions about Cold Steels.
I own exactly 19 or thereabouts Cold Steels, and over the years I reviewed some loaners.
I buy them when I find a good deal, or someone gives them to me. And while I may not have your
Cold Steel, or have the money to buy it right now, or wanna borrow it, I think it’s pretty cool man,
thanks for sharing. But let’s take a look at the Cold Steels that have come into my hands,
which is something I would assume is posted quite frequently by grown ass men. And to be
honest the only way you’re going to get validation on your badass cold steel collection is a stranger
on the internet. Ok let’s dig into the 10,000 version of my Cold Steel collection on Youtube.
First up the Espada XL. This is literally the Cold Steel, other than Lynn. If you melted down up a
man wearing a western suit and a bolo tie, in his 75 Eldorado, and his pockets contained little blue
pills, some loose change, a money clip full of 1’s with an hundred on the outside, a cheap but
huge Italian stiletto in his pocket and forged it into a big fucking knife this would be it. It’s
what I like to call a thinking mans knife. Because someone stabbed a guy who was way to smart for his
own good, am I right? That’s what you get for thinking! I marvel at this knife’s existence.
It’s excess, its size and it’s beautiful grace as you sling it out of your pocket. My guess it’s
primary use would be as a weapon? But the kind you’d rather have pulled out of your waistband
as you lay face down on the concrete shirtless yelling I’m fucking innocent. It weighs one pound,
with a shimmering s35Vn massive blade. I did a video on this, so please go watch it. It’s hard
to compare anything else to this magnificent piece of cutlery. Don’t ask why, just understand that it
simply exists. If you think it seems awkward for self defense, then you just don’t understand who
it was made for. Oh and an anecdote, Cold Steel asked if they could share that slow mo batoning
video I put up on Instagram, I of course am a whore for more followers so I said yes. It was up
two minutes and they took it down. Did it violate the warranty? Did it seem dangerous. I hope so.
Now that we have the most important Cold Steel out of the way. Let’s go in order
of ones I like the most or find useful. And then end on the ones I like least.
Ok number 2. How about the Broken Skull. If one were to need a nice useful pocket knife, one
that’s got a pretty decent factory edge and say is easy to maintain on a stupid persons sharpening
system like the Spyderco Sharpmaker, this is it. It has a big blade, so it’d be good for
food prep and general utility. It comes in a nice wearing S35VN steel, is thin, and light
in the pocket, and has a strong lock. These run about 70 bucks, and in my opinion for a weight
to blade length ratio, to the pocket-ability aspect the best Cold Steel every day carry I
own. While it may have a wrestler’s name on it, and be called Broken Skull it’s quite reasonable
and tasteful. I have a full review on this on Youtube already- check it out it’s a stunner.
Pocket clip is tough though, but is there such thing as a perfect knife?
3 is the The Cold Steel Code 4, I could have made it 4 but I thought what if it could drive a few
weirdos crazy. The handle was a bit slick, but I have been described as too slick too,
too slick also. I mean like not how the old guys said cool, but more like the greasy kind of slick.
I guess old guys say cool now too. This was a loaner. It was pretty good but I sold it. It’s
very tasteful, has a strong lock and a moderate sized every day carry.
No triangle texture to rip the shit out of your pocket. I never bought one, because
you know back locks are not my favorite locks, and I have other Cold Steels with
them. If this is your favorite that’s amazing. Good choice. See my video for thoughts.
Number 4. How about a sleeper. Sorry my mind is in wrestling mode. Something that looks outrageous,
but is still very functional. The Colossus, designed by Mike Wallace who also made my favorite
non kukri big ass fixed blade- the XXL Spear. I have knife films of both of these on Youtube,
by the way- but here’s why I like this one. It keeps within Cold Steels ridiculous design
aesthetic, but it’s well made and has a slicey blade. This tall sharp blade is easy to sharpen
and while it’s great at meat I’m sure, boy can it slice through a tomato,
or a meat boot. Which you know… I just had an amazing thought. What if there was a meat rope?
Number 5. Now the $150 Ad-15. Cold Steel’s nearly identical version of the classic Demko
Knives custom and mid tech design. It’s a little boring compared to the cool color ways of the
Demko but it’s a faithful reproduction in size and function. If you don’t have Demko money,
and to be honest I rarely do, you can go with this and get basically the same
knife that doesn’t look quite as sick as the original in your social media feed.
I take this one camping a lot. It’s a good size, feels sure in the hand, and easy to clean,
and I love the lock. I recently got some micarta scales for it from slashytones over on IG,
to get rid of the killer G10 and give it a little more of a Demko feel.
Number 6 is the special forces shovel. It has a sharpened edge so it counts as a knife.
This a cheap great compact shovel. It’s good for car camping, and gardening. You can chop, you can
dig. You can even throw it. The handle is cheap and replaceable, and the steel in the shovel is
pretty durable. 10/10 would buy again. I just put out a shovel film about this so go check it out.
Number 7. Now the SRK. You need a cheapass well made fixed blade for your shirtless yelling at
the kids, camping adventures at the KOA. I have found your knife. You wear it on the belt aint’
no one asking you to borrow salt. You sure as hell will ask to borrow a Coors though. At about $30,
it’s hard to find a mid size fixed blade that’s as good as a value as general purpose outdoor knife.
Baton it through logs, if you choose, and it’ll do just fine. Cut rope, twine, make booby traps,
just beyond your no trespassing signs. Yeah you can put those up at your campground so it feels
like Missouri. Sorry the part of Missouri where you live. The sheath it comes with has flexible
mounting options and is pretty durable. That rubberized handle is great in the hand or gloves,
and the carbon steel blade is easy to sharpen. Remember these are my ranking,
and a lot of the mid grade ones aren’t bad, but you know don’t meet my needs like they meet yours.
Number 8 Tuff Lite, and if it’s your favorite Cold Steel that’s fine. For me if I’m carrying a
small knife it’s usually a traditional. This is a great little capable cheap strong EDC knife. That
sentence just used up all my adjectives sorry. I heard the smaller version of this sucks and
it’s called the Tuff Lite Mini, at least I remember one person on the internet telling
me it’s terrible- so just treat that as fact. I don’t know why a knife with a 2 and a half inch
blade needs a mini version- like I can’t even believe Cold Steel thought it was a good idea,
2 inches versus two. “Lynn are you sure we should maker a knife this small what if someone calls us
cucks.” But this one is top notch. Most people who are Cold Steel aware may not know they made knives
this small and compact, so you’re your welcome hypothetical guy who doesn’t like Cold Steel much
but watches my 15-20 minute video about them. Not even a single wrestler endorsement written
anywhere on the blade, is kind of a shame. I have not done a review of this one either.
9 the Natchez bowie. The Cold Steel bowie that has my heart is the Trailmaster.
I ain’t never held one but if I did, my heart wood aflutter. I just know it would be right for
me. And this one is close to that but with a cable tang that still held up to lots of
whacking. It’s what I do in my spare time. I did a video about this, but it was a loaner. So I had
to give it back, what if I awoke the drama content Youtubers, who only tell the truth.
Advanced Knife Bro, kept my knife. Here’s why God will forgive you for sending him death threats.
10 Ok now the Wild West bowie, this one’s all mine. In
the great tradition of the defunct Western Bowies, this one is a faithful reproduction.
Big, Beautiful Western. From the brass cross guard to the brass screws,
to the brass lanyard hole. Can someone please correct me in the comments. This knife is just
a good looking classic pattern, with the perfect amount of brass. I don’t know what
the fuck practical uses are for knives this size, but I stopped trying to rationalize it years ago.
When you realize that there is no real good reason why knives this big exist you’ll be a lot
happier, and you won’t sound like a fucking moron trying to explain “well actually” in a forum post
or social media comment. IF YOU KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT SELF DEFENSE… It’s carbon steel blade was
surprisingly easy to touch up on the sharpmaker, must have been a good factory edge. The sheath is
also excellent- it’s the kind of sheath I like, you know the dangly ones. It’s a shame the brass
crossguard, rattles after some pounding. But nothing’s perfect. Other than Lynn Thompson.
Is this 11, The Frenzy. I don’t find this knife practical to carry much,
but it looks good and is fun. Is it for self defense? Sure? Whatever you think
bud. The handle is long and comfortable, it’s not safe to close with one hand,
but goddamn it I did it anyway and cut myself like a man. See my review from 2017? Jesus
I have been doing this too long. It was back when Cold Steel still used XHP steel.
12 the bush Ranger. This is another Mike Wallace joint. The handle is nice and comfortable it’s
a good size, and the comfortable sculpted G10 handle is a bit bulbous in the pocket,
but it feels sure in the hand. I’m more of a broken skull or AD 15 guy myself. Broken
skull is a lighter thinner carry, but the AD15 is useful and fidget
able. I am not a backlock kind of guy, and I only tolerate them on some knives, like traditionals,
cold steels, and a few spydercos. I have not done a review of this one yet.
13. Ok how about the TI Lite. The Tie Light? This is the aluminum handle one with
s35vn steel, and the 6 incher. It’s the one of the Ti-Lite series to get. On cold steels site they
have different categories of purposes in knives. Every Day Carry, hunting, Outdoors, and Tactical.
I guess you can’t say self defense, so tactical is a go-to term. To me it means everything and
nothing. But I do know tactical is the least useful category overall. Things that aren’t super
pocketable, stuff you can’t show your friends at the office, knives that show up in blurry polaroid
crime scene photos. A knife that if someone sees you holding or playing with, it’s like oh
there’s something seriously wrong with this person. Let me call the authorities.
This knife is so well made, and I paid about $35 for it which is an insane deal. I mean that yes,
it’s a deal that only someone insane can appreciate. I only paid $100 for this Iron Maiden,
isn’t it marvelous! There’s nothing disappointing about this knife. If you are curious, and have
money to buy a knife you’ll rarely ever use to cut things other than yourself. This is a great buy.
14. The all terrain chopper. It’s a bigass machete, it comes with a sling,
you can throw over your back. You can split wood with it so you choose. I mean an axe
or maul is always better for that, but it really takes the fun out when you use the
correct tools for the job. Plus it gives the you’re using it wrong guys a chance to get
their blood pressure going. I did a review of this, that featured steel reserve. Go watch it.
14.5. So When I wrote and recorded the voiceover I forgot I owned this one at some point, so
I have had to add this one back in in a half assed sort of way. And I wouldn’t want the completists
who celebrate the entire advanced knife bro knife cringe content to think I left it out.
Like the all terrain chopper this kukri shaped blade is just a machete. A sharpened piece of
metal. I mean it ain’t bad, it just doesn’t have the chopping power or weight of a real kukri and
cold steel did or does make an authenticish one. Used to be 20, maybe it costs 30 bucks now.
15. One more of the decent knives, before we get to the ones I don’t liktik.
The Finn Wolf. I assume at one point this had a nice decent unblemished Scandinavian grind on it.
By the time it got to me it was beat up. I have never reviewed this knife
and probably never will. It’s cheap and functional and not too bad looking. However
I am at a place personally in knife collecting that FRN or GFN of Grivory or
whatever this pretty unbreakable knife plastic is, well it’s kind of blah. G10 isn’t far behind for
me, but G10 can be given more flair. The steel is cheap too, but not bad. It’s a good knife
for a tool box or a work knife- absolutely nothing wrong with it, but I have much nicer,
or cooler knives. Sorry I just said cooler knives. Do I understand the word anymore?
16. Ok let’s get to the sucky ones. Some of them aren’t bad, but just never anything I would buy or
maybe I would buy it and regret it. The Hold Out. Now this knife has been modded as a clip point
by someone in the past, don’t know who, don’t know why, but they might have been on the brown
liquor. Did they snap off the tip prying? I dunno but It’s long in the pocket. I think I have this
now because it’s impossible to get rid of. I did a video on this a while back, that has a little
dawn of man space odyssey spoof that may run a few minutes too long. Ha ha we have fun around here.
17. The Luzon, the Lue son, the loser? You know if this knife did a few things better I would
probably like it more. The handle is made from an FRN or plastic, as is the clip. Is it thinner
than usual I don’t know. It feels more hollow than say a similar handled Finn Wolf or the Spartan.
Lock stick on this is a whole other level, almost like the backup lock doesn’t even need
to be there. The blade is sharp and I dunno this is one of the “tactical use” knives.
A well executed knife this size is the Ti Lite 6 incher, or the Frenzy. This kind of
feels like a toy with a recall on it. So I wouldn’t let your kids have it.
18. Now the Spartan. This knife is ridiculous. but maybe it’s the FRN handle. Maybe it’s too
much recurve? But it doesn’t work for me. I think the recurve made me rank it 18 and 17,
even though the Luzon feels cheaper. Pete gave me this years ago, I guess it will stay with me
probably till the end of time, until the kids throw in in the trash after I’ve died. It’d be
a good candidate for a giveaway. There is a review of this somewhere on Youtube from me,
and also from Pete. This video is a first that keeps on giving. I made some jokes about it being
Kukrish… and Cold Steels Product page and Blade HQ mention this. A LOL it’s actually a Kopis style.
It’s great. I get it though, it’s much easier to tell a guy like me I’m wrong than telling Cold
Steel. Cause they’d kill you. AKTUSALLY GUYS THE KUKRI WAS INPSIRED BY A KOPIS.
HERE ARE THE RELEVEANT LINKS. IVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH.
19. THE Voyager. Is this the medium? I don’t think they make this one any more but it’s way down the
list because I hate partially serrated knives and I’m petty. I like a full serrated sometimes for
crude cardboard or rope, and I have one of those on my Leatherman wave so I’m good. The handle
has fun windmill iconography, I think I’ve seen on the jackets of some nice gentlemen from motorcycle
clubs. This might be VG-1 steel. I don’t fully hate this knife but it’s ugly and plastic-
and windmills are not my thing. OH YOUR A SHEEP HUH? FOR YOUR INFORMATION IT WAS ALSO
USED DURING THE CRUSADES. No review on Youtube, and probably won’t be.
20. The worst of the Cold Steels that I own the Kudu. This is cold steels plastic,
or I mean Zy-Ex handle version of the classic South African Okapi style ring knife.
For years I have had people asking me to review this turd, seeing how I reviewed the Okapi.
This knife is about 3x’s as hard to flick open as that one, and feels extremely unsafe to close.
You know the feeling when you’re applying too much pressure to a knife and you’re afraid your fingers
may slip or part of the knife may break, and it feels extremely unsafe. That kind of tough. I
don’t love the okapi much, but that turd is better than this turd. It might be possible
mine is a fluke, but I don’t like this knife enough to spend the $12 to find out if I’m wrong.
Ok let’s go through a few things and end this fucker. I also have the gang axe,
I bought it years ago from knife center and still haven’t used it. This axe is popular for throwing,
and I’m sure it’s awesome and maybe one day I’ll get to it, but not today devil.
Now because this video is limited to the Cold Steels I’ve bought, held, and been loaned I’ll
leave out your favorites. One day I would like to buy an AD-10 because everyone loves it. A 4 Max
too. Maybe an ultimate hunter. I’m just at this point saying the ones people will bring up. It’s
not possible for me to buy or review all the cold steels- but I like the ones you like I really do.
So like me by doing the following things. Let’s say Hi to the patrons, who in fact may be
high right now. I don’t know what they do in their house. They are helping me pay off my new editing
computer and camera. I wish I could quite Youtube after the miserable year 2021 has done for me,
but I literally can’t stop making videos if I want to pay these things off.
Buy a T-shirt or a sticker or merch from the links below the video. It directly supports me,
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