Spyderco vs Cold Steel
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Denis Drygin
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Spyderco vs Cold Steel
Hi. I'm no newbie towards knives, but because of my limited budget I had to stick to inexpensive blades. Until recently my most expensive folding knife was Shark by Fury (paid $25, made in Japan, 440, umm C, I think). So I decided to buy something better. I had a Cold Steel catalog, and thus when I went to gun/knife show to make a purchase I had my eyes set on El Hombre. When I actually got to hold one in may hands, I didn't like it. I also tried Spyderco Police with SS handle. It does look lovely, but SS handle is so slippery that it is not comfortable to operate (did anyone think about maybe checkering?). In the end I got myself an Endura (serrated, lightweight) for mere $35. So to cut the long story short: my main attraction towards Cold Steel was that they state that their knives can withstand enormous abuse - piercing through car doors without any damage to the tip, holding more than 100 lb. without lock collapsing, severing manila rope etc. So I was wondering - did you guys tried to put any spyderco through such workout? And last - what do you think is the best steel for a knife blade - ATS-55, AUS-8A or CMP440V?
I believe that Cold Steel makes a pretty good product from what I have seen.
I think that a lot of the "tests" are pretty outlandish. How many people do you know that go around sticking folding knives through car doors?
I would put a Spyderco product up against Cold Steel. The comparision really wouldn't be fair because a lot of the knives are not in the same price range/category.
Just my opinion.
Eclipse
I think that a lot of the "tests" are pretty outlandish. How many people do you know that go around sticking folding knives through car doors?
I would put a Spyderco product up against Cold Steel. The comparision really wouldn't be fair because a lot of the knives are not in the same price range/category.
Just my opinion.
Eclipse
Hi Denis,
I have played with several of the Cold Steel models, and for the money they are a good product. They are not, however, in the same league as the Spydercos. Spyderco's top level knives are as close in craftmanship as you can get to a custom piece in a production knife. The materials are top shelf, the machine work is remarkable, and the designs are well thought out. The custom collaborations are all designed by highly regarded custom knife makers. It really isn't fair to compare a $25.00 to $40.00 Cold Steel to a $150.00 to $200.00 Spyderco, but if great materials and workmanship are what you are after, well at least with the Spyderco you do get what you pay for. Even though Cold Steel makes a good product their advertising is nothing short of ridiculous. Anyone who would stick a good knife through a car door doesn't deserve one. That's what extrication tools are made for. A good tool is made to do a specific job. Good knives are made to cut things, not perform feats that look like a Saturday Night Live skit. Just my two cents, but I don't think you can go wrong with a Spyderco.
Marc
I have played with several of the Cold Steel models, and for the money they are a good product. They are not, however, in the same league as the Spydercos. Spyderco's top level knives are as close in craftmanship as you can get to a custom piece in a production knife. The materials are top shelf, the machine work is remarkable, and the designs are well thought out. The custom collaborations are all designed by highly regarded custom knife makers. It really isn't fair to compare a $25.00 to $40.00 Cold Steel to a $150.00 to $200.00 Spyderco, but if great materials and workmanship are what you are after, well at least with the Spyderco you do get what you pay for. Even though Cold Steel makes a good product their advertising is nothing short of ridiculous. Anyone who would stick a good knife through a car door doesn't deserve one. That's what extrication tools are made for. A good tool is made to do a specific job. Good knives are made to cut things, not perform feats that look like a Saturday Night Live skit. Just my two cents, but I don't think you can go wrong with a Spyderco.
Marc
Cold Steel knives are pretty good. They might get kind of a bad rap just because of how they're marketed. However, Spyderco knives are a step above in terms of materials, design, and construction.
As far as the tests are concerned, they might be kind of misleading, frankly. It's not that hard to stab through a car door; the metal is actually pretty soft. To be able to do it without damaging the knife, you need the blade to have a thick tip and be made of a soft steel. Cold Steel tantos have both, but those same features make the knife less usefull for more realistic needs.
If lock strength is a concern, you might want to look at the MBC line of knives that Spyderco makes. A nice thing about Cold Steel is that their knives have very solid locks, but the locks of MBC knives have to withstand 200 pounds of pressure per inch of blade length before they fail. You're not going to be able to beat that.
As far as the tests are concerned, they might be kind of misleading, frankly. It's not that hard to stab through a car door; the metal is actually pretty soft. To be able to do it without damaging the knife, you need the blade to have a thick tip and be made of a soft steel. Cold Steel tantos have both, but those same features make the knife less usefull for more realistic needs.
If lock strength is a concern, you might want to look at the MBC line of knives that Spyderco makes. A nice thing about Cold Steel is that their knives have very solid locks, but the locks of MBC knives have to withstand 200 pounds of pressure per inch of blade length before they fail. You're not going to be able to beat that.
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Denis Drygin
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Denis Drygin
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Spyderco has a more diverse product line than Cold Steel, at least when it comes to folders. Also Spyderco uses better steel on most of its lightweight knives like the Endura, Delica, Native, and Calypso Jr. Lt.wt. than Cold Steel Uses on its Voyager series. The greatest advantage of Cold STeel is very sturdy constructioon and strong locks. Spydercos, however, are lighter and have better clips as well as better blade steel. Finally, if you go beyond lightweight folders, Cold Steel has absolutely nothing that is comparable to Spyderco because even the new pseudo axis lock and titanium Cold Steels are still AUS 8.
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Denis Drygin
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Joe Talmadge
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I'm a fan of Cold Steel (and of Spyderco, obviously). However, in the zytel vs. zytel competition, I like the delica/endura much better than the voyager line. Perhaps the biggest advantage Spyderco has is the opening hole. It is by far my fave opening mechanism, presenting a big, easy-to-hit target even when your hands are cold and wet, and it is fast and secure. Cold Steel's small, rounded thumb studs, combined with the Voyager's typical stiff action, means that quick opening is much more precarious.
Both companies use good steels, although I give the nod to Spyderco's ATS-55. AUS-8 takes an awesome edge but loses it a bit too quickly for my taste. The ergonomics on the Spydercos work better for me, too. Both companies do an *excellent* job on their hollow sabre ground edges.
The lock on the enduras/delicas is excellent, although you occasionally hear about lock bar that ride up a little bit when pressure is put on the edge (this happened to me a few years ago, I returned the knife to Spyderco and they sent me a new one, which reminds me of a huge advantage for Spyderco, customer service). Based on this, I'd say the Voyager locks might be a little sturdier, but not nearly enough to overcome the other disadvantages.
The other advantage of the Voyager, of course, is that if you're a tanto fan, there are tanto voyagers. I greatly dislike the tanto format for general use, and think the endura/delica blade shape is excellent for general use, but I know there are plenty of tanto fans around.
Joe
Both companies use good steels, although I give the nod to Spyderco's ATS-55. AUS-8 takes an awesome edge but loses it a bit too quickly for my taste. The ergonomics on the Spydercos work better for me, too. Both companies do an *excellent* job on their hollow sabre ground edges.
The lock on the enduras/delicas is excellent, although you occasionally hear about lock bar that ride up a little bit when pressure is put on the edge (this happened to me a few years ago, I returned the knife to Spyderco and they sent me a new one, which reminds me of a huge advantage for Spyderco, customer service). Based on this, I'd say the Voyager locks might be a little sturdier, but not nearly enough to overcome the other disadvantages.
The other advantage of the Voyager, of course, is that if you're a tanto fan, there are tanto voyagers. I greatly dislike the tanto format for general use, and think the endura/delica blade shape is excellent for general use, but I know there are plenty of tanto fans around.
Joe
Hi Denis. Cold Steel makes a good knife. Lynn Thompson has always paid attention to quality which is always to be respected.
Cold Steel's models are generally more weapon oriented so there will be design differences that are difficult to compare.
Steels are more simple to measure because there are numbers that tell the story.
"Stabbing" is another question. If you're "stabbing" a small hole in something or taking out a splinter, Spyderco offers a finer point. If your "stabbing" through a car door, I would NEVER try that with a folder, but a fixed blade Cold Steel Tanto might.
As you learn more about knives, you will lean towards different features that you want in your knives. These features and qualities will determine your choices.
BTW, The Endura lock comfortably holds 200+ inch/lbs of force.
sal
Cold Steel's models are generally more weapon oriented so there will be design differences that are difficult to compare.
Steels are more simple to measure because there are numbers that tell the story.
"Stabbing" is another question. If you're "stabbing" a small hole in something or taking out a splinter, Spyderco offers a finer point. If your "stabbing" through a car door, I would NEVER try that with a folder, but a fixed blade Cold Steel Tanto might.
As you learn more about knives, you will lean towards different features that you want in your knives. These features and qualities will determine your choices.
BTW, The Endura lock comfortably holds 200+ inch/lbs of force.
sal
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Denis Drygin
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sam the man..
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I collect Cold Steel pieces as well. I have quite a few.
I use the trailmaster for trimming branches off of the trees before I use the chainsaw.
I think Lynn tries to make a good knife as IMO is to be respected for that.
BTW, Lynn Thompson bought the Chinese folder design from Bob Lum. When he decided not to use the design, he sold it to me for his cost. that's a lot of class and cooperation, IMO.
sal
I use the trailmaster for trimming branches off of the trees before I use the chainsaw.
I think Lynn tries to make a good knife as IMO is to be respected for that.
BTW, Lynn Thompson bought the Chinese folder design from Bob Lum. When he decided not to use the design, he sold it to me for his cost. that's a lot of class and cooperation, IMO.
sal
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nsfirechap
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John Puckett
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sam the man..
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Hmmm... Interesting anecdote ~ The Chinese folder design! Sharing is a CLASS ACT! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> There is a very heartwarming remark from Lynn Thompson in the Spyderco Story about Sal and the gang! <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
have spydies
will travel...
have spydies
will travel...