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The 4-MAX was developed as a collaboration between Cold Steel and award-winning custom knifemaker Andrew Demko. It was produced with one clear goal in mind - to deliver a folding knife with the maximum strength and performance possible within a 4" blade limit.
Bridging the gap between production knives and expensive custom offerings, the 4-Max is made to Andrew's exact specifications and from the highest-grade materials. Its extra-wide, drop point stonewashed blade is made from S35VN stainless steel, offering a near-perfect balance between durability and edge holding performance.
The 4-Max's tumbled titanium liners and back spacers and 3D CNC machined and bead blasted G10 handle scales provide even greater degrees of strength! Equipped with the groundbreaking Tri-Ad locking mechanism, this knife is quite possibly the strongest production folder Cold Steel has ever produced! The 4-MAX has passed every one of their grueling and torturous shock and impact tests, and then gone on to easily hold over 800 lbs of free-hanging weight - with no damage!
If you are looking for a highly collectible mega-folder made with the specifications, tolerances, and materials normally only found on a luxury custom knife – then your search is over!
Pocket Clip
Includes a pocket clip for easy accessibility and a more secure carry.
G10 Handles
Formed in a sheet under high pressure by combining fiberglass and an epoxy resin binder. These handles are lightweight and shaped to ensure a solid grip.
Lockback
The lockback system has been used for many decades. It can usually be found on the knife spine and it provides a strong lockup that will wear well.
S35VN Stainless Steel
An evolution of the popular S30V steel, S35VN offers a greater degree of toughness without much sacrifice in edge retention. Perfect for mid-range and premium knives.
Performance: Extremely sharp out of the box. The blade shape works well for chopping, shaving bark, and basic whittling. The flat grind past the acute edge is well executed. I have no reservations conducting chopping on all species of trees under 3in diameter. The thick blade stock gives you a lot of strength, you of course lose a bit of ease in slicing tasks given the large width of the blade. I have chopped many thick and small branches, the 4max elite still has a perfect factory edge. Not the greatest one hand closing knife due to the tri-ad lock; this knife is built to work hard vs built to play/fidget with.Ergonomics: feels great in the hand whether you are chopping, whittling, or slicing. The pocket clip does not get in my way/cause hot spots at all. I like that the lockback bar has the edges slightly knocked down (rounded) vs the painfully sharp edges on my Recon 1.Quality: excellent materials used throughout the knife: cpm s35vn blade, steel lock bar pin, titanium liners, g10 handles. The knife edge was perfectly center ground, material transition points feel seemless.4max elite vs the AD10: 4max is the better camping or bushcraft craft knife due to the larger size and ergonomics, I feel strength wise they will hold up to hard use the same with a slight edge to the 4max for using titanium vs aluminum liners. AD10 is less than half the price and carries better. I own both, and love them for their suited purposes. I EDC the AD10 often, while the 4max is simply too heavy and big to be carried comfortably in most of my clothing lineup. The 4max is a perfect go-bag or backup survival knife in my opinion.
I use this beast for everything. If you like sleek, delicate EDC's this might not be for you. But, if you like heavy duty workhorses that can tackle almost any job, this is your baby. I admit I like large, beefy folders and this is one of the best. Quality is superb as are the materials of construction. As solid a lock up as any fixed blade. Can't say enough good things about about the 4-Max Elite. A bit pricey, but I picked mine up at another dealer. This blade goes with me anytime I'm outdoors. I had a leather pouch made to fit it while folded and wear it on my belt instead of pocket carry. The clip that comes on most knifes is disappointing anyway and this is no exception.
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Close-up of hand holding knife, opening or unsheathing knife, and then closing or sheathing knife.
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