Richard
Hollidaysburg, Pa

Jun 07, 2020

Pros: Overall Quality

Cons: None

A fine old design, preserved and modernized.

This is a very good copy of an old German colonial design, the Okapi, originally produced in Germany but in recent years made only in South Africa. Branded Okapi Knives from South Africa are still in production, but Cold Steel brings some Chinese manufacturing precision & efficiency to the table, creating a much better-made knife than the South African product, and for less money. It's a very functional field tool. Blade travel is smooth, it has proper half stops and great snap-to-place. This "Kudu Lite" version sheds the ring-lock system, which is largely superfluous anyway, lowering the cost below $9. I hope Cold Steel continues to invest in this design, perhaps offering traditional wood scales and perhaps some higher-end steel. The blade should be a bit thicker, too.

Natural-Outlaw
Northern WI

Dec 17, 2021

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Blade Material, Blade Sharpness

Cons: None

I Like This Knife

While I have purchased many knives from Knifecenter, I bought my Kudu locally on sale. This is a large knife, yet very light weight. The steel is 5cr which takes a nice edge and holds it for a reasonable amount of time. People get hung up on knife steel and want something more expensive or carries an impressive reputation. My question is, what are you using it for? For everyday tasks, 5cr is just fine. If I'm an outfitter, guiding hunts and dressing multiple kills, I want a better steel. If I am using a knife simply for civilian self-defense, fact is steel doesn't matter much as it may not be used much. I found the Kudu back spring to be adequately stiff. The confirmation of the blade us pleasing and useful. This is a great improvement over the Okapi of South Africa. This is a very well built knife.

Aj
Grand Rapids, Mi

Mar 29, 2022

Pros: Weight, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness

Cons: Weight, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Type

Pleasantly surprised

I got this for six bucks. It was a "eh why the hell not" kinda purchase, but this thing does not disappoint!. First off It's Massive for a "Lite" version, the blade length is surprising every time I open it. Second, it's wickedly sharp. Third? Idk but the haters on this knife can be picky all they want, at the end of the day it's a sharpened piece of steel that does the job. Cons: It's extremely lightweight which makes it feel "cheap" even though... it is. The handle itself has a slightly sharp corner where the blade enters it while closed. When open, this feels very rough if the knife is twisted in any way. May have to take some sand paper to it later.

Matt.S.
Capital Area, N.Y.

Aug 20, 2023

Pros: Blade Sharpness, Handle Feel, Weight

Cons: Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type

High value

On line retail has its advantages but sometimes you need a more “hands-on” evaluation of something to really appreciate it. It would be understandable for a person to overlook or dismiss this item as a cheap piece of junk. It’s price alone would suggest that it’s quality is likely questionable. However to do so would deprive a person of an extremely significant value for the money. While not as robust as many of the other items produced by Cold Steel, it far exceeds expectations. Keeping in mind that this is a knife designed for lite cutting chores. While the blade is not a “super steel”, it does come very sharp. The dimensions are impressive. The blade is longer than most slip joint “pocket knives”. The handle can easily accommodate the largest of hands. The weight of the knife is feather lite. Which honestly could be considered a con only in the regard that it may be necessary to check and see if it’s actually still in your pocket. The slip joint spring also functions to a small degree as a lock. Keeping thumb pressure down on the spring plate will prevent the blade from closing easily. Though it’s important to understand that this is not a “solid” lock up. This knife is intended to function as a slip joint and relying on forcing the spring plate down will only allow some added security. That being said this knife is definitely worth more than the “bottle redemption” money asking price.

Poppa Bear
TX

Sep 01, 2023

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material

Cons: Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality

It's ok

The knife itself is sharp and durable. The issue is the spring. Mine broke, snapped in half at the tension point around the bottom half. Carried it everyday for about a year in my carpenter pocket. No it is regulated to the tool box as a "junk knife".

Bad Kudu
Czech republic, Šumperk town

Jan 18, 2022

Pros: None

Cons: Sheath, Weight, Handle Feel, Lock Ease of Use, Handle Material, Pocket Clip, Lock Type

Bad kudu

Kudu is the worst cold steel he has ever made. Buy a kudu with a ring. Evening came to me and in the morning when I wanted to take him out with a normal opening, the evil locking (not locking) broke. I think that iron is not iron, but some bad plastic. Dont buy this.