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While this would make a good EDC for others, I found the Tuff Lite too chunky for my EDC, which I prefer to carry in a 5th pocket. I've used it some, and I've been impressed by its strength (the Triad Lock is amazing), how easily it strops back to sharp, and how comfortable it is to use. Recently, my wife decided to start carving puppets from wood. After trying several knives, she settled on the Tuff Lite as the best fit and easy to sharpen. She used it exclusively for weeks until we obtained a couple of actual wood carving knives. She never paid attention to the Triad lock, which locks up almost like a fixed blade. As for the Aus-8, many people ignore it because it doesn't hold an edge as well as super steels. That may be true, but it can be made razor sharp easily and it strops back well after use. As I said, a great little knife, and a bargain for the price.
It seems well made for the price. Like all Cold Steel folders with the tri-ad, it's a bit stiff to close, but that lock is unbeatable especially for a 30- knife. The knife has a more utility look to it imo, so you don't get the wrong "ooohs and awwws" when you take this thing out. Knifecenter's service was awesome as always.
Received this knife 2 days early and it is razor sharp out of the box! I honestly just use the knife to open boxes, and a self defense weapon because it is very capable. Great buy for the money.
Was looking for a replacement for my well worn Spyderco Calypso, but couldn't get myself to cough up the green for what everybody wanted for a new one. I gave the Tuff Lite a chance because it met my EDC knife criteria for a strong, small, but not too small "airweight" that is reasonably priced. It definitely fit the bill. The lock is rock solid (no wiggle), fit and finish is top notch, and the edge is silly sharp out of the box, all for under $30. The biggest plus is that with the warmer weather coming, I can carry this little gem without it pulling my shorts down.
Honestly, this is probably the best sub 3 inch blade out there. Think a budget version of a spyderco dodo. Super sharp, but when open supports my hand completely. Hand is 4.75 inches across and all fingers get a grip. Plus its inexpensive to boot.
Incredibly sharp out of the box, well built, no play in any direction, perfect centering, sturdy clip, almost no weight, great grips.... Amazing. I will be getting the smaller version at some point for sure.
If you are looking for a tough small easy to sharpen and maintain every day carry for work, this is the one. Can't beat find another that falls in this class for even close to the price.
This knife is excellent, my new favorite knife. The lock is solid. I love the blade shape. The handle just fits my hand, but thats fine by me. The finger choil in the blade makes up for that.(cutout for your finger) The blade comes razor sharp. I've resharpened the blade on my lansky, and the 17 degree slot ligned up perfectly with the edge. Only one concern here, but I know this as I use the knife. The tip is very thin, and I almost snapped it off. This is not a fault of the knife. This is just a bad habit and abuse on my part. I cant fault the knife for that. Excellent knife. I will buy another and I recommend this knife to everyone!
This is an excellent choice for an EDC. The Tuff Lite is razor sharp, and fits well in my hand. The handles are robust; the lock is rugged and strong. This knife is great for opening mail, snd boxes and just about anything you would want to do with a knife
I got mine and used it while fishing. Cut fishing line with it after tying knots. Also cut up some boxes and opened mail with it. I really liked it and it's a sleeper defense knife. It is wicked with its hollow grind and warncliffe blade. I gave it to my dad as a gift because he could use it on his job, cutting plastic strapping and breaking down boxes. It's a great little knife and I miss it. I may have to get another.
I purchased this knife edc and i have used it just for that its lite not heavy in pocket the pocket clip is just perfect very sharp out of box, i resharpened after use when dull and wow hair popping sharp, the blade is very then hollow grind and when useing waterstone 1000, 4000, 8000, and blk, white, compounds on leather stroup ill challenge ant one knife with blade sharpness and to my surprise the tri-ad lock is a tank lock wow, and the spine of the blade is thick for its size so it can withstand some hard heavy use, and handle lite but strong with a ground place for finger placement , beside finger choils for point and middle finger placement with jimping on blade spine so last opening with thumb hole is easy no problem and laynard hole, and by the way ur hand locks into the handle and it gives you great blade control and no hand slip, enjoy a great buy for the money and fast service with knifecenter God Bless.
I bought the smaller version of this knife to use as a money clip / general use knife. It is fantastic! I bought this larger version because the small one was so perfect, and the bigger one is even better: 1. THICK blade = strength. You can use the back edge to pry, scrape, whatever. 2. Lock is VERY secure! It will NOT accidentally close during use. 3. Steel / Edge - I keep a razor edge hone on all my knives and this steel holds that edge very well. 4. Handle - sturdy, fits my hand well, and isn't slippery when wet. 5. Pocket clip - Sturdy and resilient. Clips tight with one bill or 10 bills. Snaps right back even after extended stretching. 6. Under 3" blade - legal in my state for folding knives. 7. UNDERVALUED... this knife is worth a LOT more than I paid for it.
Purchased as a replacement work/utility folder,but upon handling and use,it's clearly not limited to those uses.Top notch build quality,flawless function,tight,strong lockup without any blade sideplay.Blade was sharp but with a minor edge burr that was easily honed out with a strop.When open,it fits the hand perfectly.Although some complain about CS blades being made in Taiwan,IMO these gripes are baseless as all I have seen and handled are as perfectly constructed as can be expected, and for $30,simply amazing.
Cold Steel pays what seems to be extreme attention to detail. That makes me happy. I am more into knives for carrying and conversation than I am for using. I like knives. I want to buy from a company that likes knives and cares about the satisfaction of their customers. Cold Steel deserves their success because they work so hard for it. I will be purchasing more Cold Steel products from Knife Center soon.
Just got this knife and I have to say its easily worth double what I paid for it. Feels great in your hand...very stable. Sharp as a razor right out of the box...just what you would expect from cold steel. I work in an office and it fits fine in dress pants pocket. Perfect knife for my EDC needs. Really like this knife! Shipping was very fast. Don't think twice...get this knife!
I live in a place that has a under 3 inch blade limit. I am constantly looking for a blade for defense that fits that bill. After watching the cold steel video of how deep this cuts I got one. I found it not consistent to be able to open it one handed fast in an emergency situation to protect my family. I only have one complaint... it would be the perfect knife if it had a clip option for blade up. I would add a zip tie and wave it from my pocket and my search would have been over. Since I can't change the clip I will just call it the world's best utility blade. When I get a New blade this will become my edc and backup blade.
This knife came razor sharp right out of the box. I have big hands and finding a pocket knife that feels comfortable is almost impossible but this knife feels so good and fills my hand nicely. The tri-ad lock is very positive and smooth it gets even smoother with a little bit of oil. The grivory handles give just the right amount of grip and doesn't feel over done like most knives with textured grips. Don't hesitate and buy the cold steel tuff lite (or any knife for that matter) before it's called an assault weapon and possibly banned. But seriously get this you won't regret it.
I bought this knife because of the Wharncliff style blade, perfect at work for ripping open boxes and cutting gasket material. It sharpens easy and the handle design is perfect, plus its so light you wont notice it until you need it!
LOve the knife and the handles. Its chunky yet small and razor sharp. It cuts paper on edge like butter, I couldn't believe it. the lock is a bit stiff on mine and needs to be worked a bit. I want another.
I'm a kitchen and bath remodeler and that asks a lot of my work edc. I have a large knife collection and a good number of (much more expensive) hard use folders. This knife spends the most time in my pocket of all of them. The finger choil is a great design choice. Making a very small folded package turn into a full handled "resharpenable razor". Handle ergonomics are near perfect. Due to the shape of the blade, do not expect it to be able to poke a hole in something as easily as a clip, or drop point blade. (In my case I have other tools for that) My knives sometimes end up hitting a nail, or touching concrete and I've had no problems with ruining the blade as I have other knives. I nicked a tiny chunk out of it once and had no problem grinding the nick back out. (Work sharp precision sharpener). It holds it's edge very well considering the type of steel, but is also easily resharpenable back to razor edge thanks to it being AUS 8. As a knife enthusiast and collector of knives all over the price and quality spectrum, I do not say the following lightly. As far as a work knife for my needs, I have no complaints, or even suggestions for improvement for this knife.
This is a great every day knife. The grip is excellent and fits my hand well. The blade is amazing! the size is good, the blade is thick and exceptionally sharp. The lock is solid with no blade wiggle. The Tuff lite is a great value! No cons to date.
great little everyday pocket knife. razor sharp, good for cutting projects around the house, especially fine work. also makes a great money clip, if a little intimidating...
I really like the knife. I don't think it is possible to get a better knife for this price. I bought one to add to my very modest collection of man toys. It is by far the sharpest knife I have ever seen - out of the box. The lock engages with a very tight tolerance and is a bit hard to unlock and fold up so it isn't butter smooth. There are some sharp metal edges that need some dremel work. It is a meaty lil' knife with something to hold on to. The handle feels a bit sand-papery with nice grip action. It is a win for the team but not total perfection.
1st., I was impressed that the edge was almost as sharp as one of mine! I prefer thumb stud for opening, and I do not care for hollow grind, once this edge looses its' bite it snags (I'm not talking about 'dull'). Personal experience concave or flat with secondary will still cut keenly even after the bite has mellowed. I will say this, it will take a keen edge pretty quick! I like the handle material, and the lock is STRONG!!!! I use it every day, it has a lot of potential! The pocket clip has eased up and is easier now to clip to my pocket and really has a nice hold! I love that the pocket clip can be switched to either side. AUS-8 is a nice steel but hollow grind?????? I do not think this is the best grind for AUS-8.
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Close-up of hand holding knife, opening or unsheathing knife, and then closing or sheathing knife.
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