(
Pros: Weight, Handle Material, Pocket Clip, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness
Cons: Lock Ease of Use
Slow roll to open, reliable as all get out, came sharp
The pocket clip isn’t less snug than on other Cold Steels, but it’s easier to use because the handle doesn’t have aggressive diamonds or other super-grip contouring. This is Cold Steel’s version of a utility knife, which means it totally functions as a utility knife, but has self-defense capability due to the thick handle sides, thick blade stock, and Tri Ad lock which has survived a lot of brutal testing both online and on YouTub. You’d think that a slow roll out is the opposite of modern flipper knives in terms of self-defense, but I’ve had snappy knives fly out of my hands when trying to get fancy with the opening, compared to a more conservative slow roll. I’ve even sent a Mini Recon flying, and it rolls out with much less drag than this Pro Lite. You ain’t gonna be flicking this thing anytime soon unless you are a real talent (flip side is, I can’t see NYC police making this look like a gravity knife with their expertly refined “shake out of handle” skills; and this is much less likely to open accidentally in loose pocket carry). By my measurement this is 3 1/8 inches long (even including the unsharpened portion), not 3.5” or even 3.25”, but your measurement technique may vary; visibly it looks considerably longer than my 3” Mini Recon/1911/Verdict/Grik so go figure. If you live in a strict 3” jurisdiction I’d go for one of the true 3” alternatives I listed BUT the Prolite blade length is MUCH more useful in road trip/camping food prep. I recommend the Clip Point version for hunting and general utility, the Tanto for package opening (thus proving the Tanto design is good for more than ninja cosmetics), and this spear point for straddling both worlds (those worlds being lots of belly as in the Rajah III, and no belly at all as in the Kiradashi and currently wildly popular wharnclif designs). This spear point has “slight” belly, but in my book I’ll take “slight” over “none” and the “second edge” of a tanto over the “slight” belly of this spear point). While spear points are sometimes regrettably “stabby” shaped with very little usable belly for everyday cutting chores, this one has slight belly, but is pointy enough to dig out splinters or clean under your nails, something the clip point version and tanto version aren’t nearly as good at. I recommend getting all three Pro-Lite blade shapes and rotating daily carry; actually using different blade shapes is more of an education than written articles or videos. What works for you? These three Pro-Lite editions give you a chance to find out and still have 3 excellent field-use knives in your everyday worker collection when you are done. I foolishly failed to get all 3 variants during the first manufacturing run of Pro-Lites. Now that GSM as the new owner of Cold Steel has resumed production after a 2-3 year dry spell, I’m filling in the gaps and making sure I have one daily carry of each and one “user collectible” in unopened carton. For the clip point I have 3, since I’m an inept sharpener and like a spare to tide me over to next sharpening day at the mobile sharpening service I use. Finally, I think every park ranger and service member should own a Pro Lite. They are light, sturdy, and inexpensive, the ultimate boy scout knife.
