Steve
, Klamath Falls, OR

Jan 12, 2024

Pros: Blade Sharpness, Lock Type, Overall Quality

Cons: Pocket Clip

Big Budget Beast

I decided to use my $20 Gift Certificate on this knife. I really don't remember how this knife got on my radar, but i was on the lookout for an inexpensive(as opposed to cheap) heavy duty folder. I'm a farmer and never know what my next knife use need will be. I was looking for something to have in the ATV saddlebag just to be close to hand. I saw this on sale for $39.99. Looked at some videos and all were really positive. Go on You Tube and look for Joe X SR1. That decided me. I don't know whether this guy is a loony Tunes Cartoon character posing as a human, or vice versa. He wears Camo and a gas mask and purposefully sets about destroying knives. Absolutely loony tunes stuff. But this is the only knife I saw he couldn't break, SO I bought it. Even then I was a bit taken back when I got it out of the box. It literally bridges the gap between fixed blade and folder. I have knives from reputable companies with Magnacutt, CPM M4, 20cv, S30V. 14C28N, D2 and some others, even a couple of inexpensive 8Cr13MoV. This was by far the sharpest knife I have even taken out of the box. I literally drew minor blood by simply touching the tip. The specs say this is 8Cr13Mov, but the blade is engraved as 8Cr14Mov, making it somewhat more corrosion resistant I suppose, but I had no Idea that steel could be this sharp, especially with the mass of metal in this blade. There are two cons that I think need to be listed. First is the sharpening choil. It needs to be bigger. If you feel the need to one hand close this beast, you will need to hold your finger against the forward guard behind the choil to catch the blade as it falls. If you are not real careful, you will nick yourself when the blade falls against your finger, The second is that pocket clip. That is the hardest to use, tightest thing I have ever seen on a folding knife. I had to take it off several times, put it in the vise and tweak it back in several tries with pliers to loosen it up, in addition to sanding under the clip. The lock is a little stiff, but can be adjusted easily enough by backing the pivot of jua a bit. I am leaving it a bit tight because I have decided that this is going to be a two handed knife. By the time it wears in I will be used enough to it to handle the one hand close. For its size It carries surprisingly easy in the pocket of several pairs of work pants I wear, so I may well use it in one pocket, with another smaller more normal size EDC in another. Great knife. I'm glad I bought it. I can't imagine a better heavy use knife for most any amount of money,.

Nordictrekkie
Virginia

Mar 28, 2026

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip

Cons: None

On second Thought....

In retrospect, I was being a bit harsh and OCD when I reviewed this product three years ago. For, as time (and repeated sharpenings) have gone on, the problem of the belly impacting the back spring on the clip point model has faded, And, face it, it was not really as huge deal in the first place as I made it out to be at the time; especially considering the intended utility nature of this knife. It's designed to be a nigh indestructible jack-of all trades folder. AND IT IS! Wonderfully. In fact,THE CLIP POINT MODEL IS NOW THE ONE I CARRY THE MOST! It is less able as a pry-bar than the tanto model, perhaps (what I was seeking when I bought these 3 years ago). But it's more capable as a general use knife than the tanto model, I think (better at cutting food, skinning, if needs be, etc....things I do a LOT more of than prying or stabbing stuff...as tantos kinda stink for skinning and food prep). So, to me, that makes the clip blade model the BEST, most useful COMPROMISE of the two blade designs. Which is what this knife is about anyway....and what any EDC SHOULD be about, really: highest utility for the smallest package. So, get yourself one. What other pocket knife will not just slice up your salad and skin a buck but also pry open a door, knock out a window, pierce light steel, or easily (with the use of a lanyard) cut down a sapling.with EQUAL (if not ideal) suitability and success. One of the most powerful pocket tools for the money you can own! Period.

James B
Hamilton, Ontario

Jan 21, 2021

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

Cons: None

True Beast

The steel holds its edge for a long time considering its only 8cr. You do half to sand down the area under the pocket clip or you will have trouble getting it in and out of you're pocket with ease. Mine had a bit of vertical blade play but the lock is still holds up when you hammer the knife into a tree and then start beating the handle with a small log. It really comes Cold Steel sharp out of the box and is super comfortable it hand. If you try and close it one-handed make sure the meat of you're finger is under the ricasso because if you put the tip of you're finger there while closing the knife you will cut yourself. It is a bit thick in the pocket but it is easy to get use to. I used it for food prep, feather-sticking, bush crafting, EDC tasks and a hilbilly lock strength test and it took all of the abuse without fail. This is going to be my EDC until I get the S35VN version. 10/10 would recommend for a larger EDC.

Nordictrekkie
Virginia

Mar 28, 2026

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Handle Material, Lock Ease of Use, Lock Type, Overall Quality, Pocket Clip, Weight

Cons: None

On Second Thought...

In retrospect, I was being a bit harsh and OCD when I reviewed this product three years ago. For, as time (and repeated sharpenings) have gone on, the problem of the belly impacting the back spring on the clip point model has faded, And, face it, it was not really as huge deal in the first place as I made it out to be at the time; especially considering the intended utility nature of this knife. It's designed to be a nigh indestructible jack-of all trades folder. AND IT IS! Wonderfully. In fact,THE CLIP POINT MODEL IS NOW THE ONE I CARRY THE MOST! It is less able as a pry-bar than the tanto model, perhaps (what I was seeking when I bought these 3 years ago). But it's more capable as a general use knife than the tanto model, I think (better at cutting food, skinning, if needs be, etc....things I do a LOT more of than prying or stabbing stuff...as tantos kinda stink for skinning and food prep). So, to me, that makes the clip blade model the BEST, most useful COMPROMISE of the two blade designs. Which is what this knife is about anyway....and what any EDC SHOULD be about, really: highest utility for the smallest package. So, get yourself one. What other pocket knife will not just slice up your salad and skin a buck but also pry open a door, knock out a window, pierce light steel, or easily (with the use of a lanyard) cut down a sapling.with EQUAL (if not ideal) suitability and success. One of the most powerful pocket tools for the money you can own! Period.

Kevin R
Cincinnati

Apr 02, 2026

Pros: Blade Material, Blade Sharpness, Ease of Opening, Handle Feel, Lock Type, Weight

Cons: None

Cold Steel

Another excellent heavy duty tool from Cold Steel!!

Holec83
Texas

Aug 14, 2022

Pros: Blade Material

Cons: None

Almost Perfect.

Came sharp out of the box and fit/finish was good. Pocket clip was extremely tight, which is normal for Cold Steel. My only complaint is that there are no steel liners in the handle. Only time will tell on how the Griv-Ex handle will last being unlined.

Nordictrekkie
VA

Jan 27, 2023

Pros: None

Cons: None

It's Belly's TOO Big for it's Britches

I Love these knives. I really do. The concept is excellent (a sharpened pry bar/window smasher/sapling hatchet for under $60.00 that fits comfortably in your pocket yet can still skin a deer, or cut your salad and hamburger up, if needs be. What more could you want? Only a light saber would be a more powerful EDC. BUT.... Cramming that much utility into one little 5 1/4" package is admittedly not easy. Tolerances are tight. Sadly, a little TOO tight in the case of this clip point model. That wonderful big belly on this thing is just too broad for the handle and THE BACK-SPRING DINGS A MILLIMETER OR SO OF THE EDGE BADLY WHENEVER THE KNIFE IS CLOSED. And because the blade choil rests on an internal pin when closed, THERE'S NO WAY TO ADJUST THIS PROBLEM OUT WITH A SHIM OR SOMETHING (Perhaps CS could use a larger diameter internal blade rest pin on this model to fix this problem ???). Nevertheless, sadly, for me and my OCD, that flaw's a deal breaker. The edge of a folding knife should NEVER touch ANYTHING when closed. SO....JUST BUY THE TANTO MODEL INSTEAD. IT'S PERFECT. The tanto blade has just enough less belly to work fine in that handle. And it's inherently a better pry bar and smasher anyway. Just not as good at skinning and slicing as the clip point.