I can see where many people frown upon the company itself, as I do. Dubious advertising aside, I really don't have a problem with their blades. I think the more expensive ones are a comparative waste of money. I've got a norse ax that can't be beat for 20 bucks and a Prolite that is bulky, ugly, and perhaps even a bit crude, but it seems to be strong as an ox and very sharp. Why does anyone care that they don't manufacture their own knives? I think it's nice bonus and breeds better quality and customer service, but why would the lack of in house production make me dislike a company?

good question. ??

I think if we all knew just how much production is outsourced these days we'd all be surprised... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

I own a number of CS knives and I am no longer impressed by them. The krayton handles they use rip my hands to shreads if I try to do any serious work with them and I cannot get some of them to hold an edge.

I purchased all of my CS knives prior to discovering Busse/Swamp Rat (Scrap Yard was not in existance yet). I have not purchased any CS products since then and do not feel any temptation to do so. I would much prefer to wait and get another Swamp Rat or Scrap Yard product. In my opinion they are higher quality and I get more bang for my buck here.

I had a SRK in CV and currently own a Trailmaster in CV.....I love them both and am trying to get a TM in the San Mai also. Folders...I don't know much about, just hear different things, but for the price of some of them I wouldn't hesitate to try them out.

What about there swords??? I have really been thinking about getting a Paul Chen Practical Ninja or Katna. Can someone help me before I spend the money. I have found them around $150.00 or less range.

Paul Chen Hero's Axe ftw!!!!!!

I like my Voyagers. I have a couple fixed blade tantos as well, that don't compare to the fixed blades I've been getting lately (Busse family, RAT knives, Ranger... etc... for about the same prices some times). I do like my Bushman though - very cheap and a good design. Definitely a "love / hate" as people have mentioned.

They also make a bunch of garbage that has no business ever being produced, IMO.

Fiberglass knives to beat metal detectors, war clubs made of plastic w/ steel spikes on them, and other garbage that no law abiding citizen has any real use for.

I have a CS Barong in 1055 and a CS Kopis in 1055 as well as an older Bushman. As others have said, the Bushman is an outstanding value and very good cutter.

I haven't used the Kopis yet, but both the Kopis and the Bushman came with edges that were barely sharpened. No biggie for me, it's a <$20 machete and I'm used to sharpening machetes frequently.

The Barong worked just fine though the juniper dulled it pretty quick. But juniper dulls just about everything not made of top grade steel (like SR77) pretty quick.

The machete handles are decent too.

Cold Steel used to make soem good knives but now it is a different story for many of their products. I own quite a few that I bought back in the early to mid 90's however I have not bought any of their recent stuff.

What are you talking about? I've got a nightshade sewn into every coat I've got. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

My father just bought a Chisa katana. Not bad the handle is to big it's sharp and the blade is thick that's about all you can say. What I can't say is what the tang looks like, this is where CS tends to skimp big time. I like the design just wish they would put it together correctly.


The Viking sword is not historically accurate and again their is that tang thing.


Hand and a half stay away from it (at least the early ones). Already seen one catastrophic failure, the pommel breaking off (Tang thing)<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> They like to weld a small round all thread rod to the tang. Some tangs end about halfway into the handle.

Don't waste your money on their swords.
If you wan't a good "working" sword then check the following out.

http://www.albion-swords.com/

http://www.angustrimdirect.com/

http://www.armor.com/

http://www.bussecompanystore.com/ The AK47 when available


I have a lot of CS products hawks,hammers and knives and for the most part they all work well and I'm happy with them.

However at this point in time there is a lot better out there for the price at least on the bigger knives.