Cold Steel Black Talon II Review

[@jorgefernandez6407]

As a former EMT, I've seen people survive disembowelments/eviscerations where you'd think there couldn't POSSIBLY be any viscera left in them and yet, they make a "full" recovery. While also, I've seen a small half inch lacerating wound (a stab) where the patient didn't make it! Now I have a serrated talon. I have other knives too, I collect them. And the ONLY advise that I would give anyone even considering carrying a knife for self defense is... A cut (no matter how good the knife, or how well placed) might not even slow an attacker down but, a well placed stab, will stop them "dead" in their tracks! I enjoyed your video a lot! I also subscribed. And no, there is no nice way one can clearly explain to someone how to effectively defend themselves, from the horror show this world can often deliver...

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

Thank you!

[@vivaasm]

For the cold steel serrations, lansky make a specific sharpener made for those tiny Lil badass serrations. I have it and it work perfectly fine

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

Good to know!

[@cloudnine8842]

Yes good to know also thank you

[@notanundercovercop8851]

I accidentally sliced the tips of my knuckles off when this knife opened inside my pocket when the thumb plate got stuck on a loose thread inside my pants pocket. That taught me to have a TREMENDOUS amount of respect for this knife. Trust me, you'd rather get shot than get slashed by this blade.

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

Agreed!

[@MrKillaDC]

Okay the black talon is soo comfortable to carry out. I have the civilian and matriarch serrated versions. I have no problem carrying in thin line pockets. This knife is Perfered over civilian. I’ve used it once in a situation. It was Lickety-split grease lighting fast deployment. After laws determined it was self defense I was able to retrieve my black talon from evidence and I keep it on me all the time. One stroke disabled crowbar attacker’s arm. I sharpen my coldsteel serrated knives with the lansky stick and my spyderco civilian and matriarch with the spyderco knife sharpener. Also all my plain edge knives as well. The black talon has to be used and respected with great responsibility. It will leave a gross impression which is very unforgiving. Please becareful and be sure it’s a life or death situation before you engage. The laws will look at the knife and become bias as well scared. Even if you are in the right. I knowww…

[@AD-yt8ik]

Black talon sits nice on a night stand next to a firearm for home defense. If you make it past my handgun you get the knife.

[@yung-qh5ts]

Love it

[@hdm6897]

31:44 didn't consider any design flaws in this blade for what it is and it's the price range, imo you really can't find anything of better value, craftsmanship, materials, and ergonomics, a well-thought-out defense blade with incredible cutting ability .ive owned several of the black talon 2 and I've never got cut , poked or nicked .It really comes down to training with your tools and respecting them .Just like any other defensive tool it only does what you allow it to.

[@Matthew-wn8oq]

Why is it hard to talk about? Someone threatens you / your life, you cut their head off. Easy!

[@robertrandall7804]

I thoroughly enjoyed your common sense approach in answering the old “what knife for self defence” question, and I really enjoyed your tabletop review as well. I hope that you’ll continue to do more knife reviews in the future.

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

Thank you. I have some more planned. It’s just been really really busy around here.

[@DavidM-lj5yv]

I bought my first one about a year ago. Loved it so much I bought a second. I'm not huge on knife self defense but even compared to the Spyderco Civilian, I think this folder is amazing. Light enough to carry in the pocket, easy to deploy, scary sharp. Mine are both serrated. This is just a great knife.

[@BrewCityRider]

What an excellent and thorough video sir👏 Very intimidating blade for sure. Don't underestimate the power of presentation to a bad guy. Many a mope quieted right down when I presented my baton and held it behind my leg in a staging position. And if I had to load it on my upper arm, forget about it!

[@cloudnine8842]

This same thing happened to me. About 2 years when I ordered mine it was supposed to be xhp but showed up in s35vn. This same exact knife.

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

S35vn is nice but I was disappointed.

[@cloudnine8842]

@@SuburbanPathfinder same here. I had the exact reaction at first I was annoyed and saying wtf then I just accepted it cause it's still good steel and a bad ass knife lol I ordered my tiger claw folder around the same time and it came in the cts xhp

[@eliteknowledge7298]

You won't have problems with stains though! 😉 I have had CTS XHP to rust much easier!

[@MehMeh361]

This video is the exact video I've been looking for. No one else talks about the re sharpening of the serrations, which has made me think about getting the non serrated version instead. I just watched a guy slice up some brisket and there really wasn't any difference especially considering possible utility use.

[@DM-sq3jm]

Sharpening CS stations is very straightforward, just a little time consuming. You need a Lansky "Dog Bone" sharpener. They make a version for the CS serration pattern.

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

I’ll have to try that out. I’ve got the Lansky base. I just need more stones.

[@lucafwn]

A very interesting video, thank you. As a practical knife, maybe this is not that useful, but it is fascinating from an engineering and, above all, from a design point of view: it is nice to have / look at just for the aesthetic pleasure. Of course, I think it is best avoiding using it on a day to day base, what with the resharpening issue, but still, there are way worse ways to spend your money than on such a delightful item.

[@DeusEstPrimus]

Civilian Proletarian, You know, I don’t understand this particular taboo that seems unique to the knife world. When people discuss firearms, nobody seems to have an issue highlighting the firearm’s lethality or suitability as a threat stopper. Interestingly, when it comes to knives, these aspects/topics appear to be avoided or often handled with silk gloves. I find it more interesting, that the very same people who eschew those ideas or criticize self defense minded knife carriers, will often admit later (or privately) that they themselves have bought knives for that purpose. I think ( honest people with integrity) most will admit, that certain knives are solely designed, bought and carried, with self defense in mind. Lets be honest here. Knives like the Tiger Claw, Black Talon 2, Spyderco Civilian/Matriarch, Safe Maker, DMAX 2, etc. are all designed to cut people. The vast majority of people who purchase knives of this sort ( collectors excluded) do so for that reason. For what it is worth, I see no problem discussing features or concepts unique to a knifes designed purpose. In closing, just because a person buys or carries a knife for self defense, doesn’t mean that person wants, or enjoys the thought of hurting another human being. Neither does wanting your self defense knife to posses features that facilitate its effectiveness as a threat stopper.

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

I couldn’t agree more. Thank you for that insight!

[@ccastor001]

Talking about the pocket clips. I usually use a multi tool or pliers and bend the clip out just barely so it doesn't grab the pocket and tear it up as easily.

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

Seems like a good idea.

[@utrak]

I hear some guys also stack coins or cards under the clip for a more controlled spring strength tuning.

[@bunsonhoneydew9099]

I just noticed the Cold Steel has a strong locking system, but no steel liners inside the scales. My Civilian has thin steel liners under the scales. I think the Cold Steel is maybe lighter?

[@harolddavis4138]

The pocket clip isn't the only thing that's strong on this knife. I like it. I subscribed.

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

Thank you !

[@ToxicGillesBE]

Fantastic video! :) Thanks for making it! I think it's a good addition to the discussion and to the community!

[@jacquesschryburt2480]

Cold steel Lansky serration sharpener. You will love

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

I’ll check it out.

[@ryan-yu3qi]

Great review

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

Thanks!

[@boopieboi439]

This knife is the embodiment of extreme done right. Thing has devastating cuts.

[@MrKillaDC]

No sir you use the lansky stick sharpener. There are groove line slots vertically on stick that fits serrated edges on all coldsteel serrations. For all coldsteel serrated knives. I use on all my coldsteel serrated knives and no serrated. I also use the spyderco knife sharpener for my civilian and matriarch. Also plain edged spyderco knives and coldsteel.

[@cassanoa]

btw i love your forward speech - your very sensible and correct - this is a very dangerous knife - well said - i dont knw if you are aware of the lansky cold steel serate sharpener - designed specifically for this tooth pattern

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

Thank you! This was a difficult video and I still have trouble watching it. I was not aware of the Lansky serrated sharpener when I made this video but it has been brought to my attention in the intervening time. Thanks again!

[@philliplehl5578]

I personally carry a 9mm for my main defense. But what if there's a situation where i can't get to it? Knife. Next best thing

[@londiniumarmoury7037]

I noticed the serrated version is S35VN but on their website it says the plain edge version is CTS-XHP, is the new plain version really in XHP? or is that a typo on their site.

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

I’m guessing it’s a typo. I’ve been disappointed by their catalogs and website before.

[@londiniumarmoury7037]

@@SuburbanPathfinder Thanks, I'll make sure I call them up and ask before buying, I hate getting the steel type I ddin't order, or edge type.

[@fixesflyers]

They're supposed to both be S35vn

[@JKTF476]

do you still have this do u still use it? fyi lansky makes sharpener for these type serations, just over 7$ on amazon

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

I do still have it. Thankfully, I’ve never had to use it for its intended purpose. I’ll check out the Lansky. Thanks!

[@getsum697]

My goodness...ever heard of the saying "Less is more"? The parts where you actually talked about the knife itself where good, thank you!

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

Yes but I don’t think I fully internalized it.

[@getsum697]

@@SuburbanPathfinder No, and neither have most women. 🙂

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

@@getsum697 😂😂😂

[@luc1ferblack]

The only issue is when its pulled out in a court of law its never going to look good

[@mugdays]

better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6

[@michaelrose9442]

Don't feel bad 😊. I just got one and cut myself as well. Deployment is a bit weird. Oh well...

[@JogieGlenMait16]

That can be a good movie prop too.

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

Jogie Glen Mait oh yeah. It would be an excellent prop.

[@CaptDavesSportfishing]

YOU :''never doing a video like this again''.....ME: I don't get any views on knife videos either...You're not the Lone Ranger! ME: Emergency, line slicer. Is in the other pocket across from my Cold Steel Tiger Claw....""too much?"" hahaha I ''strop'' my tiger claw and this, on a 2'' dowel, wrapped in leather, with a buddies home-made diamond dust paste. The round dowel makes it EZ. My tiger claw is CTS-XHP. The tri-ad lock parts give it it's handle strength. (per weight hang vids) SO, would my XL Voyager be a offensive useless knife? ''Just to have something!!''...that's ME. Andrew Demko, is the M-A-N!

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

Capt Dave's Sport Fishing “emergency line slicer”: exactly! I’ve looked at this knife many times and thought how much I would have loved to have it when I was doing underway replenishments and line-handling details in the Navy. I’ll have to check out the Tiger Claw. The Voyagers are great too. I’ve got a 1st Gen XL and the newest Large in AUS-10. Thanks for the feedback!

[@johnnylightning5633]

I'm lookin at this knife. I cut the $h-t outta myself with 2 Maslong D2 Unicorn Krambits and those really are crazy $h-t if you never have used Krambits....This knife looks alil saner...maybe.

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

Maybe slightly. 😂

[@redriver6541]

I'm a knife guy....and my hands look like I hand feed feral cats for a living. It's all good.....let them laugh. Yeh buts.....on self defense with a knife......until you're a woman getting raped......or you're a weaker man getting jumped....... The old adage..... Tried by 12..... Not carried by 6...... All day every day.

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

Please don’t get me wrong; I absolutely don’t disagree. Next time I’m having a fitful night’s sleep in a sketchy place, where I’m forbidden to have a firearm, guess what will be under my pillow?

[@ericsierra-franco7802]

Cold Steel serrations are similar to serrations found on low priced kitchen knives. I'll stick with Spyderco.

[@bgdg19681]

Its not a legitimate question because if you had any idea how to defend yourself with a knife you wouldn't need to ask.

[@leedonaldson8914]

That knife has no place on the civilian market.

[@richardhenry1969]

And crime has no place in a civilized world. Until you can make robbery and rape disappear. I think anything that will stop those types of things is worthwhile.

[@leedonaldson8914]

@@richardhenry1969 A knife for self defence is never a good idea.

[@leedonaldson8914]

@@richardhenry1969 Especially one like that thing. I have seen the injuries these can inflict and they are beyond horrific. I'm glad they're banned where I am. Like I said, they have no place on the civilian market.

[@richardhenry1969]

@@leedonaldson8914 I wonder why you would watch a video about a self-defense knife. Especially since you can't understand how to use a tool. It's fools like you that help criminals. Just because you have no training an you don't believe in protecting your loved ones Noone should be able. So I guess you have no crime were you live.

[@jakenash8362]

@@richardhenry1969 he prefers acid attacks and migrant grooming gangs. Have fun on your 46th booster shot and 12 year lock down ya knob.

[@hdm6897]

31:44 didn't consider any design flaws in this blade for what it is and its price range, IMO you really can't find anything of better value, craftsmanship, materials, and ergonomics, a well-thought-out defense blade with incredible cutting ability .ive owned several of the black talon 2 and I've never got cut, poked or nicked. It comes down to training with your tools and respecting them. Just like any other defensive tool it only does what you allow it to.its 'wave feature' is called a thumb plate and it's not taken from Emerson but rather an Andrew Demko/Lynn Thompson creation just as the triad lock is an Andrew Demko creation.