R.I.P. Cold Steel

[@yohojones]

Sad day. Recon 1 is and always will be a classic. That new”er” Black Code 4 in S35VN is pretty awesome too.

[@X4CTO]

Indeed. The have so many quality knives available, we can only hope that will continue going forward.

[@Antimonyish]

RIP to one of the OGs. Hope Lynn has a good one an is taking life easy, they had a great run.

[@X4CTO]

Apparently Lynn is going to release a video update soon, this should give us some more insight. Hopefully we're all just making too much of this and everything will continue as is. Or it could be the beginning of the end. Only time will tell.

[@esotericed8736]

Can't believe I actually closed my eyes during a prayer for the loss of Cold Steel lol. Dude you're hilarious!.

[@X4CTO]

HAHA! Thank you for participating.

[@Kris_Stiletto]

All I can do is to hope for the best... And, buy all the one's I still want, just in case... Peace, Stiletto :-)

[@X4CTO]

That's all we can do indeed.

[@coldsteelcollector808]

Glad to see you here brotha! Two of my most trusted knife sources here in one place X4CTO and STILETTO nice! 🤙🏼

[@dombond6515]

Very sad day. I never liked cold steel. But now I like em more than most

[@X4CTO]

Cold Steel is a polarizing brand for sure, but the quality is there and that can't be denied.

[@sealevelbear]

Good for Lynn, bad for us. Like when George Lucas sold Star Wars.

[@X4CTO]

Perhaps so. Hopefully Cold Steel won't go all to hell like Star Wars though. We shall see.

[@sealevelbear]

@@X4CTO Saw a short vid from Lynn about the sale, it gave me some relief.

[@X4CTO]

@@sealevelbear Yeah, hopefully what he said about the quality continuing on will be accurate. Don't know about the Lifetime warranty thing though, that might not be a thing any longer.

[@sealevelbear]

@@X4CTO Oh man, I didn’t think about that. Here’s hoping!

[@freewaywarrior8241]

At least their knives will live on - those things are tough!

[@X4CTO]

Yes they are. They will live on indeed, may go up in price as they get scarce however.

[@thekanthalkid4273]

My eyes were closed, as soon as you started praying I busted up laughing!!!!

[@X4CTO]

HAHA. Well it was a desperate prayer, and I don't want to see any company go down, but it's all I had at the moment. LOL.

[@ting280]

I'm sorry for your loss. My condolences.

[@X4CTO]

Thank you. HAHA. Hopefully it won't be a loss at all... but I know what happens when companies start messing with a good thing and laying people off and such.

[@Neolithicblade]

Never thought I would see the day where Cold Steel gets sold, a moment of silence indeed. I have always loved Cold Steel knives and I really hope we don't see them turn into Gerber like you say. Might be time to finally pick up one of those large Espadas. Cheers X4CTO 👍

[@X4CTO]

Agreed. Hopefully all will go on as is and new models will be released that are just as good in quality and durability. Lynn made a statement saying that he and Demko would still be involved, so maybe they will continue. Sadly, so many good brands have perished or turned to crap in the past when bought out... here's hoping 2021 will bring new and better. If you do grab one of the Espadas you will not regret it, there's nothing else like it out there. I would call it one of the iconic Cold Steels. Cheers to you my friend!

[@Neolithicblade]

@@X4CTO Well at least that is some good news that Lynn and Demko will still be involved, I really hope we will continue to see more great releases from Cold Steel in the future. It would be extremely sad to watch them go the way of Schrade for example. I definitely will be picking up a large Espada, as I've said it is definitely a grail knife for me and after seeing how well yours has held up (and recent events) im more than sold.

[@X4CTO]

@@Neolithicblade I'm hoping their first order of business is getting a good version of the AD-20 made up! That would help them out a lot I think. Yeah the only thing you have to worry about with the Espadas is wanting more when you get one. HAHA. They're incredibly well built.

[@Neolithicblade]

@@X4CTO I completely agree, I haven't owned one myself but a buddy of mine has a Demko AD20 and it is incredible that shark lock is extremely cool. Big fan of the Cold Steel AD10 and AD15 too the 15 makes it into my regular edc rotation every couple days now. That is exactly what i'm worried about man haha I get a large Espada and then I cant stop and end up hoarding every single one I can get my hands on haha 👍

[@X4CTO]

@@Neolithicblade Shark Lock is awesome! Yeah same here with the AD-15, I can't seem to stop tossing one in my pocket every day at least once when I'm home, and that's if I'm not already carrying one. I look forward to hearing what you think if you do grab an Espada, it's easily one of my favorites.

[@knifevideochannel4657]

Bummed! After reading the entire BF thread on GSM Outdoors purchase of ColdSteel, I'd have to say RIP as we knew them. Clam Shell packaging with 8CR13MOV and no name Stainless is in the future I believe.

[@X4CTO]

I certainly hope not, but that's what we're all concerned might happen indeed. Happened so many times to good brands in the past unfortunately.

[@roygbiv4323]

I agree with being sad. But remember Lynn Thompson wouldn't leave us hanging like that. Andrew Demco may continue to work there making the existing line of knives while future designs start getting collaborations with Spyderco or Benchmade. I'd honestly like to see Microtech and Cold Steel make a knife. But who knows. I guess buy em while you can.

[@X4CTO]

I certainly hope not... I hope Lynn and Andrew continue doing what they do. There is a small possibility that this new ownership could result in even better knives from Cold Steel going forward, that would be great. Time will tell. We're apparently waiting on a video update from Lynn to give us more information.

[@allenaviation5746]

Looking forward to X4CTO's review of the new Cold Steel Les Stroud signature Beaver knife. Only $6.99 at Walmart.

[@X4CTO]

HAHAHA! I would probably do exactly that just to talk shit.

[@603predator4]

I have a feeling the days of the megafolder are dead.

[@X4CTO]

I hope not, but maybe so. Then again, we're apparently waiting on news from Lynn in the form of a video update, so maybe they'll remain as is... only time will tell.

[@fumastertoo]

I am still holding out hope for them...but....who knows. I guess I am glad that I have so many of their knives and many more that I want to get. Not sure if they'll be coming out with so many cool, badass knives. Hang in there bro, cheers!

[@wasawasablingbling]

I ordered a code 4 as soon as I heard the sad news. It’s the only modern CS model that stood out to me

[@X4CTO]

Code 4 is a great knife, very well made and cuts amazingly.

[@congheleechconghelach9860]

Where have you gone sir?

[@1978JWJ]

Its been apparent for awhile that the focus was no longer on what was selling and more on the special interest projects of Lynn...which it is his company BUT ultimately what has caused this. When you cant find the Mini Recon in a 3" blade that was probably the PERFECT hard use EDC but we kept getting all these HUGE blades that were totally impractical...yeah not hard to see why this has happened.

[@X4CTO]

I don't have much interest in most of their larger stuff, some of them are cool, but mostly I like their 4 inch and under stuff for EDC myself. The Espadas are the exception for me without a doubt, carry the large all the time. The Recons and Code 4's and Voyagers... all great offerings. Then the AD-10, 15, 4Max... those are all next level good. The swords and mega folders aren't really my thing... but I always liked how they were unapologetically offering such things nonetheless. Not sure why Lynn sold... but I guess we'll find out what happens with the brand going forward.

[@nickmiller1412]

I went on Ebay and bought an original Espada large model #62nl, after watching your video this morning. I remember when the Espada knives first released and now I feel like a jackass for putting off buying them. Lol

[@X4CTO]

That is one hell of an amazing knife. It took me a while back in the day to get one too, I kept buying other models and they one day I just decided to grab a couple of Larges and an XL... immediately I knew I made the right choice after getting them in hand. I've been carrying my Large Espada for about 4 or 5 years now and it's still holding up amazingly.

[@MultiVance123]

Right when I was considering snatching a clip point recon one. Guess I gotta do it now!

[@austinfreiburger9095]

Do it! My clip point recon 1 is my favorite knife. I just bought an espada Xl from knifecenter today as well

[@MultiVance123]

@@austinfreiburger9095 I don’t actually own any cold steels despite collecting since I was in 6th grade haha. The espada is a big ass folding knife my friend! Besides the recon 1, I’ve been looking to find a Laredo Bowie for a good price too just cause they’re so badass.

[@X4CTO]

Yeah man, I would do that. Hopefully nothing will change, but if it does then you'll be glad you did. The Recons are amazing knives.

[@munchiestinsandwich2465]

Great video

[@X4CTO]

Thank you, I appreciate you watching.

[@111111111Tiger]

EVERYTHING in the Universe is in a constant state of CHANGE! EVERYTHING

[@X4CTO]

Indeed it is. Damn ever expanding universe.

[@MTB4LIFE]

Lmfao... love the prayer brother.. dude I'm rolling.. can't breath, need oxigen.. froggen X4CTO

[@X4CTO]

HAHA! I don't think that's exactly how you're supposed to pray, but I was desperate.

[@arindambhattacharjee1121]

Lucky to find a mini recon 1speare point and a Voyager medium tanto both are aus8a steel.

[@powerplay4real174]

They got so much money from me during the Cold Steel panic purchasing frenzy 😎 But if it had not happen I would still have most of what I purchased still of my wish list LOL 🎃🎱😎🎱😎🎱🎃

[@karlbeitzel1664]

Thank God we got the AD-15 before the sale It Stands Up on it's end open or closed ... who else does that ?? : ) : )

[@X4CTO]

Yeah, I was telling my wife that exact thing earlier, I am glad I bought them for sure.

[@poland_stronk3044]

Look at bright side! Finally we will get Magnum Tanto XII and Trailmaster in afordable Stainless 420 ;D

[@X4CTO]

LMAO. Well it might not hold an edge longer than a few cuts, but at least it will be pretty tough then.

[@thomasraymond2314]

Make America Andrew Demko Again! Great Video Sincerely Thomas Raymond Fresno California!

[@X4CTO]

YES! MAKE AMERICA DEMKO AGAIN!

[@redastrachan8978]

Won't stay the same, or magically get better...

[@X4CTO]

Well probably not, but we can have some hope... might as well, 2020 already sucks enough.

[@krissyramsey3934]

Sad to hear :(

[@X4CTO]

Very sad... but hopefully we are just over speculating and everything will continue on. We're waiting on that video update form Lynn and then hopefully we will know more.

[@ten4leader173]

X, what line of work are you in? Can you carry a knife where you work?

[@X4CTO]

Not something I openly discuss, but I would be glad to do so off the beaten path. As for if can carry... absolutely. I carry anything I want wherever I want. I'm more of a constitutionalist so I would anyway, but legally I am able to in the majority of situations I find myself in.

[@ten4leader173]

@@X4CTO thanks for the reply!

[@X4CTO]

@@ten4leader173 You're welcome, anytime.

[@karlbeitzel1664]

sad ... they should have taken CRKT instead indeed say bye to the Cold Steel AD-20 ... never happen Demko will replace them maybe ??

[@X4CTO]

I mean honestly I do not want to see any company go under, not even CRKT... but damn man... Cold Steel. I hope Demko keeps on doing what he does because his creations are nothing short of amazing.

[@marcie-leebyers9521]

Extremely disappointed... I just went and bought a trail master and an OSI to finish my collection..

[@OmegaCaldereroid]

will be heading to my favorite knife shop today to buy SR1 and espadaXL before they go to shit... same sentiments here Bro...

[@X4CTO]

Yeah the SR1 is one I want to grab too. Hopefully they will maintain as is, but sadly it could be the beginning of the end too. We shall see. All I know is I'm glad I got the AD-10 and 15's now.

[@OmegaCaldereroid]

@@X4CTO i wish I have the AD10, AD15 and 4Max too but all I got are Luzon XL, ti-lite, etc. but SR1 is the one I really want, will try and get one if available, maybe not the espadaXL, already happy with my new sheepdogXL, etc. cheers! 🤜🤛

[@X4CTO]

@@OmegaCaldereroid Luzon and Ti-Lite are both good models as well. Sheepdog is another knife I've had my eyes on, looks like it may be something I would like.

[@OmegaCaldereroid]

@@X4CTO got my SR1 now but they have no EspadaXL

[@X4CTO]

@@OmegaCaldereroid I believe the Cold Steel store on Amazon has some XL's in stock.

[@downsouth701]

Lyn wants to spent more time at the ranch

[@X4CTO]

Yeah I heard that, and I also heard that maybe Lynn was going to stay on... apparently there is supposed to be a video coming soon from Lynn talking more about it.

[@5OclockSharp]

Lmfao why couldn’t they have taken CRKT. End of the day you can’t really blame him. If they’re cutting him a fat check during these times, common sense says to take it. If CRK can survive their founder and namesake being forced away by a court order, I think Cold Steel should be ok.

[@X4CTO]

Yeah big fat checks are hard to resist when this year sucks like it has been indeed. We're waiting to hear form Lynn and that may answer some questions we all have. Hopefully they will continue on as is.

[@tileman17]

ok I have a very old Benchmade auto that was my dads, so what's the problem I use it just about every day and is fine

[@X4CTO]

Well I've done many Benchmade reviews in the past, most of their models have passed through my hands and many I kept. I used to talk very highly of their balisongs and taught many how to flip using a Benchmade 42. In fact I think my first three or four videos here were on the Benchmade 42, 51 Morpho, and 32 Morpho. All my Benchmade videos are still on here actually. But then... Benchmade shot themselves in the foot with me. They decided they wanted to play games with me. I had multiple Omega springs break in AXIS locks (a lock which needs a design overhaul badly) and Benchmade decided it was better to play games than to hear me out. Long story... don't want to make it longer, it's all in a video or two somewhere that I made approaching a decade ago now. I gave them so many chances and kept wanting to like some of the knives, but shit kept on going south in a hurry. Benchmade knives

[@X4CTO]

Well now... I had much more written and KZbin decided to cut off all of my damn words. I'm not writing all of that again... LOL. Long story short... I am diametrically opposed to the company for a number of reasons on a number of topics. I highly praised some of their older models. Their old non-AXIS autos were great knives. Love their balisongs... mostly the old ones. I'm glad that you have one that works for you and you are happy with it, for me however... not something I'm interested in any longer.

[@farouq1983]

Man fuck this year damn it!

[@X4CTO]

I agree completely.

[@support16s45]

Wasn’t a huge fan of cold steel. I have the steel tiger I think it’s called, and that’s about it. But I never like to see an old school knife company get sold out. Shame.

[@X4CTO]

A shame indeed. I didn't like everything they made, but they have made some very very good models over the years.

[@DaBossk]

Lmao at your prayer. Cold steel really was one of the best knife companies.

[@X4CTO]

HAHA. I mean I don't want CRKT or Benchmade to go down either... but damnit, don't mess with Cold Steel.

[@LFPS0311]

OMG IT TOOK COLD STEEL DYING FOR YOU TO COME BACK!?! God giveth, God taketh away, I guess.

[@X4CTO]

HAHA! Well hopefully they won't die and we're all just speculating negatively, but we will have to see. Sometimes it happens that way though.

[@205959]

You have the best knife videos on you tube! I NEED more, new content. Thanks 🙏

[@wflccb83]

Sorry to say, I think the brand is done. I hope I'm wrong, but history has a way of repeating itself.

[@X4CTO]

Yeah, that's what we're all thinking right now, and exactly what we're afraid may happen.

[@SailfishSoundSystem]

Quality has already on down. Damn shame. Lynn sucks.

[@cjanderson1011]

Amen on the Spyderco!!!

[@yossw9729]

what? please tell me that's not true........

[@X4CTO]

Yeah... sucks.

[@bunssmith9988]

It is hard to tell the future of Cold Steel. But I can tell you this... If the new owners put their relatives in charge of the factory then it is doomed. (This is the voice of experience speaking, I have lived this adventure.) If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Leave the managers, foremen, workers and designers the hell alone and let them do their jobs. Will they do that? One can only hope.

[@shaunpearson7905]

Exactly than Cold Steel is still with us; the company just got rid of that fat nutsack with 5 knives and two handguns buying a bucket at the driving range.

[@603predator4]

Facebook chatter says GSM laid off everyone already

[@X4CTO]

Agreed. When they start playing around with all the people that know how to do what they have been doing well, that always causes issues. I suppose we will see, I hope they continue on without diluting the products. Only time will tell.

[@X4CTO]

@@603predator4 If that's true, that is extremely unfortunate both for the individuals affected and the brand.

[@603predator4]

@@X4CTO looks like they already messed with the warranty on the main website

[@mikeritter2979]

😆

[@X4CTO]

Yep.

[@coldsteelcollector808]

Lynn made a video yesterday saying he and Andrew won’t be going anywhere and that the new company (GSM) will be able to keep the knives in stock and expand on his vision for future cold steel...LYNN has always been a man of his word so I doubt his video was “damage control” I believe him i mean shit I’ve trusted my life to his knives for more than half my life (including as a minor carrying 😜 I grew up in north Jersey so having a lil sum sum just in case is like an extension of your arm lol)

[@X4CTO]

Yeah I watched it, and I hope what he said in the video does indeed hold true. Maybe he truly did make the sell so he could gain more production power and improve the company, it could happen just that way. As long as the brand doesn't get diluted then I'll be cool with it. Same here trusting my life to Cold Steel, I had a Cold Steel Voyager save my life one day. Cold Steel has been one of the brands I always looked to for self defense products. They are a brand that is like nothing else on the market. Here's hoping all will continue on as we know and love.

[@sturmgewehr70]

@@X4CTO I saw it,too. It looks like he’s reading from a teleprompter and is uncomfortable. I’ve read that Demko has stated he won’t be staying.

[@X4CTO]

@@sturmgewehr70 Yeah I heard that too about Demko. Who knows, we'll just have to let it play out.

[@MJFallout]

F

[@X4CTO]

I can only assume the last part of that is UCK.

[@Kimura1313]

Now you can find cold steel in Walmart

[@X4CTO]

Yeah I seen those, don't know their quality level but either way it was predictable. I hope they don't start making nothing but Walmart level knives.

[@sturmgewehr70]

I hate this! I’m a big Cold Steel fan. I was waiting until after the Holidays to pick up two more of their blades I wanted, but I went ahead and ordered a Storm Cloud and Limited Gunsite Counter Point,yesterday. I feel like we’ll be seeing Cold Steel in Walmart blister packs in the future ☹️ Amen on taking Benchmade!

[@X4CTO]

Yeah man, same here. The Storm Cloud is an awesome piece for sure. I hope that they don't dilute the brand and start carrying some bullshit at Walmart... but that seems to happen to a lot of companies that sell to other interests.

[@sturmgewehr70]

@@X4CTO Indeed,and if you read up on the company that bought CS, they have a history of doing that. Hell, they were just bought by a larger company in November.

[@X4CTO]

@@sturmgewehr70 Yeah they don't seem to be selling super high quality merchandise, that's what made me think Cold Steel might indeed go down the toilet, and that's what prompted me to make this video. Hope not, but it happens all too often unfortunately.

[@iceman7157]

Yeah I'm not sad. Cold Steel was always comparable to Böker to me. Won't miss it.

[@thechugdude]

I consider Cold Steel better than Boker. That's just my opinion though. I also don't think Boker is bad. The Demko designed knives are a good bit better than the competition. I prefer Cold Steels flagship knives over pretty much any company.

[@iceman7157]

@@thechugdude Every Cold Steel I've handled was way too hard to disengage and close and the G10 was way too grippy and the pocket clips were way too stiff. If I clipped one to my pocket it would rip the pocket apart if I removed it. Never understood the hype. I'd rather have a Kershaw, Benchmade, or Spyderco.

[@jeffreybarton1297]

@@iceman7157 I've got a few CS knives, and I consider myself very lucky to have an early version of the Recon 1. The locking system on that was so easy to open and close, and massively strong. I could open and close it purely by gravity, by pulling on the pivot 'button'. Every other knife I have by CS can be pretty hard on the fingers to unlock.

[@X4CTO]

Well regardless of like or dislike, I never want to see any company get diluted and people laid off... I hope this is not the case.

[@jeffreybarton1297]

@@X4CTO Yes, me too. I'm surprised Lynn did this. I can't believe it's because the company was losing money. Let's hope the new company don't screw the brand.....