It would be hard to find two more complementary market sectors than firearms and tactical knives. As a case in point, I imagine you’re likely reading this article simply because you’re the kind of person who appreciates a quality tool in whatever form it takes. Similar to what drives the engineering teams at Springfield Armory, there’s no shortage of knifemakers who go to bed and wake up thinking about how to create a product people can stake their lives on.
If one is going to talk about the leaders of the knife industry, the discussion is incomplete without mentioning Lynn C. Thompson, Cold Steel’s CEO. “Larger than life” is a good way to describe the man. In fact, the first page of YouTube results under his name will reveal Thompson’s personal knife recommendations for a variety of uses, a documentary of his own personal training sessions, and his use of a big-bore handgun to stop a charging Australian Buffalo at near-contact distance. Thompson is also the single biggest promoter of the “American-style tanto” blade shape, so his influence is reflected even in the product lines of Cold Steel’s competitors.
Of course, many of you might already be familiar with Cold Steel’s videos, where Thompson and staff showcase the toughness of their products through bombastic cutting demonstrations. You might not use your Cold Steel products to stab through a car hood or chop through a leather boot filled with meat, but it’s clear the company engineers its products to go to extremes.
While it’s tough to pick just three models from a company that makes everything from Scottish Claymores to throwing stars, here are three of my favorites.
The Code 4
Our law enforcement brothers will instantly recognize the lingo used in this knife’s namesake. “Code 4” is radio code that a situation has been resolved and no further assistance is needed. Indeed, the Code 4 is designed for police officers who need a lightweight and thin knife that could easily be incorporated into their loadout, albeit one that provides extreme durability and utility.
I think they nailed it. Cold Steel makes a lot of great tactical and EDC knives, but this is one I’ve made a regular part of my own carry rotation. Thanks mainly to the 6061 aluminum handles, the knife weighs only 4.3 ounces, yet it gives users 4” of blade to work with. Though the handle is flat and smooth, the contours of the handle allow it to really lock into one’s grip. The knife also incorporates designer Andrew Demko’s “Tri-Ad” lock, which company tests show can withstand up to 800 pounds of hanging weight without failing.
To all of that, I would add that the build quality is remarkable for the price point. The knife is expertly contoured all the way around the handle, and the blade has almost a hydraulic feel in its deployment smoothness. A lot of back locks are often too stiff to deploy one-handed, but with some practice and break-in, the Code 4 can easily be thumb-flicked into the open position.
Additionally, the blade of the Code 4 is made from S35VN. About ten years ago, this was a steel used almost exclusively in custom and other mondo-expensive knives. As it has become more widespread in the larger market, many users have since found it to be one of those “goldilocks” compounds that balances corrosion resistance, toughness, and edge retention without sacrificing too much in any one area. And, like all Cold Steel knives, it will arrive screaming sharp. MSRP is $149.99.
The SRK Compact
The Cold Steel SRK (Survival / Rescue Knife) is part of the official loadout for the Navy’s famous Basic Underwater Demolition / SEAL training — BUDS for short. Yes, that training course, where aspiring SEALs shiver on the beach as endless waves hit them in the face. This is the very same course where candidates are expected to run more than 200 total miles and train in excess of 20 hours a day. You might also know it by its appropriate nickname of “Hell Week.”
The SRK-C takes the 6” SRK and pares it down to a slightly more svelte 5”. The blade of the SRK-C is a beefy 4mm in width and features a right-angled spine, making it handy for a number of tasks like stripping bark or striking ferro rods. The blade is of a clip point type with ample strength at the tip, giving the user a lot of piercing power.
For the blade, Cold Steel is using SK-5. This is a Japanese tool steel that’s roughly analogous to the 1090 family of carbon steels, which are known for being extremely tough (i.e., resistant to bending and impact). While the drawback to carbon steels tends to be found in their corrosion resistance, the SRK-C features a coated blade to keep rust in check.
One thing that’s really great about the SRK-C is the handle design. Made from what Cold Steel refers to as “Kray-X,” it’s a rubberized compound with a pebbled finish. I find it to be comfortable and to absorb impact very well. However, unlike a lot of cheaper materials, the Kray-X doesn’t become weirdly tacky or sticky in changing temperature conditions.
The SRK-C also comes with a nicely designed sheath that holds the knife securely. Through a number of moveable screws, users can adjust the deployment height — or, thanks to the various holes and slots, paracord or other straps can be run through the body of the sheath to position it just how one would prefer.
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Now for the best part: I have no idea how Cold Steel keeps the cost down on this knife, but it’s surprisingly inexpensive. (I know they produce a ton of these things, so it’s very likely economies of scale are working in our favor). If you’re looking for a durable fixed blade that can handle an unknown number of tasks, this would be a great choice. MSRP is $53.99.
The Tuff Lite
I’m sure a lot of people have watched Lynn Thompson chop through tatami mats and pig carcasses with broadswords and thought, “Doesn’t this guy make stuff for regular people?” To me, the Tuff Lite is proof that Cold Steel can also successfully go small.
True to its name, the design mission with the Tuff Lite was to design a lightweight, downsized knife that nevertheless carried the Cold Steel ethos of being capable of handling much larger tasks. While the Tuff Lite’s 2.5” blade is dwarfed by most everything in the company catalog, it’s a design that can stand on its own.
Deployed, the Tuff Lite is an ergonomic gem. The chunky handle fills the palm of the hand, and the finger locks very comfortably and solidly into the generous choil. As a result, the user can really bear down on the Tuff Lite to cut through thicker rope and plastic, and the wharncliffe tip can make precise draw cuts. The model shares the same tough-as-nails Tri-Ad lock as the Code 4, so one needn’t worry about breaking the thing. On top of that, the blade of the Tuff Lite is hollow-ground, making it very slicey and thin behind the edge.
Unlike most of the Cold Steel catalog, the Tuff Lite is also fairly unassuming, especially in its red and blue color ways; it looks like a weird box cutter when opened. As a result, a number of users might feel very comfortable throwing it into an office drawer or jacket pocket.
Materials used are a good balance in toughness and affordability. The Griv-X handle has the feel of a quality polymer handgun frame with good texturing, and the blade material is Japanese AUS-8: it’s not a powerhouse steel, but one that’s stainless and easily sharpened after a serious work session.
In short, the Tuff Lite is one of my go-tos for breaking down boxes and other household tasks, and it puts a smile on my face when I lock into the handle and get some work done. MSRP is $49.99 (and on sale for $37.99 at the time of publication).
The Wrap-Up
I’m sure some are shocked that I didn’t pick designs like the Natchez Bowie or the Espada XL as models that illustrate Cold Steel’s “go big or go home” philosophy. I would counter that the three knives above are those that I personally use and trust, and are probably more likely to become part of our readers’ go bag or EDC loadout — though you’ll find that Mr. Thompson does indeed carry an Espada XL on his person just about wherever he travels.
That said, there certainly isn’t a bad way to go in Cold Steel’s lineup, and just about everything they make carries the company’s pedigree of extreme durability and outsized cutting performance.
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