Cold Steel Knives! What a great name for a knife maker! This California-based cutlery house has a reputation for tough, sharp knives. We'll look at two from different ends of the spectrum--and as to sharpness, I can testify. As I unpacked one, I was insufficiently careful when removing it from the cardboard sleeve and ended up needing first aid.

The big knife you see is the OSS Model. This Cold Steel Bowie knife is a serious fighting knife with an 8 1/4" double-edged blade. The handle is rubber covered with a hand-fitting shape. There's a little palm swell that makes it feel just right, and the texture is very nonslip.

The Kydex sheath is molded so the OSS locks in with a "click" that holds it securely although there's a nylon safety strap as well. The sheath has perforations on both sides so it can be laced Onto web gear.

The other Cold Steel knife under review is a serious folder called the Recon 1. It has a 4" blade. The handle is embossed with a textured pattern that gives a good grip, and there's a small relieved area where your thumb goes comfortably. The pocket clip can be moved to the other side, so it's conveniently ambidextrous and can easily be opened and closed with one hand.

Other than the obligatory rope-cutting exercise, the OSS hasn't gotten much use, but the Recon 1 rides comfortably in my right pocket even now. It's still admirably sharp and extremely handy.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Publishers' Development Corporation
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group

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