Cold Steel

Cold Steel
For other uses, see Cold Steel (disambiguation).
Cold Steel Inc.
Type Corporation
Industry Manufacturing
Founded California (1980)
Headquarters Ventura, CA
Key people Lynn C. Thompson (President & Founder), Robert Vaughn, Ron Balicki[1]
Products knives, swords, tomahawks, pepper spray, machetes, martial arts & self defense-related Products
Website www.coldsteel.com

Cold Steel is a Ventura, California-based maker of knives, swords and other edged weapons and tools. Cold Steel was founded in 1980 by company president, Lynn C. Thompson.[1] Cold Steel's products are manufactured in various countries including the United States, People's Republic of China (PRC), Republic of China (Taiwan), India, and South Africa.[2]

Contents

Products

The company's products include fixed blade knives, folding knives, swords, machetes, tomahawks, kukris, blowguns, walking sticks, and other martial arts–related items.[1] Cold Steel is credited with popularizing the American tantō in 1980.[3][4]

The knives are made using VG-1 Stainless Steel, 4116 Krupp Stainless Steel, 1055 Carbon Steel, SK-5 High Carbon Steel, San Mai 3 Laminated Steel and AUS 8A Stainless Steel.[5]

Cold Steel has partnered with custom knife makers such as Andrew Demko, Phil Boguszewski, and Lloyd Pendleton on certain designs.[6]

Marketing

Cold Steel is known for its marketing videos and DVDs which demonstrate their products. Featured tests include piercing car hoods, using folding knives as monkey bars, slicing through large free-hanging pieces of meat and bone, and shearing free hanging rope with a single stroke.[1]

Special Projects division

Special Projects is a division of Cold Steel Inc. that produces a line of tools and weapons such as Spetsnaz-type shovels, sjamboks, and spears. Additionally a line of tomahawks, axes, and hammers is marketed under the name of The American Tomahawk Company.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Barlow, Zeke (October 19, 2008). "Flamboyant businessman deals in Cold Steel". Ventura County Star. http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/oct/19/his-weapon-of-choice-cold-steel/. Retrieved 2009-04-23. 
  2. ^ "Official Cold Steel FAQ". Cold Steel. http://www.coldsteel.com/faqs.html#Made.  Official Cold Steel FAQ explains "Most items are made in Japan, Republic of China (Taiwan), or People's Republic of China (PRC)."
  3. ^ Kertzman, Joe (2001). 2002 Sporting Knives. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 99. ISBN 9780873492669. 
  4. ^ Kertzman, Joe (2002). 2003 Sporting Knives. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 29. ISBN 9780873494304. 
  5. ^ Petty, Charles E. "Cold Steel Knives". American Handgunner Magazine. 3 July 2009.
  6. ^ Winter, Butch (2003). "Collaborations with Custom Knifemakers". Sporting Knives 2003: 154–161. ISBN 0-87349-430-X. 
  7. ^ Suermondt, Jan (2004). Illustrated Guide to Knives. Grange Books. p. 24. ISBN 9781840136944. 

External links



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