Africa, China, Japan -- what the flack does it matter, it isn’t American, which far too many people believe to be true of all the products that Cold Steel makes, made or will make!
When they opened their doors they were, for the most part, all American--where a piece of steel came from, where it was poured, rolled, pounded or stamped didn't really matter as the final pieces was all made in the USA...now lots aren't even assembled in the US let alone made entirely here--but shipped complete from overseas...They advertised X steel from Y country made right here into Z knife along with all their other knives...
There are lots of posts at the knives forums about the China made knives/steel…It's not that it’s produced out of country but why China? Then charging top dollar for it!
Regardless, he makes some good knives but a lot of severely overpriced for what you're getting knives as well...I can get the same knife, custom made, probably with better steel and handle material for a lesser price than Lynn is charging...
I have quite a few of his older knives (18 with 3 more coming) in my collection but I won't get every piece like I have done with Grohmann, SOG, CRKT etc....What gets me, from a collector's point is that he takes some of his better designs off the market and what replaces it usually has a different styling that isn't as good as the old one and more money…CRKT just keeps adding and then taking away so when you finally get around to getting the piece, it’s discontinued...
A mid dollar knife maker he is, a high end custom maker he's not! Want to make a few limited edition models, fine but taking a regular production knife, polish it a little longer, stick it into another sheath, maybe changes the handle scales and overcharging for it isn't the best business practice...
I like his knives, I have his knives and will/have order(d) some more but you have to watch where the knife is made, shipped intact or assembled or just polished here...It usually says it on the ricasso with Made in XYZ...I don't like Chinese steel--quality, temper--their labour practices--working conditions, salary or by buying something I'm directly supporting their military...
