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Cold Steel Swords
Cold Steel Swords are some of the best known swords for sale on the internet – partially as a result of their aggressive marketing campaigns combined with a reputation for proving the quality and cutting power of their swords in a series of promotional and sometimes very gruesome DVD’s(the “Proof” series).
While Cold Steel swords are made in at least 2 separate forges (one in China by smiths trained by Fred Chen for their Japanese swords and one in India for the European swords) they pride themselves on keeping close control over the swords they commission – striving to create a product that is a little heavier than the historical equivalent it is based upon – yet extremely sharp, very durable and with excellent cutting abilities.
The price range on their swords varies quite dramatically from seller to seller, though if you shop around most can typically be obtained within the US$150 to $300 price range.
MAIN PRODUCT LINES
In a unique and rather broad ‘shotgun’ approach – Cold Steel swords typically produce at least one model for each genre of sword, from Military Sabres, Chinese Jian to medieval swords and everything else in between.
As such, it is very hard to neatly categorize their blades other than to say that they produce at least ‘one of each broad type’ – and quite a few varieties of Japanese Katana.
KNOWN ISSUES
The quality of some models of Cold Steel swords can be something of a hit and miss affair – notably with regards to the structural integrity of their hilts. In particular, the Hand and Half Sword and the Gross Messer have had reported issues in this area – with the Hand and a Half sword often reported as falling apart at the handle for no good reason, and the pommel of the Gross Messer occasionally dropping of during use due to an insufficiently long pommel screw. It would seem that the Gross Messer has largely been fixed and that the Hand and a Half is due for a new pommel attachment in early 2008.
Regardless though, Cold Steel do not shy away from these issues and state in their FAQ and Return Policy that if a sword breaks in normal use or is in some other way defective, to return it to them with a short explanation (regardless of where you bought it from) and they will resolve the problem...
Otherwise, the most common issue on their swords involves sharpness – or lack of it. The overwhelming majority of their swords are ridiculously sharp, but there are occasions where some bad ones slip through that are as blunt as a butter knife. While the good ones far outweigh the bad, the sheer volume of Cold Steel swords on the market magnifies this problem exponentially.
Many of the rejects end up being sold off on ebay. And a warning that a given retailer is selling the factory seconds is an unusually low price (though there are exceptions such as Trueswords.com, where their Cold Steel swords are sold at the lowest price on the internet, but are pre-inspected and covered by their excellent commitment to customer service should a lemon slip through the net).
REVIEWS
Prices for Cold Steel swords fluctuate wildly, with the most expensive place to buy them being directly from Cold Steel!
However, I have found that the best prices and the best customer service are to be had at Trueswords.com where they are typically available for ½ the price of Cold Steel and approx $10-20 lower than their closest (legitimate) competitors.
ADDITIONAL COLD STEEL SWORDS STOCKISTS
The following additional retailers also stock Cold Steel swords:
Kult of Athena
Swords Direct
Knife Centre Store
By the Sword
Zwaardstunter
Cold Steel swords are also available at many online knife sellers, Ebay.com and bricks and mortar knife stores.
What's YOUR experience with this brand?Do you own one of the swords made by this company? Or know any good stories or information not covered here? Share it! What Other Visitors Have SaidClick below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Chisa Katana
meh...what can i say...it cuts-although mine was a tad big dull Two good swords I have brought a number of swords made by cold steel all of which have been superb of particular note is the 1796 light cavalry sabre and the Bagua sabre....
Cold steel Hand and a Half sword.
This blade was a beast of a cutter. no resistance on my strikes, cutting light to medium targets, but then I noticed the pommel wobbling. Cold steel, warrior/imperial series katana... ...This will be my last post for now, seeing as this is the last sword I know anything about. But as many know, the cold steel katana handles like a....Well....
When Watching the Cold Steel Videos...
...Do not be so impressed. My experience with Cold Steel Cold Steel makes GREAT knives and HEAVY swords. If cutting and durability are all you are interested in go with Cold Steel, if you want a katana that feels ... I hope this information on Cold Steel swords has been helpful. To return to the Homepage from Cold Steel Swords, click here
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