Cold Steel 2018 Knives: A Guide to What’s New

Cold Steel just revealed its new for 2018 products. In 2017, the company introduced an astounding 94 items, but this year Cold Steel’s product proliferation is more in line with other major brands. 20 new Cold Steel 2018 knives will be joining the catalog.

The Venturas, California based brand balanced both value and premium products in folder and fixed blade categories. New-to-the-line steels play into both ends of that price spectrum, including budget standby 8Cr13MoV and high-performance CPM-20CV. Mechanical changes are at play as well. Cold Steel has leaned heavily on its Tri-Ad Lock in the past, but they broke away from the mechanism on multiple releases this year. Liner locks and traditional-style lockbacks will be added to the menu. But in typical Cold Steel style, both have been outfitted with a secondary locking arm for extra muscle.

Finally, multiple extensions bolster popular product lines. The San Mai lineup grows exponentially with an influx of seven new blades alongside single-product extensions of the Drop Forged and Mini Tac Lines.

Luzon
The new Cold Steel Luzon shares some of the slender style of the popular Ti-Lite model. “The design is Filipino-inspired. It’s an awesome balisong blade-style in a flipper and is really a heck of a lot of knife for the price,” Cold Steel President Lynn C. Thompson tells us. “It features a strong leaf spring lock with backup safety, offering tremendous value and safety.” The liner lock Luzon is available in both 4- and 6-inch variants and utilizes 8Cr13MoV blade steel.

Bush Ranger Series
Cold Steel took inspiration from one of their retired fixed blade designs for these burly 3.5-inch bladed folders. The Bush Ranger comes with G-10 handles, S35VN, and a Tri-Ad Lock. The Bush Ranger Lite takes off about half an ounce from the 5.8 oz. standard model, and targets a $50 price point with GFN handle and lock back outfitted with a secondary lock. “Since the inception of the Tri-Ad lock, we haven’t really explored other lock back options and I think these are great, sturdy, knives for the price point,” Cold Steel Head of R&D Andrew Demko says of the Lite model.

Storm Cloud
Like 2017’s Night Force, the Storm Cloud leverages a carbon fiber/G-10 build to keep the weight down. The premium feel continues with a 3.5-inch tanto blade made from CPM-20CV steel. “I’m quite fond of the Storm Cloud,” Thompson says of the 3.6 oz. folder. It’s an awesome EDC. It works in every grip imaginable, and is light enough for slacks or a dress shirt pocket and looks timeless and classy.”

Double Safe Hunter
Modeled after the original Cold Steel Voyager, this lock back knife includes the secondary safety, and sports a GFN clip similar to what Cold Steel first played around with last year on the Grik.

SR1 Tanto
Massive and sturdy, the SR1 debuted last year with a clip point and now it’s showing up with a tanto. “I’d say I’m most excited about the introduction of the SR1 in tanto point,” Demko tells us. “It’s one of my favorite folders of all time, and the tanto point makes it even better.” Thompson also approves of the burly folder. “You could drop me off in the bush, anywhere in the world and this would be the folder I’d want at my side,” he says.

San Mai Knives
Seven Cold Steel fixed blades will now be available in their San Mai laminated steel configuration. These knives feature a hard cutting core of VG-10 clad in a protective outer sleeve of softer steel. Five are tanto blades – the Master, Recon, and Magnums II, IX, and XII. They appear alongside the Tai Pan and clip point SRK in the new for 2018 San Mai fleet. According to Thompson Cold Steel is moving all San Mai production except for the Trail Master Bowie from Japan to Taiwan due to industry changes. “The rest of our San Mai products will feature the same quality Japanese steel but will be made in Taiwan now, creating savings that I am pleased to pass on to my customers,” he says.

> > Keep your folders awesome. Grab a Pack of 5 Microfiber Blade Sleeves for $8.99 < <

Drop Forged Push Knife
A push knife made 52100 steel, this dagger ground blade goes big on durability. “It’s drop forged from one single piece of steel so there’s nothing to break. It’s probably the strongest production push knife, ever,” Thompson asserts. “It’s super easy to clean, and it’s fun because it’s highly customizable with Rustoleum paint, lanyards and more.” MSRP for the Drop Forged Push Knife is $89.99.

Mini Tac Bowie
The Mini Tac series gets a new blade shape this year. The Bowie shape is classic Cold Steel and made from AUS-8 steel.

Knife featured in image: Cold Steel Storm Cloud