I often encounter people who are looking for a quality knife, but don't want to or can't invest a lot in it. Most turn to experienced sellers who help them find an acceptable alternative. Some try it on their own and turn to the largest possible source of information - the internet. But the internet has its pitfalls. If you care about the aesthetic side of the knife, but the price is also a priority, you may come across counterfeits, especially on Asian websites.
Personally, I think that for pieces you won't intentionally pass off as originals and that will just be a display on a shelf or in a collection, this issue doesn't need much discussion. However, most of us use a knife regularly. At work, outdoors during our hobbies, whether it's bushcraft, fishing or hunting, or as part of everyday carry gear you keep with you in case of emergency. Here, quality and manufacturer-guaranteed properties are an essential matter.
I told myself that I should take a closer look at this gift horse, and I chose what I considered the most suitable candidate from my point of view. The American brand Cold Steel. It is a well-known company that probably all avid knife enthusiasts know, and it has had a whole range of knife icons in its portfolio for many years.
I went to probably the most well-known Asian e-shop, where I was sure they wouldn't worry too much about the licenses of big companies and the mark of originality. It only took 3 clicks with the manufacturer's name, and an endless offer of copies flooded in, which, including the name and even the packaging, pretended to be the original Cold Steel manufacturer. The price was of course only a fraction of the original's value. All that was left was to choose a knife model that I have the opportunity to compare with its original counterpart.
I didn't want to bet everything on one card, so I chose two models right away, from two different suppliers. The choice fell on my favorite Kobun and the small Tokyo Spike.
Right from the start, I was struck by the fact that the photos showed original Cold Steel packaging, and even the preview images showed AUS8 steel on the blades, which Cold Steel also uses to make them. All this, however, for the price of a medium pizza. In the description of the Tokyo Spike, however, the description table listed cheap 440A steel, and the Kobun only had a diplomatic description – Steel.
There were therefore more questions than answers, and two months later everything became clear with a single glance in the mailbox. I won't claim that I had any positive expectations, andwhen it comes to fakes, no one should really have any illusions.
So let's take a look at it, and you can form your own opinion. For me, it just confirmed that if you want a blade you can rely on at any time, you need to go for certainty and quality.
Comparison of the Tokyo Spike model
As soon as I opened the package, which confidently presented itself as an original Cold Steel box, I got three surprises right away. The first was that it wasn't the Tokyo Spike model as it was in the photo and in the name, but a classic Drop Point Spike.
The second was the sheath, whose two sides were held together perhaps only by the audacity of its manufacturer, and I still wonder that each half didn't go its own way.
The third surprise was the chain, which was completely missing, which wouldn't be so bad if it weren't a knife without a clasp and with a narrow slot on the sheath, into which even the narrowest belt barely fits.
We've already talked about the chain, which is probably living its own life somewhere now. However, it's a matter of a few cents and shouldn't be given unnecessarily high importance. The first difference was in the quality of workmanship of the sheaths. As I already mentioned, the copy barely held together, and there can be no talk of any safe carrying. Stable attachment of the blade in the sheath is all the more important since this is a knife worn around the neck. Cold Steel solves this with the Secure-Ex system. Thanks to it, the blade holds perfectly in the sheath while not hindering quick drawing.
Sharpening test before the comparison
You may notice the change in the shape of the edge. This was after 5 minutes of manual sharpening on an ordinary 240-grit stone. Something like that would hardly happen with AUS8 steel. However, this designation is found on the blade, and nothing on the knife or in the packaging indicated that it was a different type of steel.
So the Spike wasn't surprising, quality and workmanship were as expected.
Comparison of the Kobun model
Packaging of the original and the copy. They were essentially indistinguishable.
They clearly took more care with the Kobun. At first glance it's the same knife, the difference, as usual, was hidden in the details. After pulling it out of the sheath, I noticed the first obvious difference. As a fan of Cold Steel, I know that knives are already oiled during production, even when it's not carbon steel. This can be seen well in the lower left photo. The original is on the right, and you can clearly see drops of preservative oil on it.
As I mentioned above, here the difference was hidden in the details. The copy was missing the semicircular cutout at the beginning of the blade, and unlike the Spike, here the manufacturer wasn't as bold and didn't stamp the mark of authenticity onto the blade. Whether it's really AUS8 steel we can only speculate, as well as about the country of origin, which Cold Steel marks directly on the blade. The weight felt similar, though at the time of comparison I didn't have the opportunity to put both on a scale and confirm it. It's also questionable whether it's full tang - whether the steel from the blade runs the entire length of the knife into the handle.
Summary in conclusion
From experience I know that knives of the brand Cold Steel are known for a very good price-to-quality ratio. They are simple in design, yet also aesthetic and come across as more serious. They are sought after by bushcrafters, anglers, and people working in the security sector alike, regardless of whether it’s the military or police anywhere in the world. Both the Kobun and Spike are knives in the price range up to 50€, which is more than a fair price for a good knife. For those few euros, you get a solidly crafted and quality knife with a good blade, tailored to a specific purpose, while also featuring a high degree of versatility.
They are made from durable and high-quality steel, and in the case of non-carbon models, they require minimal maintenance. Personally, I therefore see no reason to buy cheap imitationsif, for reasonable money, I can have a quality knife that I can rely on without doubt in a difficult situation and that will be a faithful companion for many years to come.
There are items in your gear that are not worth skimping on too much, and a good blade is one of the best examples of that. It doesn’t matter whether we’re talking about our EDC, hiking gear, or a tactical vest accessory. Always buy carefully and only from trusted supplierswhere you can be sure that you’re not buying a pig in a poke. In return, you get a loyal, quiet, and reliable companion for adventures and difficult life situations.
I hope this comparison helps you in your future decision-making. I wish you a lot of joy from your steel companions and plenty of unforgettable experiences they will be part of.
