I've got a Cold Steel sword cane and it's a tough, slashin', stabbin', and choppin' SOB.  I look like an unarmed, gimpy old man when I walk around with it, but (surprise, surprise, surprise) de' bad mon never see it coming.

Eh, prying open steel gates in blowing sand is pretty rough use for a folder. Someone else was using my fixed blade so I used what I had. Seemed to happen a few times.

I've broken the tips off a few knives too but I don't hold that against esee or buck. They're not meant to be screwdrivers or oyster knives.

I bought a cold steel folder a while back. I think I still have it? Lawman maybe? It's a nice design. Their locks are supposedly the strongest, but the blade steel on mine sucks.
  I also bought one of their composite baseball bats at the same time because it was cheap and they said indestructible.
  Man is that thing sweet. Smashes cinder blocks with ease!

My first real fixed blade was the same, factory 2nd Recon Tanto, several yrs ago,  followed up with the SRK.  Have been happy with them.

Since then, I've gotten several CS products, have gotten some unique, interesting things.   most recent some tomahawks to modify

I like their stuff

My theory - many years ago, CS ran the "Special Projects" catalog, carrying some of the unique items Lynn had ran across on some of his travels, not your run of the mill
folders or fixed blades. Various types of weapons from different areas of the world.  They  also ran the factory "2nds" of their knives, having cosmetic blemishes, selling at
reduced prices.  As the age of the internet & on-line sales came into play, they slowed down on the catalog (think small magazine)mailing, & added the Special Projects site,
as you mentioned above.  They probably came to realize they could sell more by putting most of the inventory on both sites, still keeping some of the long time customers
happy with the Spec-Proj. site..

just my thought..

Carbon V SRK is best SRK.

Have had one since 2001 and its one of the toughest knives I have ever owned.

I own a lot of knives including customs but the SRK is up there for the ones I keep coming back to.

Looking at the 3V Master Hunter as one to pick up next.

I have 2 CS items the Gladius machete and the pipe hawk. I gave the Gladius a better blade and stipped down the Pipe hawk and finished the handle and added an acid patina to the head. Both items are great deals I really want the small sword and the cutlas.


My pipehawk
 

I'll throw in and agree with both of y'all.  I bought an SRK back at a gun show in 1992.  A great knife, but it hasn't seen a ton of use.

How many of us used to read Soldier of Fortune?  I started reading it back in Junior High School.  SOF, Guns & Ammo, American Rifleman, plus catalogs from BQ, US Cav, Ranger Joes, Ken Nolan, Parallex and others.  Those were the days!!