Free Shipping
Made In USA
Cold Steel Fixed Blades
Cold Steel's fixed blades are where the company's "strongest, sharpest" philosophy started. Before the folders, before the Tri-Ad lock, Lynn Thompson was building tantos and bowies designed to survive abuse that would destroy lesser knives. That overbuilt DNA runs through every fixed blade they make—thick spines, full tangs, and blade steels chosen for toughness over flash.
Brand Legacy
Cold Steel popularized the American tanto in 1980, and fixed blades have remained central to their identity ever since. The Recon Tanto has been in active military service for over two decades. The SRK became standard issue for Navy SEALs and special forces units. The Trail Master represents Thompson's attempt to build the definitive Bowie knife. These aren't safe queens—they're working tools built for people who depend on their gear.
The Lineup
Tactical/Combat: The Recon Tanto delivers Cold Steel's signature reinforced tanto point in a 7-inch blade. The SRK (Survival Rescue Knife) offers a versatile clip point in a package trusted by military and SAR personnel worldwide. Both feature SK-5 carbon steel standard, with CPM 3V upgrades available for serious users. The Leatherneck series provides combat-ready blades in tanto, clip point, and bowie configurations using German D2 steel.
Hunting/Outdoor: The Master Hunter is one of the finest production hunting knives available—VG-10 San Mai steel with a broad drop point optimized for field dressing. The Outdoorsman adds a secondary bone-breaking edge on the spine. Both feature full-tang construction encapsulated in Kray-Ex for wet, bloody conditions.
Big Blades: The Trail Master is Thompson's ultimate bowie—a 9.5-inch clip point with 8mm thick spine designed for chopping and slashing. The Gurkha Kukri brings Nepalese fighting knife geometry to modern production, with the CPM 3V version capable of outperforming swords twice its size in chopping tests. The Chaos series adds trench knife features—D-ring guards and skull crusher pommels.
Compact Options: The Kobun provides a slim 5.5-inch tanto for boot or belt carry. The SRK Compact delivers most of the original's capability in a lighter, thinner package. The Counter Tac series offers stiletto-inspired spear points for concealed carry.
Steels
CPM 3V tops the lineup—a tough tool steel with outstanding edge retention that Cold Steel uses on premium models like the Trail Master, SRK 3V, and Gurkha Kukri Plus.
SK-5 (Japanese equivalent to 1080 carbon steel) handles the workhorse tier. Tough, easy to sharpen, and affordable. Expect to maintain it against rust, but it'll take abuse that would chip stainless options.
VG-10 San Mai appears on hunting models. A high-carbon stainless core laminated between softer outer layers for the best of both worlds—keen edge capability with added toughness.
German D2 serves the Leatherneck series. Air-hardening tool steel with good corrosion resistance and solid wear properties.
Handles and Sheaths
Kray-Ex dominates Cold Steel's fixed blade handles—a deeply checkered rubber compound that absorbs shock and maintains grip in wet or bloody conditions. It won't win beauty contests, but it works.
Kraton appears on legacy models with the same functional philosophy—non-slip, weather-immune, and contoured to prevent the knife from shifting during hard use.
Every fixed blade ships with a Secure-Ex sheath—a polymer design that holds the blade securely while accommodating various belt sizes. Not fancy, but reliable and low-profile.
Warranty
Same Limited Lifetime Warranty as the folders through GSM Outdoors. Defects in materials and workmanship are covered; abuse and neglect aren't. Cold Steel also offers sharpening service—$10 for return shipping to their Texas facility.