As a South African who grew up with these, the easiest way to close these ratchet locking knives is to insert your pointing finger into the ring, the handle resting on the middle and ring finger knuckles and pinky finger extended toward the end of the handle. Then thumb on the blade to press the blade out of the lock and into the first ratcheting position. The way you did it in the video the knife just needs to rotate 180°
The original carbon steel Okapi has skinned & dressed more game in Africa than all the other knives put together. Every farm worker & tribesman had one in his pocket & could be (& were) sharpened on the closest flat stone or slate.Most were not locking & were stocked at every trading station or country Store.
I've had one for years now, and it remains a favorite budget folder. It was a nostalgia buy for me. When I was a kid, growing up in Jamaica, every boy wanted to have a ratchet knife (that's what we called them, because, obviously, the locking mechanism is a ratcheted tang.) I really like the Cold Steel version and regret not getting the larger one they used to make. You can pry the back spring a little to loosen it. You can close it one handed, but once you loosen the spring, you can also flick it open. Takes a little practice to pull the ring and flick, but it's very doable.
I've had one for a couple of years now, and while I wouldn't trust my life with it or even carry it regularly, it's a fun little knife and can be used as a cheap backup.
I have the original knife the okapi. I had to order a Kudu from Cold Steel years ago. When my Grandfather passed away, he had a small knife collection. And got the Okapi, one of our family members that was in WWII bought it back from Europe. The knife has made in Germany on the blade. It's old. But it's sharp. My grandfather knew I always liked it cuz I thought it was a kind of a weird knife.
Nice little knife. I think it would make a good complement to a first aid kit or bottom of the ruck knife incase you loose your main knife. I’d like to see how folks use it. It definitely has some potential. Great video, as usual.
Hi Bryan, Derek here from N.S Canada & as usual, another GREAT knife video as only you can do Sir !! I SO LOVE Cold Steel Knives, i think the Quality is UP there with Ontario & Ka Bar. Id sure LOVE to see you do a review of the Cold Steel Rajah 2, that's the BIGGEST folder i EVER seen. 💯👍🤝
Well i have it for few years. The first thing I did was loosen the lock a bit, and i buyed on AliExpress thumbstud for him. Now i can completely using it as one hand knife. Thumb and flick for quick deployment and only thumb for normal deployment. And of course it's completely one hand closing knife. It's excellent as food prep knife and as toolbox knife. Not that good as edc knife.
I got one of these several years back as a free add-on when I purchased another Cold Steel knife. I really did not have much use for it and threw it into my bag of blades. It is cool looking, but I never used it. Thanks Bryan and yeah it reminds me of the French Opinel knife too. Which I also have little use for.
The Opinel? Sure, for basic knife stuff like light carving tasks and food prep. It’s lightweight, simple, comes razor sharp and is easy to sharpen. Oh, and is not very expensive.
It's actually really easy to start the closing with one hand you simply put.your index finger In the ring knife vertical thumb on the back and pull the ring and push on the spi e with the thumb at the same time
I have the locking and non locking cold steel kudu. Instead of using your finger to close it, use the palm of your hand, while gently pulling up with your finger.
I have own 5 of theses never broke the blade just after a few months the ring broke on it but it was still functional you just have to have a screw driver to lift the lock up and it was still in working order
There is a safer way to close it. Use your indx finger and a closed fist behind the back of the handle (behind the back spring), and the use your other hand palm on the spine of the blade and close the knife by turning both hands down and in
Its crazy how most people dont like this knif eor understand why people use it...... Simple its all they had and more people probabky have used these type of knives than the knives we have today theyv been around forever
Did they change the steel on this? I got this a few years ago and thought it was 4116. Btw, it's quite easy to close and even open one handed once you get the hang of it. The spring may need to be loosened up just a tad.
Yes. They were originally made with 4116 Krupp, as was the Eland, but now they're 5Cr15MoV, as is the Kudu Lite. You can tell the difference because the 4116 version has the Kudu pattern on the side raised proud of the surface, while the later version has a recess molded into the Grivory so the pattern fits flush to the surface.
Put your thumb on the blade, your first finger in the ring. Rest the other three fingers on the handle. As you push down on the blade pull up with your finger in the ring, that will release the lock.👍👍⚓⚓🇺🇲🇺🇲
5Cr15MoV is 0.5% carbon and 15% chromium. It's about on par with 420HC, or the aforementioned 4116. With a good heat treatment it'll go the distance, and it is very stainless.
True, although the Spanish adopted a stronger spring with a lever to unlock it when the Navaja started growing to the size (7+ inches) that they'd become famous for. The Cold Steel Eland (5.25 inches) was only in production for a year, but I grabbed a couple.
5Cr15MoV? 0.5% Carbon, 15% Chromium. It's about on par with 420HC, or the 4116 that Cold Steel used to use. Cold Steel generally have a good heat treatment, so it's not that different to the 420HC blades used by Buck. It's a $10 knife, and if you use it a bit you'll find it's really good value.
It's a $10 knife. It might well be the worst knife Cold Steel has made, but it's a reinterpretation of an extremely budget knife from Germany/South Africa. Have you seen the German Mercator K55K? That design is 150 years old, and still in production today. It is still a pretty good budget knife, which costs next to nothing.
Its crazy how most people dont like this knif eor understand why people use it...... Simple its all they had and more people probabky have used these type of knives than the knives we have today theyv been around forever
As a South African who grew up with these, the easiest way to close these ratchet locking knives is to insert your pointing finger into the ring, the handle resting on the middle and ring finger knuckles and pinky finger extended toward the end of the handle. Then thumb on the blade to press the blade out of the lock and into the first ratcheting position. The way you did it in the video the knife just needs to rotate 180°
Ashley also South African here and also had a few of them both locking and plain slip knife.
The original carbon steel Okapi has skinned & dressed more game in Africa than all the other knives put together. Every farm worker & tribesman had one in his pocket & could be (& were) sharpened on the closest flat stone or slate.Most were not locking & were stocked at every trading station or country Store.
I've had one for years now, and it remains a favorite budget folder. It was a nostalgia buy for me. When I was a kid, growing up in Jamaica, every boy wanted to have a ratchet knife (that's what we called them, because, obviously, the locking mechanism is a ratcheted tang.) I really like the Cold Steel version and regret not getting the larger one they used to make. You can pry the back spring a little to loosen it. You can close it one handed, but once you loosen the spring, you can also flick it open. Takes a little practice to pull the ring and flick, but it's very doable.
The Eland version was a really big budget knife.
Of course the 4.25 inch Kudu is not a small knife, except by Cold Steel standards.
I've had one for a couple of years now, and while I wouldn't trust my life with it or even carry it regularly, it's a fun little knife and can be used as a cheap backup.
I have the original knife the okapi. I had to order a Kudu from Cold Steel years ago. When my Grandfather passed away, he had a small knife collection. And got the Okapi, one of our family members that was in WWII bought it back from Europe. The knife has made in Germany on the blade. It's old. But it's sharp. My grandfather knew I always liked it cuz I thought it was a kind of a weird knife.
The okapi knife is the Gangster knife of SA, the go to knife, and most people carry this for defense here in SA, and pretty good knife
I like like the new balance, orientation, and rotation device
I've had one for over ten years. Still like it. Yes, I still think it's pretty cool.👍👍⚓⚓🇺🇲🇺🇲 Super light.👍
Nice little knife. I think it would make a good complement to a first aid kit or bottom of the ruck knife incase you loose your main knife. I’d like to see how folks use it. It definitely has some potential.
Great video, as usual.
Agreed. Something inexpensive that can go in some car bags or such.
Wow! That is beautiful
Best. Picnic. Knife. Ever.
Hi Bryan, Derek here from N.S Canada & as usual, another GREAT knife video as only you can do Sir !!
I SO LOVE Cold Steel Knives, i think the Quality is UP there with Ontario & Ka Bar.
Id sure LOVE to see you do a review of the Cold Steel Rajah 2, that's the BIGGEST folder i EVER seen.
💯👍🤝
You can own real pocket knives in Dictator-Trudeau's Canada?
Interesting design a fun piece to add to a collection for not much money👍
As a camp food prep knife it what i use it for . Cuts steaks pretty good.
My first Cold Steel, my second CS was a Raja 2. Cold Steel user for life now.🤣👍
Your renovated throwing board looks MUCH better! Yep, that knife seems dangerous to open for sure.
Well i have it for few years. The first thing I did was loosen the lock a bit, and i buyed on AliExpress thumbstud for him. Now i can completely using it as one hand knife. Thumb and flick for quick deployment and only thumb for normal deployment. And of course it's completely one hand closing knife. It's excellent as food prep knife and as toolbox knife. Not that good as edc knife.
Good review Brian , thanks for sharing , God bless !
I got one of these several years back as a free add-on when I purchased another Cold Steel knife. I really did not have much use for it and threw it into my bag of blades. It is cool looking, but I never used it. Thanks Bryan and yeah it reminds me of the French Opinel knife too. Which I also have little use for.
Really. The Opinel is an excellent knife. And very useful.
@@SurvivalOnPurpose I do like their saw.
@@SurvivalOnPurpose Is it really a knife you would recommend?
The Opinel? Sure, for basic knife stuff like light carving tasks and food prep. It’s lightweight, simple, comes razor sharp and is easy to sharpen. Oh, and is not very expensive.
@@SurvivalOnPurpose
Ironically I treat my Kudus much like my Opinels.
Awesome knife good price
Definitely an interesting take on the African Kudu knife.
Absolutely👍👍
It's actually really easy to start the closing with one hand you simply put.your index finger In the ring knife vertical thumb on the back and pull the ring and push on the spi e with the thumb at the same time
Looks like it will make a great signal mirror! Gotta like dual purpose!
You are right👍👍👍👍😎😎
I have a Kudu Lite. I wouldn't recommend it for drunken scrimshaw. It'll bite ya if you're careless. I like it so far.
I have the locking and non locking cold steel kudu. Instead of using your finger to close it, use the palm of your hand, while gently pulling up with your finger.
It's cheaply made but that being said its usually way under 10 bucks and comes razor sharp
I have own 5 of theses never broke the blade just after a few months the ring broke on it but it was still functional you just have to have a screw driver to lift the lock up and it was still in working order
cool knife :)
Try a Svord peasant. It would fit into same traditional folder category.
It's cheaper than the cheap kitchen paring knives we buy. Much safer on road trips, no sheath required.
Neat looking knife
There is a safer way to close it. Use your indx finger and a closed fist behind the back of the handle (behind the back spring), and the use your other hand palm on the spine of the blade and close the knife by turning both hands down and in
Its crazy how most people dont like this knif eor understand why people use it......
Simple its all they had and more people probabky have used these type of knives than the knives we have today theyv been around forever
One of,the few Cold Steel designs I've not cared for...but it does lock, and take an edge, so....
Did they change the steel on this? I got this a few years ago and thought it was 4116.
Btw, it's quite easy to close and even open one handed once you get the hang of it. The spring may need to be loosened up just a tad.
I don't know what steel they used to use (or, honestly, what they actually use now). I just related what the website says
Yes.
They were originally made with 4116 Krupp, as was the Eland, but now they're 5Cr15MoV, as is the Kudu Lite.
You can tell the difference because the 4116 version has the Kudu pattern on the side raised proud of the surface, while the later version has a recess molded into the Grivory so the pattern fits flush to the surface.
2:35 Torx, they are called Torx. 🙂
great video. l got a few for free for buying other knives at smkw. no ring lock.
Very tough knife for 12.00
Got 2 of these. Latest one seems to be less quality than the one I bought 6years ago
Put your thumb on the blade, your first finger in the ring. Rest the other three fingers on the handle. As you push down on the blade pull up with your finger in the ring, that will release the lock.👍👍⚓⚓🇺🇲🇺🇲
Can you buy from big daddy unlimited during the trial period?
Yes
i have one i bougt from Donnie b all day
What do you want for $11 buck knife that is like a gas station knife.
I like my fingers a little too much to be interested in this knife.
Interested to see this I've always thought that was the dumbest leaste practical knife I've ever seen let's see what it's all about
Ok not as dumb as I thought. I dont like the knife but thanks for doing the review i always wondered what the story with this was
5crmov is disappointing, I love Steel but Iam getting concerned.
I mean, it's a $10 (or less) knife. Can't really be asking for much from that.
5Cr15MoV is 0.5% carbon and 15% chromium.
It's about on par with 420HC, or the aforementioned 4116. With a good heat treatment it'll go the distance, and it is very stainless.
African? Spanish Navaja from 15th century features the same locking
Native African design may be very similar to the Spanish one...evolution convergence
True, although the Spanish adopted a stronger spring with a lever to unlock it when the Navaja started growing to the size (7+ inches) that they'd become famous for.
The Cold Steel Eland (5.25 inches) was only in production for a year, but I grabbed a couple.
That may be the worst possible steel I’ve ever seen. It is an interesting knife shaped object.
5Cr15MoV?
0.5% Carbon, 15% Chromium. It's about on par with 420HC, or the 4116 that Cold Steel used to use. Cold Steel generally have a good heat treatment, so it's not that different to the 420HC blades used by Buck.
It's a $10 knife, and if you use it a bit you'll find it's really good value.
Chiiiiina!? 😐
Most sorts of CS knives are made in China too...And the toughness is very good..
Once you mentioned made in 🇨🇳..... just about un subscribed. Why would you waste your time with such a vid. On this product
Worst knife cold steel has ever made
It's a $10 knife.
It might well be the worst knife Cold Steel has made, but it's a reinterpretation of an extremely budget knife from Germany/South Africa.
Have you seen the German Mercator K55K? That design is 150 years old, and still in production today.
It is still a pretty good budget knife, which costs next to nothing.
sr1 lit clip pont n 1 2 pokt busman kiudibil tanto sr1 lit nooooooooooooo
Its crazy how most people dont like this knif eor understand why people use it......
Simple its all they had and more people probabky have used these type of knives than the knives we have today theyv been around forever
It's a neat design for sure