Chris Redlich tests an all-round blade from Cold Steel
Knives are an essential part of my kit and I never leave for the hills unless there’s one on my belt. Many makes have joined me for adventures and most have served their purpose reliably and with distinction. Unlike knife enthusiasts and collectors, mine are few but importantly are chosen for a specific purpose. Knife user yes but aficionado definitely not. And Cold Steel knives? I’ve seen the brand across magazine ads and with fellow hunters who own them, but I’d be telling stories if I pretend to be a subject matter expert.
When Australian Shooter asked if I’d be interested in reviewing the new 4-Max Scout by Cold Steel, I checked out the blade profile first before giving the thumbs up. Knowing little gave me inspiration to dig deeper before testing and I’ll reveal some of what I learned. Firstly, the knifemaker has a fair history on its side in a highly competitive industry and if they weren’t all that flash, they’d have disappeared long ago. Secondly, the 4-Max Scout is just one from a huge range of blades which Cold Steel offer.
Come to think of it the name rang a bell when I recalled some of my ‘grunt’ buddies adding Cold Steel combat utility knives to their webbing. They bought them for general purpose use including rope and foliage cutting, potential earth scraping and, if the need arose, combat. My point is they were popular for a reason – where reliability was paramount and after eight months on deployment, earned their keep as part of the kit.
So what the heck is cold steel (the material)? I generally suffer brain fog when someone talks about the composition of knife steel and I guess the feeling’s mutual for some when I bang on about handloads, so I’ll try to explain it as quickly and painlessly as possible. The process initially involves the exact opposite of the name as the steel is forged by heat, though the term ‘cold steel’ is derived from the specific cooling process during manufacture.
The 4-Max Scout is made from Aus10A steel and I know this because it’s written on the blade. Aus10A is a high-strength alloy carbon steel, making the blade hard yet flexible, with an edge designed to maintain sharpness after repetitive use. The steel surface is ultra-smooth and its stainless composites of carbon and nickel ensure superior rust and wear resistance.
Defined and uses
While most of my hunting knives are of a skinning and caping orientation, the 4-Max Scout is a folding knife marketed as a heavy duty all-rounder. I wouldn’t say the one on review is a good skinner, rather a great camp knife. But if you’re looking for a dual-purpose blade to take on your next bush trip then this could be just what you need.
Although measuring close to 5mm thick and featuring a bold drop point, the 37mm x 100mm long blade can still be used as an emergency skinner on thick-skinned pig or deer-sized game if required. The 4-Max Scout is by no means a stereotypical pocket knife, yet despite its maximum length of 250mm (10”) and 150mm (6”) folded, it fitted snugly in my hunting pants pocket with room to spare. But if you’re a ‘cow cocky’ wearing snug jeans you may appreciate a belt pouch instead, while additionally a handle retainer clip ensures safe travels in your pocket.
The slimline handle at a mere 16mm actually feels anything but slim. Made from durable Griv-Ex nylon the finger grips and thumb horn, combined with its finely dimpled surface, provide a positive and safe hold during all positions and pressures of use. Importantly, the lock-back mechanism is firm yet releases easily and the large steel hinge pin, machined to a tight tolerance, allows obstruction-free travel of the blade without lateral slop. Once locked the blade remains rock solid and feels like a fixed-blade knife with full tang.
Afield and at home
In the field is where this knife comes into its own. During several hunts I managed to test the Scout’s utility for general purpose chores and durability when getting down and dirty. The blade proved worthy of skinning and dressing down meat when required yet once cleaned, was just at home around the campfire. I used it for meal preparation and the odd occasion when its broad blade profile came in handy for safe leverage purposes.
Nothing annoys me more than a knife which requires constant sharpening. Thankfully the 4-Max Scout retained its razor-sharp edge straight out the box, even after numerous meat-dressing encounters on thick-skinned game with dirty hides. Reinforcing this was when a big boar required a big knife to tackle dressing duties and the Scout performed the task with ease.
Conclusion
Don’t be fooled by Taiwanese manufacture because this knife with its steel of Japanese origin is every bit a quality product, which reinforces the reputation most have come to expect of the Cold Steel brand. Made under strict quality control in Taiwan means these knives can be sold a lot cheaper than some competitor products.
Retailing for $185 at time of writing from Aussie Outback Supplies, the Cold Steel 4-Max Scout is a purely practical, no-frills knife worthy of consideration for those after a heavy duty all-rounder. I doubt you’d ever need it but for peace of mind the Cold Steel warranty guarantees their products are free of defects in workmanship and materials. More at www.aussieoutbacksupplies.com