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You won’t find too many hunting knife reviews on this website. The reason is because I am not much of a hunter. But despite being advertised as a hunting knife, there was something intriguing about the Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter that made me buy the knife.
Buy the Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter at BladeHQ
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Designed by Andrew Demko, this is one of the new Cold Steel offerings to feature CTS-XHP steel. Andrew has made a name for himself by bucking the trend of dialed in titanium frame lock flippers, and instead designing simple robust folding knives featuring his tri-ad lock, which is a modified back lock. Back locks (or lock backs) rank among the oldest types of locks for a folding knife. This is another utilitarian pattern from Andrew, but the inclusion of contoured G-10 handle scales the Ultimate Hunter make it one of Cold Steel’s most refined releases to date.
General Dimensions and Blade Details
The Ultimate Hunter has an overall length of 8.5″, a 3.5″ blade, weighs 4.9 ounces, and is made in Taiwan. This is a larger knife, but feels lightweight for its size. I have shied away from larger knives for every day carry (EDC) as of late, but the Ultimate Hunter has found a way to win me over and has been getting a lot of pocket time – especially on the weekends when I can get away with carrying a bigger blade. Some might scoff at the blade to handle ratio. I never bothered to measure, as the blade to handle ratio has never struck me as a useful metric for evaluating a knife, but for those who do care I will note that the blade is noticeably smaller than the handle. This is a working knife, and in my opinion a generous handle is welcome on a knife that you are going to be using seriously. Although I don’t hunt I have caught my fair share of fish and do a lot of cooking. Based on my experiences using knives while fishing and cooking I can at least speculate to the benefit of a larger handle when processing game.
The blade of the Ultimate Hunter is a simple drop point. It isn’t the sexiest blade shape, but it certainly works. The generous piece of CTS XHP steel has been given a high flat grind with a two-tone satin finish. It’s a lovely blade finish and is a great upgrade over a coated or bead blasted finish. The tip is capable, but not overly aggressive. It would probably serve well skinning and breaking down game without a huge risk of puncturing organs, but that is just conjecture on my part. It slices well and has done a tremendous job breaking down a number of commercial grade cardboard boxes, and I have used the knife to de-bone several chickens for roasting.
Arguably the biggest allure to the Ultimate Hunter is the inclusion of CTS-XHP stainless steel for the blade. It is almost impossible to read or watch a review of a Cold Steel folding knife in AUS-8 where the reviewer doesn’t bemoan the AUS-8 blade steel at some point in the review. I have become comfortable with AUS-8 over the years, and actually like it in inexpensive (sub ~$50) knives. That said I think CTS-XHP is a great choice, and an upgrade of the steel on Cold Steel’s folders is long overdue. I am very excited to see CTS-XHP on this knife.
Out of the box the Ultimate Hunter was screaming sharp. It annihilated cardboard. There is a strand of bamboo along the back fence in my yard, and after a South Florida storm 6 foot tall bamboo shoots will seemingly pop up overnight. Without judicious pruning the bamboo overtakes the entire yard. The Ultimate Hunter has proven itself to be very capable on “bamboo patrol” – gliding through 1″ thick shoots – and allows me to channel my inner Lynn Thompson. Edge retention has been good, but like any steel CTS-XHP will need touch ups and the occasional sharpening. So far I have just stropped and touched up the knife with the fine rods of my Sharpmaker. It is very easy to sharpen. This is a good upgrade over AUS-8, and I have been pleased with the performance of this blade.
Handle, Ergonomics, and Pocket Clip
The Ultimate Hunter features a linerless G10 handle with a stainless steel lock bar, black aluminum backspacer, and stainless steel fasteners. The G10 is 3-D contoured, nicely finished, and has an attractive “grain” to it. Despite the absence of metal liners, handle construction is very strong. The G10 is thick and there is absolutely no flex in the handle. All of the pieces line up nicely and the fit and finish is very good.
The Ultimate Hunter feels great in hand. The handle shape is very simple and easy to grasp. There is a small forward finger choil, and 2 “finger divots” towards the pivot. This divot catches your index or middle finger naturally when using the knife (it depends on whether you are choking up or not). The G10 appears to have been bead blasted, so it’s smooth, but not slippery. It still has a nice texture to it, but is nothing like the peel ply G10 on my American Lawman. There is some very wide jimping on the spine of the handle. It provides some traction if you are choking back on the handle, but is basically not-present if you are using the knife for regular work. That’s fine by me. The pommel has a small “dish” for your thumb in reverse grip. I don’t use my knives in reverse grip very much, but it does seem to be comfortable in reverse grip.
The handle of the Ultimate Hunter is drilled and tapped for ambidextrous tip up carry, and comes with 2 shiny stainless steel pocket clips. This isn’t an ultra-deep carry set up, but allows for relatively deep carry while still affording easy access. The clip is very sturdy and retention is secure. Because the handle is smooth G10 you don’t have to worry about this knife shredding your pockets like the American Lawman, or Recon 1.
Deployment and Lockup
The Ultimate Hunter has the same “lopsided” thumb stud found on models like the American Lawman and Voyager. The thumb stud is swappable for ambidextrous use. This is a proven thumb stud design and it definitely works. The lock has a very strong spring, and this is not a knife that I can flick open – even with wrist action. It definitely requires you to purposefully roll it open. Not a huge problem for me, but if you like being able to flick open your knives then this is worth noting. Inside there appears to be phosphor bronze washers. The action is nice and smooth.
For our locking mechanism, Cold Steel has equipped the Ultimate Hunter with the tried and true Tri-Ad lock. This beefed up lockback has proven itself to me time and time again to be a very robust and reliable lock. Here it is no different. The sound this thing makes when you snap the blade open is impressive, and is sure to annoy the heck out of your significant other if you obsessively open and close your knives like I do. Like all the other Tri-Ad lock knives I have owned, there is no blade play at all. It is very secure. The caveat to this is that the knife can be tough to disengage sometimes. I can disengage the lock with one hand, but this is really a 2-hand knife.
Cold Steel Ultimate Hunter – Final Thoughts
Labeling your product as the “Ultimate” anything is a bold claim – especially in an age of false advertising litigation. Cold Steel is known for being a over the top, but here I think the moniker may actually be deserved. The Ultimate Hunter is the nicest and most refined Cold Steel folder I have reviewed to date. Cold Steel has taken all of the things I like about their knives (the slick Andrew Demko designs, good ergonomics, excellent fit and finish, and tough build), and are finally mating these qualities to superior materials. And the manufacturing has been kicked up a notch too. The 3-D machined handle is beautiful and the blade is substantial.
That said, you are going to pay a premium for all of this. The Ultimate Hunter retails for a little over $100, a little more than a what new Recon 1 or American Lawman (in CTS-XHP) goes for. For the extra money you get a stouter knife with contoured handles. I think the Ultimate Hunter represents a good value.
Of course the irony to this review is that the Ultimate Hunter is marketed as a hunting knife, and I have never been on a hunt in my life. But I have plenty of experience with hard use folding knives, and the Ultimate Hunter is an excellent rough and tumble EDC. Regardless of the nomenclature, this is the high end Cold Steel Folder we have all been waiting for. Highly recommended if you are looking for a premium large folding utility knife and can get past Cold Steel’s aggressive marketing practices.
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I recommend purchasing the Ultimate Hunter at Amazon or BladeHQ. Purchasing anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews, and keeps the site going. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated – thank you very much!
*Note – I have no idea why the picture is of a SOG product.
It figures. Cold Steel finally starts to use high quality steels and is apparently stepping up their game only to derail it all by this lawsuit. I, like you, don’t know the details but, indeed, it sounds fishy.
Looks like a great knife. In fact, all of the new Cold Steel models look to be very nice. Seems they are shooting (make that knifing) themselves in the foot.
Greg,
Thanks for stopping by. Yes, this strikes me as a 2 steps forward 1 step back kind of thing (or 1 step forward, 2 steps back?).
Dan
Nice review, as always.
I listened to the last podcast and I can completely respect your stance on the Cold Steel topic and I completely respect the other guys’ stances. If I reviewed knives, I honestly don’t know which stance I would take in terms of reviewing Cold Steel knives, but I certainly don’t think either stance is wrong.
As far as the knife – this is one of the more reserved designs I’ve seen Cold Steel put out. I haven’t owned one of their knives, but they always strike me as too “loud.” The handle looks really nice on this one.
Also, I’ve heard you mention fishing on the podcast and you mentioned it in this review – have you find a good “fishing” folding knife? I usually carry something small like a df2 for cutting line and that kind of thing, but I usually don’t do the real work until I get home and get a real filet knife in my hand. But if I had a folding knife that worked for that task, that would be awesome. Any suggestions?
Thank you, Ameer. I definitely see Andrew, Andrew, and Tony’s point. Frankly, I am not sure what my stance is on buying and reviewing Cold Steel products moving forward. I have never been one to have moral issues with companies. I wear leather, I eat meat, and generally don’t give a lot of thought to the companies behind the products and services I purchase. I do think that CS’s predatory legal tactics here are akin to school yard bullying. I’ll just have to think on it further.
As for the UH, it’s a very nice knife and I like it for a lot of the reasons you mentioned. It’s a nice knife. It’s pretty big but isn’t flashy or ridiculous.
Since I own so many knives I typically use whatever I am carrying (which frankly, is usually a cheaper knife). I have heard good things about the pacific salt series of Spyderco knives. I haven’t purchased one yet (probably should). I would never expect a pocket knife to replace a real filet knife, but I have been able to get passable filets with a pocket knife and some time.
Dan
Thanks for the response, Dan. Despite being a spyderco fan, I haven’t heard of the Pacific salt before. I just checked it out – the length and nice tip definitely make it look like it could be a good knife for fishing. I might have to grab one.
Ameer, My pleasure. The Pacific Salt also features H1 steel, which is supposed to be highly rust resistant. Another Spyderco you may enjoy (if you can find one) is the Catcherman. I know Spydercollector has a good article or 2 on that knife.
Dan
Whoa – the catcherman is now officially high on my list of wants. It looks like an incredibly functional knife. Also, that’s probably the 4th or 5th out of production spyderco that someone has pointed out to me that I really liked. Too bad there isn’t an easier way to get one than scouring the forums…
For a folding fillet knife for fish up to a foot long, the Rapala / Normark / EKA folding fillet knife work well for me. For larger fish, the CRKT SurfnTurf has been more than satisfactory. Check them out if you haven’t already.
Thank you, J.R.
Dan
I never get the hate for AUS-8 either. IMO it’s a damn fine value and great for EDC knives. Easy to sharpen, holds a good edge, not outlandishly expensive either. While I certanily have nothing against advances in knife steel technology, it’s gotten a little nutty over the last several years. One day there’s anew and improved super-steel, three years later it’s commonplace in cheaper knives and another super-steel takes its place.
I hear what you’re saying. S30V is another steel that people seem to dismiss these days, and I loved that stuff on my paramilitary 2
I mean sure, if I’m bringing it to Everest or a trip to Borneo to pan for gold, I definitely want the “best” steel I can get. But for an EDC knife that gets light-to-moderate use, AUS 8 is fine.
You can also see how CM154 is already being “downgraded”, a few years back is was considered primo stuff (and IMO it still is). All I’m saying is that the pace of development makes me hesitate before buying a knife featuring the latest and greatest steel because who knows what’s around the next bend?
I agree, Earl. I always favor a steel that is easy to sharpen. While edge retention on an AUS8 knife isn’t mind blowing, it works for most of what I am trying to do. That said, CTS-XHP is a nice upgrade, especially for a little nicer knife like this. It’s good to see CS respond to their customer’s feedback as well.
Dan
I see what you’re saying about the steel. People complaining about Aus-8 must have never had to sharpen! It’s not hard to sharpen these “regular” steels like Aus-8, VG-10, 154CM. I could see a need for both regular and high end steels though.
I agree with the other poster. I had a Bradley Alias (full size) in CPM S30V; that was an awesome steel with a high RC heat treat. Not fun to resharpen though!
I don’t hate aus8( especially Cold Steels, but I like the newer steels so much better! S30v isn’t that hard to sharpen by the way.
So I hadn’t heard anything about this lawsuit and upon reading this, went and did some reading.
Here’s the thing: Cold Steel is 100% right on this one. It IS supercalifragilisticexpialabullshit to say your stupid “safety” mechanism makes the knife into a “virtual fixed blade.” As I understand the LAWKS system it wouldn’t even make the knife considerably less likely to fail, but even if it did the “virtual fixed blade” makes a very dangerous insinuation that could cost someone a finger.
It’s also unfair for CRKT to get away with saying that when Cold Steel holds the patent to what everyone agrees is the strongest folding knife lock in the industry. Cold Steel doesn’t say that the Tri-Ad Lock makes the knife a fixed blade, in fact they tell you the opposite. They go out of their way to show you how far the knife can go with ridiculous tests but make sure all of their material warns against using a folder the way you would a fixed blade.
It is not a fair competition when one company who DOES have evidence to support their claim of an “unbreakable” lock is playing responsibly and another company that has a fiddly plastic safety is recklessly saying it makes their knives as good as fixed blades.
I’m not a Cold Steel fanboy, I like CRKT and probably have about the same number of knives from each company, but this is a legitimate case to make from where I’m sitting.
But here’s the thing – Cold Steel’s marketing line is “World’s strongest sharpest knives.” That is equally supercalifragilisticexpialabullshit. In fact, as the guys said on the podcast, there is actually real, verifiable data out there about “sharpest.” So that may even be a more dishonest claim to make.
These are small companies and it’s not good for anyone for them to be fighting court battles over semantics in their marketing campaigns. And it’s important to consider whether each of those marketing slogans is really dangerous to the consumer or a threat to the competing companies. I guess you can make a case that CRKT using the term “virtual fixed blade” is putting consumers in danger and taking sales away from the other knife manufacturers…..but that would be a pretty weak case.
Ameer,
I tend to agree. I actually sue people for a living, so I’m no stranger to lawsuits. Courts exist for a number of reasons including to advance justice, right the wrongs, and bring clarity. Fundamentally, I think it is about equity. Based on what I have seen, I can’t help but feel that the intentions of this suit are not entirely founded on righting wrongs, and seems to be more punitive or even something of a PR / marketing stunt. Why would they send out a ridiculous press release basically gloating over the fact that they sued CRKT? Why would they mention in the press release, and even in the lawsuit itself, that Cold Steel’s products are superior in lock strength? In many ways it smacks of self service, although Cold Steel’s CEO did supplement /edit his press release to say they are doing this for the greater good of the consumer and industry, and that any damages obtained will be donated to knife rights. Again, the lawsuit seems largely self serving.
The argument that Cold Steel’s hands are not entirely clean themselves is also interesting. My gut is telling me that something doesn’t smell right with this. On the flip side, I agree that CRKT’s “virtual fixed blade” language is incorrect, could potentially be misleading, and should not be used. Does it extend beyond mere puffery? Perhaps it does. Still, has Cold Steel been truly harmed? Is it their responsibility to police the knife industry? These are all interesting arguments and I’d be a liar if I said I have the answer.
Dan
Whether there is some injury to Cold Steel because of the wording of CRKT’s literature is very much debatable. If this IS an attack on a competitor just to bully them, it really does not strike me as Lynn’s style. This is a guy who backs his shit up, always. If he makes a spear he WILL throw it at a bison. If he makes a knife you better believe it’s tough and capable of getting the job done because he’ll prove it on video in a way you can’t just dismiss with a wave. I bet it really DOES grind away at a weird idealist like him to see the words “virtual fixed blade” stamped on a competitor’s product he knows for a fact is not a remarkably strong design. So he finally calls legal, things get put in motion, and because Lynn Thompson is a dramatic man he posts his manifesto on the subject for all to peruse.
Look, at some point someone WAS going to cut a tendon trying to baton or something with their “virtual fixed blade.” The lawsuit CRKT would have been open to if that happened could literally just make the company go away for good.
I doubt that this is what the goal is of this action, to bump off CRKT. Even if they ARE just making a loud point, that’s still better than someone who is just out to grab as much as they can.
Kyle,
There are a number of different ways to look at this. I think you make some good points here and I won’t pretend to know all the answers (I certainly don’t – my commentary on the suit is pure speculation). Nor do I think that my opinion is any more valid than the next guy’s. Maybe in time we will learn the truth.
Best,
Dan
” On the flip side, I agree that CRKT’s “virtual fixed blade” language is incorrect, could potentially be misleading, and should not be used.”
Well, it seems to me like CRKT’s lawyers probably made them put the word “virtually” in there to avoid issues like this.
My Volvo drives virtually like a Ferrari!
Is Ferrari gonna sue me?
James,
I don’t know enough to really comment on whether the word virtual is enough here to avoid liability in a false advertising claim in this instance, but if Volvo rolled out a national campaign where it said “Volvo – it drives virtually like a Ferrari” I think Ferrari would be very upset.
Dan
I tend to agree with Kyle. I had my say over at Tony’s site, but in my opinion this isn’t nearly as one-sided an issue as the online knife community has been treating it (with Dan as an honorable exception). It also matters to me as a consumer that CRKT chooses to market many of its LAWKS-equipped knives as defense knives (“tactical,” “special forces,” etc.). Hard to argue that lock strength isn’t highly pertinent in that category.
Anyway, I respect Dan’s circumspect approach to this controversy and I will continue reading whatever he decides. I will also continue to buy and use Cold Steel products.
I have loved all of my Cold Steel products despite the overall obnoxiousness of the brand. One thing that has stuck with me is why Cold Steel chose to pursue legal action. By way of comparison Spyderco just released the Tatanka which they claim possesses the strongest kickback in the world. In response Cold Steel posted a video of them putting the Tatanka through the same torture tests as a standard voyager and it failed in comparison. Just seems odd that Cold Steel would choose to respond with a video in one instance and a lawsuit in another which both seemed to be based on false advertising.
That’s a good point about CS responding to Spyderco with a video and to CRKT with a lawsuit. I think Dan is right that something just doesn’t smell right. It’s hard to say what really happened here. Maybe there is something personal going on – someone from one company pissed off someone from the other company or something. But I have to bet there’s more to the story.
Maybe it’s as simple as this: in CS’s tests (or “testmercials,” if you prefer), the Tatanka did well. Maybe the power lock isn’t literally the strongest lock around(?), but it would be hard to deny, even from CS’s own tests, that it’s still a fully adequate lock for a defensive knife.
Again, I surmise that Lynn thinks the CRKT mechanisms are genuinely inadequate and it pisses him off, both as a competitor and as a (real or wannabe) knife combatives enthusiast.
I express no opinion whatsoever on whether he’s correct!, but it’s hardly eccentric to attribute that view to him. And I think it’s one important motivation for the suit. Not the only one — I agree with you, CS clearly isn’t shrinking away from the publicity-seeking aspects — but still significant. And I don’t think that’s illegitimate.
Ahh, this raises such a conflict in me. I’ve heard you talk about the Ultimate
WarriorHunter at length on the podcast, I’ve watched reviews including IIRC Rob Bixby (ApostleP) that were gushing with praise, i love the design, i love the construction, I love the materials. I REALLY REALLY want one of these knives. And your review here further supplants that. I like things that are A) Functional for use B) use admirable materials in admirable ways and C) are attractive…. and D) are a good deal. So this was on my “oh man i want that I want that so bad” list.But we just have so much freedom in this market. It’s not like if your cable company pisses you off – you don’t have much of a choice to change to besides things that are awful (DirecTV and DishNet). We are spoiled for choice in this market, and $100 will get you a great Spyderco, ZT, Benchmade, etc. And CS was finally able to stand on their own merits rather than the personality of their figurehead (sigh) and now this. And since I”m so spoiled for choice in this market, I have the luxury of not being forced to buy shit from a company I don’t like.
I talked to my fiance about this (jesus christ can we get married already so I can stop using that word? ) who has no stake or interest in the knife market, but IS in the PR/Marketing industry and has been for ~10 years. I told her the basic synopsis of events and about the companies and asked for her opinion. She said “well, as a publicity stunt, I see why they might do that. It’ll get people talking about them. That’s publicity.”
I said, “Well, if you worked for their PR department, would YOU tell them to do that?”
She said “Oh, hell no. That’s a terrible idea.”
My $0.02.
Dan,
You may need to check your tag for this review – I reached it under the brand tab – Spyderco. Great review as ever tho – you do a terrific job with all the reviews:-)
Mark,
Thank you for catching that! I have fixed it. And thanks for the kind words – glad you enjoy the site and the reviews. Thanks again!
Dan
Hey Dan!
Another fantastic review! I’m glad to see you are still writing, your reviews are always solid, no nonsense & informatively well written. I have spent an obscene amount on knives from summer ’15, through this 1st quarter of the new year. I decided, on no sleep at 7am, that I should spend another $100+ on this knife. Your review answered my question, indeed the U.H. has the signature Pendleton Hunter reverse grip “dish” on the pommel. I couldn’t find that tidbit in other reviews.
Keep cutting, collecting & writing about it.
Be well!
-Aaron
Hey Aaron,
Thanks for stopping by, what a nice surprise, and thank you for the kind comment. I am glad the review proved valuable for you. The U.H. is an excellent piece and I hope you enjoy it.
Dan
“The Ultimate Hunter retails for a little over $100, about twice what a Recon 1 or American Lawman goes for”
Actually now that these other models also have the upgraded steel, they have jumped up in price as well, so the difference is not nearly as large as comparing the upgraded UH to the older AUS-8 versions of the Recon 1 and AL.
Bruce, That is a good point. I am going to update the review.
Dan
Hi
Which one do you recommend me for an EDC and camping knife?
Recon1(in cts-xhp) or ultimate hunter??? Please email your answer
Thanks