[John Satclaire]

As a classically trained epee fencer who wanted a functional pair of matched small swords, I can happily plug Cold Steel as making a decent product. I'd like the fitting to have been more careful, the scabbard should be thrown out and a new one made, and the balance is nothing special, but their product provided a very solid base (well forged triangular blade, wide tang contruction) for someone with a dremel and some serious attention to detail to work from. Their boar spear also did what it was supposed to, at a time when the weapon failing would have been really bad for me (those things have serious tusks). Basically, if all you need it to do is pierce and do so reilably, they make a good product--which leads me to think their sword canes might actually do a good job: they won't cut worth a damn, but if you draw it and lunge, it won't bend on a button or a sternum.

I also like their handmade folders in San Mai III, and carry either the caledonian edge or the spectre (which did need a hollow ground edge applied right out of the box--no reason to have a ****ty saber grind on layered steel) over my matriarch/civilian or my emerson.