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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

When placing my order I was given the opportunity to pay $25 extra to receive the item in 2 days. But they failed to convey that they have a 2 week first of the year inventory order delay? Therefore I... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Purchased one of thier blow guns to try the store out before making a larger purchase. Product is okay, but they dramatically undercharged for shipping - I ended up paying 2x more for that expense. W... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

They have become my favorite knife company. They offer wide verities of knives in different steels. One of my favorite companies to buy CPM 3V steel from. I bought an AD-10 lite in AUS 10A, the regul... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Warning: if you buy cold steel products you better hope they aren't defective or need replacement parts, because you want be getting ANY help from their customer service. they are a bunch of scumbags.... See more

Company details

  1. Knife Manufacturing
  2. Cutlery Store
  3. Kitchen Supply Store
  4. Knife Store

Information provided by various external sources

Cold Steel is an American corporation and seller of knives, swords and other edged weapons and tools based in Ventura, California.


Contact info

2.1

Poor

TrustScore 2 out of 5

41 reviews

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Hiding first of the year inventory

When placing my order I was given the opportunity to pay $25 extra to receive the item in 2 days. But they failed to convey that they have a 2 week first of the year inventory order delay? Therefore I paid $25 extra for nothing. When I asked what could be done about it they said they could cancel the order and I could basically kick rocks??? Great products but their customer service is their downfall.

January 1, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

My biggest complaint is Cold Steel’s…

My biggest complaint is Cold Steel’s customer support—or lack thereof. I purchased a knife on December 5th, and the website stated guaranteed delivery by Christmas. On December 8th, I received a tracking number indicating the product had shipped, with an estimated delivery date of December 13th.
On December 15th, I received an email from Cold Steel stating that the product had just shipped that day, which was confusing. I contacted customer support for a status update. While I was on hold, the tracking showed the package was delayed but still en route. Customer service told me to wait three more days, after which I could request a refund if the product was considered undeliverable.
On December 19th, concerned that the knife would not arrive in time for Christmas, I contacted them again. I was told I needed to wait 7–10 days post-shipment before requesting a refund. At that point, it had already been 11 days. I was told they would contact the shipper to investigate. I later received a generic email stating the package was still on the way, even though the tracking had not updated in four days.
On December 22nd, I emailed customer support and asked three specific questions:
Where exactly is the product right now?
At what point can I officially request a refund?
If it shipped on the 8th, why did I receive an email on the 15th saying it had shipped?
I received no response. I gave them the benefit of the doubt due to the holidays. Christmas came and went, and I had no gift to give—only a promise that it was “on the way.”
By December 30th, the product still had not arrived. I contacted customer support again and was given the same response: that it was still on the way. I explained that the tracking had not updated since the 15th. Eventually, the representative agreed to submit a claim with the shipping provider and promised to get back to me later that day.
As of today—Janruary 1st—I have received no response. I have now contacted my credit card company and disputed the charge. Cold Steel cannot be trusted. Their customer support repeatedly makes claims and fails to follow through. Each time you call back, you get a new excuse.
Don’t waste your time. It will save you a month of frustration and pulling your hair out.

December 5, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Probably my favorite knife company for offerings.

They have become my favorite knife company. They offer wide verities of knives in different steels. One of my favorite companies to buy CPM 3V steel from. I bought an AD-10 lite in AUS 10A, the regular AD-10 in S35VN blacked out, and two 3V Blackout versions with titanium handles. From budget friendly to premium materials Cold Steel has great blades and other neat stuff.
CAVCOP

August 10, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I ordered 2 pocket knives and a new…

I ordered 2 pocket knives and a new mouth piece for my blow gun. I received the two pocket knives but no mouthpiece. Contacted him couple days later they got back with me and indeed they said yes they forgot to ship it tell me that will ship onone right out immediately that was 3 weeks ago still waiting haven't heard a word from him email him again nothing you'll never get another one of my hard earn dollars

October 9, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Purchased one of thier blow guns to try…

Purchased one of thier blow guns to try the store out before making a larger purchase. Product is okay, but they dramatically undercharged for shipping - I ended up paying 2x more for that expense. When I contacted them via email, thier response was less than satisfactory. I won't bother making any orders with them in the future.
Other knife and sword seller recommendations welcome.....

September 10, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

COLDSTEEL UK .CO.UK

COLD STEEL.CO UK
I was interested in the cold steel black bear classic but the price difference with different sellers was quite wide after already using cold steel uk for another fixed blade I asked them if they could match or even beat the price I'd seen elsewhere.....response was we'll let you know ....a week goes by and I send an email and get a curt response asking for proof so I send a link and wait, then a response of need to wait for a reply from another colleague so another wait .....then another email saying if I pay the full price they will refund the difference....I asked for a discount voucher which they had already sent me but expired after 24 hours,they said that wasn't possible?....seems like they just didn't want to match the price beat the price or make it simple to do business ....bought item from other seller with an extra 10 percent off the sale price Cold Steel UK couldn't beat. Cold steel products are excellent pity about the lack of customer service from the authorised sellers that trade under the Cold Steel name ...aswell as Blades uk a mitror version with the same customer service.

18th December 2024
Reply to message below,
Mr Peter Schofield,
How can you be so disingenuous I'm a registered customer and you have sent customers including myself discount codes via email (valid for 24 hours) just as I explained in the email, the fact that you took 3 days to reply to me and only did so after I chased you up after 3 working days says alot about you,ironically you also found the time to tell a jackanory story here!
My business has gone elsewhere and I suggest that if you're reading this that you do too
Date of experience: 11th-18th December 2024

December 11, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Cold Steel was sold to GSM Outdoors

Cold Steel was sold to GSM Outdoors, then GSM was bought by Platinum Equity, a huge international company.
If you need service or want to return a product, expect to spend lots of time on the phone with person from Thailand or some other foreign country.

November 13, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I attempted to buy the Brooklyn Crusher…

I attempted to buy the Brooklyn Crusher from them but received no email with a confirmation number. However, my credit card was charged $32.99. When I try to get answers no one responds to my emails or calls. This company is a rip off.

August 24, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

I reasently purchased a cold steel Kudu…

I reasently purchased a cold steel Kudu Lite.it is a very unsafe knife to work with.
My suggestion is to give it a better locking system, like a try lock like on the Espada or at least a inner lock inside the handle . It is a very cool Design and invisible very sharp ( which is why it need a better locking system) everything is excellent except for the no blade lock, no matter how hard you place your thum on the back of the handle it takes very little pressure on the back of the blade to close it on your fingers.

July 27, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I order a $400 knife for them with 5-7…

I order a $400 knife for them with 5-7 shipping and that was two weeks ago. No communication from specific to the situation . The order status shows it still in processing…for two weeks?!? Just send out a message to your purchasers of the “limited edition AD10” or perhaps we should all stop payment.

June 18, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Total scam

Total scam. I would give zero stars if I could. They charge your card immediatly, then don't ship. I cancelled my order 2 months ago because of this and they have still not refunded my money. Bank is involved now to try to re-cover. Order from other sellers if you must have one of their products.

January 3, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

Amazing. Heather G. In customer service saved the day. I’ve ordered from cold Steel a few times. Never an issue before this. FedEx lost my package, cold Steele replaced it for free instantly when I called. Thanks guys!

March 6, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

A bad experience with Cold Steel

Stagnant shipping process. Are Zombies in charge here?
I placed an order with them, was charged for it yet the order never shipped out? Called their customer service to cancel my order and was told a refund would be issued. 30 days later and they still have not refunded my purchase. I had to file a dispute with my bank to have the charges reversed.

October 9, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Order early - Order early or go hungry

Pre planning in the new Cold Steel America
if you want to have something to use on a camping trip next month you should have ordered it two months ago - thinking that they will send it out as soon as possible is a thinking error on your behalf.
I believe they have a staffing shortage with the little guys doing the actual work while the managers soak up their big end of year bonus checks - so they CANT AFFORD TO HIRE more shipping people or more support people which is okay since I am deaf and have trouble with broken english people trying to talk in a fashion I can even unstand - and don't call me racist just call me deaf
and those that do not speak english as native tongue - I find no fault with = so I saw something I liked and bought it - silly me - didnt' read trust pilot because Cold Steel has been around for a long time right - but I was not aware that they should now be Old Rusted Steel Company - woe is me - Any way - some of their products are way expensive and some are way cheap - so you get what you pay for - or in regards to shipping you don't get anything for a month - lucky for me this time around I bought something on the down low so now I know not to buy a good sword or something pricey from them and take them off the list - and assume they will go belly up in the next couple of years - which I guess is the agenda of those in positions of ruling - to destroy american companies - could be wrong but feels like I am more right - and just makes me sad - I have some old Cold Steel products that cost when I bought them but they have done well - now? Now I don't know that I would ever spend that kind of money again reading many of these reviews here - sounds like it is China or Pakistan made stuff = okay I think i poured enough of my heart out - I will not buy from cold steel again unless it is a used product from that one big secondhand outfit out of Florida - you know who I mean.

November 28, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Complete Garbage and Bad Customer Service

I bought an expensive Chinese Sword (Gim Sword) from Cold Steel as a high school graduation present for my son. After several years, it has rusted! If you don't have the "original receipt" the company policy states it won't replace it! Don't buy anything from Cold Steel. The sword is complete garbage. This is a low - life business practice from an expensive company. Sure, who keeps "original receipts" for years? I paid by credit card. They would have those records on file! Nobody else makes that Gim sword but them! It's called The Chinese Gim Sword! Without the original receipt the Customer Service won't even issue a Return Authorization Code and could even claim that proper maintenance of the sword was not kept. How can you trust a company like this?

Mike

October 2, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I ordered this almost 4 months ago

I ordered this almost 4 months ago, never received the knife. I gave them some time because I know it can take a while. When I called the first time, I was told they didn’t know why it was taking so long and that they would contact me as soon as they found out. I was never contacted. I called again a month later and was told that it was on back order and would be another month. When I asked to cancel it and just give me a refund, I was told it would take 21 business days. This is unacceptable and you all have lost my business. I have bought multiple swords and have never had any issue with their service like this before.

July 11, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

One of the worst company’s I have ever…

One of the worst company’s I have ever ordered a nife from. I ordered mine 3 weeks ago and it’s still saying processing in the warehouse. I’m a collector and literally have ordered 10 knives since then and they all arrived within days even from out of the country. Cold steel you mass produce these in a warehouse not making it individually by hand. Get it together and get my stuff shipped maybe sometime the fire the month ends smdh. Last purchase I ever make from cold steel.

May 18, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

They don't even have replacement Pocket Clips???

Received a pocket knife as a gift. I work outside, so a good knife has to go everywhere with you. I ended up breaking the pocket clip on it and when I contacted customer support to ask how I can buy another clip(I wasn't even complaining, I was totally willing to pay for it) I was told they don't sell just the clip!!! So the knives are basically pointless after that. I am not going to buy a knife that I can't even replace the pocket clip on, no matter how good of a blade it is. Benchmade will literally mail me one free of charge same day.

April 19, 2023
Unprompted review

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