I have plenty of knives but this one, the airlite is the best edc ive had. The size, how thin and light it is makes it perfect for daily carry. Never leave home without it. The only time i do is when im in the busch or hunting, then i have the recon 1. You only need 2 folding knives. Airlite and recon 1!
@@synerfect Bro my spring broke on it after less than 100 opening and closings. I'm so worried it's just going to keep breaking. I've seen some people report it's broken 5+ times in less than a year. It's to the point I'm afraid to open the damn thing. And fucking FORGET carrying it. Worthless knife when you absolutely cannot trust it.
@@charlescollier7217 Drop point available as of this posting. I thought about ordering but you need to spend $99 for free shipping so I need to figure out if I want anything else. That mini doug ritter looks mighty good but I want black dlc blade.
Just ordered using your Amazon link. Only $53.26 !! Also, I have the Large Voyager in Drop Point and Clip Point. The Voyagers are great hand-filling knives for about the price of the Air Lite. Thanks for the great review !!
Enough knife reviewers had mentioned the price point that Cold Steel took notice. They can now be had for $57 on Amazon. I picked one up a couple of days ago. A good value at this price point!
$55 at a couple places now. AUS10 is awesome stuff and 3.5" blade the goldilocks size for many. If this were made in Oregon or Colorado it would likely be $100-120...VG10 and 154CM with zytel has been that way for a while. AUS10 is similar, but CS recipe means it's actually better.
Agreed, CS really does a great job with their heat treats. Even their super budgety knives in 4116 like my Pro Lite hold a decent edge and easy to sharpen.
@@realtalk4real243 I mean, there are a lot of spyderco knives with various designs and most of their stuff is very high end for production knives. I wouldn't say it's "hype." They've been a major knife company for a long time just like a company like Benchmade. I don't think you'd be dissapointed with a lot of their knives.
Best Cold Steel folder they've released this year. Been carrying the tanto version for months now. Pocket clip for me is fine. The retention is just right unlike most Cold Steels that have ridiculous tension to them.
at 50 it would price out 90% of similar knives in the market...maybe they had no choice but to put it higher in order to not completely destroy competition. For instance, this already destroys the buggout and is WAY WAY more durable.
I bought a Cold Steel Frenzy. It's a folding pocket short sword, and should be of comfort living near the city in the nation with the highest murder rate.. The gorgeous 5.5" blade is fullered, slightly recurved, with a wicked drop point, almost a sheep's foot of CTS XHP. It is based upon a Japanese Samurai blade, used for administering the coup de grâce, to foes mortally wounded with the katana. The deeply sculptured G-10 handle is truly inspired. It is perfect in every grip imaginable. The whole package is very slim. The knife is undeniably an elegant combat weapon. But then we get to the Triad lock. Mine is so stiff that I've never been able to get it to release with only the pressure from my thumb. I have to use both hands and a tool of some sort (a Sharpie works well) to get the Triad lock to release. When the Sharpie finally forces the Triad lock to open, there's an audible snap sound. What are you to do on the mean city streets with an expensive short sword in your hand and you are unable to fold it shut? Consequently, I have never carried it. I've lubricated and manipulated that Triad lock thousands of times, but it is still recalcitrant. Cold Steel customer service told me before the pandemic hit that if I returned it, it would take several months before I got it back. There are several You Tube videos on how to modify a Triad lock so it will work properly, so the problem with mine is far from unique. Quality control at Cold Steel should have identified the lemons and taken them out of the distribution chain. ... My Frenzy is kept in a box with other cutlery I never use. ... I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER COLD STEEL KNIFE WITH A TRIAD LOCK. Not happening. Too many other viable choices available in the marketplace. ... I'm very glad you're happy with your Triad lock Aaron, but I'm once bitten, twice shy.
Good review over basic features. Too many reviewers leave out specs. I have the Recon, and it is one of my favorite EDC folders with a blade length of nearly 4," which I prefer over 3 1/2." However, some may prefer the lighter weight and smaller blade length. ( 3 1/2" is a cut off point for blade lengths legally in some states). Price is not that big of an issue for me, but if it came down to just one Cold Steel folder, I would still have to choose the Recon.
Current price on Amazon is $59 My favorite EDC is the CS 3" Hold Out, looking for something slim like the Hold Out but a longer blade (but not the 6" Hold Out) the Air Lite looks perfect!
I think, however unjust it is, that the price is like that because of how genius the design is. The demand is there. That's why the price is also there. Heck, I'm pining for a Bastinelli Picoeur at $115 because of its genius design!
AWESOME BLADE. Aaron , you nailed it , my thoughts exactly. It will probably drop in price in the future. People sleep on this AUS-10 steel , probably because it sounds so similar to AUS-8 , but we know better , I have 4 C.S. knives with this steel and I really like it , its definitely my favorite woods/work steel , between its edge retention, toughness, and ease of sharpening it's just a Great All Around Steel. Cedric & Ada has a cut testing video on it , if anybody is interested, it did around 150 cuts of Cecil rope and that's a great result for a non-powdered steel , this blade also comes in Tanto . P.S. Aaron , the Voyager has Aluminum Liners , but I'm sure you knew that , lol .. ..👍⚔🖖
Just an update, I know this video is 3 years old, but Amazon carries the Air Lite now for around $52. (Currently in my cart) A lot nicer than $80+ at the time of this video.
I try to judge value on how much I enjoy carrying and using the knife. I found it worth the price and bought both versions. The price is a head scratcher but not enough to prevent my purchase.
I agree with you on the price but I picked mine up at knifeworks for 60, the Tanto version. I love mine. So interesting how he made it a flat warncliffe, high saber grind Tanto LOL! I'm glad you did this review because there's not to many of them as of now 👍
I must say I very much do agree with you about the blade grind. I don't care so much for full flat grind specially on a large knife. I carry a large knife at work and I only carry knives with a good backbone blade. Because if I need to use it I'm going to use it for what it's for ! Yeah you know cutting stuff ? Paper, food, materials.
Great review as always, Gideon! One question if I may...I had the Cold Steel Finn Wolf a while back, and Really wanted to love it, except for one major flaw: TheTr-Ad lock was Extremely Hard to engage! This made closing the blade quite uncomfortable. So, how is the Tri-Ad mechanism on this Air Lite, in terms of ease of use? Is it the least bit "stiff", or is it painless to engage, or disengage, if you will? Thank you!
I'm loving my Voyager 10A Tanto right now - it just about eclipses my whole knife collection. But I do love the look of this Air Lite. Seems the most perfect EDC to me. Do we still remember the Bushman? I carry one in my Maxpedition survival pack. It has prepped most of my firewood over the years and the lock and blade are still like new. Awesome folder that acts like a fixed blade.
Great review as usual!! I think the price difference simply is CS thinking we knife guys will pay for a lighter knife, which is a reasonable assumption. I really like light knives yet I like a 3.5" blade and 4" handle too. This has all three.
I ordered it from Knifeworks for $70.90 shipped. That was Monday 7/13/20. Like someone else said they’ve had it for that price for months the drop point was out of stock that’s why it took me so long to get.
Ordered this same one, had the tanto version before. The previous one I had, had a somewhat gritty action and blade play that wouldn't go away no matter what. I'm hoping this new one doesn't.
I like Cold Steel and have one of their products, but there’s always one thing about any of their knives that puts me off. That price is prob $20 higher than it should be and I’d consider the Spartan at $10 cheaper or the AD-10 at a lot more first because I think they are better deals for what they are. There are a few more of their knives I’d get first. It seems they are charging for the convenience and portability of the design. It is still worthy of consideration, but if they’d made it from S35VN instead of AUS-10, it would be a home run.
Great review. This was one of the knives I was looking forward to since shot show. This and the new flash at. I got that one for Father’s Day from my son so maybe this one for Christmas
Love all my cold steels And the airlite has become one of my go to EDC blades. I look at it as a G10 code 4 with a saber grind. I also have several voyagers I like. I think the voyager liners are aluminum tho.
I believe the liners in the voyger are aluminum. I have the airlite and absolutely love it. To me it seems like a G10 version of a code four. Which I also have and love.
The price of this is pretty much the only thing holding me back. I've almost bought it a few times, but I can't justify the cost over other options out there. If I ever see it for $60, I'll snag it though. I am intrigued by the combo of lightweight beefiness.
Besides a lower price, I'd like to see one with a spear point (ala Recon 1), slightly deeper "radius cut" index finger groove, and a slimmer pocket clip. Having said that, I'll probably buy one while experiencing a moment of weakness.
I will pass on this knife at that price point, especially when I paid a lot less for my American lawman with cts-xhp a few years ago. Also, the code 4 came in a little cheaper than that too. It should be priced at 50-60 dollars.
Do you have a new cam? The focus was not perfect (more on the background) but the light was fantastic. Anyway, Great video, you are one of the rare reviewers who review pocket knives as knives and not as collectibles. That is why I find your reviews so useful. Keep the good work. 👍🙏
I bought cold steel air lite tanto. the lock does not hold the blade closed tightly. the blade comes out of the handle a little. i wrote to shop where i bought it (official dealership of cold steel) they said, that the problem is the lack of liners. I tried to disassemble the knife, leveled the metal part - placed it in the center (a certain spring supporting the lock), it seemed that it began to close. but over time, everything returned back (( this is not critical, but the pro lite knifes, which are cheaper, for example, are made better, the lock reliably fixes the blade both in closed and open state, same with the hold out series. i was a little disappointed.that is the most expensive knife in my collection.
Same experience here. The spring is defective. I am a engineer. I have fixed mine too. I tried to reach CS they ignored me so screw them. China is copying the high end knives you can buy on Alibaba. I think Amazon 3 party sellers are selling these knock offs.
Price is the reason I don't have one of these. At $85 I just can't justify the expense, even with as nice as the blade shape is. For $72 I got the Kershaw Link which has a flipper opener, Bohler M390 steel, and assisted opening. For the same $85 or less, I could get the Buck Pro Vantage with G10 handles, S30V and a flipper opener, the Buck Pro Hunter with S30V and G10 handles, or in Cold Steel there's the Code 4 with S35VN which also has the Tri-Ad lock. If it comes down about $30 it'd pique my curiosity, but not at its price point.
I was about to buy this at White Mountain Knives. Within the 20 minutes I was contemplating, it went out of stock. So I ordered a Hogue Deka. Now I'm ruined because I feel like no other knife will ever be as perfect as the Deka. Maybe I'll save some money now...
I've watched two videos of yours where you critique the price of a Cold steel knife and then I've gone to their website and found that they had lowered the price significantly. Coincidence? Please keep these videos coming. :)
Nice offering but for my money you can't beat the Recon One. It out perform any knife in its price range and many costing two or three times. Yes it is large for EDC but that's a personal preference. Anyway thanks for another fine review.
The recon series really doesn't get enough respect/attention. I assume part of that is simply because they're bigger than the typical EDC community member prefers. That being said, they really are incredible performers and can shrug off even abusive tasks that would break a lesser knife.
I have a voyager aus 10 and love it. The price for the air lite may inhibit me from buying it though. For $5 - $10 more you could get some higher end knives with better steel. If it was $60 I'd grab one.
I would definitely be interested in checking this one out. I am no knife collector but do have some Esee's and a few Spyderco's. This one peaks my interest.
Great vid. Great knife. Maybe I’ll buy one but right now I’ll stick with my CS Voyager. Request: Toler Union multitool review. I will keep nagging you till u do it.
If it had the Sypderco name on it we all be talking about what a steal of deal it was. For example I have a Centofante 3 $80 3 1/4” VG10 blade FRN handle pined pivot. Love that knife but is it worth $80 especially when compared to the features of this knife, not really.
After 30+ years of buying and then selling off most high-end brands (except a few safe queens) I landed on Sebenzas, and Spyderco Dragonflys & Caly3 for edc... then I rediscovered Cold Steels impressive manufacturing precision, materials usage and value when I bought a G10/CPM SR1 on a whim.. I love that silly thing, I even have the Tanto version in the mail now. Historically, CS has put their name on a lot of junk and that's always kinda steered me away from their good stuff that I viewed as sketchy-by-association... but todays folders are simply awesome for the money. My SR1 easily betters my Strider AR and SMF in fit/finish and lock durability. The Striders wouldn't fail, but certainly wont be smooth after 30 minutes of (reasonable) batoning like the SR1's genius lock is. Spyderco's have always been my best bang-for-the-buck in very lightweight summer shorts edc knives. I always buy the ZDP versions. I think I pay more for the hole...
I have a medium size hand and this knife is very hard to open for me. The pocket clip isn't formed correctly to be able to clip to pocket material one handed. I have to lift the ciip with one hand and hold the material. My Airlite spine was so sharp on one side of the Lockback that sometimes it cuts my thumb. One side of the Lockback is finished correctly and it's smooth. The other side is very, very sharp and can cut you while pushing down hard to close the blade. This knife, at least for me, can't be a defensive knife, because it's ergonomics will not allow me to flip it open fast. Larger hands might work, mine don't. In my opinion it needed to be a spring assisted opener. Guess I'm spoiled by my SOG knives as far as ease of opening. My SOG knives eventually start having play in the blade after 10 years. I don't think the Airlite never will get play in the lock. Great blade shape and really good steel. Only wish the design was more conducive to people with smaller than size large hands. Appreciate your videos !!
I really want one but I don't think it should cost more than my Code 4. If they would at least step it up to S35VN like their other knives in that price range, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Otherwise there is no reason for it to be that much compared to their other knives. Hopefully CS doesn't just raise the prices of everything else. lol
I pretty much agree but if they gave me more blade like 4 or five inch blade with same design and materials for the 85$ price I'd buy it or if they would of just made it with s35vn steel from the beginning it would be a must have
Very strange. Here in South Africa the Voyager and the Air Lite are about the same price. About R100 ($5) more for air lite, but not as much difference as in the US. But the downside over here we pay R1500 ($84) for a Voyager and equivalent of about $80 fot the air lite.
I prefer ffg to hollow grind but I'll take a high saber grind. The problem I have with a hollow ground blade is that you can only back up that relief edge so many times before you have a problem. That I find more bothersome than just the hit you take in edge strength with the hollow grinding. That having been said, for a dedicated fighting knife hollow grinds can be the bees knees.
I got this knife today and ughhhh soooo disappointing I get the knife out and really sweet though but when I had the blade open I'm pushing on release and pushing and pushing she won't close. I grabbed knife w two hands and luckily at work I pushed on the release on corner of counter and it closed ughhh well I sent that back ughhhh . I know it's a cheaper knife but really. Garbage never get one of those again as I was thinking about a civivi elementum.
I have had that happen with a few cold steel knives. It can take a week of elbow grease to get the triad lock to break in. Put a little lube at the connect point where it sits in the blade. And it may take sometime but soon it will be smooth as butter. One of my Recon1 was that way. Not great but look it up and you will see this sticky lock is common.
Another great EDC by Cold Steel , U sold me one the Air Lite and you pay for that G10 but the Voyager is my favorite and it cheapest because it has a fan base already, theAir Lite will godown some and the Recon is closer to $90 to $100 but wroth every penny.
I have plenty of knives but this one, the airlite is the best edc ive had. The size, how thin and light it is makes it perfect for daily carry. Never leave home without it. The only time i do is when im in the busch or hunting, then i have the recon 1. You only need 2 folding knives. Airlite and recon 1!
Even at 85 it's still 45 less than the bugout.
Bugout is trash. People with smash me for this, but I stand with this.
@@charlespangilinan6351 Worst benchmade I've ever owned. I've been through 2 sets of omega Springs
@@synerfect Bro my spring broke on it after less than 100 opening and closings. I'm so worried it's just going to keep breaking. I've seen some people report it's broken 5+ times in less than a year. It's to the point I'm afraid to open the damn thing. And fucking FORGET carrying it. Worthless knife when you absolutely cannot trust it.
@@msharmall7298 I bought aftermarket omega Springs from a guy on Etsy. Ended up putting them on all my benchmades
@@msharmall7298 I bought aftermarket omega Springs from a guy on Etsy. Ended up putting them on all my benchmades
Nobody even comes close to how thorough you are with your reviews! Fantastic as always Aaron.... 🙏
It's $64 at Knifeworks. Not sure if it's an error but they've been selling it at that price for months.
Thx
Thanks, I'll grab one at that price
They've been sold out there for a while - at least the drop point version.
Damn I was about to buy it from blade hq for 85$. Thanks
@@charlescollier7217 Drop point available as of this posting. I thought about ordering but you need to spend $99 for free shipping so I need to figure out if I want anything else. That mini doug ritter looks mighty good but I want black dlc blade.
Just ordered using your Amazon link. Only $53.26 !! Also, I have the Large Voyager in Drop Point and Clip Point. The Voyagers are great hand-filling knives for about the price of the Air Lite. Thanks for the great review !!
Have this knife and carry it over most my knives. Love it
I stuck this one out and was gratified to learn that the sticking point was money; nothing to do with the knife itself. Thanx!
Enough knife reviewers had mentioned the price point that Cold Steel took notice. They can now be had for $57 on Amazon. I picked one up a couple of days ago. A good value at this price point!
$55 at a couple places now. AUS10 is awesome stuff and 3.5" blade the goldilocks size for many. If this were made in Oregon or Colorado it would likely be $100-120...VG10 and 154CM with zytel has been that way for a while. AUS10 is similar, but CS recipe means it's actually better.
Agreed, CS really does a great job with their heat treats. Even their super budgety knives in 4116 like my Pro Lite hold a decent edge and easy to sharpen.
1:20 "Or, opening another package to another knife that you just bought, after you just bought this one." Oh, no, sir, I've NEVER done THAT lol
It's $85 because it's new. The price will drop, unlike some other brand with a y instead of an i in their name.🤔🤣
pro lite on sale (always wanna write SAIL ! :D ) 23 bucks ;)
@@krispybeats6615 where?
SpYderco has better knives lol ... fight me 😂
Nah I like both. This one actually interests me even though I haven’t owned many cold steel knives
@@martinaee spyderco looks overpriced and the design looks overrated. Not sure what the hype is all about i haven't tried them
@@realtalk4real243 I mean, there are a lot of spyderco knives with various designs and most of their stuff is very high end for production knives. I wouldn't say it's "hype." They've been a major knife company for a long time just like a company like Benchmade. I don't think you'd be dissapointed with a lot of their knives.
Best Cold Steel folder they've released this year. Been carrying the tanto version for months now. Pocket clip for me is fine. The retention is just right unlike most Cold Steels that have ridiculous tension to them.
That looks like a good knife. It is nice to see knives that are sleek and made for function rather than being tacticool.
I love how enthusiastic your videos are. Great viewing!
I got one for $60 bucks out the door on Amazon. Very happy with it so far.
That's exactly the reason I haven't ordered one yet, if the Air Lite came in around $50 it would be a slam dunk! Thanks for the great content 🤘
at 50 it would price out 90% of similar knives in the market...maybe they had no choice but to put it higher in order to not completely destroy competition. For instance, this already destroys the buggout and is WAY WAY more durable.
It's for 50!
50 on Amazon now, absolutely can't be best that that price imo
I think that can be a step ahead in comparison with my trusty an veteran 'Pro Lite' clip point.
Awesome knife. I'm not sweating the slightly higher price point. Almost perfection in edc utility. I'm ordering one.
Just bought one for my father in law as a Father’s Day gift. Thank you for the great review
it's $51.09 on Amazon now. Just got one. Thanks!
My overall impression is that it looks like someone's light weight version of a Emerson CQC-7 without the wave.
Thanks Aaron for this, I'm tempted to save $85.00. Also thanks for the what you are doing at Ascend the Mountain. Good work brother!!
I bought a Cold Steel Frenzy. It's a folding pocket short sword, and should be of comfort living near the city in the nation with the highest murder rate.. The gorgeous 5.5" blade is fullered, slightly recurved, with a wicked drop point, almost a sheep's foot of CTS XHP. It is based upon a Japanese Samurai blade, used for administering the coup de grâce, to foes mortally wounded with the katana. The deeply sculptured G-10 handle is truly inspired. It is perfect in every grip imaginable. The whole package is very slim. The knife is undeniably an elegant combat weapon. But then we get to the Triad lock. Mine is so stiff that I've never been able to get it to release with only the pressure from my thumb. I have to use both hands and a tool of some sort (a Sharpie works well) to get the Triad lock to release. When the Sharpie finally forces the Triad lock to open, there's an audible snap sound. What are you to do on the mean city streets with an expensive short sword in your hand and you are unable to fold it shut? Consequently, I have never carried it. I've lubricated and manipulated that Triad lock thousands of times, but it is still recalcitrant. Cold Steel customer service told me before the pandemic hit that if I returned it, it would take several months before I got it back. There are several You Tube videos on how to modify a Triad lock so it will work properly, so the problem with mine is far from unique. Quality control at Cold Steel should have identified the lemons and taken them out of the distribution chain. ... My Frenzy is kept in a box with other cutlery I never use. ... I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER COLD STEEL KNIFE WITH A TRIAD LOCK. Not happening. Too many other viable choices available in the marketplace. ... I'm very glad you're happy with your Triad lock Aaron, but I'm once bitten, twice shy.
Good review over basic features. Too many reviewers leave out specs. I have the Recon, and it is one of my favorite EDC folders with a blade length of nearly 4," which I prefer over 3 1/2." However, some may prefer the lighter weight and smaller blade length. ( 3 1/2" is a cut off point for blade lengths legally in some states). Price is not that big of an issue for me, but if it came down to just one Cold Steel folder, I would still have to choose the Recon.
Current price on Amazon is $59
My favorite EDC is the CS 3" Hold Out, looking for something slim like the Hold Out but a longer blade (but not the 6" Hold Out) the Air Lite looks perfect!
I think, however unjust it is, that the price is like that because of how genius the design is. The demand is there. That's why the price is also there.
Heck, I'm pining for a Bastinelli Picoeur at $115 because of its genius design!
My Current EDC Trio:
Tiger Claw - Serrated (Right Pocket)
Large Voyager Clip Point (Left Pocket)
Air Lite Tanto (Side Cargo Pocket)
Amazon is selling these for less than 60 bucks, so it's perfect.
This price point is too with the fact that the Code 4 is the same price with S35VN, that is hard to forget!
Just ordered one, Amazon has them for $40 right now
Awesome!
If you watch coldsteels video Andrew Demco said this is the broken skull reimagined. But I like the tanto the best it is amazing looking. Great knife
AWESOME BLADE. Aaron , you nailed it , my thoughts exactly. It will probably drop in price in the future. People sleep on this AUS-10 steel , probably because it sounds so similar to AUS-8 , but we know better , I have 4 C.S. knives with this steel and I really like it , its definitely my favorite woods/work steel , between its edge retention, toughness, and ease of sharpening it's just a Great All Around Steel. Cedric & Ada has a cut testing video on it , if anybody is interested, it did around 150 cuts of Cecil rope and that's a great result for a non-powdered steel , this blade also comes in Tanto . P.S. Aaron , the Voyager has Aluminum Liners , but I'm sure you knew that , lol ..
..👍⚔🖖
Cecil rope? What is Cecil rope? ... Did you mean sisal rope? ... Otherwise great, useful thoughts and comment. ... Take care, Marty
Just an update, I know this video is 3 years old, but Amazon carries the Air Lite now for around $52. (Currently in my cart) A lot nicer than $80+ at the time of this video.
I love the Air Lite! Anyone do a SnaggleTooth modification one one? Thank you.
I picked up the tanto version for $60 in March 2023 at a small gun shop in Ohio.
I definitely dig it , that pocket clip tho 🤔 Thanks Aaron enjoy your weekend buddy
Agreed, Cold Steel has shite pocket clips. Even cheaper brands like SOG or CRKT have better ones.
I try to judge value on how much I enjoy carrying and using the knife. I found it worth the price and bought both versions. The price is a head scratcher but not enough to prevent my purchase.
I agree with you on the price but I picked mine up at knifeworks for 60, the Tanto version. I love mine. So interesting how he made it a flat warncliffe, high saber grind Tanto LOL! I'm glad you did this review because there's not to many of them as of now 👍
You do some of the best reviews!
Just got the tanto on eBay (new) for $55. Knew it would drop in price. Excited to try it out. Code 4 has been my slim cold steel carry.
I just picked one up with a black blade on Knifecenter for $60
Great!!
I must say I very much do agree with you about the blade grind. I don't care so much for full flat grind specially on a large knife. I carry a large knife at work and I only carry knives with a good backbone blade. Because if I need to use it I'm going to use it for what it's for ! Yeah you know cutting stuff ? Paper, food, materials.
Great review as always, Gideon! One question if I may...I had the Cold Steel Finn Wolf a while back, and Really wanted to love it, except for one major flaw: TheTr-Ad lock was Extremely Hard to engage! This made closing the blade quite uncomfortable. So, how is the Tri-Ad mechanism on this Air Lite, in terms of ease of use? Is it the least bit "stiff", or is it painless to engage, or disengage, if you will? Thank you!
They should release it in a more premium steel and higher price... Keep this one about $50.
I'm loving my Voyager 10A Tanto right now - it just about eclipses my whole knife collection. But I do love the look of this Air Lite. Seems the most perfect EDC to me. Do we still remember the Bushman? I carry one in my Maxpedition survival pack. It has prepped most of my firewood over the years and the lock and blade are still like new. Awesome folder that acts like a fixed blade.
Such a good design and THIS pocket clip - Why? Lightweight could have deep carry, small clip!
It looks like a clip I've seen one some Kershaw knives like the blur or leek
It would be absolutely perfect if it had a smaller wire pocket clip.
@@PerceptionVsReality333 100% Needs a deep carry clip. Wire would be even better.
Not everyone likes deep carry pocket clips guys.
I’m buying it to add to my collection of Cold Steel folders. Great knife for the job. Can not go wrong with the tri ad lock! Love Cold Steel lately!
Great review as usual!! I think the price difference simply is CS thinking we knife guys will pay for a lighter knife, which is a reasonable assumption. I really like light knives yet I like a 3.5" blade and 4" handle too. This has all three.
I ordered it from Knifeworks for $70.90 shipped. That was Monday 7/13/20. Like someone else said they’ve had it for that price for months the drop point was out of stock that’s why it took me so long to get.
Ordered this same one, had the tanto version before. The previous one I had, had a somewhat gritty action and blade play that wouldn't go away no matter what. I'm hoping this new one doesn't.
Reducing weight and size while keeping performance equal costs money. Bugout costs more than the Mini Presidio 2 which has better materials.
Bingo
I like Cold Steel and have one of their products, but there’s always one thing about any of their knives that puts me off. That price is prob $20 higher than it should be and I’d consider the Spartan at $10 cheaper or the AD-10 at a lot more first because I think they are better deals for what they are. There are a few more of their knives I’d get first. It seems they are charging for the convenience and portability of the design. It is still worthy of consideration, but if they’d made it from S35VN instead of AUS-10, it would be a home run.
Great review. This was one of the knives I was looking forward to since shot show. This and the new flash at. I got that one for Father’s Day from my son so maybe this one for Christmas
Still have no cold steel knife but I respect that co and folks behind them
Love all my cold steels
And the airlite has become one of my go to EDC blades.
I look at it as a G10 code 4 with a saber grind.
I also have several voyagers I like. I think the voyager liners are aluminum tho.
I believe the liners in the voyger are aluminum.
I have the airlite and absolutely love it. To me it seems like a G10 version of a code four. Which I also have and love.
Blade reminds of kabar dozier .... that I love . One of very favorite daily’s ....
I think a forward choil would make that a definite buy. It would let me cinch up close to the blade, which I like.
The price of this is pretty much the only thing holding me back. I've almost bought it a few times, but I can't justify the cost over other options out there. If I ever see it for $60, I'll snag it though. I am intrigued by the combo of lightweight beefiness.
Obviously this is an old comment, and I have no idea if you still care, but they are 60 bucks on Amazon now
@@Judgement_Kazzy hell yeah, good looking out for our wallets
Besides a lower price, I'd like to see one with a spear point (ala Recon 1), slightly deeper "radius cut" index finger groove, and a slimmer pocket clip. Having said that, I'll probably buy one while experiencing a moment of weakness.
Try the ESEE Avispa
i love the aus10a on my voyagers. the knife/cost ratio that cold steel offers is ridiculous
Just ordered mine!!!
100% agree. It's an EDC gem. I do wish it was a hollow grind though.
Nope, hollow grind great for skinning and slicing meat ect, for edc and utility? Saber or flat grind ground properly everyday and twice on Sunday.
I will pass on this knife at that price point, especially when I paid a lot less for my American lawman with cts-xhp a few years ago. Also, the code 4 came in a little cheaper than that too. It should be priced at 50-60 dollars.
need a mini version of it, just like the Recon did
beautiful and comfortable knife, too bad that the pocket clip is chromed, black would have been perfect.
Do you have a new cam? The focus was not perfect (more on the background) but the light was fantastic. Anyway, Great video, you are one of the rare reviewers who review pocket knives as knives and not as collectibles. That is why I find your reviews so useful. Keep the good work. 👍🙏
I bought cold steel air lite tanto. the lock does not hold the blade closed tightly. the blade comes out of the handle a little. i wrote to shop where i bought it (official dealership of cold steel) they said, that the problem is the lack of liners.
I tried to disassemble the knife, leveled the metal part - placed it in the center (a certain spring supporting the lock), it seemed that it began to close.
but over time, everything returned back (( this is not critical, but the pro lite knifes, which are cheaper, for example, are
made better, the lock reliably fixes the blade both in closed and open state, same with the hold out series. i was a little disappointed.that is the most expensive knife in my collection.
Same experience here. The spring is defective. I am a engineer. I have fixed mine too. I tried to reach CS they ignored me so screw them. China is copying the high end knives you can buy on Alibaba. I think Amazon 3 party sellers are selling these knock offs.
Price is the reason I don't have one of these. At $85 I just can't justify the expense, even with as nice as the blade shape is. For $72 I got the Kershaw Link which has a flipper opener, Bohler M390 steel, and assisted opening. For the same $85 or less, I could get the Buck Pro Vantage with G10 handles, S30V and a flipper opener, the Buck Pro Hunter with S30V and G10 handles, or in Cold Steel there's the Code 4 with S35VN which also has the Tri-Ad lock. If it comes down about $30 it'd pique my curiosity, but not at its price point.
I was about to buy this at White Mountain Knives. Within the 20 minutes I was contemplating, it went out of stock. So I ordered a Hogue Deka. Now I'm ruined because I feel like no other knife will ever be as perfect as the Deka. Maybe I'll save some money now...
Hi Aaron, given the choice of one folder, which would you choose, the American Lawman or the Air Light?
That is hard…Lawman
I've watched two videos of yours where you critique the price of a Cold steel knife and then I've gone to their website and found that they had lowered the price significantly. Coincidence? Please keep these videos coming. :)
Thank u so much!!
Nice offering but for my money you can't beat the Recon One. It out perform any knife in its price range and many costing two or three times. Yes it is large for EDC but that's a personal preference. Anyway thanks for another fine review.
The recon series really doesn't get enough respect/attention. I assume part of that is simply because they're bigger than the typical EDC community member prefers. That being said, they really are incredible performers and can shrug off even abusive tasks that would break a lesser knife.
I have a voyager aus 10 and love it. The price for the air lite may inhibit me from buying it though. For $5 - $10 more you could get some higher end knives with better steel. If it was $60 I'd grab one.
I would definitely be interested in checking this one out. I am no knife collector but do have some Esee's and a few Spyderco's. This one peaks my interest.
Great vid. Great knife. Maybe I’ll buy one but right now I’ll stick with my CS Voyager. Request: Toler Union multitool review. I will keep nagging you till u do it.
Got it, love it, the tanto is better :) I got used to the clip eventually- holds the knife secure in the pocket
Buck 110 but Hulked out and modernized
If it had the Sypderco name on it we all be talking about what a steal of deal it was. For example I have a Centofante 3 $80 3 1/4” VG10 blade FRN handle pined pivot. Love that knife but is it worth $80 especially when compared to the features of this knife, not really.
After 30+ years of buying and then selling off most high-end brands (except a few safe queens) I landed on Sebenzas, and Spyderco Dragonflys & Caly3 for edc... then I rediscovered Cold Steels impressive manufacturing precision, materials usage and value when I bought a G10/CPM SR1 on a whim.. I love that silly thing, I even have the Tanto version in the mail now.
Historically, CS has put their name on a lot of junk and that's always kinda steered me away from their good stuff that I viewed as sketchy-by-association... but todays folders are simply awesome for the money. My SR1 easily betters my Strider AR and SMF in fit/finish and lock durability. The Striders wouldn't fail, but certainly wont be smooth after 30 minutes of (reasonable) batoning like the SR1's genius lock is.
Spyderco's have always been my best bang-for-the-buck in very lightweight summer shorts edc knives. I always buy the ZDP versions.
I think I pay more for the hole...
They’re selling for $60 now on Amazon
I was excited by the specs, especially the weight, until I saw the price. You’re right, for the materials it’s too much.
I have a medium size hand and this knife is very hard to open for me. The pocket clip isn't formed correctly to be able to clip to pocket material one handed. I have to lift the ciip with one hand and hold the material. My Airlite spine was so sharp on one side of the Lockback that sometimes it cuts my thumb. One side of the Lockback is finished correctly and it's smooth. The other side is very, very sharp and can cut you while pushing down hard to close the blade. This knife, at least for me, can't be a defensive knife, because it's ergonomics will not allow me to flip it open fast. Larger hands might work, mine don't. In my opinion it needed to be a spring assisted opener. Guess I'm spoiled by my SOG knives as far as ease of opening. My SOG knives eventually start having play in the blade after 10 years. I don't think the Airlite never will get play in the lock. Great blade shape and really good steel. Only wish the design was more conducive to people with smaller than size large hands.
Appreciate your videos !!
I really want one but I don't think it should cost more than my Code 4. If they would at least step it up to S35VN like their other knives in that price range, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Otherwise there is no reason for it to be that much compared to their other knives. Hopefully CS doesn't just raise the prices of everything else. lol
Got mine on Amazon for $58!!
Cold steel grown on me the older I get due to: dependability in emergency situations
I pretty much agree but if they gave me more blade like 4 or five inch blade with same design and materials for the 85$ price I'd buy it or if they would of just made it with s35vn steel from the beginning it would be a must have
Sure looks good. Would love to get me one.
I bought this knife for my collection.
Guys, im from the future and these things are $48 at chicago knife works. Im thinking about grabbing another one.
Hopefully you did. I have to get one and think the holiday season is the best time (because of all the deals).
Very strange. Here in South Africa the Voyager and the Air Lite are about the same price. About R100 ($5) more for air lite, but not as much difference as in the US. But the downside over here we pay R1500 ($84) for a Voyager and equivalent of about $80 fot the air lite.
I prefer ffg to hollow grind but I'll take a high saber grind. The problem I have with a hollow ground blade is that you can only back up that relief edge so many times before you have a problem. That I find more bothersome than just the hit you take in edge strength with the hollow grinding. That having been said, for a dedicated fighting knife hollow grinds can be the bees knees.
I got this knife today and ughhhh soooo disappointing I get the knife out and really sweet though but when I had the blade open I'm pushing on release and pushing and pushing she won't close. I grabbed knife w two hands and luckily at work I pushed on the release on corner of counter and it closed ughhh well I sent that back ughhhh . I know it's a cheaper knife but really. Garbage never get one of those again as I was thinking about a civivi elementum.
I have had that happen with a few cold steel knives. It can take a week of elbow grease to get the triad lock to break in. Put a little lube at the connect point where it sits in the blade. And it may take sometime but soon it will be smooth as butter. One of my Recon1 was that way. Not great but look it up and you will see this sticky lock is common.
Voyager has aluminum liners, if i remember correctly
Yea i never pulled the trigger on that. Just doesn't make sense for the price. Don't really dig that kershaw pocket clip either.
I love the lawman same blade size
Buying it.
the only thing I don like about it is the clip. However the Air Lite and SR 1 Lite are awesome
Another great EDC by Cold Steel , U sold me one the Air Lite and you pay for that G10 but the Voyager is my favorite and it cheapest because it has a fan base already, theAir Lite will godown some and the Recon is closer to $90 to $100 but wroth every penny.
You can get it for $64 at knifeworks.
They must have heard you. It's $50 now