A little belter, eh!
Grohmann, the manufacturers of the original Canadian Belt Knife, state on their website that, as far as they know, their renowned core model has been cloned by 16 different companies. If “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” as the commonly paraphrased but scholastically debated axiom suggests, then the august Canadian cutlery firm must indeed be a proud parent. Although the iconic design has decades of endorsement, recognition, and actual use by generations of outdoors enthusiasts, not everyone can justify the price of an original example. So, Cold Steel offers an affordable copy that certainly provides a flavour of the classic style. Interestingly, Krupp 4116 stainless steel employed by Cold Steel for this model is also among the blade materials currently used by Grohmann. My example arrived very sharp out of the box, with an edge absolutely free of any defect. This version of the Canadian Belt Knife is a fraction of the cost of the genuine article. Understandably, it is not a full tang model, and the tough polymer handle is a million miles away from the various and at times exotic materials offered by Grohmann; handle materials like natural oosik (you can Google this one if you want to - I’m not going to touch it). One design feature of the CBK is that the user’s fingers are behind and angled away from the sharp elliptical edge. This is a practical feature, and exemplifies the pragmatic, down to earth approach that this design, and indeed, the original company, is famous for. Cold Steel in their own right has a pragmatic approach to the production of this piece, and they deserve a certain amount of credit for the overall quality at this price. I imagine that the grip would suit a wide variety of users; large or small hands would likely immediately discover a very comfortable position. The point of balance is almost exactly at the top end of the slim and ergonomic handle. Slightly more blade heavy than the original full tang CBK, but still very useable. The spine of the blade features effective yet not uncomfortable jimping. My impression of the CBK has always been that of a handy kitchen knife with specific design features that make it ideally suited for wilderness use. Cold Steel furnishes this model with a shallow hollow grind that is very nearly flat, almost a Scandi grind. The length, grind geometry, and shape of the blade, especially at the tip, suggest the typical bushcraft knife format that has been popular for quite some time now, although the handle shape of Grohmann’s CBK has varied at times over the years. In another example of cost conscious design, the moulded polypropylene sheath has echoes of the dimensions of the Grohmann leather sheath, which contains all of the blade and most of the handle, in a way that is reminiscent of the classic Scandinavian style. The durable Cold Steel sheath has a belt clip that also allows it to be attached over a button. Thoughtfully incorporated is a drainage hole in the bottom of the sheath. As with the Grohmann original CBK, a lanyard hole is provided to secure the handle in the traditional fashion. User reviews indicate that many outdoor enthusiasts rate this Cold Steel model as a worthwhile purchase. I would say so too. Thanks again, HH, for another great bargain!
