A Cut Above

Cold steel’s new Golden Eye folder has much to offer as an EDC blade

- Steven And Paul

 

You never know what the day will bring.

It’s just for that reason that I carry a knife—and find I need to use a knife—every day. I don’t know how some people manage to get by without one.

As an outdoorsman, I’ve been a big fan of Cold Steel fixed blade knives for years. The Trail Master, Recon Scout, SRK and AK-47 Field Knife are my favorites.

More recently, I’ve come to appreciate the company’s folding knives. I’ve been carrying the new Golden Eye folder for a couple of months now and I’m finding it’s everything I could want in an everyday carry (EDC) knife.

AN EASY OPENER

This knife was designed by Andrew Demko, and its most prominent feature is the thumb hole at the rear of the blade to facilitate one-handed opening with either hand. What differentiates this knife from Spyderco or some Benchmade models with this feature is that the Golden Eye has a shiny brass thumb ramp inside the hole. It’s where the Golden Eye gets its name. But it is far from being merely decorative; it’s an improvement. This brass ramp is stepped. Clearly defined ridges catch the pad of the thumb as you open the blade. There is no slipping. This system is more sure than thumb studs or a hole in the blade alone.

SIZING IT UP