Frost Knives

[Game Getter]

What do you guys think of their pockets and tactical knives???

[johnnierotten]

I've never seen any that I wanted to own...But the only place i've seen them is at swapmeets... I wasn't impressed,very poor quality...They may make a good knife its just that I've never seen one..I hope I don't offend anyone!!

Back when it was ParkerFrost they made some really fine knives...

[bpern57]

johnny does not know what he is talking about. frost knives are very good for the price. great quality, and very comparable to the case nowadays. case does not make as good of a knife, as they once did. people are just in love with the name and collect them because everyone else does. a lot of collectors have no idea what a good knife is. if you want a good knife at a reasonable price you cannot go wrong with frost, even though they are not collectible.

[jonet143]

the frost knives i have touched were similar to amost of the chinese knives on the market. some are better than others. for a $5 knife they are usable. they suffer in overall quality but they are usually sharp. the handles are not fitted as well (among other things) as a higher end knife. i personally have not seen one that would be on par with any case knife made today.

they are inexpensive and if you like them that's great. they probably won't appreciate in value but if you lose or break one, it can be replaced easily.

personaly, i won't buy chinese knives.


johnnie

[johnnierotten]

Again!!! I didn't reply to this post to offend anyone..The reply is only my OPINION !!! just because I said I have'nt seen one that I wanted to own doesn't mean they don't make one..It means simply that I haven't seen one!!
I'm sorry if I hurt the feelings of any FROST FANS...but I thought this was a knife collectors website and I don't recall seeing FROST in the above research or price guide tabs!!!
I collect AMERICAN and GERMAN made knives ONLY...and PROUD of it!!!!
But I do wish someone would post a pic of a frost knife that compares to a CASE..


Game Getter, I mean YOU no disrespect....

[Game Getter]

No disrespect to me. This is an opinion Post..

But you and most have to understand and have been mislead.
Frost knives are only assembled in China.
Their steel is German Stainless Steel. Like I said before , unless you have handled one , you would not believe the quality in them. True they make cheaper ones, but who don't make them today.. If you get a chance check out their pocket knives , not their Tactical ones..

[alexander]

johnny does not know what he is talking about.

Wow, that was a little harsh.


In any case, I for one would never buy a Frost knife. The ones I've seen have been QVC/Home Shopping Network junk. Definitely wouldn't feel comfortable relying on it as a real, usable tool.


Frosts of Sweden is a different story, however. They're one of the companies who make the fabled Mora knives; these are fixed blades that generally cost between $8 and $12, are made of laminated carbon steel, and are excellent outdoor/camping/hunting tools.

[Hukk]

I do like the Steel Warriors by Frost, they are surprisingly well made, good carry knife for minor stuff. I have a small Saddlehorn, the blades are great, but I don't like the look of the front bolster and the handles are a little slim. I have big hands and the handle behind the front boster is smaller than my pinkie finger. I don't care for some of the colors either. But, I will say it is a very well made knife, just as good as most of the major manufacturers. Obviously in the last 2 years they have improved. I got as a gift, but for $15.00, how can you beat it? Yeah, I have to be unbiased and ask myself if the major companies could sell this for $15.00 and NO--THEY CAN'T. I chose my carriers by perfomance and fit, my collectors by perfomance and look. I guess they will eventually make a bigger knife that will fit me. I really like the Chris Bostwick folder, Now that's a knife and my favorite to carry in a leather pouch!

[JOE1998]

I used to collect Frost knives back in the 80's ( mostly bone/stag traditional patterns) and even then, although made in Japan, the QC was spotty. But for a knife enthusiast on a budget they were fine.

At some point they switched manufacturing to Taiwan and I just stopped buying them.

A few years ago at a swap meet I bought a fancy , full sized Frost lock back folder for $10.00. The tang is stamped Solingen , but further down on the blade it's marked Pakistan. The F&F on this knife is fair/ poor .....

I would say the Chinese made Frost knives should be an improvement over the Pakistani made models , because I don't think you can get much worse than that....

I did buy a few Chinese made Rough Riders and found them very good for the price, Chinese knives have come a long way.... the Frost knives probably come from the same factory.

[justold52]

I for one am amassed with the quietly for the price. I fell that the Frost Steel Warrior’s are taking the place of Schrade small knives. I like the 4” or 4 ¼ “ ones. The smaller Frost Steel Warrior’s are too small for my large hands. I hope in time they get bigger. The turquoise on my toothpick is super looking to me. I have about 15 and only one has a small crack in the handle. For what I paid for it I am not even returning it. Yes the blades come nice and sharp too. I also fell if the word CHINA was not on it many others would like them too. But as time goes on I see lots of companies having a line of China made knives even like Boker and Remington.

[calico jack]

I have defended Jim Frost and his company more than anyone on this forum, but I am begining to become disillusioned with the entire discussion of what people will and won't carry. Frost tacticals are made in the same factory as Tomahawk, TimberWolf, Ridge Runner, and all other Chinese-made brands. His folders have the same grade steel as Bulldog, Eye, Boker, and amazingly, Case. If you are offended by a name on a knife blade, or assume that assembly point makes the steel less usable, then by all means hold to your opinions (I'll always respect a deeply held opinion). But, please do not judge based on assumption, after all, 440 grade steel is the same in Soligen as it is in Bradford.

[nmikash]

I have a little experience with Frost knives. I had one a few years back and the handle cracked after about 6 months. I've seen a few more recently and they didn't impress me. Everyone has been talking about steel, but that is not the whole story. 440 steel doesn't mean a thing if the handle material is cheap and it breaks in 6 months. Granted some of these knives are cheap so I wouldn't expect them to be of the highest quality materials- remember the old saying- you get what you pay for. I have no experience with their slippies.

I will say that for a low cost, imported knife the newer Rough Riders are very well constructed. I've picked up a few slippies as well as a couple tacticals & they are okay knives to bang up for the price.

I'll still take a Schrade(USA)/Case/Rooster/etc. over one of these imports anyday...

Nick

[olderdogs1]

I too am a little disappointed in what some consider proper knife carrying. I carry a frost, sometimes a steel warrior, why. because of the price and the fact that I am almost sure to lose it anyway. I collect bulldogs, fight'n roosters, and case.
That being said I will say that the frost knives I have are not nearly the quality of the bulldogs, etc. The fit and finish is not as good. They are in my opinion just cheap knives that are probably worth the money. I don't believe they will ever be collectible, but that doesn't mean I won't carry one on my pocket.

[CarlM]

I have a couple of older frost knives that friends gave me. They probably don't have any collector value but if someone gives me a knife, I usually keep it.

[knifeswapper]

Here is a fairly non-biased opinion ==> http://www.rod-neep.co.uk/rod/knives/re ... index.html

I am not convinced that 440 is the same across the board; but these are good little users. 100% in agreement that they are ONLY users.

American made is a source of pride for me, just like most other Americans; but don't think we will always make the best products just because we say it is so.

[BrokenCamillus]

Alright, you're going to learn this about me sooner or later, so now is the time. I call things as I see them and I tell the truth. If you can't count on what I have to say do as you will, but don't say I didn't give you the information I had.

I just returned a set of Frost Cutlery knives that were $5.00 to $6.00 a piece knives. These were the "tactical" style knives although 4 turned out to be slip joint. From the display and marketing of these knives I expected them to be much bigger. I received 1 fixed blade, 4 frame locked, and 4 slip joints. (much to my surprise)

Now these were not the pocket knives which tend to be more expensive, so bear that in mind.

Every knife was stamped CHINA, every knife had poor workmanship in one way or another. Yes they were sharp, but I don't hold that against them. Every knife was nothing I wanted to own. In the end I will lose about $20.00 dollars shipping & handling both ways, but I expect my knives to be reliable and these didn't pass my inspection criteria. If you want toys to play with they are great, but as a working knife I need better quality.

Now, I will say that I understand their pocket knives to be made in Germany and the U.S., so I will hold my opinion of those knives until I have a chance to visually inspect some.

If you are interested in the Frost Brand be careful. You do get what you pay for. China can make some decent blades, but poorly tempered 440C is just as useful as sharpened bed rails.

[jonet143]

jump right in bc.

[BrokenCamillus]

I know that many of you will feel as though this subject has already been done to death. I, however believe in doing things right. I will post to this thread as I have more objective information to add.

I was hoping to be the "proud owner" of a yellow trapper Steel Warrior by now. I ordered one from Cutlery Corner on the Internet on Sept 10th.

See picture in this post. http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... php?t=1782

After 15 "working" days I emailed them through two different routes to find out why I hadn't received my knife yet. Yesterday after 19 days I received the reply that they never got my order and I should reorder. All well and good, but as I stated in my original e-mail to them the knife I ordered had disappeared from their website.

I had recently discovered that my local ACE Hardware was selling Frost knives and they had a Steel Warrior trapper in the brown (?) jigged bone handle. (See picture)

My honest hard hitting opinion is that they are not as well made fit and finish wise as the Rough Riders you can see in the post above. Bolsters and handles don't match up well even though spacing is close enough to say the work is very good. Linings and springs don't match up well, but blade to spring fit is near excellent. Overall things aren't sloppy, just not taken to the N'th degree of quality. Still I would have to say for a Chinese knife it is very good.

On my example I find Steel Warrior stamped into the tang on the right side of both the main and secondary blade. 440 Stainless is stamped into the left side of the tang of both blades as well. The main blade has a nicely lazer etched (?) Steel Warrior logo on the blade. Also, on the back of the main blade is lightly etched in small letters "CHINA". Nowhere on this knife does it say Germany. The somewhat hokey oval SW shield is nicely fitted into the handle material which is said to be imported bone. (On the side of the packaging.)

My opinion so far is that this hair shaving knife is certainly worth it's 13.99 retail price. ACE has a 10% off hardware club program keeping my final price under $13.50.

I will be using this knife as a test subject. Whittling, cutting cardboard, and general use will be part of a running evaluation program. If this knife is worthy of anything more than being an everyday carry knife I hope my examination will bring that to life.

Please feel free to add your personal observations about the Steel Warrior knives. It's time to put some real flesh into this debate about the quality of Frost Cutlery and Jim Frost's company.

Note: I do not own a Case knife at this time so I can't compare the quality to this Steel Warrior but that may change.

[knifeswapper]

We have put Rough Riders, US Classics, and Steel Warriors (as well as others) in packages as "Thank You" gifts for larger orders for some time now. In my opinion, Steel Warriors are several levels above the other two (which appear made at the same plant as each other) in quality and fit / finish.

Just this week I created a Work Knives Page; to satisfy the significant non-collectible requests I have been getting.

I have not found a Steel Warrior yet that was not better than the competition in a heads-up comparison; but to me the Saddlehorn is far and away the nicest model.

[Gr8Scout]

What do I think of Frost knives? Well, I think some of them are collectible. Which in my case means they are "interesting". I do not find the latest Case offering of 3000 limited of a new bone handle color interesting in the least. Just my humble opinion of what works for me.

Here are some examples of interesting knives by Jim Frost. First up, for you guys that like nekkid ladies, is the Shady Lady set, the only such knife set ever featured in PLAYBOY magazine. Abalone handles, nudes etched on the blades. Was so popular that Jim Frost did a 'Shady Lady 2' set, also shown. I sold an extra set of these for $80 last year--- That's 'collectible' isn't it?

I am also showing 'The Clanton Gang'... coffin shaped handled folders in Pearl and bone celebrating the departed Clanton Gang.

And I claim the distinction of being the only person to ever commision Sheathmaker Paul Long to make two sheaths for me to hold the Frost 'WidowMaker' folding dagger--- one in the open position, one in the closed.

I have no experience with the newer made in China Frost knives.

Phil

[Gr8Scout]

Shady Lady 2.

Also... Please visit my post in the Customizing Production Knives to see what a friend of mine can do with Frost knives as fast as rehandling and filework. Leave a nice word for him if you would, as I would like to bring him to the forum.
http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... highlight=


Phil

[hispeedbuffer]

Hey! I like naked ladies i gotta admit.I didn't read all the posts on Frost knives.I've heard all my collecting years about the poor quality ect and never bought them...When i received 75 traditional folders from a friend to pratice my reworking on,i can say that they ran the range from poor to excellent.The widowmaker pattern is the neatest darn thing i've ever seen with the quality from both Pakistan and Japan very good imho.The mini and full size trappers are great knives.Canoes also.These were from the mid 80's and both Paki and japan built.Japan had the edge with finishing,but not by a lot actually.One thing i believe everyone would have to admit is that Jim Frost is a great success in his business.Go to his website and see what companies he owns now.I think you'll be shocked as i was.If you want AAA quality,he can supply it.If you want inexpensive cutlery,he's there too and everywhere between.With all the knife companies going down the tubes it's good to know he's been smart enough to stick around.

[Hukk]

Once again, I think the only Frost knife worth buying is the Steel Warrior, but some of the front bolster designs are weird, the Choctaw, the saddlehorn and many are just to small. They are the best of the lot as far as I'm concerned. The knives I have handled with the Frost name have been pure junk and asked "what do you think" by someone showing me one; I will look it over and just tell them straight out what I think and that you get what you pay for.

[jabberwocky]

For what it's worth, here's my opinion, having started a similar thread a
few weeks ago regarding the "late night knife sales" on the Home Shopping Network, etc. (which feature predominantly Frost products).

There seems to be good, logical arguments for and against these Frost
knives on both sides...I think it boils down to what the reason is that we
"collect" knives vs. the reason we buy knives for "use". Collectibility vs.
utility seems to be a dominating theme here. Do we buy a knife to use, or
do we buy a knife to collect...(counting on its value increasing because of
several factors...'quality' of manufacture, brand, rarity, etc., etc.)...in the
hopes that it will appreciate somewhat? Perception.

Is future appreciation our only consideration as collectors/users? Or, do
we want to take a good, hard look at the actual quality of construction of
these knives, without consideration as to country of manufacture? It seems that we're creating what will be viewed by future knife enthusiasts
as the eternal question..."Which is more important...actual utility and quality or percieved quality/collectibilty?"
Further, "Which is more important...actual objective quality or the
subjective adherence to possibly misplaced 'patriotic' valuations?

Are we ever going to admit that Asian knives can be as good or better
than USA products? (We've already made this leap of faith in the areas
of electronics, musical instruments, automobiles...to name a few).

I don't think there will ever be a definitive answer that satisfies all. I personally own and cherish Case, Shrade, Gerber and Camillus knives.
I also EDC Asian Kershaws, like the DWOs.

Off topic, but analogous,...I'm a piano and guitar player, have been for years. The Yamaha grands are currently considered by many serious
players as the "best" piano to go with, in terms of sound, quality of
construction, materials, etc.... But, Steinway will always have that image of "the best piano made". I swear, if I sat down and played the same piece on both pianos, no one, save a music student or professional player could tell which piano I was playing...(utility vs. 'image')! Same with guitars...I own two Carvin tl60's (telecaster "copies")...made in USA...but I'll bet no one except another guitarist (possibly) could tell the difference between a Carvin and an Asian-made Fender Telecaster if I played both through the same valve amps...

Maybe we shouldn't let perception become reality when it comes to this hobby of ours.

Just my opinion....

[BrokenCamillus]

Since my last post I have been carrying the Steel Warrior Trapper and it has been used for various daily tasks as well as some whittling. The blades have held up well, and for a full sized trapper it is barely noticeable in my over stuffed pocket. It is still sharp enough to shave hairs with and nothing seems to have broken, bent, or damaged in a major way. I have noticed a small chip flaked off of one of the handle slabs which is due to the fit not being perfect. There is also pocket wear evident on the bolsters. (See picture above of the knife when new.)

The springs on this particular knife are very strong and it isn't an easy knife to open, but that may be the way they build this style of knife.

Since I haven't done a lot of hard use work with this knife I decided to get another Steel Warrior in a Stockman pattern to be able to carry one or the other depending on what I have planned for the day. The only problem being I really like the Trapper, so today I carried both.

Like the Trapper the Stockman, or as Frost calls it the Wrangler, is a well made, but not perfect knife. The fit is a little better all around than the Trapper, but the handle slabs still don't mate perfectly to the bolsters with the slabs being either a little too tall or too short as they meet the bolsters. The springs are also lighter than those of the Trapper I have, but seem to be just right for the smaller blades they need to control.

Both of these knives will be evaluated and further updates will be posted here for everyone who is interested. I hope that this information will help people looking for unbiased reports to find out what is really going on with Frost Cutlery knives, and the Steel Warriors in particular.

Please have a look for yourselves.