Cold Steel rubber training knives

Ok, let's start by saying that you really do not "need" a training knife for airsoft. Most fields use "touch kill" knife kill rules (ie, place your hand on your opponents shoulder and say "knife kill" or something along these lines instead of chasing each other around with silly foam Q tips). However...

Dang, these are cool.

Made of Santoprene, a flexible rubber, the look and feel on these training knives is exceptional. And they should be, these are made by Cold Steel. Cold Steel is a company who makes some mighty fine steel field tools like knives, machetes, and hatchets for outdoorsmen. All of these training knives feel good in the hand, are quite accurate in blade shape and are reasonably safe. The classic Peace Keeper 1 model is our favorite for a number of reasons that we will explain below, but all are well above average for a non-essential accessory.

Hands down, the Peace Keeper models are our favorite; they feel great in the hand, will fit in many different places in your vest or web system and throw better than any of the other models. Oh yeah, we throw em! (Aim for the body). Sometimes you need a quick distraction, and pulling and throwing one of these rubber training knives at someone will really get their attention, even if you miss. The 7" blade gives good reach and balance and the textured handle makes keeping a good grip with sweaty hands easy enough. The blade is a double edged, spear point style in the flavor of classic historical combat knives like the fairbain-sykes and many others.

The Military Classic model is our second favorite, being similar in shape and size to many modern military issue combat knives. While not a direct copy of the classic Ka-Bar, it will feel similar in shape. It has a slight drop handle and throws reasonably easily (the drop in the handle makes it easier to use in it's real steel cousin, and helps throwing slightly).

A lot of guys will like the slightly longer Black Bear model, with a roughly 8 1/2" long blade and a sub hilt "fighting knife" style handle, and it handles well once you get used to the small sub hilt projection that lays between the index and middle finger when holding the knife. However, it can make some inverted grips tricky (ie, for the "cool factor" in "knife combat"). It does not throw as well as the Peace Keeper either.

A lot of guys will also go for the Tanto training knife model, and it is comfortable in the hand, though the most difficult for many of our people to throw accurately and effectively (ie, hitting the target with the blade first, not the handle or side of the replica). The deeper curve in the spine of the blade may make it harder for some users to use effectively in inverted grips and some other maneuvers.

A little reminder on safety from Cold Steel, taken from their descriptions on these training knives:

"Each has been carefully fashioned to look as realistic as possible so they can be effectively used in solo practice, training drills, disarm drills, and demonstrations and any other activity where you want a reasonably close approximation of realism but not the extreme danger and risk associated with an actual knife. The Santoprene rubber blades are soft enough to prevent the likelihood of most bodily injury. They do however, have a level of firmness that might cause injury to the face or the eyes, so it is recommended that appropriate eye protection or a fencing mask is utilized at all times when using a Cold Steel rubber training knife. "

All in all, these knives have been used safely by many groups, and with a little care and good goggles (which you are wearing, right?!!) should be a safe addition to your local airsoft events. And hey, it looks cool to have a knife in your boot too, right? Or several shoved into a shotgun shell bandoleer across your chest while toting a SAW like an action movie hero!

Overall:

Usefulness - 2 out of 5. You really don't need these, as most fields use "touch kill" rules. They will work in a pinch if your AEG is out, your spring pistol mag is empty and you still have a few opponents to deal with.

If you want to add one to your kit just for the complete look and cool factor:

5 out of 5 shot burst for the Peace Keeper and Classic Military
4 out of 5 shot burst for the Black Bear and Tanto (as they are harder to throw and use in some positions)