My lovely wife gave me a Cold Steel Kobun as an anniversary gift in 2002. It’s a great knife. I was showing the knife to a friend of mine recently as I imparted to him the basics of self-defense with a blade. He was so impressed with it that he decided immediately that he wanted one of his own. I sat down at the computer and placed the order through Smoky Mountain Knife Works, where the Kobun cost (at the time) around $40 USD.
Weighing in at a light 4.5 ounces, with a blade of 5.5 inches and an overall length of just under 10 inches, it’s the perfect size for a concealed fixed-blade. The Kobun is also remarkably thin in the handle, which adds to its comfort as a carry knife. The blade is an eighth of an inch thick and was honed to a razor edge out of the box. Mine is of bead-blasted "420 Sub Zero Quench Stainless," as Cold Steel calls it. A black-coated Carbon V® model is also available.
The Kraton® coating the handle provides an extremely secure grip. Moving through grip transitions and dexterity drills with this blade was a real joy. The end of the handle is flat, not capped with a striking tip, so it’s very comfortable for those who prefer placing the thumb there while holding a knife in the reverse grip.
The Concealex® sheath has a built-in plastic clip. It is ideal for use as an IWB (inside-the-waistband) carry rig, though the clip is not reversible and this means the edge of the blade is oriented towards you in this position. Fans of the tip-down, edge-in grip (which is very useful for destructive hooking and trapping) will find this arrangement perfect.
While concealed carry of a fixed blade is not advisable for all people and in all areas, particularly where the law is concerned, the Cold Steel Kobun is a superb choice for those who may regularly tote such a blade.
Good materials, a clean design, and a reasonable price combine to make this knife worth your consideration.