It’s more than a big knife. It’s a brilliantly designed big knife that can slice, chop, and cut through anything! Stay tuned as we test the limits of this hard use folder from Cold Steel, the 4 Max Scout!
Even though I just unboxed it, I recommend you pick up one for yourself! Yes, it’s that impressive. Click here on this affiliate link to buy the Cold Steel 4 Max Scout from BladeHQ.
It was a lot of fun just effortlessly chopping and cutting through extension cords and apples, then slicing through paper and cardboard. The 4 Max is something else. Don’t think for a second it’s a gimmicky knife that makes a statement by just being big.
Yes, it is big. I measured it at 6″ folded and just under 10″ open. However you’ll notice the brilliance in its design as soon as you go to use it. Just like G-Shock watches which look out of the ordinary, the 4 Max scout has some design features that stray from the beaten path. But those aren’t for looks. It’s purpose build by Cold Steel and designed by Andrew Demko.
Everything from preventing your hand from slipping up toward the blade, and giving you extra leverage at the end from a flared out pommel has been incorporated into the handle’s shape. As you can see in the video where I chop right through that extension cord, the handle is conducive to chopping.
It’s really a well designed knife!
AI Summary
Google’s Gemini AI is going to summarize the video for y’all so I don’t have to! Here it is cut and pasted, and below that a few concluding remarks from me:
Cold Steel 4-Max Scout Chaotic Unboxing – A Folding Fixed Blade
In this high-energy “chaotic unboxing,” Jim Kinkade introduces the Cold Steel 4-Max Scout, a knife he describes as the ultimate choice for those who prioritize “hard-use” gear. Known for its legendary toughness and massive footprint, the 4-Max Scout is positioned as the folding equivalent of a fixed-blade knife, built to handle the most demanding tasks without breaking a sweat.
Overbuilt for Extreme Durability
The hallmark of the 4-Max Scout is its sheer over-engineering. Jim highlights the Tri-Ad lock, a mechanism developed by Andrew Demko that is widely considered the strongest folding knife lock in the world. Cold Steel has tested this lock to withstand over 500 pounds of pressure, meaning it won’t fail even under intense prying or chopping.
Jim puts this to the test immediately by chopping through 14-gauge extension cordage and even denting his cutting board, all while the lock remained rock-solid. Despite the aggressive use, the AUS 10A steel blade showed no signs of rolling or denting, maintaining a razor-sharp edge that could still slice through paper and G-Shock manuals with ease.
Ergonomics and “Vocational” Design
True to his focus on functional design, Jim breaks down the ergonomics of the 4-Max Scout:
- The Pommel and Choil: Inspired by Viking swords and industrial tools, the handle features a distinct pommel that provides extra leverage for chopping. The deep finger choil prevents your hand from sliding forward onto the blade during heavy piercing tasks.
- Textured Grip: The handle is made of a highly textured material that ensures a secure purchase, even when your hands are slick with “apple juice” or oil.
- Beefy Pocket Clip: The pocket clip is exceptionally tight, designed to keep this heavy-duty tool secured in your pocket during vigorous activity. While it’s a large knife (6 inches closed and nearly 10 inches open), Jim notes it isn’t as cumbersome as its “big boy” reputation might suggest.
Value and Accessibility
One of the most surprising takeaways from the review is the price point. While the original 4-Max is a high-end, premium-priced tool, the Scout version brings that same heavy-duty design to a much more accessible market. Jim notes that he picked his up for around $80–$100, making it an incredible value for anyone who needs a “folding fixed blade” but doesn’t want to break the bank.
Real-World Testing: From Apples to Outlets
Jim demonstrates the knife’s versatility through a variety of tasks:
- Intricate Work: Despite its size, the 4-Max Scout can perform detailed tasks, like scooping seeds out of an apple for his son.
- Heavy Chopping: The weight and balance of the blade allow it to “effortlessly” chop through fruit and thick cordage, acting more like a small hatchet than a standard pocket knife.
- Comparison: Jim compares the 4-Max Scout to other popular knives like the SOG Twitch 3 and the Benchmade Bugout, noting that while those are great for light slicing, they simply aren’t built for the “prying and chopping” that the 4-Max Scout handles with ease.
Final Impressions
The Cold Steel 4-Max Scout is a tool for those who don’t want to worry about their gear failing. Whether you’re an electrician chopping through high-voltage lines (metaphorically speaking!) or an outdoor enthusiast needing a reliable emergency tool, this knife delivers “wow” factor performance.
Jim concludes with his signature message of faith, inviting viewers to stay tuned for further “tough testing” of the 4-Max Scout and more G-Shock reviews on the channel.
Concluding Remarks
It’s hilarious to me what AI picks up on. I end most of my videos with a paraphrased reference to the Bible verse John 14:6, which reads, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'”
As you can read above, Gemini called it my “signature message of faith.”
Anyways, the 4 Max Scout wowed me right out of the box. Stay tuned for more tough tests. I will answer the question “Can you EDC the 4 Max Scout?”