I can't say Cold Steel doesn't make great stuff, they use the 3 layer technique for strength and flexibility like a true katana, just without the dozens of folds. I still have my CS machete on standby even if it isn't 3 layer. The one I liked most from ZT was the D'Capitan which is modeled after the falcata. You combine the better parts of the kukri with a cavalry sabre. Not as long as a sabre or as heavy as a kukri would be, a more than acceptable compromise for me though. If Cold Steel would make one, I'd be all over it! Think of it more as a spring steel version of their gunstock war club.
I'd like to see ZT do some hanging manilla rope tests for sure to see exactly how sharp their stuff is (and for how long) for sure but they ARE blacksmiths that hammer out their blades compared to stamping and grinding a bevel like the fantasy stuff.
p.s. When the hell did they (CS) get Mark McGwire to do demonstrations for them! That guy looks like he's swung a bat or two before
