Original Cold Steel Recon Tanto Questions

[JTC]

I have an original Cold Steel Recon Tanto. I bought it around 18 years ago from The Cutlery Shoppe. It has a 6" blade and a 5 1/2" handle. It has a brass guard and butt cap. It has a matte bead blasted finish to the blade and brass parts. On the left side of the blade it is marked "Recon Tanto Made in USA"and on the right side "Cold Steel Ventura Ca." The end of the box lists it as a model 13r.
It has a leather sheath with dual belt slots. I think it is the same sheath that came with the original tanto and IIRC is called a Ki quick draw sheath since you can place the knife in the sheath and quickly withdraw it without removing the velcro keeper.
It is definitely not the same as the Recon tanto currently offered by Cold Steel. I've done a search but come up at a dead end. Would any of you guys have any info about this knife? Like how long were they made? What kind of steel it is? and is it collectable? It seems to be a hard knife to find info on . I have pictures but don't know how ( if I'm allowed)to post them. Thanks alot for your help.

John Crites

[Alberta Ed]

Sounds like Cold Steel's original tanto, with "400 Series" stainless steel blade. I don't think they introduced the "recon" tanto until a few years ago -- that's the one with a kraton grip and Carbon V blade, I believe (I may stand corrected here). In any event, I have one like it, with the original brass fittings. CS never has said what the steel is, but it is very tough and holds an excellent edge. The first model had cutouts in the tang for balance; later on they eliminated that feature as it was a potential weak spot (though I never heard of anyone breaking one of these), and lengthened the blade a bit. Don't know what the collector value would be, if any, but it is definitely a knife you can count on.

[Klesk]

Sometimes being a pack rat has its advantages. I'm looking at Cutlery Shoppe's Spring 1989 catalog. In that catalog, a regular CS tanto costs $109.95, and the recon tanto, $54.95. There have been too few sold to really put a value on yours. If you wanted to sell it, I guess you'd just have to put it out there, and see what the market will bear.

Your knife came with the standard leather sheath. The Ki Quick Draw sheath was made of kydex, which was a little more exotic in '89 than it is now. The Ki sheath was optional for the standard-size tantos, and cost $19.95. The steel was probably AUS-8A, which was used on the standard tantos, as opposed to the San Mai III, which was used on the Master Tanto.

The knife that Alberta Ed is referring to is the newer Recon, which you already know about. If you'd like a scan of the catalog page, drop me an e-mail. Hope that helps.

[JTC]

Thanks guys! Klesk, I sent an e-mail about the catalog page. It is a hard knife to find info on.

John Crites

[bob bowie]

These were around until around '94, then I stopped seeing them advertised. The last couple I've seen sold were in the $90 range. They were in excellent, but not mint shape.

[gorlank]

I used to own one but gave it away a few years ago to a close friend. Yup, I got it from Cutlery Shoppe in the late 80's/early 90's. It was on sale in one of their sales flyers. Had a nice leather sheath. blade had a unique bead blast/Parkerized finish on it. Value mib? I'd guess and say 100 bucks.
Cold Steel quality seemed to be much better in those days.