A civil(hopefully) discussion

ron finkbeiner jr

ron finkbeiner jr

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I want to make it clear in the beginning that I am not trying to start a flame war between two knife companies. I am merely seeking objective opinions. That being said, I am looking to buy a tanto type folding knife and I was curious about ya'lls opinion on the points on the Coldsteel Recon 1 Tanto cts-xhp vs the Emerson knives Roadhouse? Thanks in advance.
 
Aside from the obvious differences in materials, steel, ergonomics, price points, and country of manufacture, what do you want to know specifically?
 
OK, I'll try to give you a short answer :) . I have Rec 1 ( 2 pcs and several Voyagers ) -great knives - and I have a Super CQC7 and a CQC 15 . Usually I carry 15 or 7 ...
 
It really depends on what you want the knife to do, and how much that is worth to you. One of my only Cold Steel knives is a Recon 1 tanto in AUS8. I bought it based on the vast number of positive reviews I'd read, without giving much thought to the practicality of actually carrying it on a regular basis. Well, it's a big knife, the clip is extremely tight, and the G10 texture is pretty aggressive. These factors ultimately kept it out of my pocket. However, I have heard that the new XHP version has less aggressive G10, and is a little lighter.

Meanwhile, my only Emerson is a Mini A-100, so I can't really comment on the Roadhouse, but it looks like you could choose a blade that's either a little shorter or a little longer (on the Super model) than on the Cold Steel. The Emerson will be heavier, if only because it has titanium liners while the Recon 1 is strictly G10. I have no issues with the G10 texture or clip tightness on my Mini A-100, but couldn't say how the Roadhouse compares. Either way, you're looking at some pretty big knives (which is fine) with one costing twice the price of the other. You can chalk some of that up to US construction versus Taiwan, but 154CM versus XHP is a more tangible point of comparison I think, as the few Cold Steel knives I own a quite good in terms of workmanship. My Emerson needed a lot of breaking in, to the point that I almost returned it out of frustration.

I guess I like the look of the Recon 1 a lot more than the Roadhouse, and ultimately would buy it if the G10 is less coarse than on the AUS8 version, but that's just me.
 
Not sure if your 100% committed to those two knives. Couple other options are ZT 0620 CF an Emerson inspired knife, plus a couple Kershaw emersons. I own all the above knives and am very positive about them.

Mike
 
Best ideal yet, I have had the CS and the Emerson, and since you mention Tanto I would stop now and search until I found a Benchmade 587-1 Osborne Tanto, assisted open, D2 steel, great size for pocket, but the backbone for aggressive work when needed and easily customized by adding new scales should you desire. And IMO the axis lock is superior. Benchmade makes various tantos, and I would simply not carry either a Coldsteel or an Emerson. One for quality the other for my view, which means nothing, of the company.


Mike45ACP said:
Not sure if your 100% committed to those two knives. Couple other options are ZT 0620 CF an Emerson inspired knife, plus a couple Kershaw emersons. I own all the above knives and am very positive about them.

Mike
Click to expand...
 
Well, the Cold Steel nets you a lighter knife with a stronger lock, better steel and better cutting geometry. The Emerson gets you better ergonomics, better warranty, better pocket clip and the wave. The Recon 1 is a better value by a huge amount, but the Emerson still has some points in its favor. Personally, I would always choose the Recon 1 as it has the advantage in the steel, lock and value departments.
 
Cold Steel makes good, strong knives. I remember one live test in front of soldiers where they took a tanto recon (fixed) braced it, backed a jeep to it, spun the tires on the knife. The knife was undamaged and the tires were shredded.
 
RevDevil said:
Aside from the obvious differences in materials, steel, ergonomics, price points, and country of manufacture, what do you want to know specifically?
Click to expand...
Well Sir, I guess I want to know about the useful potential of the tips on the knives? One verses the other.
 
I don't own those models but I own both brands.

The Emerson will be a better knife. There will be arguments that Cold Steel XHP is a better steel technically.

For a tanto I would go with the Emerson. You will run across two points of contention, one the steel, two the chisel bevel of any Emerson. If you feel as though either of those two things would bug you to the point of remorse, go with the Cold Steel. They are defintely good knives.
 
I'd guess an Emerson would have a stronger tip, since the steel is heat treated for toughness rather than edge retention.
 
Look, not trying to fan flames but CS has a following because of what they offer for the price point. Emerson has a following because their products are kick-ass and the company is stand-up. You pay for that and the prices speak to that. These days are great days to be into knives considering what can be had from overseas for the price. That said, there are certain companies, Emerson high among them, who deserve support for putting out a great product at a price representative of having a factory in this country with American workers. Did I mention that their products are kick-ass and the company is stand-up?
 
The Recon 1 only has a one sided thumb stud to open it, and with the strong spring in the Triad lock can be a pain in the ass to open. Emerson gives you the wave plus the ambidextrous thumb disk. Yes, CTS-XHP is a better steel, but I feel that the Emerson with the aforementioned opening features and the liner lock is overall a more ergonomic knife.

By the way, don't buy a tanto...they're good for stabbing into things and that's about it.
 
Get both, only you can be the judge. Never had a CS for unknown reasons. Hmmm...don't know really how to say this but Emersons are somewhat of a required taste that can be quite addicting. The tanto in general is unique in that it requires a different approach as opposed to spear points. The chisel edge on the on Emersons can be a friend or a nasty little you know what, in my opinion. Took some time for me to figure them out. Now all I carry are Emersons. So that's just what I think. In order for you to find out I would get both, that way you can let us know. Good luck and may the force be with you.
 
I do not like tanto knives, but I have had experience with the CS tantos and they are really tough. I misread the OP and thought it was about the fixed blade. Well, CS knives have the strongest locks I have ever seen. A spear point Recon 1 is an awesome knife. Have you seen the one where Blade HQ tried to destroy one?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiHLRkCKoSw
 
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