Black and Blue

[The Whip]

Blue handle scales with a black DLC-coated blade is at the top of my list for favorite folder color schemes. I thought I'd share my Cold Steel assemblage.

Unfortunately, only the Broken Skull is original to Cold Steel. The Talwar is a combination of two other Talwars. I constructed the Recon 1s over the holidays after receiving the aftermarket scales for Christmas. I was leery of the Chinese scales, thinking that they would be made poorly and therefore might not work properly (though I had seen jux t 's pictures of his and they looked great!). But I must say that they are every bit the equal of the originals, with excellent construction quality and perfect tolerances.

I'm really looking forward to carrying my new Recon 1s. I wish Cold Steel and other manufacturers would offer more models in black and blue.


-Steve

P.S. - I broke three handheld T6 Torx drivers (one Chinese, one Taiwanese, and even my long-trusted American model) trying to remove a single screw from one of my Recon 1 handles. The thread locker Cold Steel uses can be problematic if too much has been applied. If you choose to take apart one of your knives, I recommend using quality Torx bits in a high-torque reversible hand drill, just in case you have one of those troublesome screws.

 

[jux t]

Very nice! Didn’t know they made them for the Talwar, but never looked as I don’t have one. Concerning the screws, I’ve never had a problem using my Wiha bits. Thanks for sharing, they look great!

 

[GCG199]

Yes, those look great!

I really wish that they would have offered dark blue and dark grey as handle scale color options in the latest variations.

 

[The Whip]

Didn’t know they made them for the Talwar, but never looked as I don’t have one.

The Talwar isn't aftermarket, it's just not as originally offered. Back in 2016, Cold Steel offered special editions of the Talwars with green and blue handles. The blue had a polished blade and the green a black DLC blade. I swapped the blades and the hardware to make that one. I did the same with an XL Talwar, which I didn't include in these pictures.

I really wish that they would have offered dark blue and dark grey as handle scale color options in the latest variations.

I agree. I like the new orange-and-black Recon 1, but I've only ever seen it at full price and with a tanto blade--not appealing enough to get me to buy. Had blue-and-black been available in all three blade styles, Cold Steel would have gotten more of my money.


-Steve

 

[jux t]

The Talwar isn't aftermarket, it's just not as originally offered. Back in 2016, Cold Steel offered special editions of the Talwars with green and blue handles. The blue had a polished blade and the green a black DLC blade. I swapped the blades and the hardware to make that one. I did the same with an XL Talwar, which I didn't include in these pictures.



I agree. I like the new orange-and-black Recon 1, but I've only ever seen it at full price and with a tanto blade--not appealing enough to get me to buy. Had blue-and-black been available in all three blade styles, Cold Steel would have gotten more of my money.


-Steve

Doh! Forgot about the factory blue Talwars. For the Recon 1’s, did you notice that the lock bar seats just a hair lower than with the factory scales? The 3 I swapped do, including one I just swapped today.

 

[The Whip]

Doh! Forgot about the factory blue Talwars. For the Recon 1’s, did you notice that the lock bar seats just a hair lower than with the factory scales? The 3 I swapped do, including one I just swapped today.

I hadn't noticed, but I checked mine just now and you're right. The lock bar sits very slightly lower than factory--not enough to affect anything, but just enough to see the difference if you look.


-Steve

 

[goldie]

Love the blue, polishing the hardware doesnt hurt,either

 

[strideruser]

Nice collection 🙂. You really used a drill to remove a screw! You mush have an extremely delicate trigger finger! I wouldn't let my Makita 18v anywhere near my knives. Although I am always on the look out for decent micro torx bits/drivers.... I am going to get a set of Wera ones as it hear good things about them...

 

[The Whip]

Nice collection 🙂. You really used a drill to remove a screw! You mush have an extremely delicate trigger finger! I wouldn't let my Makita 18v anywhere near my knives. Although I am always on the look out for decent micro torx bits/drivers.... I am going to get a set of Wera ones as it hear good things about them...

Thanks! I broke three handheld drivers, with this being the final result.

I couldn't get that broken tip out and ended up having to modify a different Recon 1. I didn't want to repeat my mistake, so on the next I used a drill. It worked well, but you're right, I had to be gentle starting it out.


I figured this might be a good thread in which to preserve some photos of Lynn's customized XL Espada. I sure wish Cold Steel would sell this one (as well as a Large, and for that matter a Medium).

-Steve

 

[EveryDayIsHalloween]

Thanks! I broke three handheld drivers, with this being the final result.

I couldn't get that broken tip out and ended up having to modify a different Recon 1. I didn't want to repeat my mistake, so on the next I used a drill. It worked well, but you're right, I had to be gentle starting it out.


I figured this might be a good thread in which to preserve some photos of Lynn's customized XL Espada. I sure wish Cold Steel would sell this one (as well as a Large, and for that matter a Medium).

-Steve

That’s a beauty