Cold Steel Mini Recon 1 vs Spyderco Alcyone

[emjay]

Good day to you all

Has anyone had any experience with these two knives? I'm looking at getting one of them but can't decide. I believe they are both good EDC knives. They both more or less have the same dimensions but here are some other comparisons:

The Mini Recon has AUS10A steel, a GRN handle and the triad lock. It's slightly cheaper in my country compared to the Alcyone. The Alcyone has CTS-BD1 steel, G10 handles with liners and a liner lock

I get the impression that AUS10A is a bit better in edge retention, but BD1 is easier to sharpen and still holds a respectable edge for EDC use. I do like the triad lock but to be honest I've never had a liner lock fail me. I also like that the liner lock is easier to close with one hand. I like the G10 and liners in the Alcyone but I like GRN if it's done right. I've never had a Spyderco, so I feel the Alcyone would be a good start, however I like the brute utility that Cold Steel knives offer. I prefer a blade that slices well, so in my mind the Alcyone would be better at that?

I know it seems like I'm leaning towards the Alcyone but I'm stuck 50/50 on this choice. Which one would you recommend?

 

[knarfeng]

I only have the Mini-Recon spear point.

The the MIni-Recon handles are grippy enough for me. And they have steel liners. So, like the rest of the design, they are the more robust.

I have other knives in BD1. I prefer the AUS 10. The AUS 10 holds an edge about as well as ATS34 or 154CM. The BD-1 is close to AUS8 in edge retention.

I find that the triad lock is easy to close one-handed. Very similar to a lockback in that regard. I don't see a benefit in the liner lock, however Spyderco does make a good liner lock.

The thickness behind the edge of the Mini-recon is almost 0.040" (roughly 1mm). While I don't have an Alcyone, all of the recent Spydercos I have are close to half that. Plus the Alcyone has a thinner blade with a full flat grind. So I would agree with your guess that the Alcyone will be the better slicer.

If slicing is important to you, I'd go with the Alcyone. If day-in, day-out harsh chores are what you are wanting to use it for, you might do better with the Cold Steel.