Cold Steel Recon 1: Old or New?

C

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Sep 5, 2005
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Having just purchased a few new CS RECON 1s in different blade configurations, I am glad the steel was upgraded from 440A to AUS8; however, I have mixed feelings about CS's use of G10 for its grips. Examining both versions side by side, I have to say that I like the feel of the Zytel scales a bit more. The G10s seem like sandpaper in this configuration. Does anyone agree on this?

As a knife, I think the RECON 1 has been underrated, most likely because it started out with a 440A blade. Also, in its present configuration, it's a bit uncomfortable in the hand. Using it in an outdoor setting, extensive cutting jobs could be very uncomfortable. Yet I've never seen much in the way of reviews on this.
 
I own two of the G10 versions that I gave my son. I personally like the g10 like that. He seems to also. He uses the clip point pe for work in the theatre he works in as a sound tech/electrical tech. I agree totally underrated as a knife and not much written about them it seems just cause CS has such a lousy rep. here, which I feel if you get by the ad. hype they make some fine products. The Recon series being one of them. Keepem sharp
 
Speaking of the devil my son hands me his Recon today to clean up for him. This knife is definetly definetly used. Full of lint, metal filings of some sort(not from this knife) and just plain crapola. So I took it apart and cleaned it up and gave it once over on the Lansky to where it the edge is hair popping sharp but has excellant bite. For the life of me I want to say bronze washers but truthfully I can't friggin remember. How bad is that. One thing I did notice though is that when a knife has g10 handles they usually will smooth out over time with use and handling etc, well the CS don't. Just still nice and grippy with excellant checkering. I am sorely tempted to get a drop point version but for some reason they don't make it in a plain edge. May get one anyhow and send it off to Tom Krein and have it Kreinified with a plain edge grind. I'm tellin ya you can't go wrong with this knife. If I didn't own so many EKI's and have a penchant for the 14 in particular I just might edc the Recon and be done with it. keepem sharp

PS even with all the crap that was inside the cam and the locking mech. it still operated butter smooth and locked up with 0 blade play.
 
I believe the washers are bronze. I have different blade types, but prefer the Bowie without serrations, though the ones with serrations can be had for as little as $49.99 on eBay, which is about the lowest I've seen 'em run.

Cold Steel's heat treat on their knives is pretty darn good. Combine a very decent AUS8 blade with a steel reinforced G10 frame, teflon-coated blade and an axis lock, and I'm surprised more people don't own them and talk about them here. If Lynn Thompson didn't tick people off every time he opened his mouth, he might sell more knives!
 
Thanks for the answers guys:thumbup: Off to find a good deal...

I see quite a few online sites that say they have the AUS8 models but with zytel handles. Sounds kinda fishy to me.
 
Yep...either they can't tell Zytel from G10 or they're confused about the CS line. If you end up getting one, post back here and share your thoughts. My one gripe with this knife is that a few years ago I couldn't contain myself and I went over the handle bars of my bicycle while going down a hill in the rain. Messed my ribs up pretty bad and anything that sticks up into my ribs is not all that comfortable. In short, I wish this knife rode a bit lower; but it's no big deal. It rides in my back and side pockets just fine.
 
I just got one of the Cold Steel Recon 1s with a plain edge tanto from www.cutleryshoppe.com for $59 which is quite close to 1/2 price.

Anyway,I was cutting a cardboard box the other day into small bits and I was amazed at how easily it's teflon coated blade sailed through the box and might I add with extreme ease.
 
OK I got mine in so here goes with my brief review:


This knife is pretty big, bigger than I thought it would be just by looking at pictures of it. It has a nice heft to it, and the G10 scales are very grippy. They feel like 500 grit wet/dry sandpaper which is very different from the G10 I have handled on my Kershaw Offset and the passaround Benchmade 32 Morpho.

The lock action is very smooth after some Militec-1, thanks to the PB washers which I was relieved to see. Thy don't look nearly as big as Griptilian washers, but they seem to work fine.

The Ultra Lock isn't an exact carbon copy of the Axis Lock, although I believe CS has licensed it from Benchmade. The only Axis Lock Benchmades I own are Griptilians, and the locking bar on those are behind the pivot; whereas the Recon 1's locking bar is more above the pivot. Also the blade tang on the Recon 1 encloses the locking bar vs the Axis Lock Griptilians which leave it open for you to admire the workings of the lock.

The teflon coating on the blade almost looks like paint and has a slight shine to it. It doesn't seem like it would be as durable as DLC or something comparable, but it does help the blade cut well.

All in all, its a lot of knife for the money and it feels rock solid. My one and only gripe is that the edge bevel is chisel ground while the rest of the blade is a v-grind. I think some Emersons are like that but I don't own one to compare it with.



A few pics compared to a 553 Griptlian
 
Thanks, Tex. Your observations sound right on.

I can't say I've warmed up at all to the G10 handles and still prefer the reinforced Zytel. Of course, the AUS8A blade is an improvement. Although the blade is only four inches, it seems longer because of the extra reach the knife provides. I compared the Recon 1 side-by-side to my Night Force and, despite the blades being about even, the Night Force definately seems to come in a bit short when compared to a Large Voyager.

The black blade finish does wear better than might be at first supposed. But it does its job and clearly is meant to be used. I'd love to have one made with a better steel, but it does okay as is. For a tactical knife, it's tough to beat.
 
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