Cold Steel Recon 1: Old v. New

C

Confederate

Joined
Sep 5, 2005
Messages
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I have a number of Cold Steel Recon 1s in a number of blade configurations and, without exception, have found that the older Zytel knives are easier on the hand and smoother to operate. Of course the older version has 440A blades while the new has AUS8.

To those of you who have, or have compared, both knives, what is your opinion? Do you like the new G10 scales or do you prefer the older reinforced Zytel? Also, have you noticed any variances in operation between the two?

Finally, what are your opinions about this knife as it relates to the AK-47? I find that the reduced weight and extra reach of the blade make the Recon 1 a better tactical. Still, I haven't read many reviews of this knife here. If anyone has any negative experiences with the Recon 1, I'd like to hear those, too.

Thanks!

ColdSteelRecon1_BS_Sm.jpg


Although the Zytel is not quite as "grippy" as the G10 version,
I think it feels better in the hand for most cutting tasks.
 
I prefer the Zytel to be honest. Sure the G10 is grippy but the Zytel is less rougher on my hands and I won't get painful skin. The handle shape is already very comfortable and gives good grip so the G10 is not necessary in my opinion.

The older versions have fully round lock pins/bars (in cross section) and the newer ones have larger pins with two flat portions. The newer ones are not so smooth to operate however has larger theoretical strength. The older has round pins/bars and is smoother to operate.

AK47 is also nice. Has more pronounced guard and pommel retains knife in hand when swinging. The wave feature is good and the aluminium handles are very very sturdy. I prefer the Recon 1 though in the end cause of the longer reach, lesser weight and less eye-catching look.

I replaced my older Recon 1's blade (440A) with my newer one's Aus-8A blade. They are interchangeable. I also took out the coating changed the washers. Now it is very very good in my opinion.

PS: I am sure by analysing thedesign that the CS Ultra lock is stronger than the axis lock. Also assuming lockbar wears over time then the Ultra lock will improve over time whereas the Axis will become weaker over time. Entirely due to the direction of the lockbar when it wears over time. Also Axis bars do not contribute towards the resistance of cutting forces whereas the Ultra lock also works with the stop pin to resist cutting forces.

Simply beautiful design in my opinion. Only problem is I hate Omega springs and how they will eventually fail over time. I know someone will say everything will fail over time but I am more concerned about the relative short period that an omega spring will survive.
 
Lots of good information in your post. I thought Cold Steel's Ultra-lock was the same as Benchmade's axis lock. The larger pins and other modifications also explains why the new ones aren't as smooth as the old ones. As for springs wearing, modern springs are made pretty well these days. The older I get, in fact, the less worried I am about springs. I figure most of them will be around a lot longer than I will.

I've been impressed with Cold Steel's earlier 440A blades and can't really tell that much of a difference in the initial sharpness. AUS8 holds an edge a bit longer, naturally, but in this case I think the difference is not terribly substantial.

Have you found a significant difference in your experience?

CSRecon1.jpg


The grippy new G10 can grate on one's hands.
 
G10 for my son and I. I think the AUS8 is alright and it is very easy to sharpen. My son uses his knives especially the Recon series everyday at work on set construction etc. for the theatre he works for and the clip point is beat to hell and back but the lock never has failed and the blade is easy to bring back up to sharpness by your truly. I wish they would make the drop point in a plain edge though. Don't for the life of me understand why they don't? keepem sharp
 
I own a clip point in 440A and a drop point Aus-8a. I switched the blades and got rid of the coating. Actually to be honest I think my 440A clip point is the better cutter (comparing the not serrated portion's cutting ability)?!? I'm fairly certain it's due to the hollow grind of the clip point since I sharpen regularly hence steel edge wearing does not play to strong a part.

What I like about the Recon 1s (and a trait more common with Cold Steel's products) is the strength.

1) As I mentioned earlier I really like the older Ultra Locks
2) secondly there is a lot of backspacer screws which means structural integrity/strength of handle to resist bending (lateral)
3) ergonomics
4) sharp outta the box and easy to sharpen
5) for the size/price it is a good deal
6) Full liners which is nested.
7) Reasonable steel

I agree with longbow, it's common sense to do a plain edge drop point! Why do a plain edge tanto without one in drop point?
 
I own a recon 1 was just wondering how you remove the coating dont like the marks left from cutting cardboard everything else about this knife i like.
 
I'd like to know how to remove the coating myself. As for sharpness, man, CS knives are about as sharp as they come. I've been tryng to get my Spyderco Native that sharp and I just can't do it. It's sharp enough, but I don't think it can easily be made anywhere near as sharp as the Recon. I also don't see why the serrations have to take up so much of the blade's real estate.

The 440A plain edged Recon 1 is great, but I wish I could get it in VG1. As it is, I love the feel of the Zytel handled model.

There seem to be a lot of counterfeits out there on eBay, too. I get suspicious when I see Recon 1's with liner locks!
 
Never saw one with a liner lock if not for the cheap coating it would be perfect owned many folders never saw one scuff up so quick serrations i think are ok for knives that dont get used much to much of a hassle to sharpen and in cs case to easy to break
 
Cold Steel's g10 is waaaaaay too aggressive for my liking.:thumbdn:
 
The coating came off with a bit of rough sandpaper and many hours in front of the TV :)

I remember the days when a Recon 1 was in the region of 40-50 bucks. Now it's 80 bucks. At 80 I prefer better steel and perhaps DLC? That Teflon thingy is too soft.
 
The older version is a beautifully functioning knife that feels great in the hand. As for the 440A, I can live with it. Optimally, the blade should have only a small serrated area that wouldn't interfere with regular, plain edged cutting, but I agree a plain edged spear point would be great.

Recon1s_3.jpg


Recon1s_1.jpg


You can see how the smooth Zytel might be better on the hand. The
G10 scales are flat and laminated, and very grippy. It might be just the
thing for working in wet environments.
 
Confederate said:
I'd like to know how to remove the coating myself. As for sharpness, man, CS knives are about as sharp as they come. I've been tryng to get my Spyderco Native that sharp and I just can't do it. It's sharp enough, but I don't think it can easily be made anywhere near as sharp as the Recon. I also don't see why the serrations have to take up so much of the blade's real estate.
Click to expand...

The Recon's steel is softer, so it will sharpen up faster, but dull quicker. Maybe you're not sharpening the Native long enough?

CS G-10 is quite grippy. Great for gloves, not for hands.
 
You will be glad there so rough if you have to use it with wet hands blood water oil dont think anything will make them slippery my hands must be pretty hard doesnt bother me at all
 
I've always loved the Recon 1's, they are my favorite knife line from Cold Steel and seem to be their primary seller too. Great knife at it's price point :thumbup:

I had no idea that the Zytel versions had a round ultra lock. The new ones with G-10 have that "U" shape with a flat side that seems to stick everytime I attempt to close my Recon :grumpy: I'll have to see about getting one of those.

I also wish the spear point version came plain edge, I have the combo edge spear point with G-10 handles and it's a real beast. It's the kind of knife that would survive armageddon and laugh when the zombies start rising :D
 
Yea if they had a plain spearpoint thats what i would have bought got the plain tanto little hard to use for fine work but it definitly works for me .
 
The tantos sell for less on eBay, but they're ugly brutes and have limited belly. They do, however, have strong tips. The plain-edged Bowies are my favorite, though I also like the serrated version.
 
Comparing the bowie shape, tanto shape and the spear shape I prefer the spear shape. Sure the Bowie with it's hollow grind is the best cutter and the tanto with it''s tip is the strongest tip but the spear is essentially a little of both worlds (not necessarily the best of both worlds). That's why if a plain edged Recon 1 came out I'll get it in a heart beat!

J's Knives-N-More (long name) I found out about the locking pins shape cause I like to tinker and I bought new and old ones including the older ones from japan. You can try to sandpaper the pin (twisting motion) until it gets to the right profile. But to be honest it still sticks for me so in the end I took an old pin and switched it.

In my opinion some handle profiles are quite good to the point where rough surface is not needed. I used my recon spear point to cut thick HDPE pipes in the rain and the Zytel handles were not a problem for my stabbing/sawing/slicing. Just the shape of the handle is good for grip.

Handles which their cross sectional profile is close to circle is not good cause the grip will be weak towards torsion (twisting) and the recon's handle is not circular in cross section. Also the 'guard' and the index finger recess helps retention when resisting forces parallel to the knife. Quite a nice handle design :)
 
I was going through my stash down in the basement today and found another brand new Recon 1 (Bowie, half serrated, Zytel 440A). I was so happy to have stumbled on it. I'd just gotten the new AUS8 one, but now that I've got this one, I'm tossing the new one in my bug-out bag and using the one I found. That's now two old ones I have (the one in the picture was my sister's; I gave her her choice of knives for her birthday last year and dag nab it if she didn't choose my Recon 1! It was brand new and I thought she'd take another. Anyway, she picked it because she liked the feel of it).

It seems to me that about a year ago or so, someone posted some photos of a disassembled Recon 1 and showed how rough the workmanship on the new ones were. Can't find it though. Ultimately, it doesn't affect the fast opening of the knife, nor does it affect the strength of the knife. It just detracts from overall quality which we all seem to appreciate.
 
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