Cold Steel Recon 1: Old v. New

A guy at work had a Cold Steel liner lock last week. Since then, I've been giving the CS folders a closer look. The Voyagers and Recon's look like great choices. Having just got my large folder fix on a Benchmade 805 Axis, it will be a while before getting one though. Anyone have the 2 to compare?
 
Although many people classify the leaf lock as a liner lock, I think it's generally stronger; and the leaf really isn't a liner. Do you know what kind of a Cold Steel your friend at work has? As far as the Recon 1 goes, I'd have to say it's one of my favorite knives. It's one of the fastest folders I've ever seen, too.
 
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.
Click to expand...

Cofederate,I believe that was me.Even when to a local shop that had a few looked at them,the same problem.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=552336

Actually,Cold Steel replaced my Recon 1,no questions asked, a couple of months ago.When it did arrive,the first thing I did notice was that it was somewhat more harder to open and even harder to close than the older one because the bolt had to be pulled to the absolute rear for the blade to release.

I was happy the liner were no long pitted and nicely shaped but still they are roughly finished;tool marks,burrs on edges. Definitely not benchmade knives quality but still better than before. I'm still pondering of how to finish the liners.Since,all the pieces are in small baggies in my desk.
 
Yes, that was it. Thanks for showing the link.

The older knives could be opened and closed with one's thumb on one side of the knife. Now it takes moving the lock on both sides to close it, as you note. I can't imagine why Cold Steel would continue with this as the Recon 1 could be one of their best selling knives.

BTW, how do you like the tanto blade? It's not a very attractive blade shape, but it does stay rather thick right up to the point. In contrast, I've noticed my CRKT M16-14s narrow significantly coming to the point. I would think that would be defeating the whole purpose of a tanto configuration in the first place.
 
There are other reasons for having an american tanto tip--the secondary point (yokote) at the tip transition can pierce to initiate a cut easily, and the straight edge of the point works well as a scraper for labels and such.
 
Confederate said:
Yes, that was it. Thanks for showing the link.

The older knives could be opened and closed with one's thumb on one side of the knife. Now it takes moving the lock on both sides to close it, as you note. I can't imagine why Cold Steel would continue with this as the Recon 1 could be one of their best selling knives.

BTW, how do you like the tanto blade? It's not a very attractive blade shape, but it does stay rather thick right up to the point. In contrast, I've noticed my CRKT M16-14s narrow significantly coming to the point. I would think that would be defeating the whole purpose of a tanto configuration in the first place.
Click to expand...


I had a look a long time ago at my older model and the newer ones and I found that the fitting of the lock is not as good in the newer ones.

Maybe I'm wrong but in my older model the lockbar can be unlocked one-thumbed and the lock travels very perpendicular (90degrees or right angle from handle direction) and when I unlock/depress the lockbar, both sides have traveled far enough backwards to enable unlocking.

The newer ones if you have a look, not only is there the issue of the rough surface and the not-circular bar, there is also the issue of the lockbar being wider than necessary. Basically what I mean is that when you depress/unlock the bar one-thumbed then the bar is not perpendicular and the end opposite your thumb sorta lags behind if you get my drift.

I added a thin CRKT M16 teflon washer i had lying around and then it performed better. When i depress/unlock the bar then it traveled more perpendicular/right-angled to the handle. Meaning the opposite end travels far enough when my thumb moves one end to enable locking.

Just check it out. I found this out a long time ago my company had a 'dry season' and I had too much free time so I over-analysed many things...:D
 
Last edited:
I didnt see the knife up close, and I dont see it listed on their site, or on knifecenter. The shape and blade profile are similar to the Recon Series. I remember it being tested on the "More Proof" video, but that is years old.
 
Was it hard to take apart and reasemble ? Like to clean it thinking taken it apart best way dont want to send it to cs if possible
 
I have one in Aus8 and G-10. Grippy as before mentioned but with a little sandpaper smoothed out nicely so it doesnt destroy your pants. Mine came REAL smooth almost like butter and open's and closes quickly. Takes a real nice edge like Aus8 tends to but also doesnt hold it like an 154cm (as expected). Overall I really like the knife and the design, its a great knife in the hand and probably my fav CS design overall.
 
Good stuff here. Thanks.

For a folder of this type, I guess it's more important that it be able to open quickly and closing is secondary in importance. I, too, have found that I cannot close the newer knives with one thumb (I have to reach around and disengage the other side), and though it's a pain, the strength of the knife isn't affected—just the wonderful "feel" of the first series.

Any knife handle that scrapes callouses off of your feet is too "grippy" for my taste. It's the one thing that really turned me off on the Kershaw Storm, which is an amazing knife in so many ways, but they just ruin it by putting on that sandpaper grip. I understand they've fixed it, but I just haven't bothered to get another.
 
Here's one that my Dad bought as soon as they came out.
So it's about as early as you can get.
96xlhc.jpg
[/IMG]
 
I have the new aus8 G10 and I have no prob's with it at all, the handle is not to grippy and it has no prob's closing. and I'll add that it's a very nice knife! I use to have it as a edc. but it's to big so I now have a boker trance which is a very nice knife for edc.
ps. I do think the recon does ride a lil to high but that's all.
 
You guys are killing me here! Now I have to go and get a Recon 1 or I will always wonder 'what if'. Truth is that I recently picked up a Titanium Ti-Lite and I am very impressed with it. :thumbup:
 
You guy's do know that you are talking about model 2 and 3 of the Recon 1?
The OLD style Recon 1 had AUS8 steel and Zytel handles. The blade geometry looks different also. Smaller.

See this review
http://www.themartialist.com/pecom/recon1.htm

It's also the Knife Jill Jackson has in her post.
 
Last edited:
Blade21 said:
The OLD style Recon 1 had AUS8 steel and Zytel handles. The blade geometry looks different also. Smaller.
Click to expand...


They also sucked significantly less:p

recon1012.jpg



recon1018.jpg


recon1016.jpg


recon1006.jpg


The newer versions are not even close IMHO. I stopped buying cold steel after getting duped into buying the made in taiwan 440A knock off feeling one. Your supposed to improve your designs not make them crappier and sell them for the same price.:cool:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top