- Joined
- Oct 27, 1998
- Messages
- 178
The new RECON 1 is a major improvement on all previous Cold Steel folders to the point where the older models are now completely obsolete.
I've always liked the blades on the Gunsite folders however the handles were a bit thin and flimsy. The RECON1 has rectified these problems with the handle being one of the strongest I've seen on a folder.
The main dimensions are
blade length 3.9 inches
blade thickness 0.120 inches
handle length 5.30 inches
handle thickness 0.48 inches
weight approx 5 ounces.
As a point of reference the handle and blade are the same length as the Benchmade AFCK, but the RECON is a full ounce heavier.
HANDLE
The handle is a beauty! The trends of late for tatical folders seem to be smaller blades/handles with not much thought put in when it comes to grip comfort/security.
The RECON's handle fits my big hands like a glove. There is a finger choil with scallops on both sides that increase the grip so your hand does not slide up onto the blade edge. There is also a very slight rise on the thumb ramp area. The thickness of the handle also fills the hand nicely.
The handle is made up of two very thick steel liners that are fully nested into the thick zytel scales. The liners are solid for the length of the handle - no holes or cut outs in these. The liners are the same thickness as used on the BM Axis Lock.
The scales have no sharp edges and have been checkered with the same grip pattern and feel as most of the G10 handles on the Emerson series and the early Benchmades.
The handle is held together with 5 steel screws screwed into 5 steel sleeves/pins. This is the strongest handle set-up on a folder that I've seen yet. The RECON has absolutely no handle flex whatsoever. This also aids in a more consistant lock-up.
The front screw/pin also doubles as the blade stop.
The rear spacer is also made from zytel and runs the full length of the handle. Most folders these days have a minimal spacer that make it easier to clean but they also let in alot more dust etc.
THE BLADE
On first glance the blade looks the same as the Gunsite blades but there are a few slight changes that improve on the design. The tip is slightly lower and the false edge on the top of the blade ends closer to the handle resulting in an even stronger tip.
The long main edge has a slight belly to it as does the smaller leading edge. The blade came very, very sharp out of the box. The only other knife I've had sharper out of the box was my Microtech Socom. The blade is opened via a thumb disc and works very well.
The blade has a black teflon coating as does all the fittings. The blade rests exactly in the center of the handle when closed which is pretty rare on knives selling for $80. The blade pivots between 2 decent sized washers.
THE ULTRA LOCK
To see how this lock works it's best to view it over at the COLD STEEL website. It is similar to the Benchmade Axis Lock but has been improved in my opinion. The lock is a steel cylinder that revolves inside a cut-out channel actually inside the blade tang. Where it differs the most from the Axis Lock is that instead of sliding up a ramp in the cut out it slides straight forward into a channel that slopes downwards from the top towards the front. It is hard to describe but the main benefit is that there is no vertical blade play at all in the locked position.
Lock strength has been over emphasised in the past. More value should be placed on consistant and reliable locks. The Ultra Lock is very strong and locks up tight everytime.
The release buttons are large and easy to use. The lock uses 2 very large diameter Omega shaped springs with the 3/16 pivot pin running through the center of them. The locking pin also seems to gall with the locking channel due to the design of the channel. There is plenty of room for the lock to adjust to any wear that might occur over years of use. It's a great lock and takes the axis lock and improves on it.
THE CLIP
The black pocket clip is reversible and screws into the steel liners using 3 screws. It is smaller than most clips but seems very strong and holds the knife in the pocket very well. The small size also means you hardly notice it when gripping the handle which is a welcome change. The clip leaves about 1.25 inches of the knife visible when in the pocket. The upside is it's easy to access but it compromises on low visiblity.
SUGGESSTED IMPROVEMENTS
I've had to look very hard to find any things I'd change on this knife. I like the feel of G10 scales but the Zytel is hard to fault. It is very strong and rigid and with the checkering on the RECON's scales it has a nice feel to it. I'd also probably widen the distance between the scales to allow more room on each side of the blade when in the closed position. I'd also put the clip a bit farther back too.
The handle is very secure, the lock is extremely solid and reliable, and the wide hollow ground blade is a tremendous cutter.
I'd like to point out that my model varies slightly from the pictures on the COLD STEEL website. The lock release buttons on my model are larger. The pivot pin on mine is fully adjustable.
Just a note on the pivot pin. The pin is long and the pivot screw tightens all the way up so it butts onto the pin. I like a nice firm opening action and to tighten it up a bit I filed the pin down a whisker.
There are various models of the RECON1 available, all with the same dimensions. It can be had with a tanto blade in plain edge or 50/50 serrations. A clip point in plain or 50/50. And a spear point with 50/50 only. All the blades are coated black.
If you've shyed away from Cold Steel in the past, give this knife a look, you won't be disappointed. It's a fair dinkum tatical folder designed to be used hard with no frills.
Peter
[This message has been edited by PETER ERVIN (edited 05-13-2001).]
I've always liked the blades on the Gunsite folders however the handles were a bit thin and flimsy. The RECON1 has rectified these problems with the handle being one of the strongest I've seen on a folder.
The main dimensions are
blade length 3.9 inches
blade thickness 0.120 inches
handle length 5.30 inches
handle thickness 0.48 inches
weight approx 5 ounces.
As a point of reference the handle and blade are the same length as the Benchmade AFCK, but the RECON is a full ounce heavier.
HANDLE
The handle is a beauty! The trends of late for tatical folders seem to be smaller blades/handles with not much thought put in when it comes to grip comfort/security.
The RECON's handle fits my big hands like a glove. There is a finger choil with scallops on both sides that increase the grip so your hand does not slide up onto the blade edge. There is also a very slight rise on the thumb ramp area. The thickness of the handle also fills the hand nicely.
The handle is made up of two very thick steel liners that are fully nested into the thick zytel scales. The liners are solid for the length of the handle - no holes or cut outs in these. The liners are the same thickness as used on the BM Axis Lock.
The scales have no sharp edges and have been checkered with the same grip pattern and feel as most of the G10 handles on the Emerson series and the early Benchmades.
The handle is held together with 5 steel screws screwed into 5 steel sleeves/pins. This is the strongest handle set-up on a folder that I've seen yet. The RECON has absolutely no handle flex whatsoever. This also aids in a more consistant lock-up.
The front screw/pin also doubles as the blade stop.
The rear spacer is also made from zytel and runs the full length of the handle. Most folders these days have a minimal spacer that make it easier to clean but they also let in alot more dust etc.
THE BLADE
On first glance the blade looks the same as the Gunsite blades but there are a few slight changes that improve on the design. The tip is slightly lower and the false edge on the top of the blade ends closer to the handle resulting in an even stronger tip.
The long main edge has a slight belly to it as does the smaller leading edge. The blade came very, very sharp out of the box. The only other knife I've had sharper out of the box was my Microtech Socom. The blade is opened via a thumb disc and works very well.
The blade has a black teflon coating as does all the fittings. The blade rests exactly in the center of the handle when closed which is pretty rare on knives selling for $80. The blade pivots between 2 decent sized washers.
THE ULTRA LOCK
To see how this lock works it's best to view it over at the COLD STEEL website. It is similar to the Benchmade Axis Lock but has been improved in my opinion. The lock is a steel cylinder that revolves inside a cut-out channel actually inside the blade tang. Where it differs the most from the Axis Lock is that instead of sliding up a ramp in the cut out it slides straight forward into a channel that slopes downwards from the top towards the front. It is hard to describe but the main benefit is that there is no vertical blade play at all in the locked position.
Lock strength has been over emphasised in the past. More value should be placed on consistant and reliable locks. The Ultra Lock is very strong and locks up tight everytime.
The release buttons are large and easy to use. The lock uses 2 very large diameter Omega shaped springs with the 3/16 pivot pin running through the center of them. The locking pin also seems to gall with the locking channel due to the design of the channel. There is plenty of room for the lock to adjust to any wear that might occur over years of use. It's a great lock and takes the axis lock and improves on it.
THE CLIP
The black pocket clip is reversible and screws into the steel liners using 3 screws. It is smaller than most clips but seems very strong and holds the knife in the pocket very well. The small size also means you hardly notice it when gripping the handle which is a welcome change. The clip leaves about 1.25 inches of the knife visible when in the pocket. The upside is it's easy to access but it compromises on low visiblity.
SUGGESSTED IMPROVEMENTS
I've had to look very hard to find any things I'd change on this knife. I like the feel of G10 scales but the Zytel is hard to fault. It is very strong and rigid and with the checkering on the RECON's scales it has a nice feel to it. I'd also probably widen the distance between the scales to allow more room on each side of the blade when in the closed position. I'd also put the clip a bit farther back too.
The handle is very secure, the lock is extremely solid and reliable, and the wide hollow ground blade is a tremendous cutter.
I'd like to point out that my model varies slightly from the pictures on the COLD STEEL website. The lock release buttons on my model are larger. The pivot pin on mine is fully adjustable.
Just a note on the pivot pin. The pin is long and the pivot screw tightens all the way up so it butts onto the pin. I like a nice firm opening action and to tighten it up a bit I filed the pin down a whisker.
There are various models of the RECON1 available, all with the same dimensions. It can be had with a tanto blade in plain edge or 50/50 serrations. A clip point in plain or 50/50. And a spear point with 50/50 only. All the blades are coated black.
If you've shyed away from Cold Steel in the past, give this knife a look, you won't be disappointed. It's a fair dinkum tatical folder designed to be used hard with no frills.
Peter
[This message has been edited by PETER ERVIN (edited 05-13-2001).]
Well, CS articles for sure it outperforms everything, except some other CS goodies apparently.