Cold Steel Recon 1

C

chris100575

Joined
Dec 6, 2005
Messages
25
Hi

I ordered one of these (hasn't arrived yet) before I discovered this forum and I've seen a lot of low opinions of Cold Steel. Has anyone handled a Recon 1, and if so what do you think? I've gone for the plain clip point, would've preferred the spear point but it was only available half-serrated.

The website I ordered from offers a no-hassle returns policy, so I can just send it back if I'm not happy with it, but wondered if any of you guys had an opinion? I'm just starting out, so don't have much experience buying knives.

Chris
 
Chris,Welcome to BladeForums,if you haven't been already.There is much to learn.I think Cold Steels bad rap comes from there "over the top" advertising. :jerkit: I know they are used by our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq,so that says something. :D
 
Hi Leatherbird,

You're the first to welcome me here, thanks! Some of the CS advertising is a bit OTT, but not as bad as the Dark Operations website. :D It sounds like a good sign if they're "soldier proof" as my ex-army mate would put it.

I was also considering the Spyderco Delica, but the final decider in favour of the CS was the reversible pocket clip, me being a southpaw. This will be my first "single purpose" folder, I already have a Wenger and a Victorinox SAK, and the Leatherman PST II and Wave, so don't have much to compare it to.

Chris
 
Chris,

This is a very addicting past time. Welcome to it.

One of my best friends bought the identical knife. He's extraordinarly pleased with it. The only other folder he's had is an Endura that I bought for him. He loaned it out to a guy who tried to use it as a screwdriver and broke the point off. :grumpy:

I've played with the RECON1 several times. I just don't like the handle very much. Other than that, it's a good folder. It's large and it's not sheeple friendly, but it appears to be well made.

I'm a lefty too, but I mostly EDC my folders on my right hand side, so the ambi clip is not a big deal to me. The only knives that don't work well for me are the assisted opening Kershaws.

Let us know what you think about it,
Jeff
 
I carry it and it's not too bad. The only issue in my opinion is its weight. It's heavy as hell for it's size. It's sharp, strong, great heat treatment, great clip, like the checkered handle, and the tanto with /ser. Great ALL purpose knife. If you want a combat knife get something else. Just my experiences with it.

Cutlass
 
Thanks for the feedback, after reading some of the comments about Cold Steel I was starting to get worried. I want it as a general purpose knife, and from what you guys have said it sounds like it'll fit the bill nicely. Happily, I have no need of a combat knife. My next knife-related purchase will probably be a Sharpmaker. It sounds like you can get a very good edge even as a beginner.

I hate it when people mis-use knives and other tools. I once had a row with my ex after she chipped the blade of my Wenger by using it to lever a stub out of an iron candlestick. :rolleyes: I was doubly annoyed because it was a left-handed one my dad bought me while he was abroad, and I'd never seen them in the UK.

Chris
 
A Wenger row, Chris? Ouch! I feel for you dude. Happens to a lot of folks to, I hear... As for the Recon 1, have the older Japanese made PE tanto myself. No real complaints. Only that it felt kind of wide-flat a handle near the frontal pivot area for me (But not as bad an encountered I had with the Spyderco Karambit). Didn't lock-in to the palm particularly well.

Generally, I feel that Cold Steel should pay particular attention to the way the handles of their folders are designed. Ergonomics is really important if you have real use for a blade that size. But hey! Don't let my comments scare you from procuring this knife. Locks fine, cuts as advertised, has a medium/heavy weight feel to it. If you like large folders, you won't be disappointed.
 
The Recon 1 is a respectable knife, but my chief complaint with it is that the blade release switch is too close to the front of the knife and could be activated during a scuffle. The knife is, however, a good, solid knife. My personal preference is for the Gunsite Voyager with the tanto blade. I'm not overly fond of the tanto point; however, the serrations on that particular knife are of superior design.

Cold Steel makes some of the best knives on the market in my opinion. Yes, they're over the top in some of their tests, but at least you know what you're getting. How would some of the other top knives do under rigorous testing? Who knows? I'd like to think that a CRKT liner lock with the LAWK safety would hold, but I'm not about to put one of mine in a vice.
 
Well, it's here! I've not really had chance to play with it yet, as I had it delivered to me at work and don't want to scare my colleagues. My initial impressions are good though, it opens and closes smoothly and the blade locks nicely into place. It also feels solidly made, and sits nicely in my pocket after changing the clip onto the left. I wish that they'd use allen bolts rather than torx though, as I had to borrow a T6 driver to do it. Most of the things I've seen with torx fastenings have been using them because they're uncommon and discourage fiddling, so it seems odd to use them on the pocket clip which people are likely to want to change.

It looks *evil* in the flesh, so can see what Jeff meant about it not being sheeple friendly. I was pleased to discover that it's razor sharp out of the box. Literally. I have the bald patch on my arm to prove it!

I'll have a proper play at home this evening, but so far I'm liking it.

Chris
 
If you want "cool name-brand," go with another option. I've owned more than a dozen Cold Steel knives (from an early "Urban Skinner" to this month's purchase, an Arc Angel). I have yet to experience defective or deficient design or workmanship. :thumbup: I have consistently gotten my money's worth.

Wish I could say the same for the three specimens I've handled from a more "honorable" manufacturer . . .:(
 
I also like the Benchmark Ascent with a 4-inch blade. It's not as heavy as the Cold Steels, but it, too, is a great carry knife. Some folks don't like knives without liners, but until I can break a Zytel handle, I'm satisfied with them.

The Recon 1s have liners in them, but the blade, if measured from where the blade begins, is 3.75 inches. I'd rather the blade be a little longer, but I think if you like it, you won't be dissappointed in the performance. Some people (even at Cold Steel) don't much care for 440A stock; however, I haven't had any problems a'tall keeping my Pro-Lite or Night Force knives hair-splittingly sharp.

In all fairness, all knife companies ship some duds. I can say I've ordered dozens of CS knives and the only gripe I've had is they're a bit difficult to open. But if you're in a place where that makes a huge difference, you're probably not hanging out in the right places. (Most bears will give you ample time to open a knife before they take it away from you and pound you into the ground!)

Cheers,

-Confed
 
i've had the recon1 (clip, semi-serrated) for quite a while now. it's solid and can take quite a beating. a good all-rounder.


pros:
- very sturdy
- keeps it's edge really well (even after working with wood and carbon fibre)
- ptfe-coating helps a LOT, when cutting polymer-type materials (rubber foam, etc...)


cons:
- ptfe- (teflon) coating won't survive long hard use on abrasive materials (e.g. fibre composites)
- one-handed opening/closing takes some practice
- it can be easily opened accidentally if you grease it too well (so don't).


as an army guy i have to say: this is definitely NOT a useful combat knife (blade too wide, no handguard, etc...). it is, however, a very good utility knife.

00h.
 
l think that Cold Steel make excellent using knives. l have not yet used any of the Recon series knives but l will say that the gunsite and the voyeger series knives are light and very strong. They sure are a pleasure to carry and use.
 
After a little more experience with my Cold Steel Night Force, which uses the same blade, basically, I have to agree the thing's stronger than a brick outhouse. The teflon coating may be marred but so what? Enough stays on that it blocks light -- and that's what it's for. I hope you've settled into it a bit by now and are happy with it. Made of tough 440, I would have preferred full serrations, but that's a personal preference.
 
1917cutlass asked: "Which "honorable" manufacturer would that by?"

I'd rather not bash any other manufacturer, at least in this thread. There's a certain other forum where the "honorable" members seem to get by with shoddy locks and other QC issues; all others suck wind!!

Suffice to say I have been uniformly pleased and satisfied with every Cold Steel blade I've ever used. The Recon 1 is no exception; fast, secure, sharp, etc.
 
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