Cold Steel Recon Scout Opinions? Modifications?

Bobby B

Bobby B

No more Mr. Knife-guy
Joined
May 18, 2001
Messages
3,053
I have a Cold Steel Recon Scout, and am debating...



I want a mid sized chopping-clearing-camping knife. I'm not big on the handle shape, I like it thicker in the middle for a better grip IMHO.

Do I get it re-handled in micarta? Nice and tough. Anybody out there who can do it? How much $$$??? [E-mail me...]

Is it worth putting the $$$ into it? How do the Recon Scouts stack up compared to some of the others?

Do I trade/sell it, and get something like a Swamprat Camp Tramp, etc.

Thanks,
Rob
 
You have asked a question that is bigger that you realize!

The RS is of good steel and will do camp chores well. If you like the blade, and liek the idea of a custom handle, then go for that, absolutely. A Swamp Rat may hold an edge longer, etc. But that may not matter. The knife you have there is an excellent camp knife. You have the opportunity to pick out material YOU want, a shape YOU want, and a maker YOU like to do the work for you. I bet that would make the RS, a good knife by itself, a knife that woulcn't compare to anything else, as you'd have a special relationship with it.

Check on SHop Talk as well fo ra maker who can do the work for you. Also, you may wish to try the work yourself. Sand paper, files, elbow grease, a drill and a friend's buffer is all you need. Maybe a hacksaw too... :)
 
I've seen some who would rehandle for some odd amount of money like at least $40US. given that I bought mine roughly $66US, I don't think it's worth it for me because I could pay for it.
However you can always try to rework the blade or create a handle for your own.
I do have an SRK. It's a lovely blade.
 
I suggest that you keep your Recon Scout just the way it is. Wear gloves if you will be doing alot of chopping/cutting with it, so that the rubber handle won't give you blisters. (Buying a pair of "work gloves" is ALOT cheaper and quicker than having your RS re-handled!).
 
If the handle shape/feel is wrong for you, go ahead and have it redone. The RS is a good knife and it'll be worth it. If durability is the concern, I suggest you just use it a while, and replace the handle if you ever need to later. Personally, I plan to replace mine myself one day, once I get a little more experience with that sort of thing.
 
Bobby B,

If you want a knife that can be used as a defensive knife as well as serve for camping chores, keep the Recon Scout. The Swamp Rat knives are like Busse Combat knives - despite the name, not designed for combat.

I never figured out how the Battle Mistress got it's name. It is designed purely as a utility knife.

On the other hand, if what you want is strictly a utility knife, the Swamp Rat models are probably superior to the Recon Scout.
 
Thanks for the replies.:)

I want it for a medium/larger "general utility" knife. I hope never to need it for combat!!!:eek:
The problem I have with the handle is not so much the blisters, but the shape of it. For this size/style of knife I prefer a handle that swells thicker in the middle (not thinner like the RS), with a "stop" at the end. More like the CS Bush Ranger, and any other # of knives in this category. I bring up the CS Bush Ranger because it makes no sense to me that a thinner bladed knife would have (by CS description) a handle designed for chopping.:confused:
Good advice, there seems to be a theme...;)
Thanks,
Rob
 
BobbyB,

Since you don't need a defensive knife, I would think that a Swamp Rat knife would definitely be a better choice than the Recon Scout.
If you read many threads in these forums, you will find that many people consider Busse knives to be the best there are.

On the other hand, do you go camping in northern California? If so, you will wish you had that Recon Scout if a Bigfoot starts chasing you. :D
 
Just some thoughts....
How about some kind of raquet handle wrapping?
I used to use some stuff that looked (kinda) like leather on my paddle ball paddle. You could build the up to suit you. If you hate it, you're only out a couple of bucks.

I second the glove suggestion. In addition to blister protection, it makes the handle 'feel' bigger.

The RS is a good user, modify it to suit your needs & use that $$$ you saved on a sheath from fellow member Normark. CS sheaths kinda scare me :eek:

BTW, I spent yesterday removing the black from the blade of my RS.
There is one beautiful blade under that black viel!
 
Ebbtide
The RS is a good user, modify it to suit your needs & use that $$$ you saved on a sheath from fellow member Normark. CS sheaths kinda scare me
Click to expand...
Yup, the cordura sheath kinda sucks!!! Apparently Normark only lives about 1.5 hours from me. I'll have to look him up...:)
The "leatherette" idea is actually not bad, it's similar to bicycle bar wrap, golf clubs too, I suspect...
I'll give that a try, as you say, if I hate it, I can undo it.
 
Bobby,

I had a local knife nut Steve Garrson modify my CS/RS by grinding it down on top, putting on a swedge (false edge) and a sharpened clip...my god, how sweet!

It reduced the weight by 3 oz., and gave the knife a whole new handling!

I tried to 'sell' the idea to CS, but they weren't buying...and that's a shame! Too much work for an inexpensive knife was the response.

The lighter version of the larger blade was just too cool!

It's light in the hand, has the range, the size, and chops well on the swedge...very freaking cool indeed!

Now, there was a fellow here that rehandled the CS knives in Micarta, and he did a fine job for around $80...if I can find the post or his email, I'll add it here.

The CS/RS in black Micarta is a sight to be seen, and with my modified swedge, it is 'The' camp knife... :D

Hope that helps.

More later.

Mel
 
Mel,
Sounds way cool!:cool: I had thought of sharpening the clip, but not the swedge...

Got Pics???

Fire some off to me, along with the address of the guy with the micarta...:D
Rob
 
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