Cold Steel Recon Tanto (worth it?)

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Bill97z

Joined
Feb 9, 2007
Messages
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Saw a few good deals on this and the video on cold steel site is impressive what they put this knife through.

Also how is this one different from the regular japanese "tanto series" ?? Those are much more expensive. Am I missing anything here?
 
It's definitely worth it - amazing knife for relatively 'cheap' price. Good bang for the buck I think.

Can't compare it to other CS Tantos as i never tried them. It's extremely sharp, has a thick blade which can take lot of battering. Serious tool for all the big jobs. I use it for prying, digging in the garden, chopping chicken in half and even as an axe for smaller trees etc. It's my favourite outdoors knife. I'd recommend it for sure!
 
I've got one. Handle is too short. I have trouble getting the tip sharp, its ground really thick. Other than that it is a pretty good knife. If you can find a SRK I think it is better. Since all the Carbon V knives are out of production, you may have a hard time finding one new in box. They are not worth paying a markup over retail on the secondary market, in my opinion.
 
northernlight said:
It's definitely worth it - amazing knife for relatively 'cheap' price. Good bang for the buck I think.

Can't compare it to other CS Tantos as i never tried them. It's extremely sharp, has a thick blade which can take lot of battering. Serious tool for all the big jobs. I use it for prying, digging in the garden, chopping chicken in half and even as an axe for smaller trees etc. It's my favourite outdoors knife. I'd recommend it for sure!
Click to expand...

How does the black finish on the knife hold up?
 
Bill97z said:
Saw a few good deals on this and the video on cold steel site is impressive what they put this knife through.

Also how is this one different from the regular japanese "tanto series" ?? Those are much more expensive. Am I missing anything here?
Click to expand...

I have both the Recon Tanto and the SRK (Search/Rescue Knife) and for my own uses I found the SRK to be 100 times more practical. The Recon Tanto is a vicious slicer/stabber and fighting knife but I don't do that so the SRK, with it's 1" shorter blade works perfectly. I recently split some firewood using the battoning technique and my SRK. Now I have not had the greatest luck with the finish on my SRK but wasn't worried about it as I plan to remove it one day anyway. The edge retention on both has been good and for my hands the handle length is perfect. Either one is a great value for the money.

If you want a good fighting/tactical knife then the Tanto would be a good option as the point is super strong. If you want a good woods/general use knife then definetely go with the SRK.

Hope this helps.

Charles
 
Here the pics of the blade as promised.

Still some mud under the handle after using it the garden..

cs_tanto.jpg



cs_tanto2.jpg



cs_tanto_blade2.jpg


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Northernlight
 
my brother has one, and he beats the crap out of it every day. hes a mechanic, and abuses the knife regularly. it held up just fine. a dam tough knife if ive ever seen one.

the carbon v ones that is.
 
Having broken a Recon Tanto trying to baton it through a log, I'd have to disagree with the "tough knife" characterization. Your mileage may vary, but I wouldn't trust one for any kind of heavy use.
 
Having broken a Recon Tanto trying to baton it through a log, I'd have to disagree with the "tough knife" characterization. Your mileage may vary, but I wouldn't trust one for any kind of heavy use.
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Honest question, not trying to be snarky: are there a lot of knives in the $45-range that can baton a log without any fear of breakage?

Is log-battoning a reasonable test for this kind of knife, or is it abuse? Talking actual logs here, not 2" diamter branches, right?

-MV
 
When you say batoning you mean like hacking away at it like an ax right? Why would you even try that with a knife? Get an ax.
 
Bill97z said:
When you say batoning you mean like hacking away at it like an ax right? Why would you even try that with a knife? Get an ax.
Click to expand...

Nope.
It's whacking the back of a knife (or hatchet) with a piece of wood to split another larger piece of wood.

See here for a pretty extreme example.
 
Bill97z said:
Saw a few good deals on this and the video on cold steel site is impressive what they put this knife through.
Click to expand...

Yeah..... What you see on the videos put out by Coldsteel..... take it with a mountain of salt, instead of just a grain.
 
The recon tanto is a pretty good knife, I was chopping some smaller type pieces of wood with it today, I like the handle. The SRK however feels much sturdier and definately more utility oriented.
 
My only problem with the knife is that if you use it in the woods for chopping, without a baton, the checkered kraton will tear your hand up after a while. If you want to use it like that then I advise sanding down the handle a bit. Although if you want a chopper, it's really not the optimal knife to begin with. Great for prying & cutting though!

edited to add - coated knives can always be cheaper than uncoated ones, because the coating hides blemishes that would not be acceptable on an uncoated knife so therefore more machining & expense is required.
ALSO
if it ain't an older carbon V model, don't waste your $$ on SS.
 
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