Cold Steel Recon Tanto

udtjim

udtjim

Joined
Sep 4, 2007
Messages
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Just a little memory boost, Does anyone recall when CS introduced the Recon Tanto and was the first one Carbon V? Thanks. I have one that I believe I got about 20 years ago.
 
The first RTs had a different handle. I think the blades were similar though. They were made in Ventura, CA and I believe marked as such. Not sure of the steel, but it wouldn't have bee Carbon V.
 
Kiah said:
Not sure of the steel, but it wouldn't have bee Carbon V.
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Check the stamping at the base of the blade:

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Its been a while, but the original Recon Tanto was indeed made with Carbon V steel. You can still occasionally find them on the second hand market.
 
I may be wrong, but I believe the original RT (even before that one) had a guard and pommel like the other old school CS tantos. It would've been made in Ventura. I may be thinking of something else, but that's whats floating around in the noodle.
 
Kiah said:
I may be wrong, but I believe the original RT (even before that one) had a guard and pommel like the other old school CS tantos. It would've been made in Ventura. I may be thinking of something else, but that's whats floating around in the noodle.
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wow, that'd be news to me. pretty cool, too.

i have an RT. mine's marked USA Carbon V. mine doesn't have a gaurd and pommel, though, i sure thought i had the original config :confused:
 
Kiah said:
I may be wrong, but I believe the original RT (even before that one) had a guard and pommel like the other old school CS tantos.
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No, the "tactical" kraton handle configuration was what differentiated the RT from the other CS tantos from the beginning. They never had the metal guards or pommels.
 
mdauben said:
No, the "tactical" kraton handle configuration was what differentiated the RT from the other CS tantos from the beginning. They never had the metal guards or pommels.
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A quick googling turns up a few long dead auctions with RTs with brass guards and pommels. Tiny little pictures though. At least one does list the steel as Carbon V though, which I thought came along later.

As I'm not gonna take my info from dead auction listings, I'll say you're right on this. For some reason though, it's stuck in my head that the originals were kraton/brass with a different steel and certainly without the black coating (not uncoated though). It's probable that I'm thinking of a different knife though. :confused:
 
I dont know what type of steel was used, but it is my understanding that this was the first version of the recon tanto by cold steel.
 
Hah. I knew I wasn't crazy. :) It was bugging me enough that I emailed CS about it. I'd give you green if I could.
 
This is a little review I did on the original Cold Steel Recon Tanto some time back. The more I watch my you tube video the worse I think it is. Anyway maybe this will prove somewhat helpful.



Today I'm reviewing an original Cold Steel Recon Tanto. I got this knife in the early 90's from Cutlery Shoppe. It was made before the Recon Tantos we are all familiar with. It has a 6" blade with a 5 1/4" handle. The handle is made from Kraton with a brass guard and butt cap. It has a rough bead blasted finish. The blade looks to be about 3/16" thick and maintains this thickness almost all the way to the tip. It is marked "COLD STEEL" "VENTURA,CA" on one side of the blade and "RECON TANTO" "MADE IN USA" on the other. I read somewhere that it is possible that Buck made these for Cold Steel but I personally kind of doubt it. I have no idea what kind of steel it is made from.

The sheath is made from a good grade of leather and has a velcroed keeper strap. This design allows you to draw the knife without having to release the keeper strap. It was called a "KI" quick draw sheath. Here are a few pictures of it.
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Overall it seems to be a very nicely made package but like so many of my knives that I buy with the intent to use it never sees much use. I also made a YouTube video of it that you can see here. Thanks for watching.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr8EG6BGG3Y
 
boring said:
coldsteelreconoriginalbrass1.jpg
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Well, damn. I stand corrected.

I have to say, I bought my first CS knife (a tanto) well before the Recon Tanto even came out, and I was always something of a fan of their whole Tanto series, and I do not remember the knife ever coming in anything but the current handle configuration. :confused:

I guess maybe the mind is starting to go! :p
 
maverick3981 said:
So what steel are the newly made RT made of, and where are they made?
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According to their website, the current RT is made of AUS 8A stainless. I believe it is currently made either in Taiwan or Japan (I have seen it listed as both, although the CS website is silent on the issue).
 
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not better at all but in a recon tanto i dont think you'll notice it...expect for the rust resistance of Aus-8
 
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