cs recon 1 - opinions

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boris01

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Aug 2, 2008
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The cs recon looks like a strong folder. The lock looks like a benchmade axis lock which always gets good reviews on this forum. I am looking for a 4 inch strong folder and the recon looks pretty good. I do not mind carring a heavy knife.

Does any one own a cs recon 1 or know about this knife? I would like to hear your opinion.
 
they are good ones imho, the lock is a lot like the axis, not one of my favs but perfectly serviceable nontheless.
 
It's a great knife actually. The lock seems a bit more "rough" than a true axis lock from benchmade, but it locks up very strong and all of the ones that I have handled had zero blade play.

I've read stories of people prying open heavy metal doors, tearing up cars, blasting through the front lines......etc :D

It has a great grip, the G-10 is very nice and the AUS 8 takes a really sharp edge. It is a great knife for the money, and one of my favorites.
 
It will open thumb or centrifically (flick) - solid construction - IMO tad large for EDC but you said that wasn't a prob. Hate the black blade finish on mine. Fit and finish is good but not to same standard as the similarily sized and very sexy CS Hatamoto - but that's to be expected as it's in a different price/market bracket

Overall I believe the axis lock BM's give better bang for bucks.
 
Here's my Japanese made one and it's pretty smooth - A solid sharp knife and the axis lock is completely enclosed by the blade, unlike B/M which locks over the blade tang and you can see it plainly. I don't know how the newer ones made elsewhere compare.
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I had a lot of probs with the locking mechanism sticking when you tried to close it on a bunch of different Recon knives where I used to work. Not much on cold steels blades though. I'd get a BM Griptillian for that price.
 
I have a Taiwan-made RECON 1 with tanto blade that I have carried on and off for 3 years. It has been a great knife- extremely well balanced, smooth opening, and the lock has never given me any problems. I especially like the steel- it can be made EXTREMELY sharp after a good stropping. One of my favorites!
 
I have noticed that some knife sales web say the handles are zytel. The CS web site says that they are g-10. Are there 2 versions or are the resellers getting bad info?
 
boris01 said:
I have noticed that some knife sales web say the handles are zytel. The CS web site says that they are g-10. Are there 2 versions or are the resellers getting bad info?
Click to expand...

Good question. The original versions were made in Japan and had the zytel handles with AUS8 blade steel. The newer ones are made in Taiwan and have G-10 handles with VG-1 steel. Some people have their preferences, but I like the G-10 version better due to the grippy handle. You can't go wrong with either one.

Hope this helps, J.
 
I own emersons, spyderco and benchmade knives. All of these knives open very smoothly. One flick of the thumb and they are opened.

Can you thumb flick the recon 1 all the way open using the thumb stud?
 
It has a disc and it's as easy to open as any. The two CS with axis lock, I own open easy and lock and unlock easy. They aren't nearly my favorite blades, but they work.
 
Jill Jackson,

I like many of the knives you own. What is you favorite? Also what would you recommened for a strong folder with a 4 inch balde?
 
Jill Jackson,

One more question if you dont mind. Why is the recon not your favorite blade? What is you don't like about it?
 
I have one I bought in 2001(made in Japan, zytel). One of the lock
springs broke in 2006, and it's been in pieces ever since. It is
a good knife and it was my EDC for 5 years without any issues until
the spring broke. I did put it back together briefly using one of the springs
from my CS AK-47(they definitely are interchangeable) but realized that
the slippery zytel handle and lack of a pronounced guard made me want to
retire it for good. I guess I've become spoiled by grippy G-10 and
blade guards from Emersons and ZT's. I would buy the new g-10
version in a heartbeat if I could find one around $50. In my opinion
they aren't worth the $70+ sellers on Ebay are asking for them when
you can get an American made D2 BM 710 for about $25 more....
 
boris01 said:
Jill Jackson,

One more question if you dont mind. Why is the recon not your favorite blade? What is you don't like about it?
Click to expand...

I'm way into Spyderco, to me the brand just blows all other production folders away. But, I more am into collecting, studying and admiring the brand for the way the are designed and the appearance than really using them.
My second choice in a line is Benchmade. Cold Steel was one of the brands that I bought a few years ago and I've just sort of grown away from them. The Recon and a couple of others in the line I own today, are left over from those days. I just fell in love with Spyderco and that's where my money and efforts go today. It has a lot to do with the fact that they are worth collecting and hold their value, as well as gain when discontinued. You just can't really say that about Cold Steel. I think Spyderco and Benchmade are designed by people with a true love for the new designs and beauty of knives. Cold Steel seems to me to be driven by profit and hype. The entire line seems rather lacking when compared. That's just my opinion.
Here's a very strong folder I like to carry out in the woods when I hike. It's heavy blade opens with a wrist flick and it's all Titanium handle and frame lock makes it a very strong capable folder. A bit more than 4" at 4.25, the large B/M 630 SKIRMISH
2qu3oli.jpg
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Hi
I use mine hard . like to the max . . In the Sand { iraq} and it has also been in da jungel as well. Okay I found mine was kinda RUFF to close not as smothe as a Bench Made. so I had a break in time . and I also use a little oil on mine { and all folders} it helps .
PROS
Great knife . holds a okay edge ,ease of sharping with sand paper or stone . can do some pry-bar type stuff.does wood spliting and fire stick makeing . Lite.weight . easy disassemble.
CONS
big handle for me { fixed that easy }
Would like a different type of handle pattern on it .
did not come with a sheath. { made one or two}
Would like to get 4 and a half to 5 inch blade

I posted a photo of mine about a week ago I t has been modded
Good Luck
Chris:D
 
I'd like to add that if you can find one and really want a CS, I'd
go with an AK-47 in g-10, the handle is much more secure and it waves
better than an Emerson(sorry Ernie, I still love your knives :D)
I bought mine(aluminum handle) for $10 at a pawnshop and it's
one of the better buys I have found. I'm still looking to score a g-10
AK-47 for under $50....
 
boris01 said:
Jill Jackson,

One more question if you dont mind. Why is the recon not your favorite blade? What is you don't like about it?
Click to expand...

Here's why the recon is not my favorite blade. This is a picture I took of me holding one of my fave Spydercos over in my side yard. (it took a few tries to get the shot:o)
28v8s9y.jpg
 
i wish they offered a plain edge version of the spear point model instead of only combo edge. i would definitely pick one up.
 
I have the spear point recon and like it, very solid knife. I haven't used the HELL out of it (it's too big for me to edc) I have used it lots, it opens and closes easily, very sharp, it's held the edge well, I haven't had to sharpen it yet.
 
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