CS Recon 1?

P

Phil Brown

Joined
Jun 2, 2006
Messages
367
I was looking at this Recon 1 from Cold Steel the other day, and I was fairly impressed. Apparently they're marketing it to the armed forces. Does anybody have any real experience with this knife? According to the CS website, they've switched from 440A to AUS8A and G10 grips. I remember reading somewhere that the serrations were rather fragile on the old model. Will the AUS8A really make any improvement? Also, I'm wondering about the spear point model. Maybe it's just the picture I was looking at, but it looks like the spear has nearly as much belly as the clip point. Is this right? Just looking for some first-hand experience before I go throwing money at it.
 
The original versions featured AUS-8A too when they were introduced a few years ago. They were made in Japan like the Voyager series. I prefer the AUS-8A to the 440A. I have one of the original clip-point models and really like it.

As far as I can tell from the pictures on the Cold Steel website. The serrations are the same on both older original versions and newer ones. You do have to be more careful with the Cold Steel serrations compared to the Spyderco serrations. I recommend going with a plain edge over a combo edge if you don't have experience with Cold Steel's serrated edge.
 
I have one of the new g10/aus8 models winging its way to me as we speak... one of the major internet dealers had the new models at the old price for a limited time so I thought I would take a chance and see how it is. Mine will be a plain edge tanto so I can't comment on serrations but I will post some thoughts when it arrives. 50.00 for a g10/aus8 folder with a quality lock was just too good a deal to pass up and my previous experience with cold steel folders, voyagers and vaqs, has been entirely positive. Tough sharp and competitevly priced.
 
i had one for a while, it was the zytel handles one, but it was well made,& sharp . it sticks out of the pocket a bit. i liked the lock,too,just got bored with it & sold it. the g10 one should be even better than the zytel one...
 
Ok, I just opened this one up and my initial impression is WOW! This is a serious heavy duty folder... reminds me a lot of an emerson cqc7 on sterioids, wide sharp tanto blade angled at the spine to form a good centered point that should penetrate pretty well. Very sharp factory edge, thick solid feeling black g10 scales, very grippy though they might be a bit rough on pockets. The clip is ambiand the blade carries tip up. This is a large solid folder that people with big hands should really like but others won't find uncomfortable. Its not a knife that I would edc to the office due to size and weight but it isn't too big to carry in a pocket comfortably.. At the fifty bucks price that I paid or at twice that this is a large serious folder with a sharp and wide blade that seems well thought out. The handle is missing some of the details that you find on more expensive knives but its definetly well shaped and seems to provide for a secure grip.The ultra lock is a bit stiff out of the box but that doesn't surprise me and the blade detent is very secure, this one isn't going to open in my pocket. I like it.
 
This is a good knife, but I got bored with mine, too. I like a knife to be strong, light and discreet; the Recon 1 peeps out a little too much for my taste and the blade styles don't excite me much. I don't recall if this knife was a true 4-inch (my Night Force blade is shorter than the blade in my Voyager 4-inch). But it's a good, dependable knife.
 
anyone know why they don't offer the spear point in a plain edge? the other two, yes, but not the spear?
 
ginaz said:
anyone know why they don't offer the spear point in a plain edge? the other two, yes, but not the spear?
Click to expand...

My guess would be that they looked at their sales figures from previous years and discovered that the spearpoint model, with serrations, didn't sell as well as the clip point & tanto (w/ serrations) models did.
It might also be that CS found that the serrations negatively affected the performance (penetration) of the spear point. Merely guess work on my part, but I do hope it helps to answer your question.

FWIW, the G-10 handle scales on the new Recon 1 are by far the most grippy scales I've ever felt. Far more grippy than Spyderco's & Strider's G-10, which are said to be among the grippiest (is that a word?). That basically means your hands will love it, but your pockets will hate it.

Best wishes,
3G
 
3G, the spear point model is only offered with serrations, which is more confusing to me. Any theories on that one? Glad to hear about the grips. CS usually opts for kraton for lotsa grip, but I prefer my carry knives to be less susceptible to the elements. And BTW, I really want to know where you can find these for $50...

And grippiest, if not a real word, has been used by several other people to describe tires, so make your own judgments there.
 
It looks like the regular price on the updated rceonI is going to be 59.99 which IMO is still a hell of a price for a g10 handled folder with a high end lock and quality blade steel. The knifecenter has a plain edge clip blade model but only in zytel, I wondered about the blade configs as well but I really like combo edges on folders with 4 inch blades so it didn't bother me. I wish I had enough cash to order the PS spear point but I really wanted a tanto folder.
 
Martini,
Thanks for the additional info. Spear point, available only WITH serrations? :eek: :confused: Well, maybe the plain-edged, spear point model didn't sell, although I can't imagine that. That would be a good question to direct to CS' customer service. Sorry I couldn't be more help, buddy.

Best wishes,
3G
 
I just bought one of these today, and i must say that I'm very impresses. The grip is amazing. I have the tatnto plain edge one. I even like the way it sounds when opening and closing it. The locking mechanism is spectacular. I'm fairly new to the knife world, but I'm definitely glad I purchased this one.
 
mrmac - welcome to the forums!

If you like what you see with this knife, check out the Benchmade Axis lock folders as well. The action is even smoother.
 
Hi, this is my first post. I picked up a Recon 1 half serrated Tanto about two weeks ago. I really like this knife. Like mrmacman I'm fairly new to the knife world also. I like this knife so much I'm going to get another one with a plain edge. I've even checked out the Benchmade Axis models and want to get a couple of those too!

I'm already addicted.....
 
Tweakmeister said:
mrmac - welcome to the forums!

If you like what you see with this knife, check out the Benchmade Axis lock folders as well. The action is even smoother.
Click to expand...


Thanks :) I'll be sure to check it out. Reading these forums has lead me to believe that benchmade makes very well made knives.
 
I believe all the older models were 440A. Adding AUS-8 blade and G-10 scales are what they changed on the nearer modles.

I have an old model tanto and a new model PE clip point. I really like the clip point. One can really get a nice edge on AUS-8. I admit it doesn't last as long and 154CM or S30V but is doesn't take a long to sharpen and the kife in only about $60. The G-10 scales are much better the the old Zytel and add a comfort and non-slip to the grip.

I think the NEW MODEL Recon 1 is a great knife for the price. I also like that the clip rides a little high so the knife still stays in my pocket when I sit down or squat.

Good Luck
 
mrmacman said:
I just bought one of these today, and i must say that I'm very impresses. The grip is amazing.
Click to expand...
The "amazing" grip is the G10 laminate scales and they are amazing. Unfortunately, they can be found on many cheap knives as well. The M-Tech MT005b and others can be had for less than ten bucks and the grips on those, too, are wonderful.

The AUS 8A blade is a step-up, as well.
 
Looking through these old posts and found this thread. I was so impressed with the Recon1 I bought 2. I never do that. I have the tanto p.e. and the clip point p.e. Both very fine knives. Tanto was 60 bucks shipped, clip point was 50 bucks shipped. A good deal for sure.

The AUS8a is cryo quenched too. The clip point I have about as sharp as any knife I have ever had. I sharpened it on a med. stone. Actually 2 different med. stones. One was as new and the other plugged. Unreal bite to the edge with no burr whatsoever. What is kind of wierd is that I have stropped the edge on a thick plain piece of leather. With other AUS8a steel I have used just doing that would produce a mirror like finish and a ultra fine edge. Not a burr mind you but a ultra fine almost delicate edge. Well doing it with these two knives didn't do that. Just seemed to exacerbate the sharpness but didn't come any where nears mirror polishing it. So go figure.

If you can get through all the hype and b.s. of L.T. and you don't want to spend a fortune but you want a tough ass knife that is sharp as hell and has a really nice grip to the handles, get this knife. I have dozens of high end folders to choose through and a couple of customs as well. I am carrying this knife religously. Well at least for 3 days. I like it that much.

I took it apart and had a devil of time getting everything back together. It is extremely well mad inside with very precise cut outs for there "axis" lock. Also the blade rides on brass bushings. The brass bushings are padded by extremely thin mylar gaskets for lack of a better word. Deep sixed the mylar gaskets as I wrinkled them trying to get everything back together correctly. Anyways it is indeed a bargain at 50 bucks and a bargain at 60 as well. keepem sharp
 
Have an early Japan version and this is a great knife!. Has handled everything it neeeded too and them some and has held up extremely well over the years. Stripped the black coating and then put a satin finish on it with the help of a Dremel so it really takes a shine now. For the price, one would be hard pressed to find something better and would match it up against many of the high price folders, of which I have a few and the Recon 1 always manages to find it's way to the top of the list for EDC. Have fun with this one!

Matador-
 
I have the recon 1 and i am very impressed. the black coating wears of kinda quick but then again i am very rough with all of my knives. it was my first true single lock blade folder and i am very happy w/ it. i have the spear point w/ serations. i think that there are a little to many but thats ok. its a very sturdy and strong knife. i have even used it for mild chopping.
 
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