Go Large--The BF Big Folder Thread

XM-24

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I haven't been over here for a while and just got caught up. I had this on pre-order for some time and finally got it early last month. Not sure why I didn't think to post it in this thread, but here's the CruCarta Military 2 which strikes me more like a giant PM2 than the earlier Millies I own and love.

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So these are the big boys kicking around today.
I know it's a niche steel, but damned if I don't love the H1/H2 line from Spyderco. This is a Stretch I bought to replace my retired Tasman, and I just got back from wearing it in the pocket of my trunks while wading out in the Atlantic for a week. I did nothing to it short of I once had to rinse the sand out of the action when a wave nearly rolled me. Little bit of water and hit it with some cooking spray i had back in the room, and that's all the worse for wear it is.

The Adamas is one of those knives I can't seem to quit. I have the Auto, this full size, and the mini. Truth be told, I kinda like the mini the best, but if I were taking one of my large folders as my only knife out into the woods, the Full Size Adamas would probably be my choice. Until.....I got this Recon.

I kinda thought I had outgrown Cold Steel, especially their "normal" knives. I like big crazy stabbers and novelty tanks, but I didn't really see the need for something 4" or under. However, after really digging how well made and stout my 6" Hold Out is and a Prime Day deal popping up, I took the plunge on this tanto Recon. I've gotta say...what it lacks in refinement and elegance as I find the Adamas just a very handsome knife, the Recon is just all business and might be kicking the full size Adamas to the curb for a bit. It's your typical stiff to close Triad lock, and "slow rolling" is hurky-jerky, but it seems to do what I want out of a knock around hiking knife. I think I'll slap a Snaggletooth on it and see how she goes. Pretty pleased for the $70 I spent.
 
Steely_Gunz said:
I took the plunge on this tanto Recon. I've gotta say...what it lacks in refinement and elegance as I find the Adamas just a very handsome knife, the Recon is just all business and might be kicking the full size Adamas to the curb for a bit. It's your typical stiff to close Triad lock, and "slow rolling" is hurky-jerky, but it seems to do what I want out of a knock around hiking knife. I think I'll slap a Snaggletooth on it and see how she goes. Pretty pleased for the $70 I spent.
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I have Recon 1 models in all three blade shapes, and I thought the fit and finish on them was excellent; comparable to Benchmade, Spyderco, etc, and in some cases, better. The finger-numbing Triad lock seems to be common though, as is a slow deploy of the blade (related to excess lock bar pressure).

When I get a new Cold Steel folder, the first thing I do is take it apart and tune it. I use 1000-grit wet-and-dry and then a loaded strop to smooth and polish all the mating parts of the blade and lock bar. I also smooth and polish the end of the lock bar spring where it contacts the lock bar, then very carefully (a little at a time) take some of the bend out of it to lighten its action a bit.

The results of a good job of it is a knife that is smooth, easy to operate and, I believe, a knife that performs well above its class. The only clue left to its budget price is the "Taiwan" stamp on the blade. I think the rest shows a quality fit/finish and operation worthy of a much higher price tag.

Bob
 
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