Help with Recon Tanto

joeldworkin307

joeldworkin307

Gold Member
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Oct 2, 2012
Messages
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I picked up the Recon Tanto in this picture at a gun show this past weekend. I'm trying to find some info on where and when it was made in the Cold Steel timeline. Stamp reads as follows on the left side of the blade:

RECON
TANTO
Cold Steel Carbon V (TM)
Made in U.S.A.

And is blank on the right side. I know they made many variations and changed factories a few times. The handle was replaced with a decent wood, stacked leather and aluminum handle with one brass pin and the original coating was stripped and left bare. Any info would be appreciated.

 
First time I've seen a Recon Tanto like that. The guard and handle are all both quite different to what I'm used to seeing, and the blade seems to lack a sharpening notch. I'm scratching my head here. Something tells me it's not a fake, but I'm not sure if Cold Steel has ever released a Recon Tanto like that...
 
The first Recon Tantos, I believe introduced in 1987 or so had a guard and pommel s they didn't look like the Recon Tantos we know. The design changed sometime between 1988 and 1993 which is the blank spot on archived catalogs.
They were made by Camillus with Carbon V and changed to Aus8 and Japan manufacture in 2007.
The Camillus made Recon Tantos from 1993-2006 all had just "RECON TANTO" on the left side of the ricasso. Yours has more than that, plus a blank right side ricasso, putting it at best guess 1989-1992. This is speculation assuming of course it is authentic. If so clearly the blade coating has been removed and a guard/bolster added along with the new pinned wood handle. At first glance many would undoubtedly question if it is a "fake".
 
You used to be able to buy carbon v blade blanks on eBay.
It could be one of them that was finished by someone.
 
Thanks all. Whatever it turns out to be, the blade is quality and the handle work is well done.
 
Looking at making a handle for the blank I picked up a while back. Trying to decide on the materials.
 
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