Here's the deal. Took delivery of 2 CS Recon1 folders over the last 3 weeks. These are the AUS8a versions with G10. The first being a tanto p.e. that was actually the wrong knife. Not what I ordered but decided to keep it anyways. The second knife I just rec. a couple of days ago is the clip point in p.e. Same materials as the tanto.
The thing that is astounding me is the build quality and the level of sharpness I can attain and how long that sharpness lasts. This just doesn't seem like the AUS8a steel I remember from other knives I have had in the past with this grade of steel. I am not getting that super fine edge that AUS8 is noted for. No this is a nice hard edge without that ultra fine edge I seemed to always get with this steel. I have been using the tanto alot for an edc and well have opened everything from heavy plastic to envelopes and cut up heavy fishline that is used on a weedwhacker. Outside of a little bit of marring of the coating the edge has held up wonderfully. Way way better than I ever thought it would.
Now I have to say the clip point I rec. was sharp. And again a different kind of sharp than what I remember CS knives to be. Had more of a rough edge to it but still would cleanly shave hair. So I put the blade to a med. stone and after about 20 minutes with just a slight reprofiling this knife is even better than the tanto. It feels like my carbon steel hunting knives as for edge sharpness etc. A superb bite to the blade but you can also feel a roughness to it however slight. Hey beats me but these knives for the price point I paid seem to be worth way more than what you can find them on the net for. I paid 60 bucks for the tanto shipped and I think right around 50 for the clip point shipped.
A word on the build quality and the caveat here being is that I have severe bilateral carpal tunnel so a grippy texture to me is a very good thing. Well the G10 is probably the grippiest I have ever felt. Almost a sand paper quality to it. I like it. The handle ergo's are excellant too. I have fairly meaty hands so I like to be able to pick a knife up and hold it in various grips and not feel cramped when doing so. These two knives allow for that for which I am gratefull. They are also kind of heavy in physical weight which is a good thing for me too. The handles seem long too at maybe a bit over 5". Some of the end sticks out but I don't mind that either.
Now I am not here to praise all the CS products nor tout Lynn Thompson and his claims. Matter of fact I wrote a quick little ditty on the USN a couple of weeks ago about the tanto, and some of the feller's started jumping down my throat about L.T. etc. etc. Dexter put a stop to it as well he should have. This ain't about that. I never thought I would be saying any of this either. These Recon1 folders appear to me at least to be very well built folders and the AUS8a steel although haven't been a big fan in the past well this steel for whatever reason just seems to be excellant. Go figure right? Getting past all the b.s. CS puts out these cheap ass(inexpensive) knives aren't half bad. I use cheap ass with respect too cause I am carrying the clip point for the forseeable future as an edc. Keepem sharp
The thing that is astounding me is the build quality and the level of sharpness I can attain and how long that sharpness lasts. This just doesn't seem like the AUS8a steel I remember from other knives I have had in the past with this grade of steel. I am not getting that super fine edge that AUS8 is noted for. No this is a nice hard edge without that ultra fine edge I seemed to always get with this steel. I have been using the tanto alot for an edc and well have opened everything from heavy plastic to envelopes and cut up heavy fishline that is used on a weedwhacker. Outside of a little bit of marring of the coating the edge has held up wonderfully. Way way better than I ever thought it would.
Now I have to say the clip point I rec. was sharp. And again a different kind of sharp than what I remember CS knives to be. Had more of a rough edge to it but still would cleanly shave hair. So I put the blade to a med. stone and after about 20 minutes with just a slight reprofiling this knife is even better than the tanto. It feels like my carbon steel hunting knives as for edge sharpness etc. A superb bite to the blade but you can also feel a roughness to it however slight. Hey beats me but these knives for the price point I paid seem to be worth way more than what you can find them on the net for. I paid 60 bucks for the tanto shipped and I think right around 50 for the clip point shipped.
A word on the build quality and the caveat here being is that I have severe bilateral carpal tunnel so a grippy texture to me is a very good thing. Well the G10 is probably the grippiest I have ever felt. Almost a sand paper quality to it. I like it. The handle ergo's are excellant too. I have fairly meaty hands so I like to be able to pick a knife up and hold it in various grips and not feel cramped when doing so. These two knives allow for that for which I am gratefull. They are also kind of heavy in physical weight which is a good thing for me too. The handles seem long too at maybe a bit over 5". Some of the end sticks out but I don't mind that either.
Now I am not here to praise all the CS products nor tout Lynn Thompson and his claims. Matter of fact I wrote a quick little ditty on the USN a couple of weeks ago about the tanto, and some of the feller's started jumping down my throat about L.T. etc. etc. Dexter put a stop to it as well he should have. This ain't about that. I never thought I would be saying any of this either. These Recon1 folders appear to me at least to be very well built folders and the AUS8a steel although haven't been a big fan in the past well this steel for whatever reason just seems to be excellant. Go figure right? Getting past all the b.s. CS puts out these cheap ass(inexpensive) knives aren't half bad. I use cheap ass with respect too cause I am carrying the clip point for the forseeable future as an edc. Keepem sharp
