Is this knife ok for an EDC? (for a leo)

A

Aponte

Joined
Nov 10, 2009
Messages
2
Sorry for the "newbish" question, but I'm new into the knife world. I've been thinking about getting the Cold Steel Recon 1.
http://www.coldsteel.com/reconi.html

The lowest price that I've found has been $65 with a $10 shipping (from LA police gear).
http://www.lapolicegear.com/cost27re1tap.html

At this price range, are there any other knives that I should bee looking at?

I do like the "tanto" point and the straight (not serrated) edge.

The knife will be used as an every day carry.

To be honest the one thing that got my attention towards the Recon 1 was their marketing video.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

Aponte
 
Welcome to Bladeforums!

Cold Steel marketing is deceptive, but the Recon series isn't bad. Your price looks good.
 
Welcome !

I don't have experience with Cold Steel, I just wanted to remark that -at least to my taste- for general use a curved tip like the clip point variant is more practical for various cutting tasks than the tanto tip which was really designed for penetrating harnesses, and how often do you expect to do that?

Alternatives:
1. Same price range:
- the no-nonsense Spyderco Endura 4

2 Some $15-20 more, if you shop around
- If you plan to do a lot of heavy work with it then you may also investigate the Spyderco Manix 2, which is a real heavy duty folder. As I don't have cold steel experience, I can't compare, but I know that the Manx is really seriously sturdy in its price range.
- Kershaw Tyrade G10
- Mcusta Stingray series
 
I certainly agree with what Esav and Dagon mentioned. The Recon 1 is certainly an excellent value and will perform well for your application. It is a very tough knife. One other that I leave for your consideration is the Benchmade Griptillian. The Grip is also well proven and in it's part serrated form, would make an excellent EDC for an officer. The serrations will zip through seatbelts quite easily. Just a thought.
 
I am a big fan of the Recon 1, and yes it is a good EDC (tanto 1/2 ser. my favorite.)

If you like the tanto, go for it. I have carried and used my tanto for a few years and it hasn't let me down, but don't be afraid to look in to the clip point as well, it may offer slightly more (precieved, IMO) versatility due continious cutting edge, with out the abrupt angle.

a few tips.
1; it will eventually chew up your pocket if you clip it every single day due to the G10.
2; there is a "break in" processes for the lock.

and yes cold steels marketing is deceptive, but I still love that damn knife.
 
5.11 makes alot of knives marketed for the tactical and LEO community. They are all designed by Steve Tarani, who gained alot of praise for his designs with Buck-Strider. They have just recently updated their line-up adding a bootknife, belt knife, and an awesome looking folder. i believe most if not all of them are made of 154CM or S30V. Their original lineup of folders were around $70-90
 
I wouldn't get a Recon 1 for serious LEO work.
The lock on my half serrated tanto broke due to the locking pin being flattened and rolling over, making the blade stick when operated.
 
I have to agree with Dagon on this one except I would consider the Waved Endura. Its the perfect carry knife that can be deployed just by pulling it out on your pocket. I would carry one if I could legally carry anything over 3 inches at work (teacher).
I have had a Recon and I liked it but it was thick where the Endura is thin.

HAK
RP#354
 
I had a Recon 1 Tanto but I sold it and got me a Recon 1 Clip Point...way more useful!
Other options at that price point:
Kershaw YJDII
Blackhawk CQD Mark 1
Spyderco Endura Wave
Ka-Bar Mule Folder
Ka-Bar Dozier Bobcat Folder
Cold Steel American Lawman
Benchmade Griptilian 551
 
Cold steel is OK but not my first suggestion, stick with the ones you would want to bet your life on. BM, kershaw, spyderco.

I second the wave endura.
 
I just got a Recon 1 clip point and it seems decent so far. The handle and thumbstuds may work better for the OP as I find that opening/ closing the blade with gloves is fine. My only complaint is the AUS8 blade steel; VG10 would be better IMHO but that's just my preference. From what I've read here and on other forums, the Recon 1 is a tough knife.

For the price of a Recon 1, I'd take a look at:

the Spyderco Endura 4,
Delica 4,
Benchmade Griptilian,
Mini-Griptilian,
Cold Steel Voyager series,

Hope this helps.
 
Thank you all for the great replies! I do think I made a mistake asking you guys for advise though. All I wanted was to buy A (as in one) knife. I asked you guys for your advise and now, after looking at the replies and looking at the other brands that you guys have suggested, I want to buy a whole lot more than just one..............is that a bad thing?, lol

I did scratch the idea of going with a tanto blade. Some of you suggested to go with a more traditional style blade and I see your points. I am also considering a half straight half serrated blade also.

Now, speaking of which, whats the "advantage" or purpose of having the serrated 1/2section on the blade?
 
Aponte said:
Thank you all for the great replies! I do think I made a mistake asking you guys for advise though. All I wanted was to buy A (as in one) knife. I asked you guys for your advise and now, after looking at the replies and looking at the other brands that you guys have suggested, I want to buy a whole lot more than just one..............is that a bad thing?, lol

I did scratch the idea of going with a tanto blade. Some of you suggested to go with a more traditional style blade and I see your points. I am also considering a half straight half serrated blade also.

Now, speaking of which, whats the "advantage" or purpose of having the serrated 1/2section on the blade?
Click to expand...

I think having a partially serrated blade is useless. A well maintained plain edge is better in all ways imo. If i wanted to go for that price range I would go for a spyderco tenacious or endura. Both users till the end from a great company. Good luck
 
Aponte said:
Thank you all for the great replies! I do think I made a mistake asking you guys for advise though. All I wanted was to buy A (as in one) knife. I asked you guys for your advise and now, after looking at the replies and looking at the other brands that you guys have suggested, I want to buy a whole lot more than just one..............is that a bad thing?, lol

I did scratch the idea of going with a tanto blade. Some of you suggested to go with a more traditional style blade and I see your points. I am also considering a half straight half serrated blade also.

Now, speaking of which, whats the "advantage" or purpose of having the serrated 1/2section on the blade?
Click to expand...

You might want to check as you may be restricted from carrying a serrated blade while on duty. Different areas different rules, but around me LEOs aren't allowed to carry serrated blades while on duty.

Advantage I would say is in cutting through material, honestly I would highly recommend getting a shroud cutter/rescue hook just to have on hand. Think of it on these terms...Car crash with a seatbelt that needs to be cut. A knife that isn't the sharpest may have issues getting through the material, whereas a serrated can aid in the cutting. Or a rescue hook can slip right through it without any risk to the person.

Make no mistake though, a rescue hook does not replace a knife, but rather is to be used with it. Something as small as a Benchmade 5 could be worn on the belt and you'd never notice it was there until you needed it. However it won't replace a knife...It will (and I know this from experience) work excellently at cutting open quickcuffs/ties without risking any injury to those who have the pleasure of wearing them...

I would recommend Benchmade not only as they offer a discount (:D) but also because of the quality of their blades. Try taking a look at a reverse tanto point

Reverse Tanto:
http://www.benchmade.com/products/950 [comes in a serrated or non model]

Hooks:
http://www.benchmade.com/products/5
http://www.benchmade.com/products/7
http://www.benchmade.com/products/8

Another recommendation:
http://www.benchmade.com/products/5300
http://www.benchmade.com/products/9051
 
I carry a half serrated tanto Recon 1 as an EDC. It is on the
large side (make sure 4" blades are legal...the blade on mine is under 4" from sharpening). I've used / abused mine for opening beer bottle tops by direct stabbing through the metal non twist tops and cutting up shirts for rags. Slices and penetrates really well. Wish I got one without serrations though, but if you don't sharpen often they can come in handy.
 
There is absoulutly nothing wrong with the recon 1 tanto its a great knife had one for a year now havent had any problems at all i own many kinds of blades clip points spear points never was unable to cut anything with the tanto style blade . But i like alot of people here have no use for serrations on any of my knives .
 
If that is your price range, I think you could do better with an offering from spyderco or benchmade. I am not up on every model they have, but I have had their knives and they are of very high quality as I am sure most everyone will agree with.
 
I carried an Emerson CQC-7 for quite a few yrs W/O any issues. It was the CE tanto model.

I don't see a problem with tantos, as I found it useful (For LE work) to scrape or whatever with the front edge & had a nice flat 2nd edge for cutting. Serrations aren't necessary, but they're helpful, if for some reason your knife's not real sharp. Keep it sharp & PE is fine, but the serrations are helpful depending on how you are on sharpening. I certainly didn't have any issues with it.

Policy is important, although I didn't know there are Dept's that don't allow serrations (I'm in the training Dept). Usually you won't be allowed an auto or FB, but you may, it just depends on your Dept's policy.

Also, the idea of the Recon 1, at least because it's ambidextrous, is a good idea. On that note, Spyderco Endura & BM Grip (Or other axis lock) are good choices. They are at about the same price point as the CS, ambidextrous, & they have better blade steel, IMHO.

I used a CQC-7, which isn't left hand friendly & frame-locks or a solid/thick liner-lock will work fine, too, but you may find yourself needing to use your "weak" hand. Since the majority of people are right handed, that means you'll probably use the knife with you left hand at times.

If I was looking for a knife for work again (The streets), I would definitely look at one that's ambidextrous. I believe I ended up switching to SOG X-Ray Vision. A knife that was similar in blade shape to the Emerson (CE tanto), but it had a lock similar to BM's axis lock & was ambidextrous, which I think is a more useful ability than anything else (Provided it's a solid, quality knife).

I take it you're starting out & probably don't have much "extra" $ to spend. That's understandable, but don't skimp. You don't have to spend alot of $, as the Endura & Grip mentioned are about the same price as the CS.

Good luck & welcome to the Forums.
 
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