Mini History of Cold Steel SRK and Recon Tanto

[DMG]

Post in thread 'Rare Gems'
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/rare-gems.1462691/post-20241789


Here is a pic. the sheath is a replacement purchased well after 2000 after i broke the onriginal one when it got hung up in a hammock.

Me too.

 

[nephron]

I wish I had.

 

[vwb563]

I recently acquired this beauty. Mint in mint sheath. Appears to be an early 90’s with epoxy.

 

[Man with no name]

Check out this "Exclusive SRK" with orange handle and sheath!

 

[irsh]

That would be difficult to lose in the grass...

 

[Man with no name]

 

[JtotheK13]

Quickly threw this together based on catalog info...not planning to add any pics. Have included model numbers, blade steel, blade finish, and type of sheath.

SRK:
Introduced in 1990...I have a copy of the "New Products for 1990" flyer that announces it. Early models had markings on one side of blade only, then it changed to have SRK on one side, and COLD STEEL, CARBON V, and MADE IN USA on the other. Not exactly sure when this change was made.

1990 - ???.........#38C............Carbon V..............Parkerized.....Cordura/nylon

1993/94.............#38C............Carbon V.............Epoxy..............Cordura/nylon with 1 strap

1995 - 1997.....#38C.............Carbon V............Epoxy..............Cordura/nylon with 2 staps

1998...................#38C.............Carbon V...........Epoxy...............Leather with 2 straps

1999...................#38C.............Carbon V...........Epoxy...............Concealex

2000 - 2004.....#38CK..........Carbon V..........Epoxy................Concealex

2005 - 2006.....#38CK..........Carbon V..........Epoxy................Secure-Ex

2007 - 2010.....#38CK..........AUS 8A.............Teflon................Secure-Ex

2011 - 2016.....#38CSM......VG-1 SM III.....Satin..................Secure-Ex

2014...................#38CK..........AUS 8A.............Tuff-Ex..............Secure-Ex

2015 - 2016.....#38CKJ1......VG-1.................Tuff-Ex..............Secure-Ex

2016 - 2017.....#38CKC.......CPM 3V............DLC....................Secure-ex

2017...................#49LCKZ.....SK-5...................Tuff-Ex.............Secure-Ex


RECON TANTO:

Pretty sure it was introduced in 1993, as the 93/94 catalog mentions it being voted Best New Specialty Product for 1993 by Shooting Industry magazine. Also pretty sure these always had markings on both sides, with RECON TANTO on one side, and COLD STEEL, CARBON V, and MADE IN USA on the other.

1993 - 1997.....#13RT............Carbon V...........Epoxy.......Cordura/nylon with 2 straps

1998...................#13RT............Carbon V...........Epoxy.......Leather with 2 straps

1999...................#13RT............Carbon V..........Epoxy.......Concealex

2000 - 2004.....#13RTK.........Carbon V..........Epoxy.......Concealex

2005 - 2006.....#13RTK.........Carbon V..........Epoxy.......Secure-Ex

2007 - 2010.....#13RTK.........AUS 8A.............Teflon.......Secure-Ex

2011 - 2016.....#13RTSM.....VG-1 SM III.....Satin.........Secure-Ex

2014...................#13RTK.........AUS 8A.............Tuff-Ex.....Secure-E

2015 - 2016.....#13RTKJ1.....VG-1.................Tuff-Ex.....Secure-Ex

2016 - 2017.....#13QRTK.....CPM 3V............DLC...........Secure-ex

2017...............#49LRTZ......SK-5.......................Tuff-Ex.....Secure-Ex

the one i'm looking to buy has says RECON TANTO Cold steel Carbon V made in usa on one side and it has cordura/nylon with 2 straps///////////Has anyone ever seen one like that?

 

[jlauffer]

the one i'm looking to buy has says RECON TANTO Cold steel Carbon V made in usa on one side and it has cordura/nylon with 2 straps///////////Has anyone ever seen one like that?

Certainly possible that early ones had it all on one side like the early SRK, but I have never seen one. And since this newer iteration of the RT seems to have come out a couple years after the SRK, it seemed likely that they had already switched the SRK markings to both sides, so when they came out with the RT they just matched the SRK.

Any chance of posting pics?

 

[jlauffer]

the one i'm looking to buy has says RECON TANTO Cold steel Carbon V made in usa on one side and it has cordura/nylon with 2 straps///////////Has anyone ever seen one like that?

And just like that, a new piece of info for the history. Figured I’d check eBay, and sure enough, found one with markings all on one side. Looks totally legit.

 

[JtotheK13]

Certainly possible that early ones had it all on one side like the early SRK, but I have never seen one. And since this newer iteration of the RT seems to have come out a couple years after the SRK, it seemed likely that they had already switched the SRK markings to both sides, so when they came out with the RT they just matched the SRK.

Any chance of posting pics

 

[JtotheK13]

I'm fixing to buy it. Let me try to take some and post really quick

 

[JtotheK13]

I'm fixing to buy it. Let me try to take some and post really quick

Sorry for the TERRIBLE pics

 

[jlauffer]

Sorry for the TERRIBLE pics

No worries...I found the same one and posted a pic in post #89 above. Looks legit, so go for it!

 

[JtotheK13]

And just like that, a new piece of info for the history. Figured I’d check eBay, and sure enough, found one with markings all on one side. Looks totally legit.

You sly dog you. That's the one I was looking at. I was trying to jew them down some but you got me gun shy so I went ahead and bought it as is. Seemed like a good deal to me.LOL I was happy to pay it

 

[JtotheK13]

You sly dog you. That's the one I was looking at. I was trying to jew them down some but you got me gun shy so I went ahead and bought it as is. Seemed like a good deal to me.LOL I was happy to pay it

That is the one that sparked all the questions....hahahaha. That's so funny. That makes my second cold steel markings on one side. I have the original Tanto and now this one. I didn't know whether that one was legit or not. But if I have the Original Gangsters of Cold Steel confirm it, then it's good enough for me. Thank you guys

 

[jlauffer]

That is the one that sparked all the questions....hahahaha. That's so funny. That makes my second cold steel markings on one side. I have the original Tanto and now this one. I didn't know whether that one was legit or not. But if I have the Original Gangsters of Cold Steel confirm it, then it's good enough for me. Thank you guys

OG of Cold Steel? Don't know about that, but thanks. Great score...enjoy!

 

[JtotheK13]

OG of Cold Steel? Don't know about that, but thanks. Great score...enjoy!

I got the Recon Tanto Markings on one side in mint condition....I can't believe it and for the price as well. I wish i knew more about it. Have ya'll ever heard of one?

 

[JtotheK13]

You sly dog you. That's the one I was looking at. I was trying to jew them down some but you got me gun shy so I went ahead and bought it as is. Seemed like a good deal to me.LOL I was happy to pay it

I can get you guys some really good pics to add to the history if you want