DocJD
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Magical power and authority of the founder !
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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Mini Recon 1 Review
- Thread starter sean2021
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2021
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- 274
Just received my clip point mini recon 1 (AUS10A) - there was a sale for $40 and I figured ‘why not’. I love the blade - it’s great. The handles are cheap feeling, flex a little and are not grippy at all. Does anyone know where to get custom scales for this little thing? I would replace the backspacer if possible as well, it would kick this up to a more solid feel.
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- Apr 11, 2016
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- 21,894
Yeah seems like after years of people complaining about shredding pockets, they went too far the other way. Mine seemed grippier when I first got it, but it quickly smoothed out.
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I was just about to order a mini recon 1 (also noticed the great sale). But was wondering about the handle and backspacer…then read your post. Think I’ll wait and see if an upgraded version is released in future, maybe???
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- Apr 11, 2021
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- 274
Yeah I love the AUS10A - it really does strop right back to life if you stay on it. I have a voyager large (4”) and they are so much more solid feeling in the hand - but it’s impossible to find any mediums (3 or 3.5” blade) as they are sold our everywhere And seem to be discontinued. There are definitely larger gaps along the lock and scales than normal - it’s not “bad” it’s just not up to the recon 1 line’s legendary solid feel. I’m not mad at $40 but if I had spent $70 I’d be a little miffed…
I agree…imho, definitely not worth $70. For not much more, you can get a full sized Recon 1 in premium steel. I have a Counterpoint 2 for yrs now with grivory handle and there is no flex at all. Love that knife. If Mini Recon 1 drops in price further, then “might” consider it.
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2014
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- 211
I have the Clip Point Mini Recon1 and am satisfied with the workmanship. It has one of the most evenly sharpened bevels of the CS knives that I have bought in recent years. I would have preferred to see G-10 scales but the fact that they use partial steel liners under the Grivory scales makes up for it a bit. But of course a second clip for lefties should be included. I just hope, the regular sized models stay G-10 and premium steel as anything else would be a bummer
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For some reason I figured they were sending out left handed clips by request. I think I heard a youtuber say something like, "Just contact Cold Steel and they will hook you up." Maybe I was dreaming, or something. I got a good deal at an online ammo shop for $34.00 for the clip point (only clip point at that price) so I got one for me (Had it for a few days now) and one to gift to my left-handed friend (Still waiting on it). I put in an online request for his pocket clip at Cold Steel's website and got the following response:
Hello,
Thank you for contacting GSM Outdoors!
Unfortunately, we do not offer the part requested. We apologize for the inconvenience.
If you're still needing assistance, please call us at your earliest convenience. You can reach us at, 877-269-8490, Monday through Friday, 8AM to 5PM CST.
Thank you.
Customer Service Agent
5250 Frye Rd.
Irving, TX. 75061
www.gsmoutdoors.com
So, I called and the service rep couldn't give me a good answer. Nice guy, but he talked in circles about how it was hard to get anything from oversees. He spoke to his manager and that guy recommended I just buy one of their many ambidextrous knives. LOL. OK. Thought I did.
This poor response along with the fact that this knife is definitely a notch below my AUS 8A Mini Recon 1 and CTS-XHP American Lawman and Ultimate Hunter in terms of build quality makes me wonder about the future of Cold Steel. Don't get me wrong, I actually like the new knife, but I absolutely could not recommend it at full price. I don't mind plastic handles, but these are too flexible. The tiny steel liners they use are not getting the job done. While not rubbing the liner, my blade is the most off-center of any of the 5 Cold Steel knives I own. I will echo gardenrambo - The bevel is basically perfect on my knife. Very happy with the blade. If they would have made it with the thin G10 that they used on the "recent" American Lawmans, it would be amazing, and worth the asking price.
Hello,
Thank you for contacting GSM Outdoors!
Unfortunately, we do not offer the part requested. We apologize for the inconvenience.
If you're still needing assistance, please call us at your earliest convenience. You can reach us at, 877-269-8490, Monday through Friday, 8AM to 5PM CST.
Thank you.
Customer Service Agent
5250 Frye Rd.
Irving, TX. 75061
www.gsmoutdoors.com
So, I called and the service rep couldn't give me a good answer. Nice guy, but he talked in circles about how it was hard to get anything from oversees. He spoke to his manager and that guy recommended I just buy one of their many ambidextrous knives. LOL. OK. Thought I did.
This poor response along with the fact that this knife is definitely a notch below my AUS 8A Mini Recon 1 and CTS-XHP American Lawman and Ultimate Hunter in terms of build quality makes me wonder about the future of Cold Steel. Don't get me wrong, I actually like the new knife, but I absolutely could not recommend it at full price. I don't mind plastic handles, but these are too flexible. The tiny steel liners they use are not getting the job done. While not rubbing the liner, my blade is the most off-center of any of the 5 Cold Steel knives I own. I will echo gardenrambo - The bevel is basically perfect on my knife. Very happy with the blade. If they would have made it with the thin G10 that they used on the "recent" American Lawmans, it would be amazing, and worth the asking price.
Blue Sky
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2002
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- 3,490
I like it for what it is and what it cost. I got mine from the same place you did and at that price it was well worth it. FWIW, there are other CS knives that use the same lefty clip. If you have any not being used in your stash you could “borrow” one for the mini, that’s what I wound up doing. Not the best solution, but what else can you do?
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- Apr 11, 2021
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- 274
Agreed - the blade is as good as any of their best grinds, but the Knife is like a mullet - neat business up front, but a sloppy mess out back… if someone figures out a way to make some upgraded the scales for not too much money - I suspect you’d have a line miles long.
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2021
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- 274
You can find these for under $55 if you hunt and I’ve come around on these, for under 60, it’s a great light carry for shorts etc, for when the A Lawman still might be too much. It’s not quite as strong, but even with the grift-ex, I would trust these mini recons in a jammy jam more than any flipper or liner lock (…hides behind sofa and waits for pitchforks at the door) nah I’m kidding but these are solid and I honestly prefer sharpening this cold steel AUS10 to any S35 I’ve ever tried. It will patina if you don’t clean it tho, so don’t say you weren’t warned when you get pitting after you leave that provolone in the pivot for a week.
The Mini Recon 1 (Clip Point) is available from a well known retailer for just over $40. But don’t want to violate any forum rules, so won’t name them. Just saying this cause they can be had at very good price. As for me, I got the Full size S35VN version (Clip & Tanto). Just waiting for the Spear point to go on sale and my Trifecta will be complete, LOL!
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- Apr 11, 2021
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- 274
You gotta have the trifecta! I’m hoping to make a green scales/tumbled and black/black 4-Max Scout with the DLT exclusive and I’m one away. I keep waiting for a sale… but the regular 4-max scouts can be had for under 80 right now a few places if you look - GREAT price, the scout amazing. I picked up a spear point full sized recon one recently from a buddy who didn’t want it and it’s XHP which I’m excited about but it’s suuuuuuper dull so it will be a while before it’s ready for photos.
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- Dec 7, 2019
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What’s your trifecta? I think mine’s the Recon 1, AK-47, and American Lawman. Still missing the last one.
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2021
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- 274
The best 3 folding knives! 4-Max Scout tumble/black, 4-Max Scout black/black, 4-Max Scout black/OD of course! It’s unbelievable what a value this version is.
of course I have others - I’ve put the lawman in my cart so many times. some great YouTube videos about that one.
of course I have others - I’ve put the lawman in my cart so many times. some great YouTube videos about that one.
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- Apr 11, 2016
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- 21,894
Was getting a bit of up/down blade play in mine when closed, and seemed to be that sometimes the lock bar wouldn't fully seat. Took it apart and noticed a few things.
The spring was pretty loose in the slot, and the slot itself is more like > instead of =. Been a while since I've taken one apart, but seem to remember the spring fitting tighter in the slot on other models. Also, the little light spot (left arrow) is where a little nub should be that fits into a hole in the liner, but it seems to have sheared off somehow. The bottom "arm" of the slot is pretty thin, and without that nub on one side, I'm guessing it flexes a bit, and wonder if it might actually break off eventually. It's probably shaped like that for the Tanto version, but I think there's enough room that they could beef that corner up a bit (right arrow) to make it stronger and more rigid.
So, my first attempt at solving the issue was to bend the spring a bit, to put more pressure on the lock bar, but it didn't seem to help. Next I tried polishing the lock face where it contacts the stop pin. That seemed to do the trick, so far.
The spring was pretty loose in the slot, and the slot itself is more like > instead of =. Been a while since I've taken one apart, but seem to remember the spring fitting tighter in the slot on other models. Also, the little light spot (left arrow) is where a little nub should be that fits into a hole in the liner, but it seems to have sheared off somehow. The bottom "arm" of the slot is pretty thin, and without that nub on one side, I'm guessing it flexes a bit, and wonder if it might actually break off eventually. It's probably shaped like that for the Tanto version, but I think there's enough room that they could beef that corner up a bit (right arrow) to make it stronger and more rigid.
So, my first attempt at solving the issue was to bend the spring a bit, to put more pressure on the lock bar, but it didn't seem to help. Next I tried polishing the lock face where it contacts the stop pin. That seemed to do the trick, so far.
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- Jan 10, 2018
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- 2,882
I’ve dis/assembled many tri-ad locks, and the recon 1 especially. Hope I can help, here are some tips.
1. The pin you thought sheared off is actually only that wide. From the factory, it’s as wide as the backspacer plus one handle slab.
2. The spring fits in somewhat loosely like that on other models as well. Though the mini recon 1 is the widest at the opening that I recall seeing.
3. The small pin and backspacer provide enough support. All triad models I’ve seen that also come in tanto have backspacers that most tightly fit the tanto.
Make sure you haven’t mixed up your stop pin for the lock bar pivot pin, they’re similar sizes.
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- Joined
- Apr 11, 2016
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- 21,894
Had to take it apart again to check, and you're right. I thought the light spot was a nub molded into the backspacer that had sheared off (you know how broken plastic is lighter/white where it breaks?), but it is an actual pin. I only took one scale off, so didn't fully disassemble it, otherwise I would have realized that. Odd that it only grabs one side though, but does make me feel better about the strength.
And of course after putting it back together this time, the issue is back. Thanks a lot!
