New CS Recon 1 series

I like the tri-ad lock, strongest in the industry. Steel upgrade and higher clip mount would be appropriate.
 
i have a recon 1 too, seems pretty solid to begin with. with a tri ad lock i guess the recon 1 now really rocks. and yes steel upgrade and tip down carry will put the recon 1 in a whole new level. question: since the tri-ad is a liner lock, is there any up and down blade play in the locked position?
 
The Tri-Ad Lock is a lock back, not a liner lock. As far as any vertical play, the Rajah II, which has this lock, is as solid as any lock I have ever felt.

In fact I have a custom Demko American Lawman with the Tri-Ad coming at months end! Getting excited about getting it
 
I also like the handle shape, and I think it's probably a very decent knife overall.

But you're dealing with a backlock design knife with a blade of AUS8.
A pretty basic package. The blade steel is an average stainless.
And, as its teflon coating wears off, (it will), the knife will look increasingly lousy.

The G10 scales are nice.

I'm pretty sure that the knife is made in Taiwan, which I think is fine.
They're producing some very good knives over there.

Frankly, I'd rather have a Spyderco Endura.
The blade length is pretty similar, backlock design is similar, better blade steel (VG-10) and made in Seki, Japan.
No coating on the blade, either.
 
The Voyager is a better comparison to the Endura. But it will be a little more expensive because they now use the San Mai VG1 steel and the Tri-Ad lock.
 
The Voyager is a better comparison to the Endura. But it will be a little more expensive because they now use the San Mai VG1 steel and the Tri-Ad lock.

I agree that it's a better comparison; the Endura and Voyager are more similar to each other than the Endura and Recon 1 are.

Still, though, I'd rather have an Endura than a Recon 1.

Of course YMMV.
 
i have both. endura fits my hand better and my grip seems firmer. but i like the solidity of the recon 1. yep, my bad, i meant backlock. and maybe CS can make upgraded recon 1s with better steel and uncoated blades.
 
I don't like the new CS series. The Tri-Ad locks add too much weight, are rougher to open and knives like the Gunsite come with the gimmicky San Mai steel that boost cost and give nothing. The older Recon 1 with the Zytel handles were, in my view, the best.


Recon1s_3.jpg


Recon1s_1.jpg


The Zytel handle (bottom) felt better in the hand. The clips chip paint and
become terrible looking. CS should fix that.
 
I don't like the new CS series. The Tri-Ad locks add too much weight, are rougher to open and knives like the Gunsite come with the gimmicky San Mai steel that boost cost and give nothing. The older Recon 1 with the Zytel handles were, in my view, the best.


Recon1s_3.jpg


Recon1s_1.jpg


The Zytel handle (bottom) felt better in the hand. The clips chip paint and
become terrible looking. CS should fix that.

in fact, the new recon should weigh less than the old recons. be stronger and more durable for sure. and almost as slick to open. don't make the mistake of judging the action of the new tri-ads for 2010 based on late models as I am always working an improving.
 
I had a American Lawman that I didnt like at first, but then it grew on me.I lost it in a Uhaul recently, so I was thinking of buying another.

I didnt like the coating on it, and I dont really like the Recons blade shape so I might pick up a Voyager when they come out.
 
I've never considered a CS knife until I hear all the talk about their American Lawman. I started considering it, then read a couple of reviews here and finally bought one. I have to say that I'm impressed by the overall utility and build of the knife. I own Spyderco, Benchmade, Emerson, CRK&T, Kershaw, and some others and the American Lawman is my favorite knife. Yes, I wish the steel was better, but AUS8 is a good steel. I don't like the look of the new Voyagers, but I'm still looking forward to handling one. If it's as comfortable as the AL then the only thing that could make me switch to a Voyager would be its flat grind.
 
I also like the handle shape, and I think it's probably a very decent knife overall.

But you're dealing with a backlock design knife with a blade of AUS8.
A pretty basic package. The blade steel is an average stainless.
And, as its teflon coating wears off, (it will), the knife will look increasingly lousy.

The G10 scales are nice.

I'm pretty sure that the knife is made in Taiwan, which I think is fine.
They're producing some very good knives over there.

Frankly, I'd rather have a Spyderco Endura.
The blade length is pretty similar, backlock design is similar, better blade steel (VG-10) and made in Seki, Japan.
No coating on the blade, either.

I am sure the backlock of the Endura not the same as the Tri-ad. While both have lockbar with teeth locking against a notch in the blade tang, the Tri-ad has the added strength of transmitting all the force on a thick stop pin. The addition of the stop pin makes the Tri-ad significantly stronger than the Endura.

I think the Voyager series (new line) will fit ur bill. It's uncoated and the blade is with VG-1 cutting edge (VG-1 not a slouch) in addition to the Tri-ad lock. Plus it is ground much higher than the saber grind of the Endura which should mean better cutting ability.
 
maybe CS can make upgraded recon 1s with better steel and uncoated blades.

IMO those would both be good changes.

I'm not sure why CS uses VG-1 (not talking about the San Mail; just straight VG-1) in some of its folders and AUS8 in others.


I am sure the backlock of the Endura not the same as the Tri-ad. While both have lockbar with teeth locking against a notch in the blade tang, the Tri-ad has the added strength of transmitting all the force on a thick stop pin.

Does that actually make the Tri-ad stronger?
Or is it simply Lynn Thompson saying so?

I think the Voyager series (new line) will fit ur bill. It's uncoated and the blade is with VG-1 cutting edge (VG-1 not a slouch) in addition to the Tri-ad lock. Plus it is ground much higher than the saber grind of the Endura which should mean better cutting ability.

The new Voyager series does look pretty interesting.

BTW, there is a version of the Endura with a full flat grind.
 
actually the present iteration of recon 1 lock is plenty solid enough for me but if it has been improved so much the better. the recon 1 is just to much "tacticool" for me that's why I don't carry it.
 
Does that actually make the Tri-ad stronger?
Or is it simply Lynn Thompson saying so?

The new Voyager series does look pretty interesting.

BTW, there is a version of the Endura with a full flat grind.

I'm basing this statement not on the youtube video that Andrew Demkvo (spelling unsure but he is the designer of the Tri-ad) which he load tested the lock (which is pretty convincing but I kinda like relying on myself) but on:

1) load transfer of closing force to fat stop pin and the pivot pin compared to the Endura which rely on the pivot pin (on the lockbar). Shear strength of the pins involved would mean the Tri-ad is stronger. And...
2) My own experience. Comparing a Lawman against a Endura but only on the lock strength. Try flexing it (closing direction) and you'll see/feel the difference.

I try not to base only on what Lynn or any company tells me. I prefer to rely on myself.

Yeah I remember now there was a FFG endura. Would love that but I stopped buying conventional lockbacks a while back for reasons I accumulated after couple of years of experience. With the notable exception of the Manix (original) which is IMO my ideal lockback.
 
Back
Top