Review NIB look at the new Cold Steel Recon 1

[maximus83]

Apparently Cold Steel has made a few changes to some of the Recon 1 models in this year's line-up. Just got the Cold Steel Recon 1 Dark Earth Spear Point XHP 27TLSVF from GPKnives, and thought I'd do a NIB review showing the changes.

Specs:
Overall Length 9.38"
Blade Length 4.00"
Sharpened Length 3.62"
Blade Thickness 0.138"
Blade Material CTS-XHP
Steel Type Stainless
Lock Tri-Ad® lock
Closed Length 5.38"
Handle Material G10
Clip Stainless Steel
Weight 5.15 oz.
Country of Manufacture Taiwan

Comments:

• The big change I noticed: changed the blade grind from hollow to sabre/high-flat. This is a welcome change, and hopefully the pics below give an idea of the upgraded blade profile.
• The edge is extremely sharp out of the box, it easily shaved arm hair and is a cosmetically perfect edge. It would be hard to complain about the sharpness of this blade from the factory.
• The actual weight of the knife on my postage scale was 5.35 oz, a little higher than the spec weight.
• The blade thickness at the spine was at 0.138", as advertised.
• The thumb stud is configured for a right hand user and extends farther on that side than on the other side. It is however reversible, and as a LH user, I promptly reversed it.
• The clip can be configured for RH or LH carry, and tip-up is the only option. I configured it for LH carry. Note: as somebody noted below, I didn't realize there was a separate LH clip that came with it, that has been updated but the pics below don't show that.
• The lockup on this knife, fitting the reputation of the Triad lock, is very strong and there is no blade play whatever.
• The blade is perfectly centered in the blade channel.
• The G10 grips, as on previous models of the Recon, are very rough, and unless you do some sanding, they will grind up your pocket material in the area between the clip and the grips.

Overall:

• For anyone who wants a large 4" folder that has one of the strongest folder locking mechanisms available, a great handle, and a super sharp blade that will be a good slicer but also thick enough to handle hard use folder tasks, this model of the Recon 1 has got to be a serious option. The change of the blade profile to a high flat grind was a great change and will only improve the overall cutting performance.
• A few things Cold Steel could do to make this knife perfect:
  • offer some versions that have no blade coating
  • reduce the roughness on the G10 grips, they are way overdone
  • reduce the tension on the pocket clip a bit
• I cannot honestly recommend this knife at this point, as this is only a NIB review and I have not used it yet. But based on what I see out of the box, it looks like a promising option for a large folder that will be a tough user.

 

[Sosa]

Finally they ground the edge all the way to the sharpening choil.

 

[G. Scott H.]

I have the same knife, and I carry it often. I agree it's an awesome knife. I gave mine the same treatment I give all my CS knives with the rough G10: Take the clip off, place a piece of electrical tape across the handle where I want to stop sanding, then hit the G-10 very lightly with some fine grit sandpaper. It only takes a few gentle swipes to knock the roughness off. Pop the clip back on, and you're ready to go. Just one note: I see you have the right hand clip on the left side. There should be a second pocket clip in the box for left hand carry.

 

[maximus83]

Just one note: I see you have the right hand clip on the left side. There should be a second pocket clip in the box for left hand carry.

Good catch, you saved me a hassle on that one. I hadn't even noticed the other clip in the bubble pack bag that came inside the factory box, and I tossed the bubble pack! Fortunately, I dug out it out of the trash and the LH clip was in there. Thanks!

 

[Jeapster93]

Nice write up and pics, thanks

 

[DocJD]

Good catch, you saved me a hassle on that one. I hadn't even noticed the other clip in the bubble pack bag that came inside the factory box, and I tossed the bubble pack! Fortunately, I dug out it out of the trash and the LH clip was in there. Thanks!

LOL, I was just trying to understand why they had made the clip so weird !

 

[whp]

Up until a couple of years ago, a black coated blade would have been a deal breaker for me when looking for a new edc knife. But the Recon 1 is one of two Cold Steel models that have made me change my mind about carrying black blade knives. Along with its little brother, the Lawman, the Recon 1 has been an excellent edc and work knife. Now CS might be the best bargain brand on the market. Hope that doesn't t change, as other brands have in the recent past.

 

[maximus83]

Now CS might be the best bargain brand on the market.

I think so too. If the knife holds up and performs well after I use it some, I'd say it will deserve a call-out in the low-cost high-value thread I started a while back. Sure some will quibble with calling a $100 folder "low cost", but in that other thread, I said define low cost how you want. To me, $100 is a bargain for a QUALITY folder, and this folder packs in a lot of quality features for $100.