Quick Question: Is Cold Steel Recon 1 any good?

S

Slowstarter

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Mar 21, 2006
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I "need" a large strong folder for about 80 dollars. Is Cold Steel Recon 1 good or crap?
I know there are several other folders that are much better than this one but I need info on a Cold Steel Recon 1 (I have a good deal on this one).
 
You know what, I've owned this knife and i must say that I wasnt that impressed. It had some slight blade play and it was extremely heavy. You can also find a better blade steel for around the same price range. I would look into spydercos or ZT for better quality.
 
I have a Recon 1 and it is well made, no blade play at all and is exceptionally strong. The AUS8 steel is Japanese steel sent to Taiwan for assembly. The steel takes a deadly sharp edge and is not difficult to sharpen. The knife is on the heavier side due to it's full steel liners and very thick G10. Comfortable and secure in hand due to it's aggressive texture on the G10, the Recon 1 locks up using an 'Axis' style lock under license from Benchmade. For the dollars, you won't find a stronger folder, IMO.
 
It is very well made and I own 3 of them. My son has totally abused a tanto he has that I gave him and it still locks up super tight. I carry a tanto also and find no fault at all with it. You can find them on ebay for less than 70 bucks alot of the time. keepem sharp
 
Large, strong folder? Should be right up Cold Steel's alley. For 80 bucks, you can get the Spyderco Manix-2 as well.
 
I have 2 of them, very strong knives, excellent value for the money. :)
 
hmmm, maybe it was just mine then? I think once I got that blade play everything went down hill for me.
 
I have a spear point recon and like it; much too large/heavy for me to edc but that's really not what it's made for, it is very tough, I paid more and thought I got a good value, your price sounds terrific even if it's a second.
 
any of cold steels products can be hit or miss, I aviod CS all together the recon1 does not seem like a bad knife though there are MUCH better for the price. The spyderco g10 enduras can be had for 80 shipping included, much better IMO.

my .02$
 
I have the tanto and clip point and LOVE them both. the Tanto saved a camping trip I went on 2 yrs. ago.

a couple things;

1) the clips are not spring steel, or at least they weren't when I got mine, so they can bend.

2) the G-10 will more than likely chew the hell out of the pocket if clipped.

3) lock break in. yes I said break in, just like a quality semiauto.
*step one, direct pressure to the pin from the side (90* to blade)
*slide back and forth multiple times, i.e. a lot, to smooth out the surface of the steel liners (play with it)
*repeat on other side. more pressure the better, to get the surface nice and smooth, but only by hand.

4) DON"T chop with it, laugh if you want but I did and now my clip point has half her teeth and a chunk missing the size of 1/3 a dime. :(

5) enjoy it. its a nice knife for a good price.

hope this helps! (and enjoy the typos!)
 
at that price range I'd go with the endura 4 g-10. I believe they're going for around $70 at some places. for that price it absolutely can't be beat. spyderco is a much more reputable brand, and you know you'll get a quality product.
 
it is a great knife! ive batonned it through wood,& used it at work,cutting nylon straps, lockup is tight,as is the lock itself. it offers a great positive grip.the blade is ground so well you would not think its aus-8.i have 80 folders & this one gets used a lot.i polished the blade on mine & it worked out great. the finish was smooth under the black teflon,& it looks even better now...:thumbup:
 
i got one it is a hard use knife tough as he ll,though mine has a little blade play which i dislike in any knife all around it is money well spent...
 
Only negative things I have heard about is weight and the black teflon coating scraping off way too easily. Its not as durable as TiNi from what I have read/heard.

I wouldn't worry so much about blade play, as that can be adjusted by tightening the pivot screw.

I would eventually like to pick one of these up, but I think I may snatch up a SOG Xray vision first.
 
DarkKnight369 said:
Only negative things I have heard about is weight and the black teflon coating scraping off way too easily. Its not as durable as TiNi from what I have read/heard.

I wouldn't worry so much about blade play, as that can be adjusted by tightening the pivot screw.

I would eventually like to pick one of these up, but I think I may snatch up a SOG Xray vision first.
Click to expand...

tried it bro didn't help with the play,the coating could be better but itz not a $150 dollar tag........
 
Had mine for a year now no problems coating does come off rather easy but so what i just wouldnt get the serrated one because of the teeth breaking off . If you want a solid well made knife i say go for it you wont be sorry .
 
some time between 2 and 3 yrs ago CS changed the design of there seriations, the fine teeth were a convex* design now there a concave* design. its kinda hard to explain

* not from the edge to the spine. its more convex/concave into the steel as the grind from pivot to tip.

tough knives I don't recommend taking it apart though, I jacked my lock up that way on one (because the pin is a "D" shape.)

if you can afford it, get a MANIX 2 also, Ive read its a damn tough knife, I play on getting one later. :D
 
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