Recon 1 and AK-47 Change...Thoughts, concerns?

batosai117

batosai117

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While I was talking to one of my fellow cadets the other day, he kept mentioning that he had seen a smaller version of the cold steel AK-47 and wanted to know what I charged for them. I looked at him puzzled and thought to myself that he probably didn't know what he was talking about and mistook the knife for the AK-47. So again today he mentions it and I says that it only comes in a large size, one in aluminum handles and one with black G-10. He came back and wanted me to double check. So I go directly to cold steels site and Holy Smokes :eek: They changed the Recon 1 and AK-47 for this year, I felt like a donkey's backside and low and behold there is a small AK-47 and a large one, both in black G-10.....and with the triad lock :grumpy:

Then a bit of good news, the Recon 1's now have a "better" looking blade shape and the lines of the knife flow a lot better. It also has the triad lock, but for the Recon 1 I think I can live with that. As far as I know, these two sets of 2010 lineup are on backorder, but the names haven't changed on them to signify the difference (example...Recon 2 :o or something along that line).

Just wanted to know what your initial thoughts are to these changes. I like the new Recon 1, but not the triad lock. As for the AK-47, I don't like the new model at all. The older version just seemed a lot stronger and more pronounced. Plus, I would think that closing the triad lock one handed would lead to a few cut up fingers (closing it like a spyderco) whereas the Ultra lock kept your hand out of the way.

Here's the links on Cold Steels' site:

The new AK-47: http://www.coldsteel.com/ak-47.html
Old AK-47: http://www.coldsteel.com/ak47.html

New Recon 1: http://www.coldsteel.com/recon-i.html
Old Recon 1: http://www.coldsteel.com/reconi.html
 
I like the new Recon 1 clip point. The tri-ad lock is insanely strong and unlike axis style locks it does not rely on tiny little springs, but rather a nice thick reliable lockback spring. As for opening and closing lockbacks with 1 hand, I've never had a problem doing so safely. Something as simple as moving your fingers out of the path before closing the blade should be a no-brainer for anyone who has ever owned a folding knife. As for the AK-47, I've never liked the look of them, still don't.
 
I just ordered a large 2010 AK-47 :D
different strokes and all ;)
BTW the triad lock is my new favorite for any folder.
The new Recon 1 looks great too.
But the Wave plate feature,blade shape,and pommel/impact tool on the AK-47 won over the recon for me at least.
Again just IMHO.
 
I like the new AK knives, though I miss the Aluminum option. I'm not a huge fan of the other lock style, so I like the change to the Tri Ad.

Is it just me, or does the AK and Recon lines look like almost the same knives, not counting the pommel (much better made in Aluminum, though the large version still sticks out a bit too far. They should have done the same pommel on the large as the small, IMO)

just my .02
 
Sure...As long as it's a Rock Salt:)

CS for my beaters, Spyderco for my lightweight slicers! The small Recon looks like an excellent abuse knife-then again, I heartily doubt it'll outcut a Stretch.

Now, which to get first is the question...Probably Recon though, since I've tried the Stretch before.

The thumb disk on the AK looks like it's capable of being waved. Is it?
 
wongKI said:
Sure...As long as it's a Rock Salt:)

CS for my beaters, Spyderco for my lightweight slicers! The small Recon looks like an excellent abuse knife-then again, I heartily doubt it'll outcut a Stretch.

Now, which to get first is the question...Probably Recon though, since I've tried the Stretch before.

The thumb disk on the AK looks like it's capable of being waved. Is it?
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's a blatant copy of Emerson's wave.
 
Automotive manufacturers adapt other makers designs [or variants of] into their vehicles all the time, it may not be fully accepted in our culture but that's life in the marketplace.
 
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Enjoy them guys. The center won't ship anymore one handers to NYC. I as an adult am probably not granted the "privilege" of owning any locking folder in the comfort and privacy of my own home since almost every one manufactured will now be called a gravity knife.

If I like knives that fold open, safely lock, and look nice, too bad, someone else has made the decision for me that it is inappropriate.

While rich people walk around town with loaded .38s I will have to watch my P and Qs

I truly do wonder if the day will come when your kitchen knives will have to be blunted tip plastic by law.

On the triad lock I love it. It uses an enhanced (modified) version of the years tried and true lockback but much stronger and longer lasting.

I also like the new lineup of Cold Steel Folders even better.
 
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hardheart said:
actually, it's a patented design by Demko
Click to expand...

He is right, and I applaud his willingness to innovate on an established design. This is the kind of thing that the industry needs. It's not as if he is Benchmade when they invented the innovative Mono-Lock. Innovation and ripoffs are not the same.
 
MoreToasties said:
He is right, and I applaud his willingness to innovate on an established design. This is the kind of thing that the industry needs. It's not as if he is Benchmade when they invented the innovative Mono-Lock. Innovation and ripoffs are not the same.
Click to expand...

Do you have a link where Benchmade claims to have invented that lock? I never used the term rip off.
 
J's Knives-N-More said:
While I was talking to one of my fellow cadets the other day, he kept mentioning that he had seen a smaller version of the cold steel AK-47 and wanted to know what I charged for them. I looked at him puzzled and thought to myself that he probably didn't know what he was talking about and mistook the knife for the AK-47. So again today he mentions it and I says that it only comes in a large size, one in aluminum handles and one with black G-10. He came back and wanted me to double check. So I go directly to cold steels site and Holy Smokes :eek: They changed the Recon 1 and AK-47 for this year, I felt like a donkey's backside and low and behold there is a small AK-47 and a large one, both in black G-10.....and with the triad lock :grumpy:

Then a bit of good news, the Recon 1's now have a "better" looking blade shape and the lines of the knife flow a lot better. It also has the triad lock, but for the Recon 1 I think I can live with that. As far as I know, these two sets of 2010 lineup are on backorder, but the names haven't changed on them to signify the difference (example...Recon 2 :o or something along that line).

Just wanted to know what your initial thoughts are to these changes. I like the new Recon 1, but not the triad lock. As for the AK-47, I don't like the new model at all. The older version just seemed a lot stronger and more pronounced. Plus, I would think that closing the triad lock one handed would lead to a few cut up fingers (closing it like a spyderco) whereas the Ultra lock kept your hand out of the way.

Here's the links on Cold Steels' site:

The new AK-47: http://www.coldsteel.com/ak-47.html
Old AK-47: http://www.coldsteel.com/ak47.html

New Recon 1: http://www.coldsteel.com/recon-i.html
Old Recon 1: http://www.coldsteel.com/reconi.html
Click to expand...

I own one of the new AKs, and it is leagues better than the old aluminum model. The new AK is much lighter because it has no liners - the handle is solid G-10. The thumb plate allows you to wave the knife open, and the steel wedge on the back works as a functional glass-breaker.

My biggest gripe with the knife is the handle texturing. It's nice and grippy, but it is SO grippy that it is difficult to clip the knife to your pocket without shredding your pants.

As for closing the Tri-Ad lock one-handed - just don't do it - rocker locks aren't meant to be closed one-handed. In a choice between a secure lock and a cool-looking close, I choose a secure lock every time.
 
I love the new design of the AK. I'm probably going to pick up a mini ak sometime within the next couple months, the Tri-ad lock on the new one would definitely be better than the other lock they had.
 
The only tri-ad lock knife i own is the cold steel spartan...it is my favorite lock on any folder...the thing feels like a friggin' fixed blade. i have an original aluminum handled ak-47 on the way from a trade...curious about that "ultra-tech" lock mechanism. the ammount of weight that the tri-ad can support is unbelievable! I personally prefer the original AK-47 design more but would rather have it with the tri-ad lock like the new ones...I think the Recon 1 looks better than the original though.
 
I was totally impressed with the new Recon 1, for reasons already mentioned.

I can close it one-handed safely, but the lock bar is a little stiff (which is not a bad thing).

My only gripe is the pocket clip. It is so tight that you have to decide wether or not you want to sacrifice a pocket to carry the knife. It is a pocket destroyer. Mods are necessary if you want to carry this knife in its intended way. It is not a deal breaker for me, but Im not going to carry it until the mod is completed. A little bit of sanded fiberglass resin under the clip should help a lot.
 
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I just got the new full-size AK-47 and agree the points made by "The Government":
- quality seems to be good, I can't find any faults so far
- the knife is very light for its weight due to the G-10 only handle construction
- you have to press really deep and hard to unlock the Tri-Ad lock, but dang does it lock securely!!! The sound it makes when the blade locks into position, SNAP! :thumbup:
- pocket clip was very tight but it can be bent outward to be more loose
- the G-10 frame is very aggressively textured. That's good for a secure grip, but rough on pockets
I've only had the knife for a day and am still breaking it in, but so far I really really like it, especially considering the price! :thumbup::thumbup:
 
I prefer the old version for easy one hand closing. I don't use my folders for major tasks so I don't need a lock that can hold 300lbs of weights.. even though the "sudo axis lock" they use is really strong also. Just my preference.
 
mmarkh said:
Do you have a link where Benchmade claims to have invented that lock? I never used the term rip off.
Click to expand...

My post wasn't a crack at you at all, my friend, just expressing my frustration towards Benchmade's unwillingness to give credit where credit is due.
 
greater said:
While rich people walk around town with loaded .38s I will have to watch my P and Qs.
Click to expand...

There are reasons why and how they got rich, so there will be a segment who will correspondingly want to refute, protest, and or negate them for said reasons, ergo, ccw permits for the rulers, it kinda makes sense. I'm not exactly saying it's all good and fine, but there is a line of reason there.

Your situation though where you are getting "legal creep" which incrementally restricts your rights is freakin nightmare stuff. I was born in NYC, but I'll never go back now probably. Good luck, I've heard other NYers tighten the heck out of their blade pivots to avoid gravity knife status, but I feel you on this too as every time you might pry open your knife in time consuming fashion you would get the GRRRRRs. Sucks huh.
 
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