Recon 1, Recon Tanto, and Salt Water

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Ghost_Recon

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Sep 2, 2013
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I am looking to buy either Cold Steel's Recon 1 or Recon Tanto. Will one or both of these hold up well to salt water assuming they will be cleaned thoroughly afterwards? Thanks in advance!
 
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You wont be able to avoid salt water damage no matter how religiously you clean with fresh water and oil afterwards.

Salt water will attack SS knives no matter the care and will do more damage to carbon knives.

Some just clean their carbon knives very well and live with the 'patina' whilst trying to stave off the inevitable rust spots.

Its possible to use a SS or carbon steel knife around/in salt water, but may I suggest a more suitable knife for use around salt water (MISSION titanium, Spyderco H1 or a Boye Cobalt knife)?

Actually, it would be better, if you told us first of all what you plan to use the knife for?
 
Mostly self-defense and general use. I would use it for diving as well, but it seems that might not be the best idea. Anyway, thank you for your time!
 
See if you can find a Spyderco Aqua Salt, don't think they are made anymore but I could be wrong.

That and the Pacific Salt were my carry knives at the beach, you will have no problems with rust.

Always found it interesting that the SEALs issued the Cold Steel SRK to the BUD/S classes...maybe just another reason to scream at them for not taking care of their knives?

Just kidding but it must have been tough keeping the rust off those given the amount of time they spend in the ocean.
 
Yes, I have to agree with the posts above.

There are better choices for knives regarding salt water use.

Plenty of companies have dive-specific knives available.
 
This thread reminded me of various inexact tests I performed a few years back regarding the best lubricant to protect knives/firearms in a marine environment.

I used standard nails that had been sanded and washed w/ clean water afterwards. Each nail was then treated w/ the different lubricants and I was very careful not to cross mix or contaminate each one.

I timed the duration of exposure over a period of seven days, and the results proved Eezox to be the very best but the Break-Free liquid did very well also. Ballistol, FP-10, Boeshield, Corrosion-X, Rem-Oil and of course WD-40 all showed significant corrosion compared to the top two.

Keep in mind that the water I used came directly from the Atlantic ocean, Cocoa Beach FL to be precise. From the videos I've seen on the tube many were using regular table salt, not a realistic indicator of what to expect real world.
 
The Leatherneck is a far better choice for a dive knife, since Krupp 4116 is highly rust resistant, and that series of knives comes coated.

I would prefer an H1 knife from Spyderco over absolutely anything else when around salt water.
 
Interesting re: the fluid film, looks pretty heavy duty, corrosion-x makes similar claims.

I've heard these claims before from practically all of the ones I tested, but it has to be a thin layer or otherwise it is a no-go for knives, looking forward to testing it.

I'm no chemist but the Eezox remains the champ, not sure of it's composition and I hate the smell and do not like it for firearms but it is one hell of a rust preventative.
 
I have done alot of diving and there is no need to carry one of these blades on a dive. If you feel you must carry a knife while diving, your best option is a titanium dive knife. I would typically go through a stainless steel dive knife every season, even with meticulous maintenance, due to corrosion until I switched to a titanium fixed blade dive knife.
 
It really does work. You can spray & soak a rag with it, then just wipe down the blade. A thin layer will remain. My truck is undercoated with it. My battery terminals are coated with it. It stops corrosion on aluminum in the NY winter salt. It claims that it micro penetrates into the metal pores. You can use it on your leather boots & sheaths if you want. It repels water, etc, etc, etc. It has a million uses. It does NOT conduct electricity, so you can use it on elec plugs to stop internal corrosion with no elec side effects-like dielectric grease. Magic in a can. It does smell funny but dont bother this old farm boy.
 
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