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Recon Scout (3v) vs BRK Bravo Tope Recon
- Thread starter y53p
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2021
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- 360
I don't know of any Bark River's called the recon scout The tope recon though doesn't look like it'd be to my personal taste in knives, that's one chunky harpoon point blade.
The Recon Scout is by Cold Steel, shoulda specified ig.
Used to have one of those. A bit thin behind the edge for me personally and used to be a bit chippy, but definitely a good knife for the money. Am considering the RS, too bad they use those plastic sheaths on their higher end stuff (same one as the Survivalist iirc lol).
I had a leather sheath (Savage) made for my Recon Scout. Agreed, it’s too nice a knife for the stock sheath
Alone
Gold Member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2021
- Messages
- 3,007
Yup.
The Recon Scout is definitely a knife screaming out for a proper leather sheath.
The Recon scout is a long proven design with few if any complaints over the years.
The Bark River sports a harpoon point, which, while it may add weight momentum
in chopping, is unfamilar to many users. Myself included.
The Recon Scout weighs 9.5oz. The Bark River Bravo Tope Recon is 14 oz.
Things like this start making a difference when carrying all day with other gear.
The Bark River, I think, is convex ground. Which I personally favor in a large chopper.
It's a shame CS discontined the convex ground San Mai III version of the Recon Scout in 2015-16.
The Bark River comes with a leather sheath, The Recon scout comes with the CS secure-ex sheath
which many people are not fond of.
the Bark River in canvas micarta, about $315.-
The CS Recon Scout about $253.-
The Bark River sports a harpoon point, which, while it may add weight momentum
in chopping, is unfamilar to many users. Myself included.
The Recon Scout weighs 9.5oz. The Bark River Bravo Tope Recon is 14 oz.
Things like this start making a difference when carrying all day with other gear.
The Bark River, I think, is convex ground. Which I personally favor in a large chopper.
It's a shame CS discontined the convex ground San Mai III version of the Recon Scout in 2015-16.
The Bark River comes with a leather sheath, The Recon scout comes with the CS secure-ex sheath
which many people are not fond of.
the Bark River in canvas micarta, about $315.-
The CS Recon Scout about $253.-
oldmanwilly
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2014
- Messages
- 3,409
Recon Scout. Yes, the sheath is a bust, but the RS can be bought for ~$200 and is superb.
I have not handled that model BRK, and I gifted my old Carbon V Recon Scout years ago.
Looking at only those brands: I would choose my BRK Crusader over either as a chopper, or my BRK Cub as a lighter but still capable field knife in 3V. However, for a knife that will not break (or break the bank), the Recon Scout is a bargain (last week was available for about $180) as is the SRK 3V for just over $100.
Looking at only those brands: I would choose my BRK Crusader over either as a chopper, or my BRK Cub as a lighter but still capable field knife in 3V. However, for a knife that will not break (or break the bank), the Recon Scout is a bargain (last week was available for about $180) as is the SRK 3V for just over $100.
There is always the Trailmaster in San Mai. Convex grind, just a longer Recon Scout. Great chopper. The OP should consider that one too. Oh, and it comes with a very nice Cordura sheath. That is one beautiful blade, still made in Japan
P.S. I’m not telling KenHash anything new here, he is the expert. This is more for the OP
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Recon scout and trail master in 3v are the kings of trail knives. Good used RS or TM in any steel can't be beat for the money and doing custom handles puts them to the next level for sure. I did a custom handle on my RS and it's as good as anything out there and better than most.
DocJD
Basic Member
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2016
- Messages
- 11,697
I'd also go for the Recon Scout ...or better yet , if you can carry the extra length , a Trailmaster !
Great classic BAK . Very versatile .
TM is a pretty good chopper and not too hard to carry .
Great classic BAK . Very versatile .
TM is a pretty good chopper and not too hard to carry . 
- Joined
- Sep 13, 2017
- Messages
- 9,108
I just picked one of those up. I have the original goldish version without the inserts and I didn't have much love for it.
With the inserts it's a much better knife.
Indeed. Ichiro Hattori still makes the SM Trail Master and he used to make the SM Recon Scout.
The SM Trall Master remains a very well made large bowie with excellent cost/performance.
The OP might want to look at this page from my website:
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2011
- Messages
- 30,654
for awhile the master hunter was made in Italy in 3v...I have one of those, but they moved to Taiwan.....
not sure of other models...maybe same thing as master hunter...
anything current should be made in Taiwan...