Recon Scout

Z

zignal_zero

Joined
Apr 16, 2008
Messages
1,768
i recently dusted off a bowie of mine (Gerber Australian Bowie), for a camping trip. i haven't been able to put it down, since. in fact, it's strapped on me right now. i'm REALLY impressed with this knife, that's been sitting in my sock drawer for apx 20 yrs, but would kind of like something just a wee bit smaller. i want to stick with the "bowie" style/profile, though - clip point blade and pronounced guard (i feel this is what makes a bowie) for patriotic reasons :) yea, i know, some of that is lost when packing a Japanese Bowie LOL.

i'm looking at the Cold Steel Recon Scout. here's where i'm a little confused. what are the main pros and cons to the two different steels it's offered in? i understand that San Mai III is a laminate with a hard core and softer outside (i was a teen during the height of the tanto craze), but how will the 2 steels perform differently? the SM3 looks ALOT better than that typical black coating (i really don't like coated blades other than my Waki). i realize the coated one is coated for a reason though :(

also, the guard is black on the cheaper one and looks stainless on the SM3 model. is it plastic or kraton, on the cheaper model? or is it just coated steel?

one more - i've heard about the guard rattling when chopping. is this a common problem? does it apply to both models or just one?

thanks.
 
I'd buy a bark river bowie in the length of your choice instead.

Made in the USA, and better in many important ways imo. BRKT does a great, great job with HT and edge geometry, and you can get a handle in nearly any material you like.
 
redisburning said:
I'd buy a bark river bowie in the length of your choice instead.

Made in the USA, and better in many important ways imo. BRKT does a great, great job with HT and edge geometry, and you can get a handle in nearly any material you like.
Click to expand...

Exactly.
 
i appreciate the input and am open to other options. however, i really would like to hear from the people who have experience with the Recon Scout. while i do like hearing about other knives, i really want to know certain things (the questions in my 1st post) about THIS knife in particular.
 
If you were to remove the Kraton handle on the Recon Scout or the Trailmaster (of which I have one being delivered next week), you would find two ( one on each side of the blade) small, squarish pieces of metal that have been welded to the guard and the tang. This prevents the guard from moving in any direction. The handle is then inserted over an epoxied tang and then a brass or aluminum lanyard barrel is inserted into the handle and hole in the tang, through to the other side, to prevent any handle slipping or turning. These knives are pretty well made, and at the same time pretty well maligned and accused of being overhyped. That is an entirely subjective matter because these knives are not overly expensive compared to similar pieces. Some of the coated knives you mentioned are at lower price points too, so keep that in mind when making your comparisons. I learned a long time ago that objectivity can be a fleeting thing with people sometimes. We can be so enamored with a particular manufacturer, as to lose our sense of objectivity at times, and castigate what might actually be a decent piece.
Granted, some use better (or more popular) materials, and may receive better heat treats, but are they really, sometimes, worth hundreds more?
I own two or three of nearly everything 'del sol', and I like everything I have
or I get rid of it. My Busse's are no dearer to me than my Barkie's or Seb's or RAT's. Make your OWN decisions based on your OWN research.
 
i have an older carbon v recon scout. and for the money its a tough knife. ive abused mine as much as you would through normal use (havent chopped through cinder blocks or steel pipe)chopping wood, even dug a hole once in a pinch. and its still in great shape. as far as the guard goes, mine is blackened brass and it tight as can be. and even though im now into bussekin knives i would still recomend the recon scout for somebody looking for a blade in that price range. i wouldnt spend the money for the san mai but thats just my opinion. hope this helps.
 
I've done some research on this knife in these forums as I'm waiting on an order of CS Recon Scout myself.

When I initially asked about the Recon Scout several people immediately jumped on the Busse bandwagon and sited instances of poor quality with Cold Steel. But when you dig around it seems these people just want everyone to buy Busse blades. Now I don't have a spare 350-400AUD so this isn't an option and frankly I wouldn't feel comfortable putting such an expensive piece of gear through the ringer.

I also found these threads on Cold Steel knives that you might find interesting - particularly people who own the Recon Scout or the larger trailmaster and call people out when they accuse Cold Steel of poor quality.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=689412

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=544088

But for the love of god don't watch their appalling marketing vids on youtube!
 
I've got the Carbon V versions of the RS and TM. I love them both, and they have great steel. The coated blade has (I think) a coated steel guard, it's definitely NOT plastic. I don't know anything about the SM versions, but the Carbon V are unbelieveably tough. I've heard that SK5 is even a little tougher, with less edge holding. I've cut, chopped, and pounded with them through all kinds of wood, sometimes frozen, with no problems ever. I do, however, thin the edges out a little, as I don't like them as thick as they come from the factory. I do the same with my Busse's and SR's, my Fehrman's come just right from the factory.

I've NEVER had a problem with the handles loosening or giving me hot spots. YMMV. These are some of the best bang for the buck knives I've ever gotten. And yes, I also have Busse, Fehrman, Swamp Rat, etc.

p1010001.jpg
 
Both the Recon Scout and Trail Master are solid knives, just a little light for heavy chopping but still great field blades if you want a light weight knife.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top