Recommendation? Should I buy a Recon Tanto (SK-5)?

Should I buy an SK-5 Recon Tanto

  • Yes

    Votes: 14 87.5%

  • No

    Votes: 2 12.5%
  • Total voters
    16
  • Poll closed .
dogstar said:
** Order placed **

Thanks for enabling :)

I remember holding a Recon Tanto over 20 years ago at a gun show. It seemed too big and too badass at the time. Now I can finally handle it :cool:
Click to expand...
Great choice. It’s really not that expensive and it’s a reliable companion. The Recon Tanto is like the mate of the SRK. If you get one, you gotta have the other too lol.
 
personal reasons for intended purchase are often varied.
but lets just agree that
when it concerns the american tanto,
every cold steel tanto is a must have!
recon tanto is the work horse.
fact that its still part of the productline is surely solid proof
of a sound and capable design.
let's just say one can't go wrong
even if its one of those destined
as locker/drawer stay behind units actively operating on a forever standby as reserve.
personally, i had eventually found
the compact and lighter kubon
a better fit for my requirements.
bottomline is get any cs tanto
if you don't own one as yet!
 
J Juan Lopez here you go, Sir:
IMG-2022-03-19-15-35-09-046-2.jpg

What an amazing design. It's just a few angles, lines and curves, but it is like a shark in that everything about it serves its purpose for existing. To hold it in the hand is to hold a work of art, a tool, and a weapon, all at the same time. The knife feels alive in the hand, and anyone seeing you wield it knows that you mean business. I removed the belt loop attachment for now; I am experimenting with a loop of cord for suspending from a belt for dangling and IWB carry. I like the sheath: it is lightweight, slim, and it's easy to draw/sheath the blade without contacting the edge. I probably won't use this knife anytime soon. For now it is just for admiring and making tachikaze (that swoosh sound when you cut air).

IMG-2022-03-19-15-38-52-336-2.jpg

Family portrait: True Flight Thrower, Recon Tanto, Peacemaker II, Peacemaker III. The TFT will be my woods beater knife for now; I've yet to tap into its true potential.

IMG-2022-03-19-15-43-16-942-2.jpg

Comparison with non-CS knives: Ontario SP5, Recon Tanto, Bundeswehr MI220 (Glock field knife copy). The Recon Tanto is the more refined of the three. I quite like the Glock design, though.
 
dogstar said:
J Juan Lopez here you go, Sir:
IMG-2022-03-19-15-35-09-046-2.jpg

What an amazing design. It's just a few angles, lines and curves, but it is like a shark in that everything about it serves its purpose for existing. To hold it in the hand is to hold a work of art, a tool, and a weapon, all at the same time. The knife feels alive in the hand, and anyone seeing you wield it knows that you mean business. I removed the belt loop attachment for now; I am experimenting with a loop of cord for suspending from a belt for dangling and IWB carry. I like the sheath: it is lightweight, slim, and it's easy to draw/sheath the blade without contacting the edge. I probably won't use this knife anytime soon. For now it is just for admiring and making tachikaze (that swoosh sound when you cut air).

IMG-2022-03-19-15-38-52-336-2.jpg

Family portrait: True Flight Thrower, Recon Tanto, Peacemaker II, Peacemaker III. The TFT will be my woods beater knife for now; I've yet to tap into its true potential.

IMG-2022-03-19-15-43-16-942-2.jpg

Comparison with non-CS knives: Ontario SP5, Recon Tanto, Bundeswehr MI220 (Glock field knife copy). The Recon Tanto is the more refined of the three. I quite like the Glock design, though.
Click to expand...
Apologies as this is off topic, but do you think I should get a Peacemaker? I technically don’t need one, but I kinda want one. Nice collection of knives there.
 
DangerZone98 said:
Apologies as this is off topic, but do you think I should get a Peacemaker? I technically don’t need one, but I kinda want one. Nice collection of knives there.
Click to expand...
No problem, I love talking about the Peacemakers. I think they are great knives. Just know that my perspective is bushcraft oriented. I believe the Peacemakers don't have a lot of appeal because they are comprised of several compromises, which also makes them good at everything.
- The grind: originally seen on the Mora 2000, it gives the tradional scandi grind a taper at the tip to make it better for slicing and food processing. This does mean the tip is not as strong as a regular scandi. It's also not a true scandi as there is a microbevel, but it performs like one when carving wood. This knife does a great job with feathersticking, making notches, etc. I have whacked it pretty hard with a baton, and it held up.
- Some folks are turned off by 4116 Krupp, but I like it. It's stupid easy to sharpen and keep sharp, and it has high stain resistance.
- Blade thickness is not as stout as most CS knives, which makes them work well for EDC tasks. I think they are still plenty strong
- There is a nice sharp spine for making wood shavings and striking fire steel
- The knife is full tang, which is a plus, but it does add weight.
- The handle is on the thin side because this is conceived as a boot knife. This is more noticeable on the large Peacemaker, but it is comfortable enough to use.
- The sheath. People do not like the sheath because of its unconventional design. The long ears are designed to protect your leg as you draw the knife from your boot, but it leaves little handle exposed. Also, there is enough room that the knife can rattle. What I recommend is to cut down the sheath to the clip on both sides with a sturdy pair of scissors. This will expose most of the handle but allow you to carry inside your boot or waist. If the rattling bothers you, just add some foam padding on the inside of the sheath that contacts the handle, which will prevent the knife from wiggling side to side. I like the sheath is ambidextrous because I am left handed. It also makes it easy to switch carrying styles without reconfiguring the sheath. The belt clip is very strong, so you can clip around your belt, backpack, pocket, etc. without any concern of losing the knife. My favorite way to carry is like a folder, clipped to the inside of my pocket. This leaves the knife out of the way and easy to access.

In my opinion, the Peacemakers are the closest to a "one knife does all" design. The large one is big enough for self defense, processing game, field knife work, kitchen work, you name it. The small is a perfect EDC fixed blade. At the price, I would say it is a no brainer. If you don't like it, you can leave it in your bugout bag, car, boat, or use for nasty home improvement jobs.
 
Last edited:
kobun is infectious
pick one up and you'll be immediately overcome with
kobun fever.
don't get side tracked
getting all the other tantos.
which is fine but
it would be completely crazy
to overlook the kobun...
though i seriously wish
the new management somehow
innovate user friendly modular replacement handles with optional materials other than kraton on such an excellent blade design.
it would be a happy day indeed.
to come away from fully kraton handles
 
Last edited:
dogstar said:
No problem, I love talking about the Peacemakers. I think they are great knives. Just know that my perspective is bushcraft oriented. I believe the Peacemakers don't have a lot of appeal because they are comprised of several compromises, which also makes them good at everything.
- The grind: originally seen on the Mora 2000, it gives the tradional scandi grind a taper at the tip to make it better for slicing and food processing. This does mean the tip is not as strong as a regular scandi. It's also not a true scandi as there is a microbevel, but it performs like one when carving wood. This knife does a great job with feathersticking, making notches, etc. I have whacked it pretty hard with a baton, and it held up.
- Some folks are turned off by 4116 Krupp, but I like it. It's stupid easy to sharpen and keep sharp, and it has high stain resistance.
- Blade thickness is not as stout as most CS knives, which makes them work well for EDC tasks. I think they are still plenty strong
- There is a nice sharp spine for making wood shavings and striking fire steel
- The knife is full tang, which is a plus, but it does add weight.
- The handle is on the thin side because this is conceived as a boot knife. This is more noticeable on the large Peacemaker, but it is comfortable enough to use.
- The sheath. People do not like the sheath because of its unconventional design. The long ears are designed to protect your leg as you draw the knife from your boot, but it leaves little handle exposed. Also, there is enough room that the knife can rattle. What I recommend is to cut down the sheath to the clip on both sides with a sturdy pair of scissors. This will expose most of the handle but allow you to carry inside your boot or waist. If the rattling bothers you, just add some foam padding on the inside of the sheath that contacts the handle, which will prevent the knife from wiggling side to side. I like the sheath is ambidextrous because I am left handed. It also makes it easy to switch carrying styles without reconfiguring the sheath. The belt clip is very strong, so you can clip around your belt, backpack, pocket, etc. without any concern of losing the knife. My favorite way to carry is like a folder, clipped to the inside of my pocket. This leaves the knife out of the way and easy to access.

In my opinion, the Peacemakers are the closest to a "one knife does all" design. The large one is big enough for self defense, processing game, field knife work, kitchen work, you name it. The small is a perfect EDC fixed blade. At the price, I would say it is a no brainer. If you don't like it, you can leave it in your bugout bag, car, boat, or use for nasty home improvement jobs.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the comprehensive take. Super appreciated. Will consider picking up one hehe.
 
GIRLYmann said:
kobun is infectious
pick one up and you'll be immediately overcome with
kobun fever.
don't get side tracked
getting all the other tantos.
which is fine but
it would be completely crazy
to overlook the kobun...
though i seriously wish
the new management somehow
innovate user friendly modular replacement handles with optional materials other than kraton on such an excellent blade design.
it would be a happy day indeed.
to come away from fully kraton handles
Click to expand...
Love the blade but I do wish it came with a meatier handle. That could be achieved while still maintaining a slim profile.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top