Talk me out of a CS Recon 1

N

nuclear_shooter

Joined
Apr 5, 2014
Messages
8
Looking to add a tactical folder to my (small) collection. I really like the Recon 1 clip point, especially for the money. Seems to be liked well around here. Just wanted to see if I could do better in the same price range (under 100). Tanto only knives need not apply (personal preference, nothing more).
 
Welcome to Bladeforums, n_s. There may be several self-defense type folds mentioned, but the Recon 1 is a good one. You get a lot for you money, and it has what I think is the strongest lock in the industry. You may have to sand the G10 under the clip so it doesn't shred your pocket, and it does not flick open as easily as some other knives, but the Recon 1 is well regarded and would be a fine choice.
 
I can't. Really like the recon 1. Everybody needs at least one. Only bad thing about them is edge retension. But by yourself a dmt fine keychain sharpener and problem solved.
 
Sorry, can't help you--I really like it. So much so, it is in my pocket right now... and has been for a few days. I stripped the black coating off mine... I lil the look of the "naked" steel. Great all around knife and an excellent value; aus8a will not keep an edge like D2 or s30v, but it is very easy to sharpen to a nearly hair splitting edge. I've use mine fishing, in the kitchen, and for just about every odd job around the house that called for a knife--always got the job done. You should get it; enjoy it. And welcome to Bladeforums.
 
Seriously, they are nice knives for around $60.00. Have a decent sharpening device teamed up with it too though, I like the way CS does AUS8.
 
Woodcamo Nut said:
Get a Voyager instead, it's lower priced and pretty much is almost the same knife.
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I like everything you said except that strange word "instead". Not sure what that word means. I do know what "in addition to" means, though.
 
I don't personally own or wish to own any Cold Steel products, they are not to my taste.

For the price point they are selling AUS-8 at and being of Foreign Manufacture, Spyderco is super competitive with the Endura using VG10, the Delica using VG10, I have even seen a Spydie Stretch in ZDP 189 on a certian site for a $100.

Then you have Ontario Rat1, Rat2, Utilitac who's quality far exceed's the cost of $30 or less. All using AUS-8.

All of the above fly open with a flick of the thumb or finger, and the quality of each all exceed the price tag.

With Cold Steel I have not seen very many products where the quality exceed's value, they seem to offer just enough for the $$$ (that's just my opinion).

YMMV, of course you could just get one anyways as that will be the only way for sure to know if the knife is for you or not.

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My most expensive folder there, ran me $70 shipped. Spyderco Manix 2 LW using BD1 steel. As you can see there is a Swamp Rat Rodent Solution in the pick, I carry that in my LF pocket, the Spydie in the RF pocket so I don't really need a super strong folder, although the Manix is very tough for it's 2.9 ounce package.

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As you can see the Rat 1 is very slicey, this is the only folder I have used to baton with, and somehow it has suffered no damage.
 
powernoodle said:
Welcome to Bladeforums, n_s. There may be several self-defense type folds mentioned, but the Recon 1 is a good one. You get a lot for you money, and it has what I think is the strongest lock in the industry. You may have to sand the G10 under the clip so it doesn't shred your pocket, and it does not flick open as easily as some other knives, but the Recon 1 is well regarded and would be a fine choice.
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Exactly. :)
 
The pocket clips are atrocious. The coating is not durable. It's not a "fun knife" to play with.

That is about it... it's an affordable large knife with an extremely strong lock. It fills that particular niche very well...

A lot of times people will say "you could get an Endura or Manix2 instead" but that is apples to oranges, I like my Enduras, but the Endura is by far a much lighter duty knife. The Manix2 LW has a strong lock but is significantly smaller than the Recon 1 and has FRN handles with no liners, while the G10 Manix2 is about $25 more expensive.

I think the Voyager is a better value than the Recon 1 and about equally strong, but it is also much thicker in the pocket and the FRN handle is not as nice.
 
Thanks for all the feedback! For those of you who do not prefer this knife, what would you recommend that would be a step up in steel but still have 4" blade and similar price point?
 
I traded my Recon and picked up a Voyager. full flat grind is what I wanted
 
Throw down 30 more bucks and get a zero tolerance 0700, 0777, or ,0200. even go for a para millie at 105 , or a millitary for 125. Hell you can get a new benchmade griptillian for 95.

These are all knives with higher quality materials, and made in the usa, for only a small fraction more of the money.

I just couldnt buy an aus 8 blade for that much cash. Especially when you can get vg10 blades for the same price, or s30v, d2, and 154cm for just a little more cash.
 
nuclear_shooter said:
Thanks for all the feedback! For those of you who do not prefer this knife, what would you recommend that would be a step up in steel but still have 4" blade and similar price point?
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Zero Tolerance 0700 for 100$
Spyderco Millitary for 130ish$
Benchmade Griptillian for $95.

The first two have s30v steel and g10 scales.
 
stonproject said:
Zero Tolerance 0700 for 100$
Spyderco Millitary for 130ish$
Benchmade Griptillian for $95.

The first two have s30v steel and g10 scales.
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....and they cost over double the price. The Recon 1 is a $40 knife. Apples to oranges. I personally would not own another griptillian on a dare. Ugh, just don't like em.

nuclear_shooter - I won't talk you out of the Recon because I can't. They are excellent knives. Cold Steel's AUS8 is great stuff. It takes a ton of use to dull it, but it sharpens easily. The handle is very ergonomic. The lock is rock solid and practically indestructible. The coating does wear off, but it takes a fair amount of use to do so. Once the coating all wears off just strip the blade and enjoy your beautiful new stonewashed blade. It boggles my mind why anyone would complain about the Recon 1. Haters gonna hate, but I say go on and get one!
 
AntDog said:
....and they cost over double the price. The Recon 1 is a $40 knife. Apples to oranges. I personally would not own another griptillian on a dare. Ugh, just don't like em.

nuclear_shooter - I won't talk you out of the Recon because I can't. They are excellent knives. Cold Steel's AUS8 is great stuff. It takes a ton of use to dull it, but it sharpens easily. The handle is very ergonomic. The lock is rock solid and practically indestructible. The coating does wear off, but it takes a fair amount of use to do so. Once the coating all wears off just strip the blade and enjoy your beautiful new stonewashed blade. It boggles my mind why anyone would complain about the Recon 1. Haters gonna hate, but I say go on and get one!
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Recon 1 is more like $75. Still tougher than most everything in that price range and many higher. I think many people are looking for "slick EDC" more than "super tough folder" and there are knives that fit the "slick EDC" role better...
 
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