well, its been a bit, but I got one for ya guys.

F

Fonly

Joined
Sep 24, 2006
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Alright, so I've set my sights on picking up a CS Recon Tanto. Now, the stainless version really is getting most of my attention, but heres the question.

Im going for sure to be in wet and damp inviroments Back in NS. Now, the stainless is somewhat of an obvious choice, but is the coating going to be enough on the Carbon version? and is it worth the few extra bucks to get it in carbon should the coating protect it enough?

I love my master hunter in carbon, I thinned the edge and that thing is just wicked. But, I have to say my Revolver H in Aus-8 is just as sharp, though it looses its edge faster its completely stainless, which I think is a fair trade.

So what do you think guys?
 
Fonly, I've been a fan of Cold Steel's products for at least 15 years, and all of their fixed blade knives that I own are made of Carbon V steel, whether covered with that black coating or left bare. Now, I have not used mine extensively in a very wet environment, but I certainly do like the ones I have and find no need for their stainless blades, except for their 4 inch Voyager folder that I have which was only available in stainless. I am not concerned about some minor discoloration on my blades, but if I was going to use one in or around salt water a lot I might choose stainless steel. I guess you know by now that CS no longer has Carbon V blades available, unless you can pick up one of the last of those "seconds" they had on sale until the end of July. They had both the SRK and the Recon Tanto (seconds) priced at $49.99 each + shipping. If I were you I would call them immediately to see if any are left at 1-800-255-4716 Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST and Sat. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Most of the CS blades I own are seconds, but the flaws, if any, are very slight and are only cosmetic in nature. Good luck! :thumbup:
 
the black coating on cs blades is not the crinkle coat like on busses or fehrmans so it is not as durable but it should be plenty durable for normal cutting imo.

i'd get the carbon
 
Both my wife and I have Cold Steel ODA's in carbon steel that we routinely wear fastened to the front of our PDA's when canoeing in fresh or salt water. We live in NS near Lunenburg and do more boating on the ocean than anywhere else. Before and after any outing I give the edges of each knife a(CAREFUL) rub with a silicone cloth and have never had a problem. On all outings including boating, camping, and hiking trips I have a 10.5 inch Bowie and a 5 inch utility knife that were custom made for me by Jerry Fisk back in the last century (mid 1990's), both forged in carbon steel, riding on my belt. Both may touch food, so I tend toward edible oils on them in the field, and carry a small knife maintenance kit. No different than carrying a gun cleaning kit when hunting. Both show only normal wear and tear and unless something major happens I will hand them down as heirlooms.

The big issue I see is the design of the scabbard. Get dumped in the drink with your knife in a plastic or kydex lined scabbard and, after the spray settles, you can shake it out, let it air dry while you clean up the knife, and you're good to go. A leather sheath will hold the moisture against the blade. Once when I was young and foolish (instead of old and foolish like I am now), I walked about four hours in a downpour that soaked the tip of the scabbard my Cold Steel Trail Master was riding in (it was sticking out under my jacket). By the time I got home, the tip of the blade had darkened and slightly rusted, even pitting in a few small spots. Nothing major, and it cleaned up pretty well, now wearing its scars with pride. A well maintained blade doesn't need to look perfect. I take care of myself but I am NOT scar free.

At the end of the day, don't forget that the Vikings went to sea in the worst of conditions in open ships bearing iron and carbon steel weapons that didn't instantly turn into balls of rust. As I once read, "Maintenance is the foundation of eternity."
 
I prefer carbon on my fixed blades and I spend the vast majority of my time outside messing around on the creek on my property.

I never really had much of a problem with rust, just discoloration, and that really doesn't bother me. I just keep them oiled, oiled to the point that there is a coating of oil inside the sheaths.

When I'm on the ocean, crabbing or fishing or canoeing in the saltwater, I use a stainless knife.
 
It's a cool looking knife, but I don't care for tanto blades in the field. I would get stainless unless I was using it for cutting every day-- as in a work knife.

You get issued a Grohmann Survival model when you become a NS resident, right? :)
 
My NS residency started when I was born at a very young age in 1957. Obviously I predated the automatic issue of the Grohman Survival knife because I had to pay for mine.
 
If you're going to use it, why should you care if it got stains or rust spots on it? These things don't destroy a knife unless you leave it submerged in water for days. If you get rust on it, just spray some wd40 and rub it off when you get home and you'll get a nice patina on it. Don't even worry about the pitting. Wear and tear on a user knife only adds character, IMO.:)
 
I'd go with the Carbon version but why do you want a Tanto blade ?

Your not turning Mall Ninja on me are you bro ?
 
Just a note. I had a recon tanto, and it sucked. Get one if you want it, but it is not good for much, and fairly heavy. I think that it's strongest point is as a work knife for carpentry. It is pretty tough, but the lack of a real point or belly and thick grind limit it in a lot of ways. I paid full retail for one because I thought it would be the end all knife, but got rid of it after I had used it for a while. You would probably be better off w/ a Mora of sorts and a smallish pry bar.

Any way, if you get one I hope it works well for you.:)

Mine was Carbon V and did not have much of a rust issue.
 
raylaconico said:
If you're going to use it, why should you care if it got stains or rust spots on it? These things don't destroy a knife unless you leave it submerged in water for days. If you get rust on it, just spray some wd40 and rub it off when you get home and you'll get a nice patina on it. Don't even worry about the pitting. Wear and tear on a user knife only adds character, IMO.:)
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well, to be honest I dont. I just dont know how well the coating protects on CS carbon blades. I much perfer carbon over stainless in working knives, and I love tantos. So, between a stainless version and the carbon coated I think I'll go with carbon, and no pit im not a mall ninja. :D, though I like the Americanized style of the tanto, this knife has fit the bill for me, right size weight, kydex sheath, Carbon and in my price range. I think the stainless may have been the way to go if it wearn't coated, but it is so.

Thanks for the help guys.
 
No problem Fonly just don't ask my advice about CS Throwing stars or we are finished !!!:D
 
pitdog said:
Hey only messin Fonly, good to see ya back on the forum bro !!!
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yeah thanks man, good to be back, I miss the awsome community here, everyone seems so much more down to earth than out on the streets.
 
I got the carbon v version and use it here on the wet coast.
I think my dumpster mutt is a far superior knife but sometimes I still like fu%^ing around with a tanto
 
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