Just bought a new Recon 1 4in with CTS steel, spear point blade and LOVE it! This is a serious knife capable of doing just about anything, and tougher than just about everything. I have one as my EDC, and am getting another one later to stay in my day hike/get home bag. I love Spydercos and Benchmades, but if I ever really NEED a folding knife in a bad situation, I'd want the Recon 1 in my hand.
A very solid review of the Cold Steel Recon 1. I prefer fixed blade knives over folding knives, but I do happen to own the Recon 1 spear point knife and am very happy with it. I confess that I'm a collector of knives rather than one who actually puts them to use but I do know good from not so good. Cold Steel make a good knife.
The sticking lockbar issue... I had a similar problem with my Mini Recon. The spring was catching on an angle in the aluminum backspacer. I smoothed down the edges of the spring (top of spring catching on the backspacer edge; did it on the lockbar side too for good measure) now it works perfectly.
The tri-ad lock No blade play after hard use ! No liner lock ( or modified liner lock ) can do that ! An axis lock might do it ! A triad lock will do it !
i edc the recon 1 most of the time i dont live in the shity .i did a spring job on mine .makes it a much sweeter feel .the retention is still good as well as the lock up. i flip or sling the blade out most of the time when im not in sheeplville . took off the paint moded the clip and handle ( took out the second finger notch ). have bought 4 of them one in tanto (their tantos are so blunt) in gave it as a gift . as well as another clip point to my kids.i keep 2 with the same mods . love these knives use them constantly for all kinds of cutting chores . just got the code 4 .my recon 1s are jealous
i did my blade that way too and i shaped the handle without the second finger groove it made the handle more sleek looking i have an older one that had the old clip that i re profiled then cold steel did the same profile and i don't have the thumb stud i just flip it it would get stuck in my pocket with the thumb stud the strongest lock on the market one of the main reasons i got this knife
Ya and if you want it to be even more corrosion resistant take some metal polish and an old rag it will make it alittle more shiny but i hear it makes for a real cool looking effect to the stonewash
That's cool that you have a line on a Gen 1 Recon 1. I remember when they changed the knife, and I was kind of disappointed that they "cheapened it up," in my mind at the time anyway. But I have to tell you, I love the all G10 Cold Steels. The weight savings is awesome, and there is NO compromise in strength. The Ultra Lock (Axis) is definitely more fun to use, but the Tri Ad Lock is probably stronger, even in a G-10 handle. I'd like to have an original too though :)
You're right, Coolsly... that cheesy teflon coating might buy you 2 extra days, maybe 3 before it all peels off... LOL! But I for one just can't stand to look at it as it gradually goes away. So when I found out there was a gorgeous, and somewhat corrosion resistant stonewash underneath, I was all in. I am completely with you on AUS-8A. It is a highly underrated steel when done right. I love the stuff! Thanks for your input, my friend!
There's a few things you forgot to mention as well like if you leave the Teflon coating on the blade you won't really have to worry about rust out in a survival situation at least for a few days of hard use anyways and that when you polish the edge on a aus8a blade it acts like those higher end steel knives factory edges with that polished edge if someone knew about aus8 and didn't know that knife was aus8 they would think it was a higher end steel and not the dreaded aus8 steel lol
not trying to say aus8 is the mack of steels but for price and real world use if heat treated properly with good graining it will perform just as good if not better then those high end steels with a polished edge but there is (even sometimes with cold steel as well) aus8 that no matter what you do it doesn't seem to take a very good edge and they do sometime need alittle more work but once you polish it you will be surprised at the tasks it will do with little to no edge loss
Rob: At 22:15 - "You have to be kinda good with it to get it open quick..." Glad you said this. I just received mine and was feeling like a serious weakling. From 26:20 to 27:00, hilarious and true.
I have the Recon 1 with a drop point ( which is my preferred blade style). I recently stripped the coating off and was kinda bummed that the blade does not have that stone washed look. Still a nice satin finish though.
That is a heck of a knife for $40, but for the extra $25 the Recon 1 is a much stronger knife. It's also much more lefty-friendly, which is important to me. I will say though, it took a lot of work to make it into the knife in this video, but it was worth it :)
hey man i thouhgt i was the only one who had the slight blade play when i flipped with out hard but no u too! ya mine has a smidge of bladeplay when i push it out fast but not when slow
The cold steels kick ass so bad that most reviewers don't mention them when doing reviews because no other knife on the market can compete with the triad lock. So if they say anything about the lock on the knife they are reviewing they have to say its weaker than the triad lock ( if they are honest )
Matthew Forrest Oh, that one! These knives need something if you like your pants to last more than a couple days. Over the years, I got a bit more subtle with this though, just working under the pinch point and not making the G10 completely smooth. However, I have modded some Mini Recon 1’s to a total satin finish on the G10, which looks really nice, and still affords plenty of grip just by the shape of the handle.
TheApostleP nutnfancy had such an affect on us haha. I agree though that they do need a little work. But the jb weld and spray paint mod makes me laugh now. I’ve solved the with a little sandpaper and about 30 seconds and it was an invisible mod. Been watching you for years bye the way. Great reviewer!
Just bought a new Recon 1 4in with CTS steel, spear point blade and LOVE it! This is a serious knife capable of doing just about anything, and tougher than just about everything. I have one as my EDC, and am getting another one later to stay in my day hike/get home bag. I love Spydercos and Benchmades, but if I ever really NEED a folding knife in a bad situation, I'd want the Recon 1 in my hand.
A very solid review of the Cold Steel Recon 1. I prefer fixed blade knives over folding knives, but I do happen to own the Recon 1 spear point knife and am very happy with it. I confess that I'm a collector of knives rather than one who actually puts them to use but I do know good from not so good. Cold Steel make a good knife.
Very in depth review, ordered one today.
The sticking lockbar issue... I had a similar problem with my Mini Recon. The spring was catching on an angle in the aluminum backspacer. I smoothed down the edges of the spring (top of spring catching on the backspacer edge; did it on the lockbar side too for good measure) now it works perfectly.
I've few more expensive knives with better materials but CS Recon 1 Spear Point is my precious in collection.
No problem, my friend! Thanks for the support :)
I'm glad you think so highly of AUS8 steel. I can't agree. I own this knife and it does not keep a great edge very long.
The tri-ad lock No blade play after hard use ! No liner lock ( or modified liner lock ) can do that ! An axis lock might do it ! A triad lock will do it !
i edc the recon 1 most of the time i dont live in the shity .i did a spring job on mine .makes it a much sweeter feel .the retention is still good as well as the lock up. i flip or sling the blade out most of the time when im not in sheeplville .
took off the paint moded the clip and handle ( took out the second finger notch ).
have bought 4 of them one in tanto (their tantos are so blunt) in gave it as a gift . as well as another clip point to my kids.i keep 2 with the same mods . love these knives use them constantly for all kinds of cutting chores .
just got the code 4 .my recon 1s are jealous
i did my blade that way too and i shaped the handle without the second finger groove it made the handle more sleek looking i have an older one that had the old clip that i re profiled then cold steel did the same profile and i don't have the thumb stud i just flip it it would get stuck in my pocket with the thumb stud the strongest lock on the market one of the main reasons i got this knife
Ya and if you want it to be even more corrosion resistant take some metal polish and an old rag it will make it alittle more shiny but i hear it makes for a real cool looking effect to the stonewash
Do you have a video on how you took off the black coating?
That's cool that you have a line on a Gen 1 Recon 1. I remember when they changed the knife, and I was kind of disappointed that they "cheapened it up," in my mind at the time anyway. But I have to tell you, I love the all G10 Cold Steels. The weight savings is awesome, and there is NO compromise in strength. The Ultra Lock (Axis) is definitely more fun to use, but the Tri Ad Lock is probably stronger, even in a G-10 handle. I'd like to have an original too though :)
You're right, Coolsly... that cheesy teflon coating might buy you 2 extra days, maybe 3 before it all peels off... LOL! But I for one just can't stand to look at it as it gradually goes away. So when I found out there was a gorgeous, and somewhat corrosion resistant stonewash underneath, I was all in. I am completely with you on AUS-8A. It is a highly underrated steel when done right. I love the stuff! Thanks for your input, my friend!
I think it's about 4 mm, or .157". You can probably find that dimension on an eBay listing to be sure though.
There's a few things you forgot to mention as well like if you leave the Teflon coating on the blade you won't really have to worry about rust out in a survival situation at least for a few days of hard use anyways and that when you polish the edge on a aus8a blade it acts like those higher end steel knives factory edges with that polished edge if someone knew about aus8 and didn't know that knife was aus8 they would think it was a higher end steel and not the dreaded aus8 steel lol
That does look a lot better without the coating.
This knife is also on my wishlist.
not trying to say aus8 is the mack of steels but for price and real world use if heat treated properly with good graining it will perform just as good if not better then those high end steels with a polished edge but there is (even sometimes with cold steel as well) aus8 that no matter what you do it doesn't seem to take a very good edge and they do sometime need alittle more work but once you polish it you will be surprised at the tasks it will do with little to no edge loss
Rob: At 22:15 - "You have to be kinda good with it to get it open quick..." Glad you said this. I just received mine and was feeling like a serious weakling.
From 26:20 to 27:00, hilarious and true.
I have the Recon 1 with a drop point ( which is my preferred blade style). I recently stripped the coating off and was kinda bummed that the blade does not have that stone washed look. Still a nice satin finish though.
Milligan Thirteen That's the second one I've heard of without the stonewash. That is a bummer ;(
Great knife I find the G10 handle has a Emerson look/feel to it at a 1/4 of the price.
The Ka-Bar of folding knives !
I understand completely, Michal :)
good review, thanks for posting :)
That is a heck of a knife for $40, but for the extra $25 the Recon 1 is a much stronger knife. It's also much more lefty-friendly, which is important to me. I will say though, it took a lot of work to make it into the knife in this video, but it was worth it :)
hey man i thouhgt i was the only one who had the slight blade play when i flipped with out hard but no u too! ya mine has a smidge of bladeplay when i push it out fast but not when slow
max ojeda It's completely normal for such a crude beast, Max. Not to worry, my friend -- That thing isn't going anywhere!
ha i know cold steel is the best!
How thick is the blade on this?
no teflon is good. i too am left handed and have my edc spear serrated recon 1 set up the same way.
Quenching make hard and brittle ! Tempering makes it tough by sofening to 58-60 hradness !
Basic trainning is the quenching ! War is the tempering !
25:07 not a sabenza !
The cold steels kick ass so bad that most reviewers don't mention them when doing reviews because no other knife on the market can compete with the triad lock. So if they say anything about the lock on the knife they are reviewing they have to say its weaker than the triad lock ( if they are honest )
In Canada this kife cost around $110 is it still worth it?
$110 USD or CAD, definitely worth it. especially in the new CTS XHP blade
most of the recon 1s i have seen have a spot of unsharppend edge in front of the notch.
dale carpenter I always enlarge the notch before I sharpen them.
I know this is super old but do you ever look back at that mod and say wtf was I thinking? 😂
Absolutely not. The strip mod is the best thing that ever happened to the Gen 2 Recon 1.
TheApostleP oh not the strip mod! The clip mod!
Matthew Forrest Oh, that one! These knives need something if you like your pants to last more than a couple days. Over the years, I got a bit more subtle with this though, just working under the pinch point and not making the G10 completely smooth. However, I have modded some Mini Recon 1’s to a total satin finish on the G10, which looks really nice, and still affords plenty of grip just by the shape of the handle.
TheApostleP nutnfancy had such an affect on us haha. I agree though that they do need a little work. But the jb weld and spray paint mod makes me laugh now. I’ve solved the with a little sandpaper and about 30 seconds and it was an invisible mod. Been watching you for years bye the way. Great reviewer!
As it should be, Zechs :)
cool
What's wrong with your hand.
If yu go any slower ima go sleep