Budget Guy's REVIEW of the Cold Steel RECON 1
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 มิ.ย. 2021
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I got mine at WhiteMountainKnives.com - my favourite place to shop for knives, and not only because I get a reviewers discount. I prefer them because even in Canada I have never had any problems getting my orders delivered directly to my home. sure it takes 2 to 3 weeks to get across the border, and sometimes longer, but they have always arrived without a hitch.
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I've had my Recon 1 Spear Point in s35vn for several years now, it's a complete tank of a knife and I absolutely love it! I've taken it on numerous trips into the bush and I've beaten the living daylights out of it and it's still got a rock solid lockup. I've battoned wood with it (which I don't recommend with any folder knife, btw) and I've used it dozens of times to start fires with my ferro rod and the DLC coating hasn't even begun to wear off. Perhaps the newer models aren't made as good as the old one are, but the one I have is a total beast and it takes anything I throw at it. I have more expensive knives in my collection, made of super premium blades steels like 20cv and zdp189 that I wouldn't dare subject to the punishment I have with my Recon 1...
Have you taken yours apart? I was able to get mine apart, and it was only ONE screw that stripped out instead of loosening, but that is enough to be quite upsetting for a $100 knife.
The basic construction of the RECON is designed to be super strong, the lockback design is very tough. This in itself makes it a knife type that I too would be happy to treat more roughly than say any liner lock or axis lock knife. It is designed to take a beating, still I wish they would use better hardware to go with the tough design.
I still havn't had knife with 20CV but I do like the ZDP189 blade quite a lot, as well as a few other premium steels. But the type of steel that is used isn't the main factor that influences what I will be willing to do with a folding knife - the lock system is the main thing, and in that regard this is indeed a TOUGH knife.
@@CanadianCuttingEdge No, I've never tried taking my Recon 1 apart. Anytime it's gotten really dirty, I've just blasted it out with compressed air and dropped a wee bit of oil in the pivot. It's a very low maintenance, beater knife as it was designed to be by Cold Steel. Also, I don't think I properly explained my point about blade steels; what I meant was I have more expensive knives from both Benchmade and Spderco that I wouldn't punish in the same manor as my Recon 1, b/c they aren't designed for that purpose. Just to clarify. I too don't base the performance off any knife strictly by the blade steel either; I look at its general construction, locking action and the quality of all materials used...
The Recon 1 has been made since 1980--the current reincarnation since 2010. The overwhelming opinion of most reviewers is that the Recon 1 is an exceptional knife. I own one (my EDC), and never experienced the difficulties you enumerated in disassembly. I did have to modify the clip. Other than that I like everything about it. There's a reason why a knife that has been this long in production and is still a favorite of thousands of people. There's no perfect anything in this world. But, if I was to have any single folder this would be it. Love the knife, the steel, it's, exceptional toughness. durability, and edge retention. And decently priced...in the U.S. of A.
I wanted to do a positive review too, but I have to review the knife that is in front of me. I don't think I was any pickier about the knife than I am about other knives. if that screw would not have stripped out (even though I used a high end screwdriver that fit the screw VERY well - and DriveGrip) it would have gotten at least a soft recommend from me too. I just cannot recommend a $100 knife that has some of the softest screws I have ever experienced. forget about my lifetime, I have reviewed well over 1000 knives in this time - albeit mostly knives that cost under half as much as the RECON 1. If that one screw would not have displayed its inadequacies then it would have gotten a recommend from me. the majority of the screws came out fine. And most reviewers make their videos without ever taking their knife apart. So it makes sense that most reviewers haven't experienced the same issues I found. The screws simply ARE soft, too soft, even if others haven't noticed that fact, and who knows perhaps in the past they had better screws.
I am not saying that the RECON 1 is a terrible knife for everyone but I MUST review the knife that is in front of me. To change my findings or conclusions about the knife because others have had better experiences would be giving up on all integrity. I cannot give a good review just because others have given the knife a good review, I have to go according to the facts. The video is based on facts, the pictures back up all those facts, I didn't make anything up. I don't have a grudge against CS. In fact, I wanted and was expecting to do a very positive review myself - before I started doing my own research.
The design is quite good, it's basic functionality is also quite good. I don't think a knife that costs $100 should use the same very soft screws that $9 gas station knives use. They should be using better screws that brands like CIVIVI use, after all those cost half as much, or less for the most part. Perhaps in the past they used better harder, but I had no choice, I had to say what I saw and experienced, otherwise I am a shill and fraud, and those are the worst things a reviewer can be.
The best thing a reviewer can be is to be a critical thinker who doesn't change his/her opinion based on the opinions of others.
The most expensive knife I own, in the tanto S35vn. I even pimped it out with colored screws. I don't use it but love having it.
also mine came flawless, didn't have the issues yours does.
Other than adjusting the pocket clip my knife dissembled fine. The action with continued use and muscle memory is breaking in very nicely. (Razor sharp out of the box). No complaints--a lovely knife.
I am sure that most people don't have problems, but I have to review the knife that is in front of me.
I know it kinda off topic, but while watching this, I started thinking about another triad locking folder in s35vn, and wondering if anyone could shed some light on something for me. This knife is great. A total bargain, and just an excellent tool that's hard not to love. What I was wondering about is the Silver Eye (or the older version, the Golden Rye) and how it compares to this. Is there any big difference to justify the massive difference in price. The SE has full G10 construction (twill CF laminated onlay?) No steel liners (or Ti for that matter*) and as stated, same steel and lock. Is there a huge boost in the smoothness of operation? (open/close/lock actuation) is the fit and finish much better? The Recon 1 uses the same stuff, and more of it. What am I missing??? Is it just the design that is classier and less tactical? No flamed titanium or micarta inlays. It's just a plain cold steel. Sorry rant over. Any input is valued. Thank you for the video Jake. Cool to see you review this popular knife as a little change of pace. Love your videos.
I have not had any of the Golden or Silver Eye knives in my hands, so I cannot comment on that.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
Very interesting review. It is the first negative one among many enthusiastic reviews I see on this knife but I do understand your points. I am quite a fan of cold steel knives but the fact is this one was the only one which was far from razor sharp out of the box. I had to sharpen it (and I am not good at that). I eventually prefer cheaper cold steel knives such as bush ranger lite, SR1 lite or air lite. They are more worth the money. Take care of yourself with this terrible heat wave. I have heard it from France and it really seems terrible.
I did say that it was quite a bit sharper than most of the knives that I review. they made it sharp, but they didn't do a good job of sharpening it. Perhaps you could watch a recent video I did where I talk about how a knife can be sharp and still be poorly sharpened: th-cam.com/video/yttUHbpphWY/w-d-xo.html
I have reviewed knives like the Bush Ranger Lite, and I agree, it is a lot better value. It uses the same cheap screws, but that is very common for a $39 knife. All the other screws were fine and didn't strip out, so if that one screw would not have stripped I would not have known that they use very soft screws.
Yes, it has been VERY hot indeed. At least we have a couple of window air conditioners - air conditioners that get placed in a window and are good enough to cool one room. So at least we can sleep fairly well.
The Recon 1 is an amazing knife. Especially for $100. I kinda feel like you were a bit harsh on the old boy lol
I think I was harsh on it because I expect more from a $100 knife. As I think I said in the video, I generally review knives that are about half the cost, and I have had loads knives at less than half the cost that are better than MY Recon.
You also need to remember that I am not reviewing every Recon 1 nor the aaverage Recon. I am JUST reviewing the one that I have in my hands. Maybe mine was a bit of a lemon - every company puts out a lemon every now and again.
Terrible review: it’s a combat knife not a camp knife
I think this has been so popular for so long coldsteel won't make any changes to this model. I do like the mini. Thanks
I agree, they are unlikley to make any big changes. but maybe the new owners will use even cheaper screws in the future, but I hope they use better screws.
Nice video!But better in mechanics will be if teflon washer will be against blade and bronze against G10.👌
Thanks. I think you are totally right, I was so upset about the stripped screw that I wasn't thinking clearly.
Does the inside rust?
Great video btw. your AC unit is not very loud I could clearly hear your voice no worries
Yeah, the microphone is pretty good in that regard, but I knew if I didn't say something that I would get comments about the sound.
06:32 the milling is there to reduce the chance of accidentally disengaging the lock
Those is there for grip of the thumb, it doesn't offer protective access to the lock release in any way.
I’ve heard that most pocket knives are now illegal in Canada to carry?
No, that's not the case. Well, maybe. It all depends on what is meant by most. If you think of it as most types then no, but if you think of it as the most in terms of production then maybe, but probably not.
It's a long answer, but mostly it is a common misunderstanding that what CBSA (the border cops) say is admissible into Canada is also what the law says, and those two things are NOT the same at all. In fact, most of what CBSA stops from entering Canada are indeed legal knives, but since they have so much power to take knives away from people that many people just assume that they are following the law, they are not.
For example, flipper knives that lock are inadmissible according to the policies of CBSA but Canadian law does not state that flipper knives are in fact illegal.
The biggest problem is that Canadian knife law is very fuzzy and open to interpretation.
Non locking folders are all very clearly legal.
Lock back knives are clearly legal.
all 2 hand opening locking knives are legal.
all slip joint and friction folders are legal.
thumbstud deployment type of locking folders are widely considered legal.
Any knives where the blade easily comes open with little effort are often interpreted as centrifugal or gravity knives, even if they are not of that type, and true gravity and centrifugal opening locking folders are illegal.
balisongs aka butterfly knives are also illegal
THIS is not legal advice, just to say that there are indeed a LOT of locking pocket knives that are legal to carry.
BUT, be aware, knives carried for the purpose of self defense are illegal regardless of how they are made. In fact, any weapon or tool carried for the purpose of self defense is likely to be considered illegal by a Canadian judge. Only carry knives as tools. Never tell a police officer that you have a knife for your protection... etc.
I review knives that I believe are legal to own and carry in Canada.
(There is only one exception I think, when I reviewed an automatic knife while I was in USA.)
DANG now that's a knife !
I only wish it didn't have the problems that I found.
Hi Jake. My recon 1 is almost flawless compared to yours. Strange that a pricy knife like this can be that bad....sorry to hear that because I like CS quite a lot. Thanks for sharing!
I've got the S35 version. I couldn't be happier. If you want a knife that's built like a tank, not that terribly heavy, that can do it all, I believe the RECON 1 fits the bill. This is the only bad review among hundreds on knife that's been in production since (I believe), 1980. Everyone has a right to their own opinion...
I have to review the knife that is in front of me, I cannot review the many apparently flawless ones that others have. Otherwise I loose all integrity. I so much wanted the knife to be great, because I too have heard a lot of great things about the RECON 1. I didn't plan to do a negative review.
My "not recommended" would have been changed to "recommended" if that screw wasn't so very soft that it stripped out even though I was very careful, using high end screwdrivers and anti-cam out fluid. I cannot recommend a $100 knife that uses such cheap parts. I mostly review LOW budget knives and I often come across knives that cost a lot less than half as much and they have much better hardware while still having a load of other pros as well.
the cold steel recon 1 clip point plain edge is the state of the art folding knife ! the strongest lock on the planet !
any knife can be broken ! they will all break before the recon 1 ! I tune them ( take a few pounds off the lock spring reshape the lock part of the blade so the lock bar does not have to travel as far , polish the inside parts ,get rid of the nylon washers and I customize the handle shape to be more ergo ) ! I like the olive green scales best !
Yeah, the triad lock is the strongest on the planet.
I would counter that when good enough is good enough then there is no need for the very best, unless bragging rights are important to the person. I mean, I have been a knife enthusiast for almost 50 years and I have never had a standard good old lock back knife have a failure with the lock that made it problematic to use.
I totally agree that any knife can be broken, which is why I don't do destructive testing on my channel. Videos about guys breaking knives is more like watching kids try to impress each other with stunts than offering their viewers a clear and in-depth review.
Finally, I have to review the knife in front of me. I that example happens to be a lemon and not accurately represent the majority of the knives that the manufacturer made, then that is just how it is. I have no way of reviewing the average Recon 1, I can only review the one in my hand at the moment and the one I got had the problems that I describe in the video.
The Recon 1 is one the best folders EVER, sure it has some design flaws and nothing is perfect if one gets too picky about it, there are a few things that I'm not 100% satisfied with either, but all in all the Recon 1 is the best folder I have purchased so far, it outclasses every other so called "robust" or "durable" folding knife that I've ever owned, this knife is a dream to work with. I really don't know what kind of a 100$ folder of this size and durabilty would be a good purchase in your opinion -> if not a CS Recon 1 in S35VN.
Thanks for sharing your opinion.
I've filed down the weak side thumb stud on a number of knives. They catch coming out the pocket.
This does show Chinese manufacturing is up with the best certainly better than Cold Steels Taiwan manufacturer.
Lately I've found quality issues with some Cold Steels. Lockbar finishing, grind angles etc
that's great. What I don't like is that Cold Steel lowered the chance of ambidextrous use from me. Doing modifications after the customer owns the knife is great and if that change helps you then more power to you. I've never had a problem with thumbstuds catching on my pockets, so I never thought that could be an issue, but clearly it is.
I don't like that a knife that is fully ambidextrous in every other way isn't so on the thumbstuds.
While Cold Steel Knives might not be perfect,
Please recommend a stronger locking folder for the same $$.
I just review what it before me. I am not trying to find the best knife for the price, I am just talking about what I find in the knife that I am reviewing.
Appreciate your honest opinion!
I so wanted to give this thing a good review. I do mostly like the design and the materials, but I just could not get past the fact that they use those very soft small body screws. Those screws make sense on their budget knives like the Bush Ranger Lite that I reviewed a couple of months ago (though I don't like those screws there that much either). $100 knives deserve better hardware.
Love the Canadian apology Jake……sorry :).
The thumb studs, T6 screws and pocket clip were the deal breaker for me. l’m glad l passed on it after seeing your disassembly!
Thanks Jake!
The main reason I do teardowns is because it is not uncommon to have what seems like a good knife until that point, and then the problems show up. If I had not tried to take it apart it probably would have gotten a soft "recommend" rating from me, those budget knife screws are the downfall of the RECON 1
This is probably the only bad review that I have seen for this knife. I have a spear point and really like it. With the number of issues that you had I wonder if you got a second or used one.
The only thing they would need to change to make it go from a not recommended to quite highly recommended is good strong stainless steel screws on the body. I just can't recommend a $100USD knife with screws that strip out, when I review $30-$40 knives with solid T8 screws quite often. The design is great.
It was a brand new off the shelf knife from WhiteMoutainKnives.com. They always make is VERY clear when they are selling knives that have been returned.
I think you have not seen lower reviews because most reviewers take a knife out of the box and then do the review. There are too many reviewers who don't test their knives or take the time to take them apart. (certainly there are reviewers who do solid testing, I just think too many don't) I also believe that the ability to easily disassemble a knife is a major RIGHT that every knife owner has, and that knife makers need to make it easy for owners to do any type of knife maintenance that they want.
I try and conduct myself so that apologies are unnecessary ! but like every statement there are exceptions!A!
Exactly how we all should live.
So NOT worth the money overall? 🤔
Exactly. If they simply used hardware like CIVIVI or KUBEY (or a number of other brands) then it would be quite highly recommended.
Screws can be replaced, but first you have to be able to get them out, and when they are stripped and there is no pin that you can take out from the other side then you are in trouble, there is no easy way to get that stripped screw out of that knife, that alone is plenty or reason to not recommend a $100 knife.
there are clone recon 1s out there now ! I have 2 ! a good knife but not a recon ! I can tell easily by looking at them , mostly the blade grind is wrong (different ) ,around $50.00- $60.00 ,it's a good knife the only thing wrong with it is that it is not a recon 1 ! someone could possibly honestly try and sell one without knowing but almost no one would on purpose !
Yup, that could happen, especially on sites like eBay or in forums etc. There is virtually 0% chance that a store like White Mountain Knives would have sold a clone to me.
I never really understood why there needed to be a stronger lock back either. I hope you get to enjoy your time with your mother in July. Gosdspeed to you, sir.
I think it is mostly so that they could brag that they "have the strongest lock" - It's a marketing trick to generate sales. It really IS a very good lock, it's just that the standard lock back is also a very good lock.
Yes, I hope to have at least a few good days with her.
What blade have you design? None. Ok
LOL, you have no idea how many knives I have designed. But I will readily concede that I have never had any put into commercial production.
oh brother
I had to call it as I saw it
You don’t know the purpose of this blade.
1.250 from cutting edge is to keep your fingers safe when piercing or stabbing .
This is a Tactical weapon , not a camp knife for feather sticking.
People use tools in a variety of circumstances and this review is showing a few other circumstances that knives are frequently used for and to show how good or bad this knife is for said task.
Do you always and only use every tool in your possession for just the main purpose it was designed?
Didn't you use a knife to pry something just last week? But that's not what a knife is made for
Don't you have a pickup truck and you used it to get supper the other day? But that's not what a truck is made for.
Do you have a coffee mug or other cup somewhere in your home with pens in it? But that's not what those are for.
I could go on for days with examples...
Looks chunky.. and rusty already??
I am not sure it's rust, but it sure looks like it to me. It looks decent with the naked eye, but CCE likes to do super close up pictures and that is when I noticed it. It might be a patina of some sort... but maybe its rust.
You didn’t get that by mistake…
So, I am a liar?
I looked up my invoices, and this knife is not on them.
Do you believe every inventory picker is always perfect, none ever pick the wrong product and have it sent to someone?
In my decades of ordering things online or mail order from things like magazines etc, I have had at least a dozen times that I was sent the wrong product(s).