COLD STEEL RECON 1: LACKLUSTER OR LEGENDARY?
The Cold Steel Recon 1 is a classic folding knife that has served in military and Law Enforcement hands for over a decade. I would argue that most of the newer models in the Cold Steel lineup, such as the American Lawman and the newer Verdict, was heavily influenced by the Recon 1 features and performance. After training with and using the Recon 1 for a long time, I have found the knife to be excellent for everything from EDC to combat and survival. So, when I am looking for another knife to add to my inventory, the Recon 1 is the standard by which I judge other knives.
FEATURES
The features of the Recon 1 are relatively unique for the time, but it is mostly standard today. The Recon 1 comes in a variety of knife styles, but I fell in love with the tanto design for its penetrative power and ease of sharpening. Plus it just looks badass and like a warriors edge. Nothing against clip point or spear point, but I have my preferences.
My Recon 1 before my survival training and before i lost half the serration teeth.
When the Recon 1 first came out, G10 was not very common and they were a thing only found on premium blades. Having G10 on the Recon 1 justified the price, at the time since it was considered so rare and elite. In most knives today, even budget knives, you will see G10 being used in the handles. However, the Recon 1 is still unique because the texture and the finger grooves they used in the grip are still functional and tacky. Many of the current Cold Steel knives try to emulate the qualities of the Recon 1, but in a smaller package, like the America Lawman/Verdict.
The G10 pattern on the handle of the American Lawman is tighter and more slick than the Recon 1. The Tri-Ad locking system is identical, and dang near everything about these knives is the same. The reversible pocket clip, the lanyard loop, the jimping on the back of the handle, and the screw on the blade used to flick the knife open is all the same. Basically, the American Lawman looks like a smaller version of the Recon 1. i know there is the Recon 1 Mini, but the American Lawman is so close in design that it looks nearly identical at a distance.
Note the texturing difference on the handles, yet the similar profile. Also notice that the American Lawman incorporates the second finger groove INTO the base of the blade, but leaves the jimping in place.
MY 2015 BLADE VS THE CURRENT BLADES
The blade on my knife has been slightly modified from when I originally bought it. I got my knife at Sportsman’s Warehouse in Silverdale, Washington in 2015 for about $100, right before moving to Alaska. When I got it, the only model they had in tanto was the 50/50 serrated model, which was crap then and still is, in my opinion. If memory serve me right, this blade was made of AUS8A. The current line of Recon 1 is made of S35VN or MagnaCut steel and is carrying an MSRP of $175. Though, on Amazon, I am seeing them for around $100 still, with the crappy 50/50 only going for $85.
In 2021, I took my Recon 1 to a knife shop in Wasilla, Alaska and had them remove the serrations and sharpen it. It cost me all of $10 for that simple modification and I was so pleased to have a real knife again. The serrations on the Recon 1 50/50 were terribly brittle and not meant for anything too serious. I had broken a few teeth while processing wood for my fireplace, like NutnFancy and I used the Recon more than once to tighten muzzle devices on my 308 rifle.
MY CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE RECON 1
During the time that I was taking my Recon 1 to be sharpened and modified, I saw that the knife shop had a large selection of the current line of Cold Steel folding knives. I was pondering the concept of getting another Recon 1, or just getting a more modern design that would be able to relieve the Recon 1 of its’ EDC role.
I found the Recon 1 to be a bit large and fat to be useful in all concealed carry applications. I took a look at the lineup and settled my sites on the American Lawman. The American Lawman featured a shorter Spear Point blade, had a thinner and smaller body, but was similar enough to the Recon 1 in handling to make me want it over the Code 4.
STILL GOOD?
My Recon 1 will still work as good as any new knife out of the box. But, I do have my eye on the newer Verdict that Cold Steel has out. It is very similar in profile to the Recon 1, which is a good thing. They seem to be a slightly more tame 3” version of the Recon 1, but with a few different features that may allow me to keep my Recon 1 from having to serve double duty. Who knows what the future will hold for my Recon 1, but I know that it is still in its’ own class.