Are the Cold Steel Recon 1 and American Lawman about as strong and tough as a folder can be in their size class?

J

Jay Hiewd

Joined
Jan 15, 2021
Messages
34
I currently carry a Benchmade Adamas 2. It's under 4 inches and can be legal most places. I'm looking to replace it with the Recon 1 and the American Lawman for places with an under 4 inch blade requirement.

Without considering cost, are these two about as tough, reliable, and durable as a knife can be in their size class?

I was told that they're both stronger in the lock, grip, and blade break resistance than my Adamas.

I used to carry a Spyderco Police, but the blade is thin and feels flimsy.
 
If your primary concern is strength, you can certainly find stronger. Cold steel itself has a number of folders with a stronger blade, especially tip, like the 4 max and sr1.

I wouldn't really clas the lawman blade a folder for strength at all. It's one of the slicier Cold Steel models.
 
kreole said:
If your primary concern is strength, you can certainly find stronger. Cold steel itself has a number of folders with a stronger blade, especially tip, like the 4 max and sr1.

I wouldn't really clas the lawman blade a folder for strength at all. It's one of the slicier Cold Steel models.
Click to expand...
I think he's talking locks more than blade thickness and steel type......unless I'm wrong?

went back reread it all....yep he seems to be talking blade thickness and everything...nevermind my first comment above.....
 
I agree with kreole kreole . Maybe look at a Demko AD10 if you’re ok with a back lock or a Demko AD 20 for the Shark Lock, which in my opinion is better than the Tr-Ad lock any day.
 
There are folders, and there are strong folders. Strong folders are overkill as far as most folder requirements go. Regular folders will cut properly and hold up just fine doing so. I use a Spyderco Resilience lightweight that I modded to suit my tastes. None of those mods involve increasing strength. Only improving ergos, aesthetics, and cutting ability. A Recon 1 is overkill for strength in a folder. A 4-Max is just bonkers. If I owned either, I would be modding them to reduce weight and improve cutting ability and ergonomics, even at the expense of some strength, since they both have way more than a folder will ever realistically need.
 
The American Lawman is a good knife and a reasonable size for CS folder. If you break that one, you’d likely break a fixed blade as well. Wait for one of the CS sales that pop up often and save a few dollars.

The locks tend to smooth out over time, so don’t be concerned.
 
I love the CS 4Max, with the Scout version being an absolutely fantastic budget bruiser. It is indeed very big and heavy, but I personally don’t mind carrying it, and do so often.

The AD10 is definitely more reasonable for size and weight, and another great bombproof folder with full aluminum liners. It’s still probably heavier and bulkier than most people really prefer, but very comfortable in hand, and hard to beat in terms of capability.

The Recon1, although linerless, is still very tough, AND comparatively light and thin in carry profile to the AD10 and 4Max. I am confident it is more than tough enough for most “hard use” tasks.

The American lawman is as good as the Recon1 in terms of durability and lockup, but as mentioned has a shorter, thinner blade. Additionally, more of the usable blade length is reduced with a full forward finger choil than I prefer. I had one years ago, but found I just prefer the overall size of the larger models. That said, I had no real concerns in terms of confidence of durability or lockup, and it does ride nice and flat in pocket.

Not mentioned yet, but I have been finding myself carrying my AD15 quite a lot. Great size, handy and positive one-handed locking/unlocking once you get used to it. Definitely not light or thin, but something keeps making me keep picking it to carry. I only have the S35 version in this model, but folks are saying the “Lite” version in Aus10 is a great value. My experience with Aus10 in other models would seem to suggest the same. I have no problems with that steel.
 
If you want under 4", then the Recon 1 and 4Max wouldn't qualify, as they are 4" (at least that's the published length). Don't think you'd regret the American Lawman...only reason I don't have one is the black blade. But for absolute strength and under 4", I'd probably go with the AD10.

Demko's Shark Lock is awesome, and I love the AD20 and 20.5, but I think the TriAd lock is technically stronger.
 
Jay Hiewd said:
I currently carry a Benchmade Adamas 2. It's under 4 inches and can be legal most places. I'm looking to replace it with the Recon 1 and the American Lawman for places with an under 4 inch blade requirement.

Without considering cost, are these two about as tough, reliable, and durable as a knife can be in their size class?

I was told that they're both stronger in the lock, grip, and blade break resistance than my Adamas.

I used to carry a Spyderco Police, but the blade is thin and feels flimsy.
Click to expand...
Jay, the Recon 1 tops-out at 4" as others have mentioned. A great choice in the strength, price-point ratio. The AK-47 at 3.5 inches may serve you better, according to your stated parameters. The AD-10 at 3.6" is also; another great choice also, previously mentioned. I own both knives, and they are absolutely; bulletproof.

aszkvvah.jpg


EegWcmAh.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top