Knifenutty's Cold Steel Recon Tanto in Afghanistan

Longtrang

Longtrang

Joined
Jan 21, 2010
Messages
3,311
About two months ago I wrote a post on a Cold Steel thread. Shortly there after I receive an email from Knifenutty asking if I would do a review of the Cold Steel Recon. I agreed, so here we go.

Over all I would have to say the knife is pretty sturdy for the price. Can't really attest to the edge retention to an great extent but the little cutting work I did with it didn't seem to take much away. While I don't know if the Recon has made me a convert I can say it is much higher quality than I was expecting. Far as the blade design, it's nothing radically new. The curved tanto design worked well in Japan for a long while and it's still a functional design today. The rubber grip is definitely my favorite part of this knife. For my hands it's pretty much the perfect fit. Not too big or small. The rubber makes the knife nearly slip proof in any practical condition I can think of, gloves or no. I could see this knife at home in the woods with medium to light field tasks. As a combat knife it checks a lot of blocks many soldiers look for in a blade:
1 - The price: At not much over $100 retail, it's within the budget most guys I know are willing to spend.
2 - Ease of carry: The sheath has quite a few tie down points, mounting this knife to MOLLE would be a breeze. With all the real estate on the sheath and the removable drop leg strap, even the most un-MacGyver person should have no problem finding a way to carry the knife that works for them.The sheath locks the blade in place tight, almost too tight in fact.
3 - Size : Far a size goes, it's almost neck and neck with a standard Ka Bar.

Over all, I would have to say I think the knife is pretty good for the price. Obviously there are nicer knives out there but the Recon Tanto would definitely make a solid work horse knife for either camping or military applications.

Specs from the manufacture's web page:
Blade Length: 7"
Overall Length:11 3/4"
Steel: Japanese Aus 8A Stainless w/ Black Tuff-Ex Finish
Weight:9 oz
Blade Thickness: 3/16"
Handle:4 3/4" Long Kray-Ex™
Sheath:Secure-Ex® Sheath

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haha great pics. Always wanted one of these because it appeared in The Chronicles of Riddick. Seems like a fun tool. Someday...
 
Excellent pics. I was more interested in the surroundings than the knife...
 
It's all good,
My request came unexpectedly and handled the best it could have been when time allowed it.
 
After re-reading my review I realized the last line could be construed as a put down towards the knife. What I said "there are nicer knives out there", what I meant by that was there are higher end and more expensive knives out there. Obviously Busse, Randall, Demko, Hinderer, Horton and a good many others are going to out preform the Recon but then again, they should. A $500+ knife should out preform a $120 knife, or else what's the point? For the knives in this price range the Recon is a very solid competitor. I would put it in the class with SOG, Ka Bar, CRKT and Gerber, that is not a bad thing either. While a lot of guys here slam these brands, I will say that for the average soldier and contractor, they get the job done. Considering that your average Private in the Army is eligible for food stamps, they may not have the financial means to drop half a grand on a blade. There is just as much, if not higher, need for reasonably priced quality knives as there are for the for the more expensive alternatives. Back when I was a Private I carried a SOG SEAL 2000, pretty good knife but wouldn't hold an edge to save it's life. After getting to play with the Recon for a while I can say it seems much sturdier and holds an edge better. If I was going to do a comparison between the two, the Recon would come out on top. Thanks for reading, I realized I forgot to take pictures of the sheath. I'll try and get those up today or tomorrow.
 
Great review! Those firearms look well used too.

Knifenutty is a great guy, if any of you get lucky enough to do some trading or whatever with him I suggest you take that opportunity. :)
Sorry for going off topic, it's just that I try to take the opportunity to say something nice for someone that certainly deserves it. :)
 
Is it cool to post pictures from op areas in uniform etc? Few armies have recently prohibited their personnel from posting pics in uniform on facebook and other forums.
 
I am a security contractor. So long as I don't give the location and specifics then there is no opsec violation. You will notice there is no way to ID where I am from any of the photos.
 
Thanks Strigamort,
I enjoyed dealing with you also and would again.

There were 2 main reasons that I decided to do this.
I recently learned in a transaction with an american friend that his family was dealing with the recent loss of a younger brother who was a Canadian soldier lost in the last ied.
He offered to send me double of the item I had bought which in return I would give it to someone that could use it.
I have family here in the forces that I agreed to pass onto one of them to take with them when they go..
In the meantime I read a post on here that Longtrang commented he had never tried a Cold Steel Product.
I noticed his location and messaged/emailed him.
He generously offered to do an honest review and pass it on to someone who could use it.
To some it's the little things that count the most..
It may seem like a little thing that was done with our actions, but it means much to the people behind the scenes.
There are a lot of great people on this forum much like the other one I frequent..
It's good to know that if one needs assistance there are people that care whether they've met or not.
 
Off topic and hope it's taken the way it's meant but.....according to the resident "experts" at m-4 carbine.net, there are no DPMS rifles in use in Afganistan...or, any theater anywhere:rolleyes:...Just thought you'd like to know:)
 
sirupatespecial said:
Off topic and hope it's taken the way it's meant but.....according to the resident "experts" at m-4 carbine.net, there are no DPMS rifles in use in Afganistan...or, any theater anywhere:rolleyes:...Just thought you'd like to know:)
Click to expand...

HAHAHAHA! Yeah... about that. In a military capacity they may be right. Contract security however is another story. We use DPMS and Bushmaster exclusively on this contract. Other companies over here carry a variety of weapons, in the 15 months I have been here I have seen just about every flavor of AR you can think of.
 
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