Cold Steel Recon Tanto

Submitted by Steelcobra

Personally, my Cold Steel Recon Tanto served me very well while I was out at Robin Sage as a G. It's a solid knife I used to hammer, cut, pry, break things, and occasionally throw at trees, and it held up beautifully. The edge is nearly impossible to chip, and the protective coating held up to all kinds of abuse. The simple Kraton checked grip ensues confidence that it won't be dropped.

Finally, the stock molded Kydex sheath is tough, and the friction grips let you carry it around camp unstrapped without fear of it falling out.

While Cold Steel's site says $115, I got mine at the Clothing Sales shop for $50.

Check out the Cold Steel Recon Tanto here

Comments

[Brizmo]

YES! It is one bad knife. I've trained with various knives in multiple types of combat and this is THE knife that rules them all. Simple and strong - no frills, none needed. It is bigger (11+") than the pics let on, some of my smaller (I'm 6'4") buddies look like they're holding a short sword - but it's perfect for me. They make a rubber version of this knife for training, too.

[Brian]

Has anyone seen these? Cold Steel FGX series. It is made of some sort of plastic/fiber glass mix that will only set you back 15 dollars at most. Cheap enough that you could abuse the heck out of it and not care. They have several versions using the same material. I was thinking of sending one (or several) to my brother in Afghanistan.

[RJB1012]

This is what Kit Up is all about.

[Pete E]

Traded one to a Sgt in the French Foriegn Legion during Desert Shield/ Desert Storm for a case of their rats. He loved the knife for its toughness

[deanS]

A good knife and because I know a some guys don't like the tanto type tip. There is the SRK version it's about an inch shorter with a bowie type tip.
http://www.coldsteel.com/38ck.html
Also I like the Voyager pocket knifes but mainly when they are on sale.
@Brian for about 4 more dollars they have smaller sheath knives that maybe pretty handy to your brother, I have the Roach Belly and it feels pretty sturdy not sure about the sheath though.

[Richard]

I am retired military and I own several Cold Steel Knives. I carry a Cold Steel Brave Heart all the time.

[KBAR]

K-Bar is better

[Matt]

I have a Cold Steel SRK. Bought at a Pawn Shop in Killeen TX, in 92. Have carried it and used it all over the world and love it. It has never let me down. The edge will rust, so keep an eye on it. Far, far superior to a K-Bar. I've never seen a Cold Stell product break.

I carry a Voyager folding knife constantly and have Roach Belly and Finn Bear knives tucked around the house and truck. For the most bang for the buck, buy the Bushman. It is so sharp out of the box it is scary! Can't go wrong with Cold Steel, worth the money!

[charles t. sherwin]

Sur-prize, sur-prize...these Tanto Knives are made by Ka-Bar Cutlery, in Olean, NY 14760. They are an advance on the USMC Fighting Knife that we all knew and loved; it is still being made, sold, also, and this is for people that demand progress. All of their cutlery (Cutco) is good; they do market some imports but mostly to compete, but these combat beauties are "home made" to good quality.

[doug hash]

I HAD A SRK THAT MY SON WAS USING TO REPAIR AN AXE HEAD WEDGE. AS HE PRIED ON THE WEDGE THE TIP OF THE KNIFE (ABOUT A 1/4 INCH)SNAPPED OFF LIKE A POTATO CHIP...A GOOD BAYONET WOULD JUST BEND AND THEN YOU COULD BEND IT BACK..THERE IS A LOT TO BE SAID FOR CARBON STEEL...

[SGT K]

Why is it that every time someone posts something about a knife, some jackass says "Kbar is better..."

We get - Marines like their Kbars. No need to keep saying it.

[steelcobra]

doug hash: Perhaps you should've used a tool more suited to the task. That said, a knife you "bend back" is just as worthless. At least if the blade snaps like that tiny bit you described, it can be re-edged easily. A bent knife will always be bent, even if it looks straight.

[First Sgt]

THE SRK IS THE BEST KNIFE I HAVE EVER ONWED. I HAVE USED AND ABUSED THIS KIFE FOR YEARS AND MANY FTXs. ASSUME KNIFE, WELL WORTH THE $50.

[Jack]

I own several Cold Steel Knives and Kabars too...when Cold Steel used their own blend of steel...Carbon V...they were tough beyond belief...but something about those Kabars just makes me smile...best all around blade for me is a Cold Steel Recon Scout...it don't Break and is so damn sharp, it'll cut you if you at it funny...it's the best of both worlds...7 inches like a K-Bar...but built same as the Trail Master...but then mines made of Carbon V...one tough mothafucking steel...

[Sniper148]

When the CS recon tanto was made in carbon V these where fu**ing strong.....now the recon tanto is made with aus-8 stainless steel,i dont know much about the new version...it is as strong as carbon V ? I dont think.

[rbe1143]

I just ordered a recon tanto, I've wanted one for years. I can't wait for it to get here.

[beckersway]

cold steel top a line knives for the money and to the guy who said kbar better haha stick a kbar in a ammo tin n bend side ways handle breaks right off.

[Perspectives]

While I agree that a combat knife is required to cut, bash and trash things that they were not designed to do, any thing can be distroyed, tough or not. I choose to protect my knives as they have other purposes than to try and break them. I do like the KaBar brand but I'm partial to the tanto design. Having said this I suppose it depends on the user and their tastes as there doesen't appear to be a clear winner.