Cold Steel Talk

[vivi]

got these two in the mail today:





The CE one seems ground a bit thinner in the hollow grind area than my other SRK's. It should cut very well.

The 3V's are flat saber ground so pretty beefy. Excellent for batoning with the wedging action they have, but it's gonna need a trip to the belt sander before it cuts things as well as the SK5's.

Not bad for $125 shipped. Hard to find any 3V fixed blade for less than that, much less a thick 6" bladed one.

[Makunochimaster]

i liked how code 4 was done, although should have taken spear point.

[Naperville]

I bought one:

RECON 1 XL CLIP POINT (XHP)
https://www.coldsteel.com/recon-1-xl-clip-point-xhp/

[Makunochimaster]

i am surprised that the grind is hollow at spear piont

[Naperville]

I bought one:

RECON 1 XL CLIP POINT (XHP)
https://www.coldsteel.com/recon-1-xl-clip-point-xhp/

It arrived today. I'm kind of unimpressed with this knife, but I'll keep it. Maybe it will grow on me.

It's the first 5+ inch folder that I have ever owned.

I don't know what I expected. I think Spyderco's Native Chief would be better at 5+ inches. It's the overall look of it. It's a powerful looking folder.

Everything is functional and looks great, it's ... just.... BIG!

[vivi]

I bought one:

RECON 1 XL CLIP POINT (XHP)
https://www.coldsteel.com/recon-1-xl-clip-point-xhp/

It arrived today. I'm kind of unimpressed with this knife, but I'll keep it. Maybe it will grow on me.

It's the first 5+ inch folder that I have ever owned.

I don't know what I expected. I think Spyderco's Native Chief would be better at 5+ inches. It's the overall look of it. It's a powerful looking folder.

Everything is functional and looks great, it's ... just.... BIG!

if you decide to let it go I know who to talk to

I love em. I'd probably EDC one all the time if I weren't mildly concerned with looking over the top. They're so versatile and capable.

[vivi]

naperville have you tried the frenzy? i feel like it'd appeal to you since it seems a little more self defense oriented.



Voyager is the best value. Only big drawback IMO is the clip action is terrible out of the box. They need sanded under the clip contact area heavily for carry.

Recon is my favorite mega folder overall. Slimmer and higher end feeling than the Voyagers, coating for corrosion resistance, higher end steels and ever so slightly better geometry.

Frenzy is by far the easiest to carry, it's like the Police of cold steel mega folders. Surprisingly comfortable in a variety of grips. Cutting is a mixed bag - I think the ever so slight hawkbill is probably the best blade shape for utility work I've used - but it's such a narrow blade it does poorly on certain materials because of how quick the blade thickens up.

[Naperville]

naperville have you tried the frenzy? i feel like it'd appeal to you since it seems a little more self defense oriented.



Voyager is the best value. Only big drawback IMO is the clip action is terrible out of the box. They need sanded under the clip contact area heavily for carry.

Recon is my favorite mega folder overall. Slimmer and higher end feeling than the Voyagers, coating for corrosion resistance, higher end steels and ever so slightly better geometry.

Frenzy is by far the easiest to carry, it's like the Police of cold steel mega folders. Surprisingly comfortable in a variety of grips. Cutting is a mixed bag - I think the ever so slight hawkbill is probably the best blade shape for utility work I've used - but it's such a narrow blade it does poorly on certain materials because of how quick the blade thickens up.

I like the frenzy too, but was looking for one with a black handle.

It's growing on me. I like the blade, just have to get used to the handle, it's huge.

I have to have something to show the guys. I may be going back to escrima training. Have to wait to make sure it is the right thing to do. A few of the guys carry large knives.

I just inherited a home and car. If I go back to training I have to sell everything and move back to California. I like the training, but California is expensive. If I do not do it - it is because of the cost.

[vivi]

The 3V SRK I convexed performed very well. Carves wood great but no edge issues with full arm swing chops and batoning. The belly got chipped clearing an area for my tarp and hammock by accidentally chopping into a rock but it'll be ok. Gonna take it a tiny bit thinner sometime soon.

[Ankerson]

I bought one:

RECON 1 XL CLIP POINT (XHP)
https://www.coldsteel.com/recon-1-xl-clip-point-xhp/

It arrived today. I'm kind of unimpressed with this knife, but I'll keep it. Maybe it will grow on me.

It's the first 5+ inch folder that I have ever owned.

I don't know what I expected. I think Spyderco's Native Chief would be better at 5+ inches. It's the overall look of it. It's a powerful looking folder.

Everything is functional and looks great, it's ... just.... BIG!

5" bladed folders are pretty large to be pocket carrying.

You could get a belt sheath for it.

Personally anything with more than a 4" blade I carry a fixed blade, but that's me.

[Naperville]

I bought one:

RECON 1 XL CLIP POINT (XHP)
https://www.coldsteel.com/recon-1-xl-clip-point-xhp/

It arrived today. I'm kind of unimpressed with this knife, but I'll keep it. Maybe it will grow on me.

It's the first 5+ inch folder that I have ever owned.

I don't know what I expected. I think Spyderco's Native Chief would be better at 5+ inches. It's the overall look of it. It's a powerful looking folder.

Everything is functional and looks great, it's ... just.... BIG!

5" bladed folders are pretty large to be pocket carrying.

You could get a belt sheath for it.

Personally anything with more than a 4" blade I carry a fixed blade, but that's me.

I like the idea of having a fancy leather sheath made for my folder.

[vivi]

can't say I've run into any issues clipping the XL's to my pockets. Pocket depth is no issue and if I feel like there isn't enough space in my front pocket to access my phone, I just clip the knife to a side pocket.

[Ankerson]

I bought one:

RECON 1 XL CLIP POINT (XHP)
https://www.coldsteel.com/recon-1-xl-clip-point-xhp/

It arrived today. I'm kind of unimpressed with this knife, but I'll keep it. Maybe it will grow on me.

It's the first 5+ inch folder that I have ever owned.

I don't know what I expected. I think Spyderco's Native Chief would be better at 5+ inches. It's the overall look of it. It's a powerful looking folder.

Everything is functional and looks great, it's ... just.... BIG!

5" bladed folders are pretty large to be pocket carrying.

You could get a belt sheath for it.

Personally anything with more than a 4" blade I carry a fixed blade, but that's me.

I like the idea of having a fancy leather sheath made for my folder.

Yeah and you can use your pocket then too.

[xceptnl]

@vivi
Do you or anyone else have any in the woods experience with the CS 3V master hunter?
How is the geometry vs the 3V SRK?

[Naperville]

can't say I've run into any issues clipping the XL's to my pockets. Pocket depth is no issue and if I feel like there isn't enough space in my front pocket to access my phone, I just clip the knife to a side pocket.

I just had my record expunged. Don't want to be pinched carrying a 5+ inch knife.

[mikey177]

Recon 1 spearpoint for today.

[Makunochimaster]

[Makunochimaster]

[Ankerson]

Vintage Recon 1, 1990's made in Japan.

[Brock O Lee]

@vivi
Do you or anyone else have any in the woods experience with the CS 3V master hunter?
How is the geometry vs the 3V SRK?

I cannot compare the Master Hunter to the SRK in the woods, but I can show it next to a Waterway and a Temperance.







The geometry is very thick. It is not a slicer. I split kindling once for the stove, and reprofiled soon afterwards.



It is harder than the Stanley Steelmaster hatchet I hammered it with. Not a mark on the spine...





Spine thickness


Behind the edge thickness @ 17 dps, measured at two spots. Factory edge was more than 20 dps.


You'll notice the edge bevel is uneven after the reprofile. This is because the FFG is not very even, and it varies in thickness over its length on this side. The thicker it is the wider the bevel. The presentation side is a bit better. The edge is at a uniform 17 dps off the Tormek on both sides. It takes a great edge and is razor sharp. I nicked myself while I took the pictures.

I think it would do well with a convex, like the SRK posted earlier. I will likely do this soon, because it is still way too thick.