Cold Steel Talk

[James Y]

Many thanks for your excellent and very thorough review of your first impressions, Rick! It cements the idea that one day, if and when I ever get back into buying any more knives, the AD15 Lite will be on that list, if it's still being made by then!

I have another question: How is that Mini Recon 1, including (of course) its pocket clip/clipability?

Jim

[SpyderEdgeForever]

The Finn Wolf is good.

[DSH007]

Many thanks for your excellent and very thorough review of your first impressions, Rick! It cements the idea that one day, if and when I ever get back into buying any more knives, the AD15 Lite will be on that list, if it's still being made by then!

I have another question: How is that Mini Recon 1, including (of course) its pocket clip/clipability?

Jim

Hey Jim! Sorry - I've been pretty busy lately and I managed to miss this for a couple weeks..

The Mini Recon 1 is nice - one of Cold Steel's more realistic actual "edc" designs, imo..big enough to be a useful knife to the average person, microscopic compared to most CS knives haha. The FRN (or GRN, or whatever CS calls it..) is well done.. textured enough to look a little classier than most FRN.. it almost looks like a peel-ply G10, but smoother, so it's easy on pockets.. the clip still has quite a bit of retention, iirc, but it's not a big deal in and out of the pocket combined with the smoother scales.

[James Y]

Many thanks for your excellent and very thorough review of your first impressions, Rick! It cements the idea that one day, if and when I ever get back into buying any more knives, the AD15 Lite will be on that list, if it's still being made by then!

I have another question: How is that Mini Recon 1, including (of course) its pocket clip/clipability?

Jim

Hey Jim! Sorry - I've been pretty busy lately and I managed to miss this for a couple weeks..

The Mini Recon 1 is nice - one of Cold Steel's more realistic actual "edc" designs, imo..big enough to be a useful knife to the average person, microscopic compared to most CS knives haha. The FRN (or GRN, or whatever CS calls it..) is well done.. textured enough to look a little classier than most FRN.. it almost looks like a peel-ply G10, but smoother, so it's easy on pockets.. the clip still has quite a bit of retention, iirc, but it's not a big deal in and out of the pocket combined with the smoother scales.

No need to apologize, Rick H. Your reviews/ and descriptions are very detailedand much appreciated. Many thanks!

If I ever buy any more knives, and if one of those happens to be a Cold Steel, the mini Recon 1 sounds the most like something I might actually carry and use with any regularity.



Jim

[aicolainen]

8< -----
The FRN (or GRN, or whatever CS calls it..) is well done.. textured enough to look a little classier than most FRN.. it almost looks like a peel-ply G10, but smoother, so it's easy on pockets.. the clip still has quite a bit of retention, iirc, but it's not a big deal in and out of the pocket combined with the smoother scales.

Ou...
Until I read this, I didn't realize they'd changed the handle material to fancy plastic.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, the mini recon 1 was the one CS I felt bad about missing out on, and the one model I hoped would make a comeback when GSM surveyed their customers for models they wanted to return.
And it did, with a catch.
In the CTS-XHP era both the regular recon 1 and the mini had similar "premium" build with G10 and CTS-XHP, while the Micro recons was a step below with GRN and AUS-8.
And while I'm a big fan of FRN, and I really don't think AUS-10A is too much of an issue for this type of knife - the super grippy G10 is one of the defining features of the recon series to me.
The new mini may still be a good option in its own right and maybe even better value, but I still feel like I missed out on the mini recon 1.

[soc_monki]

I bought a 4max Scout years ago now, and loved it. Bought a 2nd when GSM bought cold steel because I was worried the brand would go away after a short while. I spent around $75-80 each. I felt they were a great deal. Still do. Now I see I can get one for FORTY DOLLARS. $40 at midway. Like...how? Ridiculous. Anyone on the fence should buy one or two at that price. Yeah, they're big. But they're solid knives and will take anything you throw at them. The aus10 isn't bad either.

Man, I want to buy a few more now just to have more backups that I won't need anytime soon but, I've already spent enough buying firearms and optics...lol

[Paul Ardbeg]

A bit weird asking for advise about a Cold Steel knife on the Spydieforum but have seen a few folks raving about the SRK. I'm looking to buy the SRK in 3V and will use it as camp knife and for battoning, with the focus on harder use tasks. Do you beat the crap out of it battoning? Any issues or recommendations?

The 3V SRK is made in Italy, is Lionsteel the OEM? They make great fixed blades.

Appreciate the advise!

[vivi]

A bit weird asking for advise about a Cold Steel knife on the Spydieforum but have seen a few folks raving about the SRK. I'm looking to buy the SRK in 3V and will use it as camp knife and for battoning, with the focus on harder use tasks. Do you beat the crap out of it battoning? Any issues or recommendations?

The 3V SRK is made in Italy, is Lionsteel the OEM? They make great fixed blades.

Appreciate the advise!

I own 2 3V SRK's, Olive and FDE, as well as a slew of SK5 versions.

I'm very happy with SRK's in general. Comfortable handle, and being overmolded rubber it reduces shock some during chopping and batoning. Useful blade shape and tip thickness. Robust enough to beat on but still cuts well enough, especially with a thinned edge. Sheath is pretty decent, though I prefer throwing on their aftermarket C clip. No durability issues despite being very rough on mine. At the prices they sell for ($25-35 for base steel, ~$80 for 3V) I bought multiples in each steel in different colors.

The 3V's hold their edge very well. Much better than SK5. The edge stability is higher too, as the apex deforms less during harder use like batoning and chopping.

They also come very well made looking compared to the SK5 version. I strip my SK5's so I see how ugly the grinds are underneath. Very coarse grind lines that take a while to polish out.

The 3V's come with a very beautiful satin finish with a nice polish and very crisp grind lines. Too crisp for my taste when it comes to the swedge, as its sharp enough to damage batons readily. But the finish looks wonderful VS a hand stripped and polished SK5 .

The 3V's are saber flat ground while the SK5's have hollow saber grinds. The 3V chops and batons better due to extra mass while the SK5 is a better slicer in general. I typically carry my SK5 version I stripped and thinned for that reason.

SK5 versions can be had as low as $28 - https://www.chicagoknifeworks.com/cold- ... esert-tan/

3V's go on sale at midwayusa for $75-90 multiple times a year. I paid $80 shipped for mine from them. They are currently $110 for the plain black version - https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1023440173?pid=708181

Both are ridiculously good values and can handle any knife task you'll encounter in the outdoors.

Here's some photos of my go to SRK in SK5, and one of my 3V's that's since been reprofiled a bit. I use them a lot on camping trips.

sharp swedge



3V




Making shavings with an SK5





Cold Steels machetes and SRK's can be a great addition to any outdoors kit, especially when camping in wilderness areas with abandoned, overgrown trails like we did last spring


Last thing we used it for on the trip. Slicing up a cantaloupe when we stopped by looking glass falls.

[Paul Ardbeg]

A bit weird asking for advise about a Cold Steel knife on the Spydieforum but have seen a few folks raving about the SRK. I'm looking to buy the SRK in 3V and will use it as camp knife and for battoning, with the focus on harder use tasks. Do you beat the crap out of it battoning? Any issues or recommendations?

The 3V SRK is made in Italy, is Lionsteel the OEM? They make great fixed blades.

Appreciate the advise!

I own 2 3V SRK's, Olive and FDE, as well as a slew of SK5 versions.

I'm very happy with SRK's in general. Comfortable handle, and being overmolded rubber it reduces shock some during chopping and batoning. Useful blade shape and tip thickness. Robust enough to beat on but still cuts well enough, especially with a thinned edge. Sheath is pretty decent, though I prefer throwing on their aftermarket C clip. No durability issues despite being very rough on mine. At the prices they sell for ($25-35 for base steel, ~$80 for 3V) I bought multiples in each steel in different colors.

The 3V's hold their edge very well. Much better than SK5. The edge stability is higher too, as the apex deforms less during harder use like batoning and chopping.

They also come very well made looking compared to the SK5 version. I strip my SK5's so I see how ugly the grinds are underneath. Very coarse grind lines that take a while to polish out.

The 3V's come with a very beautiful satin finish with a nice polish and very crisp grind lines. Too crisp for my taste when it comes to the swedge, as its sharp enough to damage batons readily. But the finish looks wonderful VS a hand stripped and polished SK5 .

The 3V's are saber flat ground while the SK5's have hollow saber grinds. The 3V chops and batons better due to extra mass while the SK5 is a better slicer in general. I typically carry my SK5 version I stripped and thinned for that reason.

SK5 versions can be had as low as $28 - https://www.chicagoknifeworks.com/cold- ... esert-tan/

3V's go on sale at midwayusa for $75-90 multiple times a year. I paid $80 shipped for mine from them. They are currently $110 for the plain black version - https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1023440173?pid=708181

Both are ridiculously good values and can handle any knife task you'll encounter in the outdoors.

Here's some photos of my go to SRK in SK5, and one of my 3V's that's since been reprofiled a bit. I use them a lot on camping trips.

sharp swedge



3V




Making shavings with an SK5





Cold Steels machetes and SRK's can be a great addition to any outdoors kit, especially when camping in wilderness areas with abandoned, overgrown trails like we did last spring


Last thing we used it for on the trip. Slicing up a cantaloupe when we stopped by looking glass falls.

Thank you so much Vivi!! A lot of good information on the SRK and confirmation it is a "do it all" knife. Will keep the sharp swedge in mind. I really like that you can still slice with it whilst still strong enough to baton with.

80 bucks is a no brainer for a 3V knife of this size ..unfortunetly here in Europe the cheapest is €180 and most go for €225. Huge difference

Really like the SRK and prefer 3V. Maybe ill give the carbon steel a go as those go for 60 euros.

Much appreciated Vivi!

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I have a Cold Steel Air Lite Tanto. I chose that over the Drop Point because I prefer their tanto blades for sturdiness and geometry. I've used it for edc tasks like breaking down cardboard and opening boxes, and cutting vegetables, things like that. It is a great knife. The AUS10 stainless steel and G10 handle are perfectly matched and the TriAd lock is very stable. The blade does have semi sharp edges on the blunt sides but I have not been cut by those. I did lightly nick myself in the first few openings and closings of it from the point and blade edge. But I love that knife. My hope is that even with the change in ownership they will keep designs like that going. Made in Taiwan of Japanese AUS steel. Their G10 is decent.

[vivi]

Here's a nice deal. SRK + Trail Box 1055 Axe for $50

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1023784649?pid=929896

I'd be all over that if I didn't already have some axes and more SRK's than I need, haha.

Got another Voyager XL in the mail. AUS10 Clip Point was on sale for $60. I'm thinking about modding the blade and removing the clip, giving it a straight spine sort of like a Military folder.

[vivi]

this might be the first mini version of a knife I buy and keep. Looks cool.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

The Tanto Voyager is one of my favorites. Rock solid.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Vivi I wanted to sand down the texture on the Voyager grip and satinize the stonewashed blade. Would sand paper work?

[vivi]

Vivi I wanted to sand down the texture on the Voyager grip and satinize the stonewashed blade. Would sand paper work?

Yep.

I did both of those mods to my oldest XL clip point.

The Voyagers are probably the worst cold steel folders in terms of the clip being overly tight and the texture on the scales where the clip lands being too aggressive.

Some of their folders have great clips out of the box, like the american lawman and recon 1, but the voyagers need some heavy sanding to be pocket ready in my opinion.

Doing the handle can be a 5 minute job, but getting a nice satin finish on the blade takes more time.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

This is great and encouraging news. The older Voyager grips were very comfortable. The raised diamond pattern on the later models can be painful when held. I like the satin finish best. Mirror is too shiny.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Vivi would you recommend the Voyager to women for self defense and an edc tool or another model?

[vivi]

Voyagers, at least the larges, are probably a bit big for most females hands. I'd probably go with the American Lawman is sticking to Cold Steel.

I suggest guns for self defense over knives. If for some reason it had to be a knife, I'd suggest fixed.

[mikey177]

2025 new product reveal from Cold Steel is out.

Interesting to see them moving back to CTS-XHP steel on some models. Hoping this means their past supply chain issues with Carpenter have been sorted out.

I might try the Frenzy 3.5 or Black Sable at some point.

[vivi]

holy ****. I asked them to bring back the recon xl and they actually did it.

I'm about to buy up a bunch of those if they're reasonably priced. those were a pain hunting down on the secondary market because many folks were asking absurd prices, and they're still fakes of them floating around.

favorite xl folder there is.

3V on the mini frenzy is interesting.

cool seeing them bring back a bunch of classics.