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Cold Steel Recon 1
The Recon 1 set the template for what a tactical folder should be when it launched, and Cold Steel has been refining it ever since. The formula is straightforward: thin enough to slice, thick enough to pry, locked tight enough to use like a fixed blade. Military, law enforcement, and fire/rescue crews made it a standard issue choice. The rest of us just appreciate a folder that won't let us down.
The series spans four size classes. The Micro Recon 1 packs a 2" blade into a 1.1-ounce package—genuine Tri-Ad lock security in something small enough to disappear in a watch pocket. The Mini steps up to 3" with AUS-10A steel and G-10 handles, hitting that sweet spot between discretion and capability. The standard 4" Recon 1 is the flagship: S35VN steel with DLC coating, 3.5mm blade stock, and enough handle to work with gloved hands. The XL pushes into fixed blade territory with a 5.25" CTS-XHP blade for users who need serious reach.
Every Recon 1 runs on Andrew Demko's Tri-Ad lock—the same self-adjusting mechanism that's survived Cold Steel's infamous torture tests for decades. The hardened stop pin redistributes force away from the lock face, which is why these folders handle spine whacks and lateral stress that would blow out lesser mechanisms.
Blade geometry options cover the bases: American tanto for maximum tip strength and puncture capability, clip point for versatile everyday cutting, and spear point for a balance of both. Standard models come plain or partially serrated.
The MagnaCut Recon 1 represents the current pinnacle—one of the most advanced stainless steels available, combining the corrosion resistance and toughness that made the series famous with edge retention that rivals high-end customs.
Shop more Cold Steel folding knives here.