COLD STEEL Recon Tanto 7" SK-5 Razor-Sharp Blade 4.75" Kray-Ex Handle Military Tactical Fixed Blade Knife w/Secure-Ex Sheath

Revisiting some favorites from my childhood and this does not disappoint. Seems as sharp and sturdy as the old carbon V model I had--but admittedly never used that one too hard. It's amazing that these haven't gone up in price in 30 years--and the one I just bought during a sale was probably $20 cheaper than my original. Sheath isn't quite as nice as the original but it's sturdy and totally usable. Highly recommended.

This is my first Cold Steel fixed blade knife, better late than never as I wanted one for two decades, so I had to jump on a good sale which put the price at a fair amount. The blade has been extremely sharp and symmetrical. The handle is a very nice grippy rubber with aggressive bumps, but you can still slide your hand over it. Part of the handle's finger guard is what locks the knife into the sheath, but I think the retention is too much. I have the snap look snapped backwards around the sheath's dangling belt loop to keep it out of the way. The biggest problem with this knife is imbalance, not enough weight in the handle, so I wish there was more tang material for weight. It ships well, with a horrendous amount of silicone grease all over the blade for a coated blade. I never used SK-5 steel before, but in knife testing videos, the Recon Tanto holds up really well to hard use. The blade thickness and length feel very nice, although I think 5" might be better with a little more pointed tip. 5mm thick is also fine, about the minimum I'd expect. The steel composition is rather unremarkable with it's super simple ingredients, so I'm amazed at how much abuse the knife handles in test videos. I'm worried about rust more than anything, but at least Cold Steel seems to have nailed down the heat treatment and geometry. I can't tell if it has a subtle hollow grind or flat grind. I'd call the knife tanto-like more than tanto because the tip looks a little chisel-like compared to real tanto, but I hear the pointier yokote has some advantages. Combine that with a light weight handle, and it feels more like a chopper than a slicer. I was expecting something more of a sengoku battlefield tanto, but it feels like a bushcraft tanto. In that sense, I don't really like the knife as much as I thought I would. There's a ricasso instead of a habaki, and mine is thankfully the shorter 1cm long version. The belly has nice curvature for slicing. The tip heavy imbalance doesn't make it handling it feel enjoyable from what you may imagine a combat knife to feel like, but it can perform survival knife duties. Maybe Cold Steel's SRK would be better. The sheath is okay. It's extra wide to account for Molle slots and cordage holes. The sheath feels pretty good, not as cheap like Schrade. The belt loop might be polyester, not as good as nylon webbing, but I like the hook&loop with snap button closure that lets you take it off a belt without taking off your belt. You can tug the knife out without ruining the plastic card that joins it to the sheath. I'd rather have two metal clips on the sides for pocket carry. It might be too long for IWB. It's a good size for horizontal carry on the low back, but difficult to draw. It's really made for chest carriers and unsheathing with two hands from the belt or backpack. Cold Steel's Kobun has a better sheath for EDC purposes, so I guess I'll have to get one of those next. I'm feeling mixed opinion about the Recon Tanto. I thought I'd fall in love with it, but it's kind of like, meh. Well, it's a great knife that I got for a good price, so I'll still find a place for it to give it purpose.

Awesome price for a quality knife. Came sharp right out the box. Not a huge fan of Tanto blades but i figure get it since the price was right. The handle is some rubber type Of Kraton material. Provides comfort and is somewhat non slip though I think it will give a bit in some fluid. I have not tried it in the woods just yet but I’m positive the finish won’t hold up to even moderate use. Blade is thick enough to withstand baton type use but this is the problem.. people want a knife that can do it all. From skinning a bear to whittling a stick figure and splitting logs. Realistically just carry an ax and a knife. This one will fare well for most task but it’s not a multi tool/battle knife/ survival knife. The blade is strong enough to poke holes through people and slice meat and vegetables. Fairly easy to sharpen it seems. Overall a very good blade from a reputable company. Can’t go wrong with this one for general camp use.

This was very nice. I did return it because I just decided I didn't need it. But it was very nice, it was very sharp. It was very good quality and seem to be extremely well. Made very durable, and it was weighted, perfect. Just a little more than I expected, as far as size. So I returned it like I said It does give you date good, quick speed movement. Because it is not too heavy and it was a good deal for the money as well. So it's good quality. I just didn't want it. It was too much for what I needed. It for but it was a good deal

The blade is nice, very durable, you can’t get it super sharp because of how thick the blade is, but it definitely can still get pretty sharp and has a great point on it. Feels good in the hand, theres a little slippage at times if your hands are damp, but it’s not too bad.

Dollar for dollar, Cold Steel makes some of the finest production-grade knives on the market. The Recon Tanto is no exception. A general consensus of users might tend to conclude that this is more of a military tool, but this assumption would not be valid in my view. Although this knife would be a a fine military asset, it is more than capable of performing a wide variety of tasks around the camp and in the field. I own seven other Cold Steel knives and really did not need another, but need does not always figure into the equation, especially when the item in question carries an amazing price. At $43, this just screams, "buy me!" It's truly an amazing value. First, the Tanto point is extremely defined and backed up by a lot of excellent high carbon steel. The tip is designed for maximum penetration and is so strong that the odds of breaking it are extremely remote. The blade is about 5mm in thickness, which is where I feel a knife of this size should be. It's thick, but not so thick that it becomes heavy. At a tad over 8 ounces, the knife is pretty light and quick to maneuver. As mentioned, this is made from high carbon steel which makes it easy to sharpen and holds its edge well. I'm not sure what the blade is coated with, but my guess would be some form of powder coat. The finish will wear with use, but this should not bother you. This is a working tool, not a show piece. Being carbon steel, it is a bit more prone to corrosion than stainless steel, but this is not a problem either. Every now and then, take a few seconds to wipe it down with some WD40 or gun oil. If you are too lazy to do this, you don't need a knife this nice. The lines and geometry of this knife are extremely nice, reflecting a high degree of workmanship. I have owned knives costing a lot more than this that were not as well crafted. Additionally, this knife came to me razor sharp, right out of the box. It's so sharp that it will cut you if you stare at it too long, well almost. The rubberized handle feels very good in my large hands. You'll be able to sustain a positive and safe grip even when your hands are cold and wet. The sheath itself is pretty nice. It's nothing fancy but does its job well. What I do not care for is the nylon strap that connects the sheath to one's belt. Being flexible, if you wear this on your belt, the knife will ride upward a couple inches with your draw. This is not a problem, it just slows the process a bit. If you want to lash the sheath to a backpack, it has many holes designed to allow this. We are all looking for value in things we purchase, but what does that word really mean? To me, I define value as the sum of a product's quality, practicality, and price. Using this formula, I can state without reservation that the SK5 Recon Tanto is an incredible value in every respect. Don't be fooled by their Taiwanese manufacture. Cold Steel used to produce many of their knives in Japan, and these were quite nice. From what I have seen, those made in Taiwan are every bit as nice as their Japanese counterparts, and are even better than many US blades. If this knife were US made, you'd be looking at around $200 easily. In summation, the Cold Steel SK5 Recon Tanto is a versatile tool that will handle a variety of tasks. It's well made, strong, razor sharp, and the price is absolutely amazing. Never lose sight of the fact that being prepared is the key to survival. Accordingly, when I hit the field, I'll have a knife like this on my belt, and in my backpack a smaller knife such as the Cold Steel SRK Compact, a Leatherman tool and small hand axe. Thanks for reading my review. Stay safe out there, and God Bless America and our troops!

Amazing quality. Sharp enough to shave with right out of the box. Good weight and well designed sheath.

Ok, I bought this as a larger camp knife, knowing full well it was really just an excuse to buy a new toy. But it turns out, it actually makes a pretty decent camp knife. Cold Steel always makes a heck of a knife, and this is no exception. This thing is tough as sin. For about a full year I used it to cut, split, baton, and shave wood. I’ve abused it to no end, and it just keeps going with just an occasional edge touch up. I don’t normally care for injection molded plastic sheaths, but this one works really well. Turn it upside down, shake it, jar it, and the knife still isn’t going anywhere. It just stays put. But with a quick pull, it’ll slide right out when you want it too. The rubber handle is super grippy. I’ve used it in the pouring down rain, sub freezing, super sweaty hands, with and without gloves, and the knife never slips from your hand. And the steel? It’s a freaking pry bar… and I’ve actually used it as one. I suspect it would take a lot of torque to bend or snap this blade. So, it’s not a camp knife, but it’s pretty versatile for being a big ol’ fighting style tanto. And if you’re into tactical knives, I’m sure this thing would have no problem doing whatever you need out of a big knife. It’s quickly become one of my favorites - 5 stars.

Magnifique couteau de combat pour un militaire

Produto de ótima qualidade, resistente e de acabamento impecável.

Die Gürtelschlaufe aus Stoff finde ich unfein, weil's etwas labbrig ist. Persönlich mag ich die festeren Plastikclips lieber. Das Muster am Griff ist sehr agressiv, sorgt für guten Halt aber kann auch bei längerer Verwendung unangenehm werden. Die Scheide ist gut, kaum Spiel, macht die Klinge nicht stumpf und hält die Klinge gut fest. Ist auch stabil und hat eine kleine Öffnung am ende um Wasser ablaufen zu lassen. Nun zur Klinge, der Schliff ist recht symmetrisch, aber nicht perfekt (eine Seite hat einen minimal höheren Winkel als die Andere). Es ist beschichteter Carbonstahl, etwa 57HRC hart und kann extrem scharf werden. Ab Werk braucht es ein wenig, aber man bekommt es schnell rasierscharf, sehr viel einfacher als z.B. 440C. Der Gleichgewichtspunkt ist recht weit vorne weil der Gummigriff kaum Eigengewicht hat, dadurch hackt das Messer echt gut, für feinarbeit ist es aber etwas zu Klingenlastig finde ich. Zudem fast 5mm dick bei 30mm hoch bedeutet, dass es ein ziemlicher Keil is. Gut für Robustheit, schlecht fürs Schnitzen. Die Klinge geht vollkommen durch, da sind nur wenige Millimeter Gummi oben und hinten. Die Beschichtung ist relativ robust, wird sich aber mit der Zeit abtragen. Ich finde es ist ein gutes Messer, aber auf der robusten Seite daher nicht für alle geeignet.

If the sheath didn't scratch up the handle so much it would be an easy 5 stars but I give it a 4.5 but aside from that, this knife is almost perfect, comes extremely sharp and is ready to use. This is the 3rd or 4th Recon Tanto I have bought because when I parted with my other ones, I missed it and so I got my hands on a new one. The sheath is decent, absolutely no tattle of any kind, knife is easy to deploy. This knife has 2 grinds, hollow grind on the main blade and a sabre grind at the yokote going up to the tip, which gives it it's strength. The knife is thick at 5mm and is very strong and durable. I have seen this knife endure all kinds of abuse. Not only is this a good tactical, self defense knife, but it can slice, chop and feather stick very well in bushcrafting and camping tasks. You can literally go hard with this knife and it will take it all and the best about it, it's very cheap so you could always get another one as a back up or to keep in you vehicle or bugout bag. It's one of my favorite, in the top 5, all time favorite knife. This is the original American Tanto, done by Cold steel, the first mass producer of the American Tanto so you're getting the original, it's definitely a legend and an awesome utility tool. I NEVER leave home without my Recon Tanto. And if you doubt the strength of this knife, just watch the Recon Tanto in action on YouTube. Just get one, you definitely will not regret it, I'm thinking of getting another one as a backup to keep in another backpack.

Robusto, filo que afeita, excelente funda. Un cold steel, nada más que decir.