I have one in O1 steel for many years. I grab it whenever I need to blindly rely on my knife. Used it very heavy and never failed.

That's exactly why I got the shorter Gold Rush Bowie! I wanted something to use as an all-rounder. I've touched up the edge, and I'm excited to put it through it's paces. Those trout won't know what hit 'em.

I love the Recon Scout. I am NOT a knife fighter, but I love it as a camp/survival knife.

Thank You for sharing! I've been on the fence about the cold steel trailmaster.

I've had the San Mai Trailmaster for years, the convex edge is magical. It made me think real Bowie's should be like this. I don't use it, it's too pretty. I bought the 3v Trailmaster as it was 75% the price of the Recon Scout. It's flat ground and doesn't have the magic of the San Mai convex edge. I bought matching leather sheaths for them

Midwayusa sometimes has really good deals on these, I got one for $200 plus tax. But then a month later they had it for $150 with a coupon 😑

I like the Recon Scout. I have a leather sheath for it on the way too, because the SecureEx is trash. Edit: I’ll acknowledge the knife doesn’t have that “WOW” factor the Natchez Bowie or Trailmaster has, but it’s otherwise the perfect knife function and fit wise.

@franciscoarana6626

Ай бұрын

Can you leave my the link for the leather sheath...pls.. thanks!

@Birdisthename

19 күн бұрын

Where did you get the sheath brother ?

Its quite plain as far as Cold Steel goes. But imo, thats the beauty of it. For the price, i dont feel guilty modifying it. Coat the edge in a flowing coat of nail polish, then submerge the blade in vinegar for a while. Force a patina. Then remove the nail polish. Ta-da! Pseudo hamone. Rip off the handle, and replace it with some crazy Spalted maple, or antler. The price is right for a self done custom job.

Whoa thanks for the video!! I was actually looking at this one the other week. It looks really good and has gorgeous profile geometry. Also the handle looks very comfortable. It seems like it would be a decent camping or hiking knife.

I recently got a Cold Steel Rondel Dagger as I fight people in armor. ;-) But seriously, I'm more into edged weapons that thrust/punctures (and parries heavier blades) well, not so much for cutting. But I DO have a very sharp M-16 bayonet if I want a fighting/cutting knife for the field. Still, this Cold Steel knife looks pretty well-made and durable -- and lethal. -- BR

The Trail Master is to the Recon Scout what the Esee Junglas is to the Esee Junglas II. The Esee knives can be used to baton with but they are also very plain and have those coated blades that are not everyone's cup of tea. I prefer the Junglas II because it is a bit more manageable, lighter and therefor more nimble, just like the Recon Scout. I would probably go for a medium size machete instead if I had to go for a one tool option.

Great video Mike! It's got me looking at that knife!!!

I'm about to get a Recon Scout in a few days ,and I've been wanting one back since before Cold Steel was sold I was trying to get the O1 steel version that one has been replaced by the 3V steel I own a Trail Master in O1 and it's a beast of a Chopper ,IMHO but it is a heavy knife so I assumed the smaller Recon Scout would be more of a Combat Ready Fixed Blade over the Trail Master ,but I love the TM and its a super camp blade ,IMHO 😊

I have a custom 3v camp knife 8" blade 60hrc tested full flat grind drop point, pretty much the same shape as the recon scout, I am glad I went custom.

@michaelrizzo5523

3 ай бұрын

Nice!

The lack of visual tang, along with being slightly too short, seals it for me. Thank you for the review

You naturally approached the Recon Scout from a fighting perspective. The quillon/hand-guard suggests that perspective while limiting the knife's bush-craft utility. The balance is what I'd want for speed. So, as a combat knife, is it a good design to quickly draw in CQB with your left hand, providing defense until you can safely use your pistol? I'd argue it's too large. Is the knife's design appropriate for use attacking someone from the rear? For that, a dagger is superior. In fact, the only good use for it is if you're facing someone else attacking you with a knife, which almost never happens. It's an interesting design, but I can't say it's optimal at anything.

@michaelrizzo5523

2 ай бұрын

It's that compromise "combat knife" design. In modern situations, a 4-5" fixed blade will be perfectly adequate and easier to carry, a dagger optimal for stabbing through clothing. Of course, there are still whatever legal carry restrictions you have to put up with in your area.

@Xandrosi

2 ай бұрын

@@michaelrizzo5523 Hi Michael. First, I enjoyed your video; it got me thinking. I found my way to your video as I was thinking about whether I wanted to buy a Recon Scout. Midway has a deal going. As a martial artist, the more I learn about knives and knife combat, the more situational the decision. For defensive carry, I chose the MDV Plus One. For a bushcraft fixed blade, the Falkniven A1X. As a general utility folder, I have a few I like. Coming to combat knives, my favorite design after what I've studied is the Specwog Warrior. I didn't start out to be a collector, but that is certainly where I've gone.

I got in a knife fight once. I won very easily since the knife just sat there on the floor and didn‘t move. I got a nasty cut putting it back in the drawer.

@michaelrizzo5523

2 ай бұрын

That's not a proper knife fight. A proper knife fight is when they suddenly tumble off an elevated surface aimed tip-first at your toes. I could tell some stories...

Carbon v version was very good...,that one is pretty good too!

I like the video. I have both the recon scout and trailmaster in carbon V. The trailmaster is a better chopper. Thank you for all your videos and testing.

@michaelrizzo5523

3 ай бұрын

Thanks!

I may have to bite the bullet and try one of these out. Have you tried their magnum tanto line? I have an early 80s model (with a custom sheath). Not my go to blade shape but......I carry it an awful lot. Light but incredibly slicey. It's a 9 inch blade and lighter than my hudson bay. Cheers!

I get the boredom with it, it lacks the unnecessary stupid bigness that makes most these knives so appealing.

@michaelrizzo5523

3 ай бұрын

That's it exactly! I've been spending time with all these other more "stylish" big knives and this one doesn't bother with the cosmetics.

@ThirdoptionJCSU

3 ай бұрын

@@michaelrizzo5523 You was right, it is a great and hefty knife.Thank goodness i didn't choose trail master because for me Recon Scout is already heavy enough. I have both Loredo and Natchez in 3v and they feels lighter than the full tang Recon scout for some reason. Imo Loredo would be the best choice for fighting but recon scout is great for surviving as well.

I purchased one as a birthday gift also it's going to be my first 3v blade nice video Mikey you should look into the recon 1 series I have three of them the clip point, tanto and the tanto 50/50 edge.

@michaelrizzo5523

3 ай бұрын

Thanks!

Love my trail masters, I've got 2 lol

I like it.

For about the same weight, a wicked axe like a RMJ Jenny Wren (or a practical hatchet) and a White River Knives Ursus Cub

I want one so bad

@michaelrizzo5523

2 ай бұрын

It's a very good knife.

I can't afford it anyway- but Muela or Nieto makes a clone of it for 1/3 the price!

Lovely, but too expensive for an import. I went with a couple of Blackjacks.

Have you ever reviewed the kobun?

@michaelrizzo5523

Ай бұрын

I don't have one yet, but it is intriguing!

@liquiddw2

Ай бұрын

@@michaelrizzo5523 they are still pretty cheap-ish and I've found it to be a nice iwb EDC blade

Its like the same price as a fallkniven A1x

The only thing that’s not perfect about this knife, for me, is the full cross guard

@michaelrizzo5523

2 ай бұрын

I suppose you could trim the back off.

This knife has been around since the 80’s without modification (except blade/guard steel) I have a recon scout…US made carbon V from the early 90’s great timeless knife. The recon scout is more combat and less bushcraft

These are 449.95 on cold steel UK, here in rip off Britain. So I'll never have one. Great looking knife though.

@michaelrizzo5523

2 ай бұрын

Yeah, I wouldn't for that price either.

It chops fine after you put nice convex edge on it!

Man I used to have one of the old school made in USA carbon V models that I traded away. I still have my stag trail master and carbon v Gurkha kukhri however. Great full size blade.