Hello Everyone,

I'm looking for some ideas for a gift. I'm stuck between these two. Price is about the same.

Question:
Which would you choose?

Choices:
Cold Steel Recon 1
Kershaw Blur

 

That Cold Steel folder uses the Demko Triad lock, a locking mechanism far superior to the typical liner lock of that Kershaw.

And S35VN steel

No contest

I have a few Cold Steels, and a Kershaw. The Kershaw is nice. It works. But compared to a Cold Steel? Cold Steel wins out all day. Holds an edge better, way more durable. Yeah, Cold Steels marketing is weird. Let’s cut through this meat filled boot, here’s this arbitrary piece of rope… but they still work.

I carried a Kershaw for years until I read Para's thread about the Triad Lock and the AD10. I now carry a Cold Steel Airlite. It's lighter, stronger, easier to sharpen, and has better lockup than the Kershaw. I'm not going back.

Blur has the SpeedSafe spring-assisted opening function. Recon 1 doesn't.
Blur generally costs less than Recon 1 depending on which variant you get.
Blur is more of a general purpose pocket knife. Recon 1 is a work knife made to take a beating. It has an all-around heavier, sturdier build. I would feel confident using a Recon 1 as a pry-bar in a pinch; not so w/ the Blur.
Blur is made in USA. Recon 1 is made in Taiwan.

If I were comparing them to footwear, the Blur is like a trail-running shoe, where the Recon 1 is like a hiking boot.

I have a Cold Steel Recon that the other half bought me at the Hilliard Ohio gun show before we relocated to Virginia in Nov of 2001.

(That means it's at least 26 years old)

To this day I regret not buying a couple more before they changed the grip handles.
That knife rode in my pocket through every police and military training course, duty day, fishing trips, etc..

The only reason I quit carrying it was because I bought a Benchmade for my vacation to Southern Afghanistan in the fall of 2014.

I have to agree with what Ironchef stated:
""Recon 1 is a work knife made to take a beating. It has an all-around heavier, sturdier build.""

For me it was a combination tool: Knife, crow/pry bar, etc..

quote:

Blur has the SpeedSafe spring-assisted opening function. Recon 1 doesn't.

I do miss that about my Kershaw. The flipper opening was easy and fast to deploy. I broke 3 or 4 torsion bars over the years, and a quick email to Kershaw always got me new parts in the mail for free. I can still open the cold steel one-handed, but it requires more finesse and a little more time.

I have both and have used both. The Blur is more pocketable, lighter, thinner, USA made, good for light tasks. The Recon 1 is quite a bit larger, stronger, slightly better steel, less pocketable with the super grippy G10, Taiwan made. It really depends on the task and the user. For EDC the CS Verdict is really great, along with the Kershaw Bel Air XL.

I have been satisfied carrying a Cold Steel Lawman.

The Blur feels right in my hand. Love the easy and fast one handed opening, something which I often use as my other hand is holding the thing I want cut. The one I've been carrying has S30V steel, and I've never had one fail in the 12 plus years or so I've been carrying one.

Thanks Gents! The Kershaw Blur has been my go to EDC, as well as gift knife for close friends and family for at least the past 15 years. My brother has sent his in twice for a tune up now. That thing is beat to hell, but still runs like a champ. I'm going to gift a Cold Steel Recon 1 to my cousin and see how it holds up. Maybe I'll get one for myself as well.

To the board, Ebay has been selling Kershaw Blur knockoffs. Great price and look identical, but they do not throw open like the made in usa versions. Pass unless you know they are authentic.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
That Cold Steel folder uses the Demko Triad lock, a locking mechanism far superior to the typical liner lock of that Kershaw.

And S35VN steel

No contest

The Demco "Shark Lock" is not the same lock as is on the Cold Steel Recon 1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYn9JPXSTAo

Which in reality is IRRELEVANT because BOTH are far Stronger than almost any liner or frame lock. This is NOT just me saying it, there are several tests you can watch on YouTube that gauge up in test rigs and give real data on which locks are stronger.

If you like an assisted opener you might check out the Cold Steel Swift 3 which is an assisted opener with M4 Steel which is superior in a couple ways to S35V In the Recon. It has yet another slightly different lock that is WAY stronger than a liner or frame lock. These are all big heavy duty knives.

If you are wanting a smaller, lighter blade in the 3" range some of the Magnacut Kershaws are pretty sweet for normal every day use. I wouldn't baton with one but the Axis style lock is somewhat stronger than a liner lock or frame lock and is very popular for a good reason. Magnacut is wicked good and super popular for good reason.

FWIW Amazon was running the Cold Steel Recons with S35V for $79-$82 as of 12/27/25. This seems like a near steal for a near bulletproof HD knife with S35V. I ordered a Swift 3 for $122 and should get it tomorrow, retail on those is $200. Natchezss.com had them for $99.95 but with tax and shipping it ended up for me to be more than the free delivery Amazon. Check around there are some big discounts around.

But anyway, So many good knives, So little time and even less money to buy them all!

................DJ

Amazon as of 20 Jan 26 had Recon 1 on sale for $80.

quote:

Originally posted by djpaintles:
The Demco "Shark Lock" is not the same lock as is on the Cold Steel Recon 1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYn9JPXSTAo

Which in reality is IRRELEVANT because BOTH are far Stronger than almost any liner or frame lock. This is NOT just me saying it, there are several tests you can watch on YouTube that gauge up in test rigs and give real data on which locks are stronger.

If you like an assisted opener you might check out the Cold Steel Swift 3 which is an assisted opener with M4 Steel which is superior in a couple ways to S35V In the Recon. It has yet another slightly different lock that is WAY stronger than a liner or frame lock. These are all big heavy duty knives.....

Thanks! The Swift 3 looks fantastic and has the things I require. I was sold so I went looking and didn't see the sale price you got. Then I realized that M4 steel has one lacking thing I need. Salt water resistance. I had a 440 steel SOG knife in my door pocket that has the blade start to rust after 2 coast trips, not even being used. Left in the car door pocket. The M4 would likely be as bad if not worse.

Your right about the lock being far superior. Para had posted some excellent vids of a gas mask wearing Eastern European fella slamming various knifes down on a disabled car that was both highly amusing and horrifying at the same time. The Cold Steel was crazy strong. He didn't test the Blur, but it has a weaker liner lock there is no question.

Not sure about the longevity of the Swift. Check this: https://www.bladeforums.com/th...ift-3.2012825/page-2

Certainly the Recon appears to hold up well.

Cold steel every time..No offense to kershaw guys but their is no contest between imho. The kershaws I have had had terrible durabilty.

For the Recon 1, where can I find a truly functional pocket clip? Mine will not slip over pocket edge.

well i ended up buying the recon1 for funsies. The thing is built like a tank!! dont think I am going to poecket carry it as it is pretty large

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin101:
well i ended up buying the recon1 for funsies. The thing is built like a tank!! dont think I am going to poecket carry it as it is pretty large

I think people need to realize that there is room on the earth for different types of knives. For heavy duty hard use there's no question that Cold Steel knives are Far superior to most. With DLC coatings most corrosion issues are mollified.

But are most people cutting into cars or are they cutting into envelopes and packages? My usages may differ from yours but 90%+ of my cutting is for lighter duty things. Packages, string, Cardboard, cloth patches etc. For these types of cutting a thin slicey blade is much better than a heavy duty blade.

I usually carry 2 knives, left and right. Favorites now are a Kershaw Bel-Air on my left and either a Spyderco Military or a Cold Steel Swift on my right. If I was out hunting etc I'd lean towards the heavier duty Swift for my right side, in town with lighter cutting more likely I'd usually carry the slicier Spyderco Military.

There's no single "Best" Knife. It all depends on what you might need to cutting. IMHO 2 knives cover a Vastly wider range of cutting needs. U like a slicey smaller blade and a heavier Duty self defense/woodcraft capable blade. Then again, I just LOVE knives and enjoy experimenting with the perfect blend of practicality between blades. I doubt there's a PERFECT combination to be found!