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.
So... I've been watching your Bowie knife journey, and I have to say its been fun! You provide a different viewpoint than other knife reviewers which I really enjoy. If there was one knife I would recommend to you it would unquestionably be a Trailmaster in San Mai. Its a very different feel from the Recon Scout and this could be me but the steel and the convex edge geometry give it a hint of Japanese influence in an American bowie. Which I feel a man with your interest would appreciate. Thank you for the awesome videos! ✌🏼
I just got the 3V Trailmaster. I was looking at the San Mai but the versions I'd seen online made the edge look hatchet thick, and I've had bad luck with Cold Steel San Mai taking and holding an edge. Glad to hear it's good!
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!
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.
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,and I've been wanting one back since before Cold Steel was sold I was trying to get the O1 steel version that one has been replaced by the 3V steel I own a Trail Master in O1 and it's a beast of a Chopper ,IMHO but it is a heavy knife so I assumed the smaller Recon Scout would be more of a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 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
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.
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
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 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.
There is a knife that you should check out and let us know what your findings are. It’s a cheap knife but it seems to have something I can’t put my finger on. It’s only $33 from SMKW and it’s called the brown burlap micarta Bowie. 440a steel so it’s definitely not a super steel. I just got one and I’m thinking it seems well balanced and sort of fits in between a knife like a Cold Steel SRK and Trailmaster. For me, it seems to be a sweet spot in terms of size and weight. Sheath sucks, handle needs contoured which I just did. As it comes, it’s a bit square so rounding the corners on the micarta changes the feel for the better. It’s big enough for everything but not huge.
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.
If I could respectfully make a few suggestions for your testing regime: Use a 2x4 from you local big box store as a test medium. The various woods you use now don’t necessarily convey to the viewer how soft, hard or tough the wood is. Everyone is familiar with a big box 2x4 and can easily attempt to replicate your testing with a similar material available pretty much everywhere. Maybe try to split a 24 inch piece end to end, too. Again, it’s a test a lot of knife guys are familiar with and can replicate or at least understand. To the extent possible, try to standardize your baton for your batoning tests. Maybe make a maul out of a nice piece of maple, cut it to exactly 16 or 18 inches, weigh it, and check/update the weight from time as it dries or sheds chips. A manila rope cut might be a nice addition, and maybe a point flex in a vise.
Good idea. I used to use kiln-dried firewood. Hopefully lumber prices start coming down, as I'm getting sticker-shock working on home improvements. I probably wouldn't go so far as a vise test, maybe renew my hole-boring tests, as I'm not going for destruction.
Watch to see if you can find an MTech 151 in stock somewhere, as it's a Trailmaster knockoff. They tend to run around $25 and actually work pretty well. Some folks have a great experience with them, long term, but the biggest benefit is being able to try out the size, shape and weight of a Trailmaster without dropping $270+.
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.
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.
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.
@@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.
@@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.
Is this the one? The one for what? I used mine for years hunting and camping and eventually traded it off for a bow for my grandson. I like 7.5" knives alot, probably since VN. But this one is too thick at 5/16" and too heavy. There are other designs that chop better than this and cut things better than this heavy blade does. I enjoyed it while I had it, but I also became very aware that it was just too thick for what I wanted to do with a knife. But, many love the Recon Scout. Aren't we lucky to have so many choices.
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
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.
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...
It's a relatively stout 5/16" hidden tang. Its definitely not a rat tail tang. CS cuts a radius into the handle junction now, as well. That was a possible weak point from the past. If someone manages to break a 5/16" stout piece of CPM 3V, they're A better man than I!
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.
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.
Thank You for sharing! I've been on the fence about the cold steel trailmaster.
I love the Recon Scout. I am NOT a knife fighter, but I love it as a camp/survival knife.
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.
Great video Mike! It's got me looking at that knife!!!
So... I've been watching your Bowie knife journey, and I have to say its been fun! You provide a different viewpoint than other knife reviewers which I really enjoy. If there was one knife I would recommend to you it would unquestionably be a Trailmaster in San Mai. Its a very different feel from the Recon Scout and this could be me but the steel and the convex edge geometry give it a hint of Japanese influence in an American bowie. Which I feel a man with your interest would appreciate. Thank you for the awesome videos! ✌🏼
I just got the 3V Trailmaster. I was looking at the San Mai but the versions I'd seen online made the edge look hatchet thick, and I've had bad luck with Cold Steel San Mai taking and holding an edge. Glad to hear it's good!
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 got my cold steel recon bowie back in 1999 on deployment to kosovo. It's in Carbon V. I absolutely love it. It's a beast of a knife.
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 😑
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.
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 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
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.
Nice!
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
You just saved my money! So I get the San Mai version not the 3V. Thank you 🤗
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.
Is it a full tang design? Or is it a small spike shaped tand like a usmc kabar?
From an X-ray I saw, it's technically a stick tang but much more robust than the Ka-Bar, even more so than the Leatherneck.
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.
Thanks!
There is a knife that you should check out and let us know what your findings are. It’s a cheap knife but it seems to have something I can’t put my finger on. It’s only $33 from SMKW and it’s called the brown burlap micarta Bowie. 440a steel so it’s definitely not a super steel. I just got one and I’m thinking it seems well balanced and sort of fits in between a knife like a Cold Steel SRK and Trailmaster. For me, it seems to be a sweet spot in terms of size and weight. Sheath sucks, handle needs contoured which I just did. As it comes, it’s a bit square so rounding the corners on the micarta changes the feel for the better. It’s big enough for everything but not huge.
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.
Have you ever reviewed the kobun?
I don't have one yet, but it is intriguing!
@@michaelrizzo5523 they are still pretty cheap-ish and I've found it to be a nice iwb EDC blade
Carbon v version was very good...,that one is pretty good too!
If I could respectfully make a few suggestions for your testing regime:
Use a 2x4 from you local big box store as a test medium. The various woods you use now don’t necessarily convey to the viewer how soft, hard or tough the wood is. Everyone is familiar with a big box 2x4 and can easily attempt to replicate your testing with a similar material available pretty much everywhere. Maybe try to split a 24 inch piece end to end, too. Again, it’s a test a lot of knife guys are familiar with and can replicate or at least understand.
To the extent possible, try to standardize your baton for your batoning tests. Maybe make a maul out of a nice piece of maple, cut it to exactly 16 or 18 inches, weigh it, and check/update the weight from time as it dries or sheds chips.
A manila rope cut might be a nice addition, and maybe a point flex in a vise.
Good idea. I used to use kiln-dried firewood. Hopefully lumber prices start coming down, as I'm getting sticker-shock working on home improvements. I probably wouldn't go so far as a vise test, maybe renew my hole-boring tests, as I'm not going for destruction.
I had the same thoughts. I would add, get a large hardwood dowel to compare soft vs hardwood usage.
Watch to see if you can find an MTech 151 in stock somewhere, as it's a Trailmaster knockoff. They tend to run around $25 and actually work pretty well. Some folks have a great experience with them, long term, but the biggest benefit is being able to try out the size, shape and weight of a Trailmaster without dropping $270+.
Good recommendation! Thanks!
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.
Thanks!
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.
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.
@@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.
Love my trail masters, I've got 2 lol
The lack of visual tang, along with being slightly too short, seals it for me. Thank you for the review
I get the boredom with it, it lacks the unnecessary stupid bigness that makes most these knives so appealing.
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.
@@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.
Is this the one? The one for what? I used mine for years hunting and camping and eventually traded it off for a bow for my grandson. I like 7.5" knives alot, probably since VN. But this one is too thick at 5/16" and too heavy. There are other designs that chop better than this and cut things better than this heavy blade does. I enjoyed it while I had it, but I also became very aware that it was just too thick for what I wanted to do with a knife. But, many love the Recon Scout. Aren't we lucky to have so many choices.
Fallkniven modern bowie ❤ is the way to go!!! ❤🎉
Really doesn't need to be so thick
Does make it oddly balanced toward the spine in use
I want one so bad
It's a very good knife.
I like it.
May be there is a soul missing in this knife?
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
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.
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...
Lovely, but too expensive for an import. I went with a couple of Blackjacks.
Its like the same price as a fallkniven A1x
It chops fine after you put nice convex edge on it!
I can't afford it anyway- but Muela or Nieto makes a clone of it for 1/3 the price!
Muela Sarrio round about 50€.
The only thing that’s not perfect about this knife, for me, is the full cross guard
I suppose you could trim the back off.
These are 449.95 on cold steel UK, here in rip off Britain. So I'll never have one. Great looking knife though.
Yeah, I wouldn't for that price either.
The rat tang is the downfall for both of these knives
I haven't seen one cut apart to know how wide that tang is. A full-width tang is always reassuring.
It's a relatively stout 5/16" hidden tang. Its definitely not a rat tail tang. CS cuts a radius into the handle junction now, as well. That was a possible weak point from the past. If someone manages to break a 5/16" stout piece of CPM 3V, they're A better man than I!
@@flyingsasquatchturtlesprod8343 Good to know! (I don't have access to an X-Ray machine and don't want to perform an "autopsy" on this knife.)
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.