Cold Steel Recon Scout: One Tool to Rule them All

Today we look at an awesome bowie style blade. The Cold Steel Recon Scout! #coldsteel #reconscout #knives

[@Severin_Blue215]

Thanks for making a video on this knife. I've had my eye on the 3V Recon Scout ever since I saw it available at my favorite retailer and I scored a brand new one for a great deal today. I love everything about it, can't wait to get my hands on it. 👍 My first cold steel was the 4Max Scout and this will be my latest one.

[@MattRoseKnives]

It’s such a great knife!

[@michaelcervantez3570]

Great review. Love you cadence, not to fast, not to slow. So many other reviewers just ramble on and on. Yours is just right. Keep up the good work.

[@joshdoddadbod]

I just recently learned about the bush ranger they used to make. Basically, it's a recon scout with a much better handle and smaller finger guards. I wish they still made it.

[@douglasreed9237]

I'm in the process of getting one myself. I like the mod you did on the top guard also. I wish Cold Steel would offer a version without the ground top swedge as well. A Recon Scout without the top swedge ground with a single finger guard and a nice kydex or leather sheath would be about perfect. Thanks for the nice review and info. 👍

[@MattRoseKnives]

For sure! That would be dope! Thanks for watching

[@sherlockbonez]

I have a 20yo carbon v recon scout. Still bring it with me when i moose hunt every year.

[@metoonunyabidness1391]

Drill out the grommets and glue in a small leather welt where the belly of the blade comes in contact with the plastic of the securex sheath Put in new grommets and you’re done The leather will keep the edge sharp and it pushes the spine of the knife into the sheath preventing scratches

[@joshdoddadbod]

How well does the sheath work with the top guard ground down?

[@wellingtonblackwell3118]

Nice knife! The only big knife that I own is a Cold Steel First Edition Golden Drop Forged Survivalist. I got it at a Cold Steel Holiday Sale. I wrapped the handle in electrical and tennis tapes so I don't have to touch bare steel in cold and hot weather. It is scratched up due to the work that I put it through. But it is a tough workhorse. I don't like the idea of batonning a knife through firewood, but ok.

[@MattRoseKnives]

I totally understand! Been carrying a hatchet and knife combo lately if I have an extended stay trip

[@wellingtonblackwell3118]

@@MattRoseKnives Yeah! For whittling and fine cutting, use a knife. For brute force cutting, use a hatchet or a tomahawk. Besides a First Edition Drop Forged Survivalist, I also have a Recon Tanto San Mai 3, OSI, and a Pendleton Hunter. Each one has advantages that make them likeable and useful.

[@traviswrangler4833]

Damn man that looks good I’d probably bring the bottom guard up to make it cold steel SRK ish but non the less awesome job

[@joshdoddadbod]

I have to agree with removing the top guard, makes the knife much more versatile. I ended up selling mine but I do regret it. Will likely pick up another in the future and do the mod you did. At the moment I am using a wtg pwb-7 for my general purpose woods knife.

[@Ruger44Redhawk]

Just found my older 2004/2005 Recon Scout sitting in a box with another awesome blade, the rare Ontario SP49. Hopefully mine is the Carbon V version and I scratched off the Taiwan on the blade because I couldn't stand that. I replaced my Recon Scout with the Ontario RD6, RD7, RD9 and RD Tanto (all with The Knife Connection G10 handle scales). Another one to consider is the (stupidly) discontinued and indestructible Buck 650 Nighthawk. Used to like my Becker BK9 but hate the fact that it has skeletonized handle tang where I have seen them break at that weak point. You mentioned Magnacut. Interesting thing Larrin's toughness chart (of Magnacut fame) showing that 420HC is some of the toughest steel out there. Maybe why that 650 Nighthawk is so indestructible. But also Buck has that down to a science.

[@j.p.4541]

Great review, I just purchased one off midway as well for only $199.00, a Christmas present to myself.

[@douglasreed9237]

Great review and info. I really like the way you did the top guard it's much more usable now. I agree though in that they could have made the tip thicker and a nice kydex sheath would be great. Also while I like the rubber handle for comfort and retention. I would like a nice micarta handle on it. Thanks for the nice review and info have a good one. 👍

[@MattRoseKnives]

Agreed and thanks!!

[@j.p.4541]

Hey Matt, what would be the best way to cut the top guard off the Recon Scout?

[@northwoodsrat6686]

I see we're a bit like-minded when it comes to choice of medium/larger outdoors knives, especially Cold Steel blades, which have been my fave for serious wilderness work forever (Cold Steel's infamous torture test DVD's sold me on much of their cool stuff). Never seriously considered the Recon Scout until now. Great choice, man! My #1 wilderness EDC that I would readily take "to the ends of the earth" is the SRK (currently rocking the 1st gen VG-1 San mai 3 version, the one with the larger ricasso - perfect for using as a choil to choke up on for controlled carving, feathersticking, etc.). On the other end of the size spectrum (my chopper) is the VG-1 Trailmaster, but IMO, it's a bit weighty & unwieldy for a long term go-anywhere one tool option, so I'm liking your choice of the Recon Scout as that sweet spot between the two. Liking your mods, too. Yeah, the upper portion of those guards must go! Perhaps its' high time to break out the hacksaw & Dremel Tool and perform some long overdue knife surgery on my Trailmaster guard as you did with your Scout, as the guards on these two knives are essentially the same. Thanks for all these interesting Cold Steel reviews!

[@MattRoseKnives]

Haha thank you for watching! Both are great blades!

[@nighteyeson]

What do you suggest to open a Rajha 3 knife?? Need john wayne thumb to open it up....

[@thechugdude]

Dude, people hate on Cold Steel but a majority of their reviews are good. I'm a big fan. A lot of the bad reviews always seem to a review of the companies philosophy as opposed to the knife they're reviewing. When the rubber meets the road, you have a hard time beating a Cold Steel. I got mine from MidwayUSA as well. I have a short amateur review on my channel... Very amateur 😂.

[@MattRoseKnives]

Agreed! And I'll have to check it out!

[@archibaldstokes]

Never had problems with secure-ex sheaths.Always drawing the knives focusing on spine pressure against the sheath and not the cutting edge.

[@MattRoseKnives]

Yeah I didn’t for the longest time. Just the past couple of years I have had issues with them

[@johnanon658]

But you should not have to draw them that carefully to prevent a sheath from dulling the edge, ffs. I just throw them away, unless i mod, then i throw away w the box

[@brr8888]

I chose the 3v Trailmaster over this but now I want this one since it’s a little smaller.

[@jojojeep1]

My one tool option is The MSK one that baby does everything, I was smart enough to buy it in carbon steel because if you buy it in stainless steel first off you’re paying twice as much second if you drop it and strike a rock with your edge try sharpening it out in the woods good luck. With the carbon steel you pay half as much if you drop it you’ve bend down pick up the same rock that nicked it and sharpen it on that rock

[@MattRoseKnives]

Good point, can’t argue with that

[@LearnToSurvive574]

there is a lot of talk that the secure ex sheaths are dulling the blades because they are made of Zytel Glass filled nylon all though strong not a good thing to make a sheath out of. great for gun stocks not for knives. personally I would have a kydex to my specs and design made for that knife.

[@MattRoseKnives]

Agreed!

[@johnanon658]

It is true, op, tho some users report varying amounts on random models they own

[@nighteyeson]

"Nicely scratched" ha

[@torpilo]

Why do you think they nerfed the 3V Trailmaster by narrowing the spine?

[@johnanon658]

They did!!! 😮

[@ronjones7216]

I had the same exact knife and it scratched also. Before that I had the black-bladed O1 and it scratched in the same area. Both were returned to Cold Steel with images sent to them and some interaction. I asked them to look into this issue, no reply after that. I also want a leather sheath, which Cold Steel does not offer. Good review, sir ! ! !

[@MattRoseKnives]

Thanks!

[@johnanon658]

That sheath is fiber(glass) reinforced , not only will it scratch your knife, it will dull the edges. It is more problematic on larger and double edged blades where its harder not to drag the edge. I hate those sheathes so much. This is a known issue, plenty of youtube vids of guys shaving, then drawing the edge on leather or kydex w/o change, then on fsctory sheath and wont shave anymore

[@watchreport]

Check out savage sheaths. He makes a leather sheath for this knife among others.

[@samthai818]

That is a great idea with chopping off top gaurd. I may just do that with my 2 Trail Masters in O1 and 3V. What did you cut your top gaurd off with?

[@jeromehigdon187]

It's a fighting knife not made for the woods that's why the clip point is sharpend

[@avatarion]

Magnacut is close, but not as tough as 3V. It's got a lot of other properties though.

[@hagninety4116]

Hi Matt. I would like to be honest with you here. I used to like cold steel. I used to like them a lot. I had a recon tanto in Carbon V. I ended up having to use it in somewhat extreme conditions. It actually failed me and snapped right at the handle when I needed the most. I was disappointed at the least. What was worst was when I contacted them to see if there was anything they could do for me I never even received a reply. After that I looked for a different company that had more substance and support for its customers. I thought it would last since they were used to penetrate automotive hoods and such. Thanks for your video.

[@johnanon658]

How old was that carbon 5 knife? What were you doing?

[@hagninety4116]

@@johnanon658 batoning during a blizzard to get wood for a fire. It was my only knife and most expensive knife at the time. I didn’t have a hatchet or anything. Just the knife and a saw.

[@johnanon658]

@@hagninety4116 dang. Was it an older version?

[@user-xx5zl8dz1v]

Just got the Spyderco Darn dao , would love to use it . But not happening.

[@MattRoseKnives]

Hahaha those are dope!

[@raleighepp5274]

Why is the new version so much more expensive?

[@franciscoarana6626]

Seems you would be more satisfied to design your own. I enjoy mine as it comes from the factory.

[@LegionTacticoolCutlery]

Cold Steel Rules! Got one too in 3V from Midway! Price was too good!

[@MattRoseKnives]

Agreed!

[@johnanon658]

That 2 hunna dolla be tempting…. Might prefer an older one, if it can be found

[@crackpipejoe3508]

Patriot Leather Company makes sheathes for this.

[@bdubb5390]

That knife is amazing! Own it and love it. Amazing camp and wood splitting knife. I think is 0-1 steel? Mines like 10 years old. Probably one of the first. Cost was around 120-140 maybe?

[@MattRoseKnives]

Nice! Yeah I'm still beating myself up that I never picked up a Trail Master in O1

[@powerplay4real174]

@@MattRoseKnives they was not made in O 1 tool ten years ago , he probably got a SK 5 or Carbon V ,but if he has a Ten year old model it's not O1 Tool steel by Cold Steel. He could have two one old and one in O 1 tool steel. I still want a O1 Tool steel Recon Scout 🎱⚔️🎱

[@jakefarronmerlin7963]

I got one in UK for UK prices lol was my third cold steel purchase but first big knife. Think I paid 180 for the o1 model.

[@jakefarronmerlin7963]

@@powerplay4real174 the trailmaster was made in 01 steel ten years ago.

[@johnanon658]

@@MattRoseKnives Same, feel that way about a few DQ’d models

[@SkullySkullmeister]

Trailmaster CPM 3V 💪

[@dogoargentinoedc]

This one or the srk or the Master hunter ?

[@MattRoseKnives]

They're all quite different than the other. If you want a one tool option, go Recon Scout, if you want a good mid sized, go SRk, if you want a lightweight woods/hunting blade go Master Hunter

[@raleighepp5274]

The first version I had stolen a few months ago!

[@powerplay4real174]

Yeah those scratches are not cool and that shouldn't happen from the sheath at all no matter the steel type.😎⚔️💰⚔️😎

[@MattRoseKnives]

Agreed!

[@powerplay4real174]

Can you get a Cold Steel Guekha Kukri or Gurkha Kukri Plus, not the machetes though. 💰🎱😎⚔️😎🎱💰

[@MattRoseKnives]

I'll look into it!

[@user-xx5zl8dz1v]

The Ussf is a limited one run exclusive. You should of kept it in the box or purchased 2 . I just got the Spyderco darn dao wish somebody would test one .

[@MattRoseKnives]

I actually bought three of the USSF kabars ;)

[@user-xx5zl8dz1v]

@@MattRoseKnives I got 2 limited amd 1 blue handle . But spent 488 with tax on the Spyderco darn dao , it’s sick . I do want the scout recon as a beater

[@will-jc5vo]

I got a sheath from Bagwell on ebay a kydex for my knife it fit it like a glove and 45 dollars.

[@MattRoseKnives]

Smart!

[@robertstanderford8438]

Just ordered 1 @ $140 through midway

[@yungsmile7546]

IMHO Unfortunately it's not as tough as the previous SK5 and O1 Mar tempered issues made in Taiwan and at three times the price it doesn't live up to Lynn Thompson's standards and values now that GSM owns CS. Lynn sold out. Cold Steel isn't what we've come to expect, just overhyped and overpriced. The problem is in the steel composition. Even though 3V contains only 5% chromium that add to it's hardness by forming more carbides, it reduces the toughness of the steel. Italian knives don't impress me. I'll stick with my SK5 RS, because I've abused that knife for six years before I finally needed to put it to the stones. Good luck on yours.

[@MattRoseKnives]

All are great steel options for a hard use blade!

[@angelmorenomoreno612]

Se parece a sog government!!

[@ilickilick7325]

Omg ...stainless steel.....its great for kitchen...get carbon version for hard task

[@ronnyiversen7937]

Hi buddy, .You can use a heat gun on the top of the sheath and press it a little, the knife snaps in place. Sheath scratchs is a b… Thanks fore the tip to where to get this at 199$ Cheers

[@stringbeeen5405]

My secure-ex does not scratch my 3V RS. I'm really sorry to see it's happened to some of you. I'd be contacting them.

[@randycisneros4111]

Why do you destroy two classic knives by cutting half of the knife guards off, you just lowered the value of those two knives especially the Recon Scout. I own two Cold Steel Trail Masters and they work just fine with they guards on them.

[@johnanon658]

Nah bro, top guard is in the way for what he demonstrated. Its a good choice if you really go innawoods. Im thinking about picking on of those up, but as more of a self defense EDC knife for IWB, so would leave the double guard intact. You got one of those san mai TMs w the convexed edge? You like that for anything besides chopping?

[@jimyocum9556]

Value doesn't mean the same thing to you as it does to me

[@joshdoddadbod]

Lol its his property and modding it to fit his function and the way he uses it makes sense to me.

[@samthai818]

Some of us purchase these knives for use so modifying it is perfectly sound! I took a file to the spine of both of my 3V MH and SRK to make them as square and sharp as possible for scraping fatwood/cedar bark/birch bark and ferro rods. They may look like crap but for fire making they are both a joy to use with very minimal effort. I have even reprofiled my brand new BRK Aurora 3V because I didn't like the way they came from the factory. It may not have that clean new brush metal look anymore of a brand new BRK, but it is now even sharper and maintains its edge longer!

[@dennisleighton2812]

10:28 You set out to say what you don't like about the knife - and then go off about the sheath! Most CS owners have a custom sheath made for their new purchase at the first opportunity (I certainly did). But, that does NOT detract from the knife. They are two separate items. "One tool options" - this is something I reject and find no benefit from considering. In reality, how would one ever end up in a situation that this blade would be the only thing you have on you? It makes no sense. When any reasonable individual considers going out and away from his/her normal environment, the vast majority of thinking people at least do some sort of planning before doing so. Clearly the major part of that is considering what you would take with you, for THOSE specific set of conditions. When it domes to the tools part of this planning process, clearly one has to make some decisions about what to take on the expedition. There will be some standard items (for me a standard belt fixed blade knife [in my case a Cold Steel SRK San Mai III] ), and some for the other particular requirements for that outing. Clearly, this means that one has to have stuff that you can choose from for it to be practical. This is why most big knife manufacturers have quite extensive ranges of knives to choose from in this planning process. Cold Steel is no exception. Their range revolves around the Trail Master at the top, then the Recon Scout, the SRK and the Master Hunter, plus a whole bunch of folders. Now, for me, the odd man out is clearly the Recon Scout. If I were anticipating some heavy work I'd obviously pack the Trail Master. I'd always have the standard SRK anyway, and if there was any hunting or similar activity the Master Hunter would come into the picture. Where could I fit the Recon Scout into that line-up? I can't - not without some serious overlap (15 ounces of overlap!). So, as I said, I have a problem with the Recon Scout. Incidentally, I have a similar problem with the ESEE 5 in their line-up!

[@michaelsubi]

Ruined the look of your knives

[@terrywillis1446]

Have 2 CSRS...one is the San Mai 3...very good knives! Why would you cut the guard??!!

[@Badhorsie_1]

He said he takes it to the woods. I assume he uses it for wood processing and the top portion of the guard is just in the way for camp chores/wood processing.

[@MattRoseKnives]

So I can choke up for more fine detail work