Guardian Tactical Recon 40 OTF Automatic Knife - Overview and Review

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**DISCLAIMER** This channel's content is meant for educational purposes only, and encourages the proper/safe use, handling, and understanding of tools. #everydaycarry #edc

[@ronaldpena8990]

I have the 035 and love it. Guardian Tactical is pure quality.

[@_MiMo_]

Anyone who uses a ladder alot would really appreciate a knife like this.Thanks for showing.

[@bobkebob9980]

I don't get what it has to do with ladders?

[@metal_complex]

Because generally one hand is busy either stabilizing while you're on the ladder, or holding part of the object you'll be using your knife on. You dont want to have to dedicate two hands to closing your knife when you're way up high with your balance compromised. OTFs are excellent because they require such little effort to manipulate and it can all be done quickly with one hand.

[@MattH-wg7ou]

​@@bobkebob9980 OTFs are surprisingly handy and convenient.

[@TheHookBoy]

I’ve been watching your videos for a while and just went back to this and the comparison video to ease any doubts I could have about choosing this over a Combat Troodon. I’ve had Ultratechs in the past and currently have a Dirac Delta (hands down sexiest OTF), but I was wanting to add a work OTF to my collection because the Dirac Delta is not something I want to use while working. You’ve helped me make up my mind and I’ll be grabbing one of these with a stonewashed drop point blade. Thanks for the reviews and help.

[@abc456f]

Got one this week. I definitely think its superior to my ultratech. Action is way smoother on the open and close. Fires out harder, snappier. All at a better price. Guardian Tactical > Microtech when it comes to OTF's.

[@RussianzFight]

microtechs internal setup is prone to failure, this setup will last a liftetime without lifetime warranty XD

[@MattH-wg7ou]

@@RussianzFight mine came with a card that says it does have a lifetime warranty. The GT 040.

[@Thisisausername556]

Great to hear you like it! It's honestly too big for me to carry regularly. I was considering getting a Combat Troodon, but I think I'm going to back down to the regular Troodon after seeing how similar they are in size. I like my 035 and gtx25, but I want a nice, thicc Microtech in my collection as well haha. Edit: I will say, you're absolutely right about just how satisfying that thing is to deploy. It's buttery smooth, authoritative, but doesn't want to fly out of your hand. It's one of my favorite fidget knifes in my collection, which is ok because at the moment I live alone so it's not ungodly annoying to anyone else XD 16:49 Yeah, about that.... This is definitely my bedside table knife. Sits right next to my CZ P10c and it's there just in case. I know it can do so SO much more, but I rarely have the need for an auto that big. Edit 2: Oh damn, favorite knives playlist?! I knew you'd like it but that's pretty sweet. Glad you had a good time with it. :) Edit 3: After getting it back from you, I realized it's absolutely useful for more than just combat/self-defense. I now understand the greatness of a big boi OTF. I'm now enlightened. I now know de wae.

[@jetdr]

My first OTF was a CobraTec and it is a great knife for cheap, saying that, I have an Guardian Tac 035, no comparison.

[@Philly1958]

What you call a decorative cut on the blade is a fuller. A fuller is a rounded or beveled longitudinal groove or slot along the flat side of a blade (e.g., a sword, knife, or bayonet) that serves to both lighten and stiffen the blade.

[@rpjii9771]

A lil late to the party though that's par for the course, lol🤪 As former federal LE, where I spent 5 1/2+ years as a Long Term(deep) Undercover Operative involved in narcotics investigations, which morphed into human trafficking/child prostitution investigations, I was involved in three(3) knife/punch-dagger encounters where I utilized/deployed one of the six(6) FIXED BLADE knives/Punch Daggers that I carried on my person. My three adversaries also drew fixed blade knives. Though I did carry a Microtech UDT auto as my regular EDC at the time, one, it NEVER entered my mind to deploy the UDT as secondly, I never could have drawn & deployed it in two of the three encounters before my adversary would have made me into a 6'2", 233lb block of swiss cheese. I've collected knives for 42+ years, have most of the OTF/OTS Autos out there, including myriad Guardian Tactical GTX-025, Tactical Scout(3.5"), Tactical Recon-035, Tactical Recon-040(3.75") along with the Recon Elite(4.0") and while the Microtechs, Guardians, Heretics and Benchmades are all superb knives and great EDCs, as one who's "been there done that" three times in the real world, and was a Sr. CQB Instructor to both LE Special Activities Operatives(SWAT/CIRT, Undercover) & Military SOF Operators for 26+ years, if one is serious about carrying and potentially utilizing a knife/dagger for self defense, one, unless you are HIGHLY trained, and I'm speaking LE/Military level, not these bullsh!t💩martial arts training classes or god forbid these horsesh!t💩 KZbin videos, FORGET about drawing a knife. IF you are ever involved in a knife attack, INTERPOL data shows that 94%+ of ALL knife/dagger attacks are "blitz" attacks(all three of mine were blitz attacks), so your best bet is to carry a 2-2 3/4" Punch/T-Dagger(3 of my 6 blades are Punch/Daggers, as were 2 of the 3 blades used in my three encounters), so get to the inside, tie up your attacker's blade ARM(versus hand/wrist) drawing and punching in the face area as hard and fast as you can!! Forget the bullsh!t about slicing, lol. In my three encounters, I delivered 29 stabs(10, 8, 11) and sustained 5 stab wounds(1,0, 4). INTERPOL data also shows that when two knives/blades are involved, the difference between the "winner" and loser is 2.5 stab wounds to 1.0. Ironically, the guy that was the toughest, and got to me the most(4 stabs), was 5'9", 150-155lbs, compared to my 6'2", 233lbs. He was quick and fast as a cat, and while I was a D1 Football Player & Wrestler, he kept his knife hand free long enough to get two into me before I responded with 4 of my own, he got one more before I put his knife arm in an arm bar and put 7 in him to end the fight. No, he did not die. Bottom line, an OTF/OTS auto can be a superb EDC tool though they're terrible self defense knives and will cost you your life against any legit scum bag/knife fighter Stay Safe👊 Excellent review🍻 RP

[@P-tricky13]

Can you please take a look at and compare the Hogue, Boker, and HK OTFs? They're apparently all made in the US and I always forget about them.

[@REBELSCL]

I’ve got 3 Hogue autos and love them. I’ve got an EX-A01, an EX-A04 and a Ballista… My favorite is the EX-A04 with Aluminum scales (took months to track one down in 2022 new) but is absolutely worth it. Most of those were G10.. My EX-A01 has aluminum scales as well… I prefer aluminum scales on all of my autos and OTF’s.

[@66biggbubba]

The Hogue exploit and compound are very good OTF knives

[@actor4nyc]

I got this today!! Got a notice from Blade HQ it was back in stock. It’ll be my third GT Recon. Have three GT’s now. Two tone 040 serrated and a 035 D/E. 035 is awesome too. The 040 are definitely huge!

[@MattH-wg7ou]

They are huge. Every time I bust mine out someone says "holy crap, thats illegal right?!" 🤣 but I love it!

[@danielhenderson8316]

The knife I really want is a Guardian Tactical Recon-035 with this shape, jimping and glass breaker. The regular 035 is as slick as a bar of soap, but I love that trigger.

[@P-tricky13]

Love my 035... Should've gotten an 040

[@LetThatBassDr0p]

If you can get your hands on them, a comparison of the Cypher and GT Recon Elite would be sweet! And Recon-035 vs Ultratech and GTX-025 vs UTX-85. Lol. Hell, throw Heretic Manticore X, E and S in there as well. Lol.

[@trainingwolves7]

Just picked one of these up brand new for $280. I am stoked.

[@GettinEdgy]

Wow..who had that price??

[@Ratchman_5000]

Want to let us in on the sale?

[@_Lonewolf2873]

Never have owned an OTF. Are these able to be disassembled to clean and oil? They are completely out of my understanding.

[@_Lonewolf2873]

@wikked Thanks for the detailed response. I'm not ready yet to buy one, so I have time to learn. I wouldn't be utilizing in backcountry work, so the amount of dirt would be slightly less.

[@shawnlavigne9069]

Nice, I wish I could have this up here in Canada. We can carry big ass blades, but no autos or gravity knives.

[@dman2886]

I wonder if the size of this is more comparable to the MT Scarab II. Also, I bet the pocket on the blade might have something to do with weight savings as well as aesthetics.

[@Jeromybergman]

For the price point thats why I just choose the 40 over the scarab II

[@MattH-wg7ou]

The only MT I like as much as this GT is the Scarab series and then the only thing I like better is the blade machining on the MT Scarabs. The fuller on the spine is sublime. And the blade is just a little better finished/machined on the MT. But overall I like the GT. And while almost always out of stock, they arent QUITE as hard to find as MTs. Especially Scarabs.

[@Ber3ft]

I love that switch

[@nathannettik685]

The only thing I don't do with an OTF is food prep.

[@iralas]

I love mine so much.

[@thebagnechannel3183]

Nice knife but no one has them in stock.

[@stevendamiani1447]

Blade HQ is always out of stock of cool stuff you show

[@Jeromybergman]

Back in stock @BHQ just order the dark sw

[@davidliftsheavycircles]

Do you think you could get a good edge on the back side of the blade?

[@nickkazarian3334]

MC, was your Dirac switch a thumb killer? 👍

[@oxman1800]

Love the all black. Hows the wiggle compared to a microtech? Sorry if I missed that in the review.

[@nightrider5109]

Hi I own that Guardian Recon 40 blacked out and I own a MT Troodon combat and the blade play is about the same I'm a huge MT guy but 1 of my Combat Troodons had to get sent in for miss fire The Guardian hasn't misfired yet and its my EDC and I got it for $370 about $130 less than my Troodon hope this helped Be safe and healthy

[@franksalem8580]

Great review. I'm going to ask the same question asked below. How is the blade play in general and compared to the Microtech?

[@metal_complex]

Talked about that towards the end 😉

[@franksalem8580]

@@metal_complex I'm really sorry, MC, but I've watched your video twice and can't find this reference. Would you be so kind as to help me?

[@metal_complex]

Oh my bad! I talked about it in the battle vid between the combat troodon (thats on Sunday so no one has seen it yet.) You're right. The blade play is extremely similar to the Troodon. Maybe every so slight advantage to microtech.

[@REBELSCL]

I own this knife in the dark stonewashed finish drop point… In my mind, I think it puts all (and I mean all regardless of price) other OTF’s to shame. This is a last your lifetime and bequeath it to a male heir kind of knife. When I want something lightweight, I grab my Gerber Covert full auto…. or maybe my Chavez Street.. If I want something that pretty much disappears in my pocket I’ll grab one of my better Spyderco’s.

[@GettinEdgy]

So how well does the black coating (GunKote I believe) on the blade hold up? I'm kind of a catch 22, in that I will use my blade (fairly lightly) but also want it to remain looking brand new. Not a huge fan of the stonewash, but these look to be the only blade finish options for the Recon-040.

[@AlexanderSLeBlanc]

Go blackwash. It’s the DLC coating but stonewashed.

[@Philly1958]

Isn’t a flat form factor easy to carry.

[@highplainschipper6564]

How was the blade play.on Par with Heretic and Microtech?

[@randyf.9188]

My first OTF will be the 035.

[@dwcarc]

You just cost me money, again 🤔🤗😎

[@actor4nyc]

Looking to get this exact model. Anyone know where I can get this for my collection?

[@Knife_Eclectic]

I have the best version of the Infadel...one I got at Blade Show for nowhere near msrp 😂

[@mickkeim4142]

Are there any OTF’s that are more affordable that you might recommend? ‘

[@bassbeardsnblades384]

The Lightning if want cheap but durable

[@Jeromybergman]

The TNP lightning to be precise

[@trevorbye6965]

professional grape shavers 🤣

[@GCasey]

Your hands lack callouses which makes us think you have never put a knife to work for you.

[@michaelwhite6245]

Does anyone know if the pocket clip is able to be switched to lefthand carry?

[@SpecterSeventy2]

I have this exact color and configuration of the Recon 040 and yes, you can switch the pocket clip to the left hand carry side. But you can not on the Recon 035 & 025.

[@ahhcrickets]

Dig the contrast of the auxiliary background with the black on black cutlery. I really like the idea of this smoother firing switch. That is about it, sadly. Personally I dislike the Guardian Tactical design language. Chunky like duplos™️. Font, ugly. Blade geometry, ugly. Pocket clip, eh. Microtech has a bit more taste despite the stiff firing action on some models.

[@colinrettig9462]

It’s already out of stock😂😂

[@Jeromybergman]

Back in stock @ BHQ

[@AscendedLife1]

I had the black 40 like the one you reviewed and after a couple weeks the coating started stripping off and I returned it. I may have had a lemon but it's something that might happen with these

[@Thisisausername556]

The one in the video is mine, and I have a mostly blacked out 035 and the blacked out gtx-025 and they're holding up great so far. It's probably just a lemon similar to my Bugout omega springs that literally snapped in half after like 2-3 weeks of just fidgeting. However, I haven't used my 025 or 040 super hard yet, so only time will tell on that front. Hopefully you're not totally off the brand because of that because they really are great knives. Happy New Year

[@AscendedLife1]

@@Thisisausername556 no I still love them and I've sold all my OTFs and Im certain were I to own one again it would be a 35 dagger

[@Thisisausername556]

@@AscendedLife1 Glad to hear it haha. Hopefully whatever reason you had for selling them works itself out so you can have that smooth OTF feel in your hands again.

[@AscendedLife1]

@@Thisisausername556 for sure. Right now GT is ahead of the game, and I'd still love a tall hollow ground slicer OTF to show up on the market, but untill then GT will scratch my itches for OTFs of it comes back

[@nicaus7362]

Single edge guardian>double

[@cameronmyrick9930]

Dang I never get here in time to be the first salty dislike 😓

[@bushedc_6975]

Hi

[@TheRealAlPhil]

Right? Right? Right? Right? Right?

[@metal_complex]

Right?

[@TheRealAlPhil]

@@metal_complex 😂😂😂 thanks for the review buddy. Just sold my combat troodon the other day, ngl kinda interested in one of these

[@peanutschatzie4129]

@@metal_complex Right?

[@zacht678]

This guy sounds like Ron DeSantis

[@terrytyrrell9375]

Not a huge knife at all

[@blackarm3265]

im buying guardian tactical 035 I think it my favorite otf knive and either Para 2 or 3 also a great knive .it's dark green tanto in elmax im so exited but have to say the lighting elite is extremely smooth I taken them apart many time I think the updated lighting elite the externals are hardened an all stayed w serial number on slider an ths clips on spring had number stamped any way my point I was surprised for 35$ the quality take care bro