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Could you help me choose?

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Dear EDC Community I'll keep it short. So I think I want a knife. Specifically a Tanto folder. I've managed to narrow it down to one of two: The Cold Steel Recon 1 (27TLCTH),
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and the CRKT M16-14T.
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I understand the Recon 1 has the better steel, however, I like the ergonomics and titanium grip of the 14T. Which one would you get or recommend? Anyone who has both? Also, please feel free to talk me out of it... ...please
Update I never thought I'd get this much feedback when I posted this question a couple of years ago. Thank you all for your comments and suggestions, they are much appreciated. Taking into account all the pros and cons you mentioned, in the end I took the advice of those who recommended that I reconsider my choices and look somewhere else entirely. Today I have several Ferrum Forge knives, a Boker, a Brad Zinker and a Bestech. Thanks again everyone.
(Edited)
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Autoloader
10
Feb 18, 2019
that would be average if you are 14 yrs old.
cybachef
8
Feb 11, 2019
I know you said you want a Tanto, but both of the choices you gave are very "Average" knives. If you want to spend a little more money, I suggest looking at Spyderco, Benchmade, Microtech or consider investing in a Hinderer. I promise you will not be sorry.
Musknasty84
4
Feb 10, 2019
Hands down Recon 1
TylerTripp
2
Feb 10, 2019
I carry the recon 1 tanto all the time. Great knife for multiple uses. You can still find ones in the carpenter CTX-XHP steel. The new ones in S35V are really good too.
Ziggler
15
Sep 4, 2018
I have had the crkt 14t about 10 years and it's a very dependable and solid edc.
babarnette
4
Aug 8, 2018
I carried a Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto as my EDC for years and had no issues with it. It's an excellent knife and should serve you well. I recently replaced it as my EDC with a Spyderco Endura 4. The Cold Steel is still serviceable but I need to refurb it a little to get it back into EDC condition. I probably won't make it my EDC again though, it's just a little bigger than I need in a EDC since I'm no longer in the Army. Whichever one you decide to go with I'd suggest going with a plain edge over a partially serrated edge. In my experience, partially serrated edge knives are fairly useless as an EDC. If you fall into a limited use case (constantly cutting very tough materials such as seat belts, rope or wires) where you need a serrated edge then get a fully serrated edge knife, and a Tanto also isn't the best design to go with in that case. For self defense and general use a full plain edge is the best choice.
Bobraz
2631
Aug 6, 2018
Ugh. Serrated blades, I cannot get myself to like them.
In my mind it's like they take away the 'nobility' of a blade to replace it with 'practicality'.
Frogo
17
Mar 26, 2019
Bobrazwith my experience, it doesn't add any practicality either
Matches
2
Aug 6, 2018
I see this is an older post, not sure why it has jumped up on my feed. For the sake of someone else looking for a EDC knife and is curious about the Recon 1, I have decided to add to this thread. I have carried a Recon 1 for around 4 years now. I absolutely love this knife. The handle looked cheap to me when I saw it in the packaging. I asked the gentleman at my local Cabelas if we could pop open the package and let me feel it. He did. I instantly loved it. The handle on this thing grabs your hand. A relatively firm grip and this thing is not leaving your hand. So much so that that I liken it to handling asphalt shingles when I was roofing. Not so much that its going to slowly sandpaper your finger prints off like a shingle, but enough that if you handle this regularly your going to get some calluses. The notches in the handle also prevent your hand from sliding forward on to the blade in the event this is needed in a self defense situation and a stabbing motion is used. The blade has maintained a very good edge over its lifetime so far needing only to have its blade hit with the knife steel every so often. The locking mechanism will feel stiff when first purchased but will break in quickly with use and will still hold a very firm and solid lock when fully opened. The clip is removable and can be placed on either side for lefties or just for best position in preferred location. I would like to specify that I do not have the Tanto blade on my Recon 1. So whatever differences there as a result I can not comment on. I do not know much about CRKT knives so I can not comment on that directly. I do however own a CRKT Freyer Axe and the Chanceinhell Machete and they are quality products I take hiking to clear trails frequently. I would like to express here to anyone looking for an EDC knife to thoroughly search your local laws and comply (I know some of them are stupid). Some places carry some steep fines and even worse, felony jail time, and the police don't care that you didn't know. Be smart and be safe.
Omniseed
1972
Aug 3, 2018
I think SMKW has the Kizer Shoal on flash sale, in M390, it's got a nice (not American-style hideous) tanto profile and it's absolutely beautiful.
If you can snag it on a flash sale for the same rough price as the Cold Steel, don't buy the Cold Steel. In fact, Kizers are weird because they rule but also they can be found deeply discounted sometimes. They look plain and vanilla, but they're lovely.
The Crux is a nicer knife than any Cold Steel as well, and is similarly priced to the Recon1. If you really want a G10 Triad lock, the Broken Skull is probably their best priced knife of all of them. Very similar in build to the Recon 1, lighter, probably still available in XHP, and it's almost dirt cheap at $60ish dollars.
14themoney
1395
Feb 25, 2019
OmniseedI picked up a Broken Skull for $50-60. It's a great knife. I am waiting for my Crux to arrive. (not holding my breath.)
ScottieG
253
Jul 5, 2018
These 2 knives are not in the same class, but they each have good and bad. The Cold Steel Recon 1 DLC blade coating is excellent and will not come off. The CTS XHP or the current S35VN used in the Recon 1 is vastly better in edge retention than the AUS 8 used in the CRKT M16-14T, but if you regularly strop the blade, you can go with the cheaper AUS 8. CTS XHP. S35VN and AUS 8 are all easy to maintain and sharpen. I put friction tape on my slick side scales, such as this CRKT. I have dropped my CRKTs while flicking them open without friction tape. The Recon 1 G10 will shred pockets in use, unless you sand the area where the pocket clip contacts, and/or loosen the tension of the pocket clip. I am not a fan of the AutoLAWKS safety on the CRKT, but it is not a bad thing to have with a liner lock, especially a thin one. The Cold Steel Triad lock is extremely strong, but you may not like how hard and deeply you must depress the lock to release it. Looks is a personal preference thing and, as with these knives, I have multiples of each.
MARIOO
41
Jul 6, 2018
ScottieGHi, I completely agree with you in almost all the points you made, having both, I will recommend the CRKT over the ColdSteel basically because the CRKT is more easier to maintain, more pocket friendly and slimmer. I will strongly recommend the plain edge over the serrated version (easier to maintain a proper edge).
Please remember, harder the steel better edge retention, but more brittle and difficult to maintain on the field.
And for all the guys who want to make the case for what you need to destroy a knife, remember that is a knife, not a sword or a prying tool, you will use this for normal tasks, and that mean for cut things with the least effort in the safest way, not for destroy an oil barrel or try to make a dent on a tank.
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