Comparison Console
Cold Steel Espada Medium vs Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto
EDC Knives comparison. Compare price, weight, specifications, materials, and real-world use case.
Command Brief
Recommended read
Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto stands out as the lightest option for weight, with about a 6% gap from the closest alternative. Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto stands out as the cheapest option for retail price, with about a 83% gap from the closest alternative.
Decision Signals
What stands out
Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto stands out as the cheapest option for retail price, with about a 83% gap from the closest alternative.
Cold Steel Espada Medium stands out as the most expensive option for retail price, with about a 501% gap from the closest alternative.
Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto stands out as the lightest option for weight, with about a 6% gap from the closest alternative.
Cold Steel Espada Medium stands out as the heaviest option for weight, with about a 7% gap from the closest alternative.
Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto stands out as the shortest option for blade length, with about a 43% gap from the closest alternative.
Cold Steel Espada Medium stands out as the longest option for blade length, with about a 75% gap from the closest alternative.
Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto stands out as the shortest option for overall length, with about a 48% gap from the closest alternative.
Cold Steel Espada Medium stands out as the longest option for overall length, with about a 93% gap from the closest alternative.
Specification Profile
Relative dimensions at a glance
Each axis is normalized against the largest raw value among the products in this comparison. Farther outward means a larger value, not necessarily a better result. Axes with an unverified value are omitted.
Price & carry
Retail price
US$179.99Most expensive
US$29.95Cheapest
Weight
156 g (5.50 oz)Heaviest
146.3 g (5.16 oz)Lightest
Dimensions
Blade length
89 mm (3.50 in)Longest
50.8 mm (2.00 in)Shortest
Overall length
216 mm (8.50 in)Longest
111.76 mm (4.40 in)Shortest
Closed length
Unknown
Unknown
Blade thickness
4 mm (0.16 in)Thickest
2.6 mm (0.10 in)Thinnest
Materials & mechanism
Blade steel
CTS-XHP (Japanese Aus 8A Stainless also mentioned in source)
AUS-8A (Micro Recon 1), S35VN (Recon 1 Black G-10 Serrated)
Handle material
G-10 with 7075 Aluminum bolsters
Faux G-10 (Micro Recon 1), G-10 (Recon 1 Black G-10 Serrated)
Finish
Blade DLC coated black (in one version), plain edge
Black Tuff-Ex (Micro Recon 1), Black DLC (Recon 1 Black G-10 Serrated)
Lock type
Tri-Ad lock
Tri-Ad lock (Lock Back)
Opening method
Thumb Stud
Thumb Stud
Clip type
Tip-up pocket clip (left or right hand)
Tip-Up (ambidextrous clip for Recon 1 Black G-10 Serrated)
Use case profile
Best for
EDC (Everyday Carry)Cutting, slashing, piercing tasksTactical use
Everyday CarryTactical
Not best for
Very compact carryLightweight carry
Unknown
Common praise
Strong, reliable Tri-Ad lockHigh-quality materials and craftsmanshipAmbidextrous pocket clipSharp out of the box
Strong and reliable Tri-Ad lockNon-slip handle gripTactical black blade finish reducing glare and rustVariety of blade steels and finishes available
Common complaints
Large size may hinder pocket comfortPotential wear of G-10 handle near clip area
Weight and size vary by model; some larger Recon 1 models heavierDifferent blade finishes and steels affect price
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