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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