Comparison Console
Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto vs Kershaw Thermite 3880BW
EDC Knives comparison. Compare price, weight, specifications, materials, and real-world use case.
Command Brief
Recommended read
Kershaw Thermite 3880BW stands out as the lightest option for weight, with about a 5% gap from the closest alternative. Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto stands out as the cheapest option for retail price.
Decision Signals
What stands out
Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto stands out as the cheapest option for retail price.
Kershaw Thermite 3880BW stands out as the most expensive option for retail price.
Kershaw Thermite 3880BW stands out as the lightest option for weight, with about a 5% gap from the closest alternative.
Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto stands out as the heaviest option for weight, with about a 5% 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.
Kershaw Thermite 3880BW 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.
Kershaw Thermite 3880BW stands out as the longest option for overall length, with about a 91% 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$29.95Cheapest
US$30Most expensive
Weight
146.3 g (5.16 oz)Heaviest
139 g (4.90 oz)Lightest
Dimensions
Blade length
50.8 mm (2.00 in)Shortest
89 mm (3.50 in)Longest
Overall length
111.76 mm (4.40 in)Shortest
213 mm (8.39 in)Longest
Closed length
Unknown
123 mm (4.84 in)
Blade thickness
2.6 mm (0.10 in)Thinnest
2.9 mm (0.11 in)Thickest
Materials & mechanism
Blade steel
AUS-8A (Micro Recon 1), S35VN (Recon 1 Black G-10 Serrated)
8Cr13MoV
Handle material
Faux G-10 (Micro Recon 1), G-10 (Recon 1 Black G-10 Serrated)
G10 front scale and stainless steel back
Finish
Black Tuff-Ex (Micro Recon 1), Black DLC (Recon 1 Black G-10 Serrated)
Blackwashed stonewashed
Lock type
Tri-Ad lock (Lock Back)
Frame lock with lockbar stabilizer
Opening method
Thumb Stud
SpeedSafe assisted opening via flipper and thumb stud
Clip type
Tip-Up (ambidextrous clip for Recon 1 Black G-10 Serrated)
Deep carry pocket clip, quadruple-position (tip-up and tip-down, left and right)
Use case profile
Best for
Everyday CarryTactical
Everyday carry (EDC)Accurate cuttingQuick blade deployment
Not best for
Unknown
Batoning woodUsers with small hands may find it largeTasks requiring lightweight knife
Common praise
Strong and reliable Tri-Ad lockNon-slip handle gripTactical black blade finish reducing glare and rustVariety of blade steels and finishes available
Comfortable and grippy handleSmooth assisted opening with SpeedSafeStrong frame lock with no blade playAffordable price with high performanceAesthetically pleasing designVersatile pocket clip options
Common complaints
Weight and size vary by model; some larger Recon 1 models heavierDifferent blade finishes and steels affect price
Relatively large and heavy for some usersWeight biased towards the handle (not balanced at pivot)Thumb studs are superfluousHandle G10 texture less aggressive, could slip in wet conditions
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