Some time ago, I got very into Cold Steel's Recon 1 platform. I picked up several versions (photos of the clip point, spear point combo, tanto, tanto combo are on my photo page). I liked the size of the knife...it's super fast deployment...the Ultra Lock system, the thumb disc and the highly textured G10 handle scales. I had two "knocks" on the first generation design:

1. The blade retention was weak on several of the earlier models.

2. The G10 is so aggressively textured under the pocket clip that it is tough on fabric (pants pockets).

Being a Nutnfancy watcher, I caught his vid on the Cold Steel 2nd gen AK47 (I was a fan of the first gen, though I don't care for the grivory hook on the grip). After watching that, I decided to pick up the 2nd gen Recon 1. If you watch his vid on the 2nd gen AK47, there are enough similarities in design to the 2nd gen Recon 1, that you'll see how I made the connection. So...I've had the 2nd gen for a bit and here is what I think:

THE GOOD

* Great handle shape. Very ergonomic.

* They kept the aggressive texturing on the G10. Very cool...except for underneath the pocket clip.

* They kept the clip point blade shape.

* The second gen is feels lighter then the first gen version. I didn't weight the models or check their weights online; I can easily tell that this is much lighter. The knife is quite a bit thinner and they did away with the steel nested liners.

* They did away with the Ultra Lock and added the Triad Lock (which is, indeed, super strong).


THE BAD

* The blade is super slow compared to the 1st generation. There is no comparison; the 2nd gen is a snail. SLOW MO big time.

* Still no jimping on the spine of the blade. Hey Cold Steel! WAKE up and pay attention! Put some freaking jimping on the spine of the blade!!!

* They added a thumb stud and did away with the thumb disc. For my paws, the disc works better.

* Wonky pocket clip. Still. Cold Steel, listen up: take a look at Benchmade's pocket clips for the Griptillian series if you want to see the right way to do this. And ignore how Kershaw does it (strange space-age designs most of the time).

* They did away with the Ultra Lock. Yeah...I definitely think that the Triad Lock is stronger. No doubt in my mind. But the Ultra Lock was plenty strong enough and that system made for much better blade deployment.

* Somebody in Cold Steel's marketing department needed more caffeine when working on this. Once again, Cold Steel, listen up; this isn't a Recon 1...since you've changed too many things. You should have named it either "Recon Folder" or even "Recon 2".

Ok...as you can see from "The Bad", there are some things "not to like" about the 2nd Gen edition. Still, overall, it is a very good knife...particularly for the money. Candidly, I'm not a fan of the Triad Lock. My first experience with it was on the American Lawman. The spring on the lock is so hurking strong that it kills deployment unless you really get your wrist into it. And...then it's noisy as all get out (ka-crack!) Normally, I like a good solid sounding lockup; this one is very bright sounding...too "bright". This model is kind of an "extreme" one where the good things are very good and the bad are real letdowns. Still, glad that I bought it.