Excellent knife with great parameters, the handle gives confidence that it will not slip out of your hand even during intensive use, the factory sharpness is very good, and the tanto-style blade finish adds a 'combat mood' to it.
Cold Steel Recon Tanto SK5 Fixed Blade Knife - Flat Dark Earth
Designed for tactical applications, this knife features a Full Length Tang build, merging characteristics of survival and combat knives. Outfitted with a Tanto-style blade crafted from high carbon SK‑5 steel, the knife is engineered for exceptional toughness and lasting sharpness. A black, matte Tuff-Ex finish coats the blade to reduce glare and provide additional protection. The handle, fashioned from Kray-Ex material, incorporates a non-slip texture to ensure a secure grip in all conditions. Included is a sheath equipped with the Secure‑Ex system, offering versatile carrying options for attachment to a belt or various gear.
tool steel SK-5
Forged from SK-5 tool steel, the blade delivers exceptional strength, as well as high resistance to cracking, chipping, and dulling. The material is also easy to sharpen. After hardening, the blade reaches a hardness of 63-65 HRC, providing remarkable abrasion resistance and outstanding durability.
Tanto profile blade coated with Tuff-Ex
The blade features a Tanto profile, measuring 178 mm in length and 5 mm in thickness. Outfitted with a smooth cutting edge and finished with a semi-flat grind, the knife stands out due to its reinforced tip, where the spine maintains its full thickness almost up to the point. Such robust construction ensures exceptional strength, making the knife ideal for carrying out tough and demanding tasks. A black Tuff-Ex coating covers the blade, serving to eliminate unwanted glare and shield the steel from corrosion. Additionally, a shortened blunt threshold (ricasso) brings the cutting edge closer to the handle, effectively increasing the usable edge length.
Kray-Ex handle with a non-slip texture
The handle of the knife is crafted from Flat Dark Earth Kray-Ex material with aggressive texturing to ensure a secure grip, even when hands are wet or dirty. Featuring a Full Length Tang design, the blade’s tang is embedded within the handle, extending along its entire length and remaining only slightly narrower than the handle itself. A single-sided cross guard is integrated to protect fingers from sliding onto the blade. At the base of the handle, a hole is provided for attaching a safety cord or lanyard.
Secure-Ex system sheath
The knife comes equipped with a sheath utilizing the Secure-Ex system, crafted from a lightweight, tough, and weather-resistant material. A fitted opening and a snap-fastened loop ensure the knife remains securely in place, effectively guarding against accidental drops. The loop is designed for belt attachment, while multiple holes and pass-throughs offer versatile, multi-position mounting options on a belt or various gear elements.
Set elements
- Cold Steel Recon Tanto SK5 tactical knife
- Secure-Ex protective sheath
- Belt loop attachment
Main features
- Featuring a tanto-style blade
- Constructed with a full tang design
- Equipped with a blade crafted from SK-5 steel
- Includes a reinforced tip for added durability
- Offers an extra cutting point at the blade’s tip
- Protected with a black Tuff-Ex coating
- Exhibits excellent resistance to cracking and chipping
- Fitted with a Kray-Ex handle
- Features a textured, non-slip grip
- Incorporates a single-sided cross guard
- Equipped with a lanyard hole
- Comes with a Secure-Ex sheath featuring multiple holes and pass-through options
- Includes a snap-secured loop for belt or gear attachment
Militaria.pl is the official distributor of Cold Steel.
Cold Steel is a renowned American brand of knives, machetes and tactical tools, founded in 1980 in Irving, California. The company has gained popularity thanks to innovative solutions such as Kraton® handles and American Tanto blades, which are appreciated by uniformed services and military enthusiasts. It has also introduced its own steel alloys, such as San Mai III®, which ensures high strength and wear resistance. Cold Steel has patented the Tri-Ad™ Lock blade locking mechanism, which guarantees safe use. The brand cooperates with renowned knifemakers, including the company's founder Lynn C. Thompson and Andrew Demko, whose passion and experience contribute to the high quality of the products.
| Type | Fixed blade |
|---|---|
| Style | Military-tactical |
| Blade length | 178 mm |
| Blade thickness | 5 mm |
| Blade profile | Tanto |
| Blade edge | Plain |
| Blunt resistance | Good |
| Corrosion resistance | Low |
| Lock type | Fixed blade |
| Overall length | 298 mm |
| Main color | Flat Dark Earth |
| Blade material | SK5 |
| Opening method | Fixed blade |
| Handle | Kray-Ex |
| Clip for carrying | No |
| Holster included | Yes |
| Weight | 255 g |
| EAN | 813628007555 |
| Manufacturer code | CS49LRTDEBK |
| Brand | Cold Steel |
| EAN |
SK-5 steel belongs to a series of Japanese tool steel (Steel Kuogu) with high carbon content and good wear resistance. It is equivalent to American 1080 steel and is also designated as SK-85. It contains about 0.8-0.9% carbon, which gives it high hardness and very good cutting properties. The addition of manganese (0.1-0.5%) improves hardenability, silicon (0.1-0.35%) increases elasticity and strength, and small amounts of chromium (about 0.3%) and copper (up to 0.025%) promote the steel's wear resistance and slow down degradation processes. The presence of nickel (up to 0.25%) further enhances strength, while low sulfur and phosphorus content reduces the material's brittleness. After quenching, SK-5 reaches a hardness of up to 63-65 HRC, and its martensitic structure with fine carbides provides a favorable combination of wear resistance and mechanical strength. Thanks to these properties, the steel is used in chisels, saws, springs, drills, and in utility and tactical knives.
Reviews with photos
Review summary
Number of reviews: 169
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A solid piece of metal, plus a sheath that works well with the whole set. The knife is quite sharp even from the moment of purchase. The only reservation I have is that it could be better balanced.
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Another excellent knife purchased at the militaria pl store. The knife is very well made, very helpful in the garden and forest, superb quality. The shipment arrived at express speed, store service at a 5, I definitely recommend and I will certainly return to the militaria pl store.
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I am a happy owner of this legendary knife, although it is fair to say that it is a multifunctional cutting tool for special tasks! It is perfectly made of excellent carbon steel. The first manual contact makes you realize that you are dealing with something very solid, which fits perfectly in the hand. The knife is already very sharp after purchase, and you can refine the sharpness even more. The sheath fits perfectly, the knife enters with slight resistance and won't fall out. The whole set makes a very aesthetic and professional impression. I recommend it to those who need and appreciate solid items!!!
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Great knife. It holds its sharpness and sits well in the sheath, which is also very well made. The coating could be better or not there at all—I would make a patina with vinegar like on a Morakniv. A good purchase for reasonable money.
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Well, what can I say. A solid piece of knife. Wonderfully made. Sits very well in the hand, even in a glove. Sharp right out of the box. Bought on sale, at a good price, so double the joy. Ordered on Friday and was ready for pickup at the parcel locker on Saturday. I recommend it.
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Great piece of steel, fits securely in the hand, well-balanced, I haven't used it for heavy work yet so can't comment on durability, but it arrives factory sharp as a razor, passes the paper test easily. Recommend it!
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A beast through and through... a piece of a beast... finally available at a good, even very good price... one of the most iconic and recognizable knives in a men's size... decent and simple.
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A great opportunity to buy a high-quality, uncompromising knife at a very favorable price during the promotion, with parameters for big boys and men... not for playing soft... a real weapon...
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Everything has already been said about this knife. Great knife. Great promotion. Great price at Militaria. Finally, I will add that it looks very nice in this color scheme; you can see it in the store.
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A decent tool... a real machine... this is not a 'peaceful' knife ;) it's a war knife... Just the look already defines its purpose... characteristic, feisty, in 'war mode'... :)
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Great knife. I love tanto. I recommend it, a very good knife. Phenomenal for everything. Big and massive, a thick blade you can't just break. It's a pity the engraving started coming off after the first batoning :(
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A proven knife in an interesting color variant. Durable and very solidly made. Equipment for years with proper use and care. The handle in this color is prone to dirt but easy to clean.
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Great knife. I love tanto, bought as a pair with the Cold Steel Recon 1 Tanto. Mighty, bulky, for heavy-duty work. I considered the SRK, but the Tanto wins for me on looks. Recommended.
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This is not a knife for everyday carry by your pants—it's too big. Very solid—almost like a mini machete. Despite its size, it's not too heavy. The rubberized handle feels good in the hand. The sheath holds the knife well—nothing rattles or falls out, even with the handle strap undone. I wanted an "indestructible" knife for tough tasks, not a small razor, and this one gives that impression. The price definitely matches the quality.
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