Cold Steel Recon 1 I have an original model Recon 1. Cold Steel has since changed the blade steel and raised the price ridiculous amount (unless they've seriously upped the quality). I believe this version has a 440C “subzero quenched” blade (most of what cold steel advertises is a gimmick, have you seen their DVDs?). I purchased mine for about $40 just after they started making the Recon series. I overall look, big clip point blade, and Teflon coating, and unique locking mechanism made it stand out to me. Although it has steel insets in the handle, it just feels a bit weak to me. Unlike other polymer scaled knives I own, this one will bend if you grip it too tightly; nothing that would cause failure, just not as stiff as I'd like a handle to be. The locking mechanism is kind of cool in theory. It's a bit loose and I had to tighten and loosen the screw to find the middle ground between the screws being so loose they almost fall out and the bolt being so tight it wouldn't lock the knife open. It is “ambidextrous” but the bolt slides sideways when you use it from only one side, awkward. I believe Benchmade makes a similar mechanism, I'd like to try one of theirs someday. The blade is Teflon® coated supposedly to reduce friction on the blade while cutting. To me cutting friction (in most cases) is like rolling resistance to a bike tire, it matters but only if you're real serious. If you're cutting cardboard or something abrasive I'm sure it'd help. It looks neat either way. I'd be reluctant to work this knife too hard (with regards to the tip). Having seen Cold Steel promotional DVDs, seems like they have some issues with tips breaking off. Clip points are the weakest of blade types and I absolutely wouldn’t use this blade for anything but cutting. The thumb stud is completely functional, good size, easy to use, etc. It’s just a washer screwed on to the blade though, and the one on my knife sits off center. Opening the blade and working the locking mechanism are both scratchy, no where close to as smooth as the action of most of my other knives. The main bolt holding the blade in place is much like the screw in the locking bolt, too tight and the blades hard to open, to loose and it won’t stay shut. The pocket clip is ambidextrous but not reversible (tip up carry only). Lastly, I’d say the knife is heavy for it’s quality. I like the knife, I’ve used mine quite a bit, but unless Cold Steel has drastically improved quality, there’s no way I’d even consider buying another. Especially at the current price. Specifications: 4” (102 mm) Clip Point, Teflon® coated, Plain Blade .12" (3 mm) thick 5.33" Closed, G-10 Scales, Steel liners 440C Subzero quenched Stainless Steel (Hardness not listed, I’d guess it around 59 Rc) 9.33” (237 mm) Overall .5” (13 mm)Overall Thickness (less pocket clip) 5.6 oz. (160 g)

Two of Sheffield’s most popular visitor attractions will be warmly welcomed back into Sheffield’s city centre on Monday (6 July), but their new offspring will be leaving home – for a while anyway. Stan and Mary’s ‘son’ Tom will be going away soon to promote the city’s beautiful parks and countryside at the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Show at Tatton Park next month. Tom's five foot high frame has been created by Sheffield’s Escafeld Art Metalwork Ltd as the centrepiece for the city’s floral display at the prestigious Tatton Show. He’s named after Tom Vickers, one of Sheffield’s steel-making pioneers, and he will stand next to three steel spheres in a flower bed depicting the city’s steel heritage and achievements. The floral display will depict the pouring of molten metal across the bed with the plant colours changing as the steel cools. Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed, Sheffield City Council’s Cabinet member for Climate Change and Local Environment said: “It was a great honour for us to be invited to this prestigious RHS show and to be offered financial support to attend this year. This is welcome recognition for the successes we have enjoyed in the Yorkshire in Bloom, Britain in Bloom and European Entente Florale competitions in recent years and certainly enhances our reputation as a great place to live, work and visit. ”When the Tatton Show is over, we will bring the display back to Sheffield’s Weston Park so that local people can enjoy it in the future.” The Tatton Show takes place from 22 to 26 July and is expected to attract around 100,000 people over the five days. Apart from the RHS’s support for the display, Yorkshire South Tourism and Yorkshire Forward are also lending support with custom designed literature to promote Sheffield and our superb gardens and tourist attractions. Councillor Mohammed added: “Over the last six years, Stan and Mary have become such popular landmarks in the city centre and there always seemed to be someone taking their photographs when I passed by. They have been a great hit with the public and I’m sure they’ll be just as popular this year too.” Sheffield College students have been ‘bitten’ by the In Bloom bug too. Students on their Media Make Up course were given the task of researching a flower, producing a storyboard and designing make up, hair and a head dress on the floral theme. Natalie Manlove was given a Sunflower theme and Nikoletta Peter adapted Sea Holly for their designs and were keen to show them off alongside Stan and Mary. Nearly 9,000 plants and 38 bags of compost have been used by the Council’s Street Force staff and the Green Fingers Group at Norton Nurseries to give Stan, Mary and Tom their pristine floral finish.