# Spyderco Para Military 2 vs Cold Steel Recon 1: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Spyderco Para Military 2 (Spyderco) and Cold Steel Recon 1 (Cold Steel) among pocket knives. Cold Steel Recon 1 is the cheaper of the two at $169.99.

## Side by side

| Spec | Spyderco Para Military 2 | Cold Steel Recon 1 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $279 | $169.99 |
| Brand | Spyderco | Cold Steel |
| Blade length (in) | 3.44 | 4 |
| Blade steel | CPM S45VN | CPM S35VN |
| Lock type | Compression lock | Tri-Ad lock |
| Opening mechanism | Spyderco Round Hole, manual one-hand opening | dual thumb studs, ambidextrous manual opening |
| Blade shape grind | modified clip point, full flat grind | clip point, flat grind, DLC coated |
| Handle material | G-10 with skeletonized stainless steel liners | G-10 |
| Closed length (in) | 4.81 | 5.375 |
| Weight (oz) | 3.75 | 5.3 |

## Key differences

- Blade length (in): Spyderco Para Military 2 3.44 vs Cold Steel Recon 1 4
- Blade steel: Spyderco Para Military 2 CPM S45VN vs Cold Steel Recon 1 CPM S35VN
- Lock type: Spyderco Para Military 2 Compression lock vs Cold Steel Recon 1 Tri-Ad lock
- Opening mechanism: Spyderco Para Military 2 Spyderco Round Hole, manual one-hand opening vs Cold Steel Recon 1 dual thumb studs, ambidextrous manual opening
- Blade shape grind: Spyderco Para Military 2 modified clip point, full flat grind vs Cold Steel Recon 1 clip point, flat grind, DLC coated
- Handle material: Spyderco Para Military 2 G-10 with skeletonized stainless steel liners vs Cold Steel Recon 1 G-10
- Closed length (in): Spyderco Para Military 2 4.81 vs Cold Steel Recon 1 5.375
- Weight (oz): Spyderco Para Military 2 3.75 vs Cold Steel Recon 1 5.3

## Sources

- Spyderco Para Military 2: https://spyderco.com/products/para-military%C2%AE-2 (spyderco.com, verified 2026-08-11)
- Cold Steel Recon 1: https://www.coldsteel.com/recon-1-clip-point-plain-edge-s35vn/ (coldsteel.com, verified 2026-08-11)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/pocket-knives/spyderco-paramilitary-2-vs-cold-steel-recon-1/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Spyderco Para Military 2 ($279) vs Cold Steel Recon 1 ($169.99) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/pocket-knives/spyderco-paramilitary-2-vs-cold-steel-recon-1/
License: CC BY 4.0.