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Pros: Handle Material, Blade Material
Cons: None
My second Verdict
Verdicts have been nonexistent to scarce since their formal release. My first purchase was black handle, 4116 stainless, clip point (I would have preferred the spear point but unavailable back then). My second purchase, October 2022. Same handle and steel, but tanto. This is a review of the tanto. The best starting point is to compare to the Mini Recon 1, which believe it or not (in tanto only) was selling for less than the Verdict six months ago. Such is supply and demand, since the Recon is considered an upgrade with AUS 10 instead of 4116 and a thicker blade (but the current Mini Recon is already itself an“downgrade” from the original by moving from G10 to Grivex brand FRN). More important than the steel (4116 from CS is excellent) and handle materials FRN flexes slightly easier than G10 when both are thin), the Verdict has thinner blade stock and thinner handles (and no inset partial steel liner) than the Recon and the blade is narrower on the Verdict. The result is the Verdict is 2.5 oz and the Recon 3.2 oz. In every day use they are equal with the Verdict nice and light (but less pinchable than the Bugout) but in extreme use the Recon is more robust. The AUS10 holds its edge about 40% longer but 4116 as heat treated by Cold Steel is roughly equal to the old AUS8 and to Buck 420HC, with better corrosion resistance than AUS8. Both 4116 and AUS10 are easy to strop back to original edge, but both knives benefit from your own 17 degree reprofile, the factory edges usually cut copy paper and half will even push cut paper, but a 17 degree edge will do it smoother and be slicy longer. My recommendation is to carry both Verdict and Recon, holding the Recon in reserve for survival situations- it will have an extra reserve of edge retention starting fresh. The Verdict is more than enough for routine rope and string cutting, cardboard boxes. Both knives are overshadowed by the very reasonably priced Air Lite, but it exceeds the common 3” legal limit in some jurisdictions.