Here I will let Cold Steel describe this knife, they can do it better than me:
It's no secret, Cold Steel makes some of the toughest knives on the planet. For 2015 Cold Steel has added premium American-made Carpenter steel blades to the majority of their knife line, making their knives better than ever before!
On this Mini Recon 1 you'll benefit from the black DLC coated CTS-XHP stainless steel clip point blade with its extreme blade edge sharpness and retention.
A popular knife with Military and Law Enforcement Personnel, Fire and Rescue crews as well as civilians who appreciate a hardworking, dependable tool for any occasion. Sharp as a scalpel and tough as a tank, the Cold Steel RECON Series is available with 2, 3, 4, and 5 1/2 inch blades, and every facet of their construction has been over engineered to make them as strong, durable and effective as humanly possible.
These Cold Steel classics are thin, light, razor sharp and amazingly strong! Every model in this diverse series features Cold Steel's world renowned Tri-Ad lock, making them almost impervious to shock and keeping your precious fingers safe from harm when using your knife in even the most taxing conditions.
*All of the Recon 1's have CTS® XHP blades and G-10 handles, except for the Micro Recon 1's, which have an AUS 8A Tuff-Ex™ Coated Blade, and a G-10 styled Griv-Ex™handle.
at Amazon