Anyone got any Taiwan san mai?

So far the only models available have been the SRK, Recon Tanto and most recently the 12" Magnum Tanto. They sell quickly and prices are still higher since they are still so new. I'm waiting for the Tai Pan myself.
 
Man with no name said:
So far the only models available have been the SRK, Recon Tanto and most recently the 12" Magnum Tanto. They sell quickly and prices are still higher since they are still so new. I'm waiting for the Tai Pan myself.
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Ah ok yeah I pre ordered the tai pan months ago I’m looking forward to that one, it can’t be too far away because a seller in my country is listing it as available so it must be close!
 
got a recon tanto version. good solid knife so far. didn't come real sharp but fixed that myself.
 
I bought a San Mai SRK, but had to send it back because the grinds were so uneven.
 
Just heard back from them.

‘We should be getting the San Mai items in stock around late August.’

The wait is going to be longer then I thought!
 
My master tanto and tai pan recently came in. very impressed. same fit and finish as my japanese ones. beautiful pieces

one thing to note. the yokote on the master tanto is much more "pointed" than on my japanese ones. the yokote is the dividing line between the two edges. at the point where the two edges meet on the taiwanese master tanto (just like the 3v and even some vg1 japanese tantos i have seen), there is an abrupt transition from one edge to the other. A clear point. on my japanese ones, the transition is radiused off, almost as though the long edge sweeps up to the short edge. not sure if it will be like "pointy" on EVERY taiwanese tanto, as i have seen variation, but overall i have noticed older tantos are rounded. newer ones are pointed

it is the only real difference i noted between the japanese and taiwanese knives (besides obvious stuff like markings)
 
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Is it hollow ground?
jencarlos said:
My master tanto and tai pan recently came in. very impressed. same fit and finish as my japanese ones. beautiful pieces

one thing to note. the yokote on the master tanto is much more "pointed" than on my japanese ones. the yokote is the dividing line between the two edges. at the point where the two edges meet on the taiwanese master tanto (just like the 3v and even some vg1 japanese tantos i have seen), there is an abrupt transition from one edge to the other. A clear point. on my japanese ones, the transition is radiused off, almost as though the long edge sweeps up to the short edge. not sure if it will be like "pointy" on EVERY taiwanese tanto, as i have seen variation, but overall i have noticed older tantos are rounded. newer ones are pointed

it is the only real difference i noted between the japanese and taiwanese knives (besides obvious stuff like markings)
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I got it today, nice knife. Grinds are pretty even ( I saw someone else returned one of the new Taiwan San Mai knives for uneven grinds) and I don't regret the XII, it seems pretty light in the end.

I had thought from the pictures that the tip of the knife (yokote forward) didn't have a secondary bevel and was disappointed that it did. If these knives weren't hollow ground I'd be sending them off for reprofile for a true zero edge.

You can see a distinct hardening line near the edge and the steel seems nice and even. I need to get a leather sheath made though because of all the issues with the Secure-Ex.
 
falar said:
I got it today, nice knife. Grinds are pretty even ( I saw someone else returned one of the new Taiwan San Mai knives for uneven grinds) and I don't regret the XII, it seems pretty light in the end.

I had thought from the pictures that the tip of the knife (yokote forward) didn't have a secondary bevel and was disappointed that it did. If these knives weren't hollow ground I'd be sending them off for reprofile for a true zero edge.

You can see a distinct hardening line near the edge and the steel seems nice and even. I need to get a leather sheath made though because of all the issues with the Secure-Ex.
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Do you know if the yokote has the same bevels/shape as on the recon tantos?
 
jencarlos said:
My master tanto and tai pan recently came in. very impressed. same fit and finish as my japanese ones. beautiful pieces

one thing to note. the yokote on the master tanto is much more "pointed" than on my japanese ones. the yokote is the dividing line between the two edges. at the point where the two edges meet on the taiwanese master tanto (just like the 3v and even some vg1 japanese tantos i have seen), there is an abrupt transition from one edge to the other. A clear point. on my japanese ones, the transition is radiused off, almost as though the long edge sweeps up to the short edge. not sure if it will be like "pointy" on EVERY taiwanese tanto, as i have seen variation, but overall i have noticed older tantos are rounded. newer ones are pointed

it is the only real difference i noted between the japanese and taiwanese knives (besides obvious stuff like markings)
Click to expand...
Is a rounded or pointed yokote better for snap cuts??
 
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I have one of the new Master Tantos inbound. I have the 3V one currently. But I do prefer the hollow grind.

One change Cold Steel made, that is a overall improvement in design, over the Japanese ones, is the shorter ricasso/longer cutting edge.

This is just my opinion, but I consider the redesigned Master Tanto to be aesthetically one of the most attractive fixed blade knives of all time-I know it will especially be so in San Mai.

FYI, it’s still in stock for $129.99 at Blade HQ.
 
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