Best Tanto Knife You've Ever Owned?

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Jan 24, 2013
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Just trying to get to know the site and figured I'd ask you guys. I've always been a fan of tanto knives. They seem to hold up better for my uses, but I feel like I've gone through the better majority of your common tantos. I'm just trying to find something I really like.
 
I in general don't like tanto knives, but I found the Spyderco Lum Tanto to be very attractive!
 
#1 tanto is the CQC-7bsw #2 hogue EX-01 Tanto
Also have a Strider DB in 3V that is a killer fixed tanto
 
I am really liking my Tanto Blur. it's suprisingly thin, but feels real solid. The Speedsafe fires hard too.

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Thanks yukiro, I've seen those mentioned quite a bit. Personally I'm usually more of a 'buy in from the US' kinda guy unless the quality is well worth it. Not to say Cold Steel isn't quality, I've just never loved their knives.

Dongbeiren, I do like that knife. The oddly placed, and what I'm assuming is a lanyard hole seems like it would be awkward to me. Regardless, I do definitely appreciate the input.

Madmullet, I had gerber knife that was extremely similar in shape to that knife. I had it for... I wanna say around 7 years. The end of it snapped off at work the other. I nearly cried. I've never heard of Hogue before though, I'll have to check them out.

Mark, Americanized tantos are what I usually go for. I love the shape and in my experiences they seem to hold up better than the other style knives I've owned.

And last but not least, Tx180SX. There's another knife very similar to my gerber I just retired. It was a Gerber Torch II. A great knife for the price. 53$ on their site but you can find it slightly cheaper if you look around a bit. I was very sturdy and held an edge very well. Just my 2 cents.
 
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Just trying to get to know the site and figured I'd ask you guys. I've always been a fan of tanto knives. They seem to hold up better for my uses, but I feel like I've gone through the better majority of your common tantos. I'm just trying to find something I really like.

How have you managed to go through the better majority of common tantos?

This doesn't really make any sense.

I've never seen more than a few knives that have been worn out or even broken by people -and there are some real knife users here on BF. And given that the Americanized tanto hasn't been around for more than 30 years, how have you managed this feat?

Please explain.
 
How have you managed to go through the better majority of common tantos?

This doesn't really make any sense.

I've never seen more than a few knives that have been worn out or even broken by people -and there are some real knife users here on BF. And given that the Americanized tanto hasn't been around for more than 30 years, how have you managed this feat?

Please explain.

Maybe I should have been more specific. I mean I have either owned or used many of the tanto knives from common brands. I am by no means a knife expert. Hell, my work has nothing to do with knives, I just like them. I owned a few Gerbers, Kershaws, an SOG, and a few others I don't recall. The comparatively few knives I have owned have either been swapped out, usually given or sold to a friend when I find something I perceive as an upgrade. I'm not saying I've seen EVERY damn tanto that's out there, I just have seen the more common styles. Has this been explanation enough?
 
I've used my ZT0400 a lot for several years. Just got a couple of CQC-7s last year and have been using the 7V as well.
 
Good choices gooeytek. I've heard some good things about the ZT0400. I'm not familiar with the others, however, something about the grip on the CQC-7 bugs me but I just can't put my finger on it. Pun intended.

Pegasus_OAL_SouthpawKnives.jpg

Also, I started a thread about this knife earlier. I really do love the way it looks. Generally, I don't like the Tom Brown Tracker style blades but this is an exception. Its the Southpaw Pegasus.
 
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Mocrotech Socom Elite. I don't generally like tantos too much but damn- that was a good one. I should've kept it. Inlays are orange ray skin.

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Oh wow. Actually, I like both of those. Good choice.

Also, since I haven't yet. My favorite tanto so far is either the Gerber Torch II which I only recently had to retire...
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Or my Gerber Prodigy Tanto
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Sure, they're not any 350$ masterpiece but so far my experiences with gerber knives has been quite exemplary. My Torch II has lasted longer than any other knife I've had, a respectable feat in my opinion.
 
Folders: CQC7B, Willumsen Tuco and Warren Thomas M2.
Fixed: Pohan Leu, William Nease, Dozier, Bud Nealy and Nick Rossi.
 
I've always been a fan of tanto knives. They seem to hold up better for my uses, but I feel like I've gone through the better majority of your common tantos.

What kind of work do you use a Tanto for?

I have several, but only because I like the LOOK of them - I never had any use for the shape, but that is of course just me.
I know the CS original Tanto is very strong, but for my use I prefer other types of knives.
For a soldier as a prybar and opening cans, crates etc, the blade shape would be strong and fine, but having been to Iraq and Afghanistan, I never had any use for them nor saw many Tantos around.
There were always proper prybars in Camp Bastion, in the field or where ever.

None the less, I have the following Cold Steel Tantos; Master Tanto SAN MAI, Magnum Tanto II, Recon Tanto CarbonV, Kobun.

I have few knives on display, but like the look of the Master Tanto and the Magnum Tanto II. I plan to sell the Recon CarbonV and the Kobun to make toom for a CS Magnum Tanto IX.

As one hysterical forum member complained about me posting pics, I wont post any of the Tantos.
 
Original Cold Steel tanto, brass hilt.

I noticed, that there is a CS 'Tanto' and a CS 'Master Tanto.'
I have the Master Tanto in SAN MAI and brass guard - do you or anybody else know the difference between the Tanto and the Master Tanto?

Is only the Master Tanto in SAN MAI or what is the difference between the two?
 
The only tanto knife ive ever enjoyed carrying was the crkt m16 10kz edc mainly because it was my first knife that had any sort of quality to it (still have it but its mainly retired). I have no use for the shape but i like it because it reminds me of all the s*** i put it through from throwing it to using it as a screw driver and to this day it locks up solid (despite what i consider to be an overly thin liner).
 
What kind of work do you use a Tanto for?

I have several, but only because I like the LOOK of them - I never had any use for the shape, but that is of course just me.
I know the CS original Tanto is very strong, but for my use I prefer other types of knives.
For a soldier as a prybar and opening cans, crates etc, the blade shape would be strong and fine, but having been to Iraq and Afghanistan, I never had any use for them nor saw many Tantos around.
There were always proper prybars in Camp Bastion, in the field or where ever.

None the less, I have the following Cold Steel Tantos; Master Tanto SAN MAI, Magnum Tanto II, Recon Tanto CarbonV, Kobun.

I have few knives on display, but like the look of the Master Tanto and the Magnum Tanto II. I plan to sell the Recon CarbonV and the Kobun to make toom for a CS Magnum Tanto IX.

As one hysterical forum member complained about me posting pics, I wont post any of the Tantos.

I'm no soldier. I work in a construction company doing whatever needs another hand. Running parts, helping build houses, working on the blasting crew, etc. Its not the most demanding job for a knife but they sure as hell come in handy. Nothing too impressive.
 
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