Cold Steel CAT Zytel Tanto

Dark Nemesis

Dark Nemesis

Joined
Mar 20, 1999
Messages
7,497
Considering getting one of these, but was wondering...just how undetectable are they?

The description says that the knife is 43% zytel, what is the rest? and does it give any more risk of being detected?

Any information is great, thanks....
 
check this out

my guess is that it is rather undetectable, the weight listed is too small for there to be any magnetic metal in it (iron cobalt and nickel) and i doubt they would put anything else in there since that would be expensive.

I dont know what the density is but i would guess that it could show up on an x-ray scanner, depending on what is surrounding it.

For the price you cant lose, i just wouldnt use it for anything, its more of a "hey look a plastic knife" kind of an item
 
I believe by 43%, they're talking about what Zytel is made of - if I remember correctly, it's 43% glass, 57% nylon.

The CAT is undetectable by metal detectors (at least all the ones I know of). However, as a knife, it's just about completely worthless - I've had one for about 3 months.

Don't get me wrong, the CAT is a fun toy, but you really can't use it as a knife. They don't come razor sharp, and you pretty much won't be able to get them to anything resembling "sharp." Using a nail file (the recommended way to sharpen them) I once got it sharp enough to cut rolled up newspaper. (the edge didn't last long)

As a tool, it's useless. As a weapon, it might be somewhat effective as a stabbing implement. If you want a smaller, more effective weapon made of zytel, get a CS Delta Dart - very small, very cheap, made of zytel, and probably very effective. I believe Smoky Mountain knifeworks (www.eknifeworks.com) still has them for $1.99each + shipping. The neck sheaths for the delta darts run $3.99, I think. Kind of fun, and a definite novelty item.

X-ray machines could definitely see the shadow of either knife. Think seriously before carrying one of these into a secure area, as for starters, it's probably illegal, and secondly, there's probably a reason it's a secure area. Also, zytel knives are completely illegal in Cali. I'm not sure about other states.

For better quality, you might want to consider one of the G10 or Carbon fiber knives made by a number of manufacturers. The cost is significantly more, but worth it (easily $60). Do a search for "non-metallic knives" or the like in the forums, and you'll get lots of hits.
-- Rob
 
Good site, Lizard King.

A few things to add:

The ex. letter opener is a copy of Russell's all metal Sting 1a.
There are newer versions out with integral pocket clips.

The ex ice scraper is indeed the best of the lot for practical use. I keep one in my car, and wouldn't hesitate to carry one (in winter!) in a coat pocket. This is in Ohio, and might not be cool in other states (esp. California!). However, you'd have to be REALLY careful about not accidentily taking it to a courthouse, airport, etc. Probably much worse than a pocketknife if you are caught with one in a questionable area.

The CAT tanto is cool. I bought one and dulled it for training purposes. It doesn't say "Cold Steel" on it though. Do any others? I wonder if I have a knockoff. Also, I would think it is better for stabbing than slashing as well.

Newt Livesay has cheaper copies of the ice scraper and the dart. I cracked the scraper by throwing it repeatedly against a brick wall, but I didn't try that with my Choate version. The Livesay version would probably be fine for it's intended purpose (ice scraping, of course). The "Wicked Dart" is five bucks and comes with a neck sheath. Looks really cool. So cool, in fact, that I gave mine to a Grad Teaching Assistant who teaches S-D and she wore it to a meeting, where a couple other women saw it and commented favorably! One of them was a previous S-D teacher, though.
I have questions about whether the Wicked Dart would be a rigid enough stabber, as it is not triangular, it is fairly flat and bends readily. Should be good for eye or throat attacks, though. (I need to add a Delta Dart to my collection.)

Are these things suitable only for "armchair James Bonds?" Most of them, yes. But if your boss lets you, you really could use the letter opener for its stated task, and the scraper really works pretty well on windshield ice, and the Tanto is a nice rigid training knife (when dulled for safety).

I just remembered the plastic hairbrushes and combs with "knives" inside them--never seen one up close. They might be fine in one's bathroom for impromptu S-D. Better than nothing.

Thanks all, for a good thread,
Karl
 
G-10 & Carbon Fiber eh? Will look for some of those today while at work. Would they be better for the role of self defense tool. Not looking for any utility purposes, but I for sure want something a legitimate edge if its going to be used :)
 
Hey Dark Nemsis,

I have the CATs. I bring one along on my mountain bike straped in beside my water bottle. Its light but will serve its purpose if called upon. I don't like to take anything along I may regret loose, fall upon, get sweaty, etc.
 
I know that none of these materials will hold up to a lot of use, but I've read some articles that say G-10 can be given an extremely sharp edge that can be used once or twice for emergencies. Want to know from everyone, how would you place G-10, Zytel, & Carbon Fiber as far as getting a good sharp edge?
 
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