Cold Steel GI Tanto Video Destruction Test Completed

I have always prefered framelocks, but I also have much love for the axis lock and would love to see how there locks hold up to testing. Something like the Mini Rukus or the more $ friendly Doug Ritters Griptilan(Don't remember how it's spelled). Of course any Cold Steel and/or Strider folders would be a hoot to see. Espesially since Cold Steel has there own Proof DVD, like the pull up with one of there folders, to see the knife fail at the same test as seen on the DVD would be quite funny and sad. Well at least to me. Oh yeah, and can't forget Emerson knives. Would like to see if they really deserve to say "#1 Hard Use Knives in the World". Thanks again for your contributions to the knife community.
 
noss4, I just ran across your site for the first time last night. Absolutely outstanding work, man!:cool: I stayed up pretty much all damn night watching the vids.:thumbup: I've been looking at the CS "Fighter" series for a while now (particularly the Tanto), and I was really pleased with how well one of them held up in your tests. Again, fantastic work. Please, keep it up.
 
Surely you have your Busse FBM by now. When will we see that test?

Thanks for this review.
 
Noss4, Very nice video, but could you describe the sheath a little more for me. I looked online, and it almost looks like a kydex sheath covered in cloth.
 
KinJames I was thinking of testing one of each lock design to start with.


G. Scott H.: Thanks, I guess it's okay you stayed up all night watching since it takes me all night to get one test ready for the internet about 8 hrs the GI took over 12. I'm glad you enjoyed them. I have more coming up soon. Thanks


J85909266: Actually I do not have it yet. I received word from Busse Knives that it should be shipped in about 3 weeks. There has been a delay on mine.


spyder10: The sheath is just nylon it's not kydex. the tip end is sandwiched between some type of plastic. It is a simple sheath, nothing fancy but it will carry the knife just fine. It looks well made. The knife fits in very snug, some people don't like this but I do. I plan on getting a spec ops sheath for it.
Thanks
 
Thank you noss, very good testing...I really learn some especially about 1055:thumbup: I really enjoyed
 
I just ordered one on EBAY about 10 min. ago.! Amazing! I
am shocked by the durability of this knife compared to the more
expensive ones out there. I love your website noss!!!!!!:D
 
ishiyumisan:Your welcome. 1055 is very tough. Cold steel did a great job with this steel and brought it to the consumer for a very low price.


yerscattergun: Cool... I'm glad you got one.. The GI Tanto is a very durable knife for the small price. Thanks


C.M.L: I have seen the prices on the internet range from 15 to 25 dollars.
even at 25 bucks it is still a fantastic deal.
 
Thanks for the review noss4. Overall very impressive.

I do have some questions that puzzle me somewhat.

Firstly, the GI tanto must be lighter than similarly sized knives like the Strider BT due to thinner blade. You said the GI tanto chops better. Why do think this is?

Secondly, while that spring tempered 1055 steel certainly bends great, is it rigid enough to be used as a prybar or foot/hand hold if needed? Or could it bend too easily for such use. Your thoughts?

Thirdly, it must be lower on the rockwell scale due to spring temper so it gets duller faster than "normal" knife tempers. And if I understand correctly it would not be very good against hard objects because of this. But confusingly, it seemed to do great against metal. Thoughts on this?

One more, how would you compare GI tanto to Bushman?


Thanks again noss4, I really appreciate the great review. :thumbup:
 
Oh forgot to ask, would you have the cutting edge thickness and the secondary and primary grind angles available? Interested to know how they compare with other knives. Thanks.

(my terminology might be off a bit...Im no expert...)
 
PatriotDan: I think the GI Tanto chops better then BT because it has a thinner edge. It takes deeper byes in the wood also the blade is a little longer then the BT this helps a little also. However the A1 has a thick convex edge and it chops much better then both for similar sized blade. Since the GI Tanto and the Strider BT are similar in their design and grinds I feel the thinner edge is a benefit to the cold steel when it comes to chopping.

The GI does have a lot of flexibility but at the same time it is very rigid for only 4mm thick. I feel it can be used for heavy prying but it depends on what your trying pry. The blade will become more rigid as you pry and the blade starts to flex. like pulling on a spring. The more force you put on it the more it resists the force wanting to pull back. I don't know if it is rigid enough to use as a hand or foot hold because I didn't test this but I think if you bury enough of the blade into what ever you are trying to climb or whatever It will more than likely support ones weight. You should test this if you intend to use it in this manner in a safe setting if possible.

The third question I can't answer I'm not a steel expert when it comes to understanding heat treats and tempers and how they effect the overall performance. I can say after testing different steels that the GI Tanto is not brittle like the Becker BK9 for example.

Compared to the Bushman: The GI Tanto Is very tough like the Bushman but the blade is much more rigid allowing one to pry and penetrate. The Bushman
is just to flexible to tear a hole through a 2x4 or make deep stabs. The Bushman is a good outdoors type knife but the GI Tanto is much better for a tactical urban environment like the Strider BT.

I put a scale on the knife 20 degrees on the secondary grind and 10 on the primary grind.

Thanks
 
Noss ... I seen the test you did on this knife ,thanks ALOT !!!:)

:thumbup: ,
Chris
 
I got my GI Tanto, I was very pleased when I first handled the knife. It's nice and big but not to big. If it's intent is a "fighter" it pretty much hits the mark. It's light in the hand but hits fairly hard, it looks as if it will stab and cut deep with ease.
The handle is as others have mentioned a little thin. I plan to rewrap as instructed on the strider page. There's a gunshow soon, I'll try to find some coyote brown 550 paracord.
The sheath isn't bad at all,doesn't look that great, but it should hold up good. I do like that it holds the knife secure, the sheath is rigid enough that the knife can be removed without binding. I attached a knife/mag pouch to the sheath with paracord. On the sheath there is a rivit to hold the retention strap to the sheath, this creates an opening under the strap to run the paracord through that you can then attach a pouch. I then secured with more paracord around the bottom. It turned out great, looks like what should have come with the knife. I can fit a sak,fire starter and small sharpener. It's a handy little kit. I wish I could post pics to show everyone.
I have to say the GI Tanto is the best deal I've ever got on a knife.:thumbup:
 
it takes like 9' of para cord to wrap the handle ans still have a lanyard left. I used coyote tan also. I bought 100' at the PX.
 
CML..
You can get the Spec Ops Combat Master sheath in about 6 different flavors .... short or long ..... threy are the same price...about $32-34.... I get mine from the GEARZONE.com
The short one is listed as being able to handle up to a 6" blade, and the long for up to an 8" blade, BUT if you remove the retention screw in them, the short will handle a 7" blade, and the long a 9" blade.....
It can be a minor PIA to remove that screw...they are really in there, mainly because they might be crossed-threaded and I had to grind them out ....
but keep at it.... quitters never win ... winners never quit ....
Take Care...
Here'a pic of a short one (on the right) in Coyote Brown... one on the left is the Long Survival version .... knives are SOG Bowies ...
SOG_Bowies.JPG
 
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