Cold Steel GI Tanto

M

melt

Joined
Nov 20, 2006
Messages
467
Can anyone tell me what country the Cold Steel GI Tanto is made in? Also, if you own or have used one of these, how was it?
 
I can't see any markings on the knife or box indicating where it was made.
I actually bought about a dozen ... use them as gifts ... I think it's an awesome bargain at less than $20.00. Sheath is poor, but knife itself of fine. Very easy to modify the handle ... ie.. more paracord, or remove paracord and go with hard grips.... I've done both... plus, replace the sheath with a Spec Ops....you can use the short model if you remove the retention screw ..... it'll fit perfect.
My opinion ...
 
Sapper76 said:
C-h-i-n-a. Strange how they don't put that on the blade
Click to expand...

If it's not on the blade, then how did you go about finding where they are made? Cold Steel's website gives no information. You know, I don't so much mind companies making knives in China as I mind the company not telling you up front "knife made in China."
 
At least the lead content is no issue. Keep it in the sheath and the kids can teeth on the paracord.

Owners did a small report in a TGBU thread, IIRC, and said it was ok for the money, thinner than they expected, beat well, sheath as expected. Sounded like a pretty good tent peg for the price, and it comes with cord!

Hopefully LT will upgrade it with reflecting guy line.

I'm not aware of a side by side comparison with an original, of so, somebody post a link. I would have expected it given the intense concern of it's debut.
 
Noss has done a destruction test of the the GI Tanto. It was concluded to be one of the strongest, uh, I guess the term is "chunk of spring steel" sold on the market. It's a great sharpened prybar for the money, no doubt, and holds up to fantastic abuse, prying wood and even splitting concrete. It certainly isn't much of a cutter, seeing as how it can barely pare, and binds heavily on cardboard.
 
Would a Cold Steel Bushman be a better option? Does anyone know where the Bushman is made?
 
I think for the price The Bushman is a great knife. I used to own one. They are very strong. I almost bought the GI Tanto, but after seeing someone holding it the knife seems to big and bulky for my taste. The only downfall to the bushman is the sheath. And it looks as if the GI Tanto sheath isn't much better. If it were me I would spend the extra money and get a CS UWK, Recon Tanto, or SRK.
 
Mine says "GI TANTO" on one side of the blade and "COLD STEEL" with "CHINA" marked underneath that on the other side. Really a good knife for the money.
 
I have both, and the Bushman beats the GI Tanto hands down. The Bushman is made out of SK5- the Japanese version of 1080 steel, or, at least pretty close to 1080. The GI Tanto is made out of 1055.... At any rate, the Bushman cuts much better. And, the Bushman fits better in the hand when you chop with it. Additionally, the Bushman is easier to mod, too. :)
Go with the Bushman. :thumbup:
 
I have been extremely impressed with my GI Tanto. The factory edge was a little inconsistant, so I resharpened it with my EdgePro. The knife easily shaves, and actually holds a good edge. It cuts fairly well for the type of knife it is, and I like the reduced thickness of the blade. The sheath is terrible, but what do you expect for $20.00? I'm currently testing a CS Warhead to see how much abuse I can subject it to. So far, the Warhead seems like a winner also.
 
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