Cold Steel - Oyabun & Kobun - How determine which stainless?

D

DWRW

Joined
Jul 21, 2005
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Can anyone tell me a reasonably fool-proof way to determine which stainless steel is used in Cold Steel Tantos (Kobun & Oyabun).
I am interested in picking up some for my collection in AUS-8 and I don't want 420.

As best I can tell (from a couple of small discussions - not hands on by me...), the blades don't have the steel type printed on them.

I know the older Kobun's and Oyabun's came with leather sheaths and the newer ones have kydex. But, did they ever overlap sheath styles with blade steel?

Thanks.
 
The Oyabun and Kobun are both available in Carbon V.
But, they are (and were) also available in Stainless.
The older models were made with AUS-8.
The newer models are made with 420 stainless.

If I understand correctly (as I am gathering more info), the AUS-8 models were made in Japan.
And the newer 420 stainless models are made in Taiwan.

I believe the Carbon V blades are made in USA (???).

The blades apparently have the country name stamped or otherwise on the blade.

Can anyone confirm if blades made in Japan were always AUS-8?

And blades made in Taiwan are always 420?
 
My AUS8 Kobun says "Cold Steel" on one side and on the other "Kobun made in Japan." It came with a kydex sheath. I bought it in 1997.

I've never handled a 420 CS knife, but from the pictures I've seen on the internet they look like they have a bead blasted or other dull finish while the AUS8 blades have a satin finish.
 
DWRW is right.

All the Carbon V knives are made in the USA.
All the AUS8, AUS10, and San Mai III knives are made in Japan.
All the 420 and 440 Sub-Zero-Quenched knives are made in Taiwan.

Each is marked on the blades.
 
I have also noticed what Benjamin Liu said. The AUS 8 knives had a satin finish and the 420 ones are bead blasted. I think this combined with the Japan or Taiwan stamp on the blade is your fool proof i.d. method.
 
Thanks guys for the information confirmation!

That would appear to be enough info for confirmation.

1st) Country name on blade

2nd) Satin vs. bead blast (???)
 
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