Cold steel oyabun?

A

Azrael31

Joined
Jun 15, 2006
Messages
131
Ive had my eye on big, nearly useless tantos :p, and I saw a pic of the oyabun. Does anyone have any input on them? Also, idk if they are still in production or not as they arent on cold steels page.
 
Got one. had it for about 6 years now. It is my favorite cs knife and I have alot of cs knives. I don't think they sell them anymore, you can look on their web site.Or search the knife shops on the web. This is not a go and pry a door open knife. It's made for stabbing and slashing. Wickedly sharp and well balanced. This is far from useless if you have a use for it.
 
Haha good, thats pretty much what im looking for. How does the handle hold up? does it offer good control?
 
I don't quite have the oyabun, but I got the 12" Magnum Tanto, just for grins. I thought I was the only one who wanted one of these. I use it camping and as a survival knife. It's super sharp and even tho a bit wierd, I like it.
 
I have two 7 inchers and a 9 incher, all of them are the early production in aus-8 steel not the cheapo 420hc. I think the 7 inch have better balance and overall general purpose use. i use it alot of times to cut open dozens of boxes (including shreading them for easy packing) and it holds up pretty well. I think the handle is too thin for long term use so I wrapped the handle with parachute cord and i have a much better grip now.:thumbup:
 
How would it compare to a ka-bar 8" tanto? im pretty much set on a tanto blade, but I cant decide exactly what I want. Ive heard the oyabun balances funny. Any thoughts on that? If its just because of its length and slight curve thats okay as im used to that from other knives I own.
 
I had a Kobun (think that's the name), the smaller one. It was an exellent knife for the money. Super thin and very concealable for its size. Also felt good in the hand. The spine of the handle was probably just over 1/4 inch, but still felt good. Secure. Balanced right behind the guard. (It was the smaller one thought)
The kabar would not be a bad choice either. I have a clip point and done rediculous things to it. But I also did rediculous things to the cold steel. I would have to say that the kabar will be signifigantly tougher, yet no where near as concealable -if that's an issue. Might want to look at a cs recon tanto too. Never had one, but been tempted. It's probably a good middle ground between the two.
 
I've got an Oyabun - I guess it "balances funny," but just because the blade is stout and heavy. If you wan't a BFK, this is a great one for the money. Very sharp and heavy, I'm sure you could cut through a wrist with one strike... Or tree branches, whatever you need it for... It is bigger than you think though, I'd agree that a Recon Tanto is a little more practical.
 
If you can find it in Carbon V it is awesome aus8 is good anything else I would stay away from. Not that it has anything to do with how it works but I saw a CS tanto used as an example of how to get everything wrong as far as traditional
ninhonto blade shape. One in Carbon V would be as good a fighter as any 500$
Strider.
 
Got one in carbon V, paid 100$ for it about a year or so ago. I've read some complaints regarding the single ferrule handle attachment, considered cheap by some people but it never failed me.
What's special about this knife is the size/concealability ratio. It is pretty long (9") but also very thin and low profile, including the kydex sheath. The only contender I see on this specific market would be the CRKT Hissatsu but more recent runs of this knife are now coming from China instead of Taiwan and the overall quality somewhat lessened.

Regarding the availability, I believe the Oyabun is no longer produced and it's becoming quite rare, even more so if you are looking specificaly for the carbon V model since although J2 and carbon V models bear different labels there are no explicit markings regarding the blade steel on either of them.
 
I just picked up a used one here in the FS forum. Its quite nice.. and really handles like a shorter lightweight knife (if i close my eyes, i would guess she was 4")... very quick in the hands.

I was wondering what steel it was made of.. as all my knife says is Oyabun, made in Taiwan; and a search revealed this:

"The Oyabun and Kobun are both available in Carbon V and Stainless.
The older models were made with AUS-8, made in Japan (satin finish)
The newer models are made with 420 stainless, made in Taiwan (bead blasted)
Carbon V blades are made in USA.

and a general note on all CS blades...

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."
 
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