Cold Steel Specials: Not What I Expected

C

Confederate

Joined
Sep 5, 2005
Messages
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Well, my box came today from Cold Steel and I dug out my Christmas specials--two Konjo 1s (tanto) and three War Heads. The two Konjos were $200 and are beautiful knives, both highly polished with 5-inch San Mai blades. Gorgeous, and beautiful, but hardly functional unless used as throwing knives. Nothing between the hilt and the blade. The handle is quite small and slippery. It's a nice collection knife, but sadly lacking in design.

The three War Heads package, on the other hand, was a complete impulse buy. Couldn't pass 'em up for $35 for all three. These are giant 9-inch carbon steel double-edged knives with highly functional, and tough, fiberglass-like handles. Cheap sheaths, but well balanced. All knives were frightfully sharp.

The Konjos, although beautifully finished and very appealing, were disappointing in that there was no hilt to keep the hand from siding down the blade's edge. Still, the price was hard to beat. I was very much impressed by the War Heads, though.

The Konjos are easy on the eyes, but don't seem to be of much tactical or practical use. The War Heads are astounding for anything from camping to emergency use. Theyre bargains.
 
Perhaps so, but I would feel uncomfortable having to palm this particular knife. As it comes, it's beautiful, but slippery. The Spyderco Native is easily palmed plus it can be used for conventional cutting chores. I think Cold Steel was trying to retain the Japanese look and sort of let it get away from them. A reasonable choil would have been perfect.
 
Confederate said:
Perhaps so, but I would feel uncomfortable having to palm this particular knife. As it comes, it's beautiful, but slippery. The Spyderco Native is easily palmed plus it can be used for conventional cutting chores. I think Cold Steel was trying to retain the Japanese look and sort of let it get away from them. A reasonable choil would have been perfect.
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From what I understand, the basic tanto design was so that it would tuck easily into one's belt/obi, and actually could be drawn with the left hand into reverse grip (cross-draw for right-hand, handle tilted inwards). Plus, being more roughly finished, rather round/oval in cross-section and/or wrapped with cord (not necessarily "traditional" style with ito) made it fairly functional and easier to make. Course, most people didn't use knives dedicated for "tactical purposes" ;).

Not sure why someone would make a "tactical folder" with slick handle. Ex: Benchmade Deja Voo (if it is a tactical - seems like a larger gent's folder to me).
 
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My biggest gripe with the Konjos is that the sheath scratches the brass frontguard. For something that's essentially a display knife, this is unconsionable. I'm able to polish them out so far, but it seems like a major design problem.
 
I find the Konjos really nicely designed knives. They are not meant as tactical fighting knives, so I don't see the need for a forward guard. The Finnish Puukko doesn't have a guard, and it doesn't need it. Neither does the Konjo, even if being an American design.

Did you buy them to stab things??? (sorry, bad joke :))
 
The Konjo looks like a small trad Tanto, that would be carried for self defence
It is a classic design

I have used wooden tantos in Aikido
You pull it from your belt in a slashing motion and continue to slash until you can stab or throw your opponent.

Try gripping it differently.
Use the classic two bottom finger grip, where your pinky and third finger grip the handle
Your first finger in not used and you can keep it straight
The handle rests on the heel of your hand not the palm.
On inpact, the join between your thumb and first finger take the blow and keeps control of the knife

It is a very different way from a thumb and first finger grip

Let me know if this helps
 
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h3n4 said:
Did you buy them to stab things??? (sorry, bad joke :))
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No, I bought them only for their beauty, and they are beautiful. One of the tantos could almost be used as an executive's letter opener (especially in one of those big car companies we're bailing out).

Thanks, Neeman, for your tips! Makes sense.
 
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