Cold Steel Tanto

D

David vS

Joined
Nov 9, 1999
Messages
136
Has anybody here used a Cold Steel Tanto (along the lines of the master tanto with san mei steel) in the woods? I was wondering what the general consensus was on them. I carry a Khukuri as well as a pocket knife; but I am looking for a knife that is a little more flexible and agile. Thanks!

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When the chips are down, the buffalo is empty.

 
As tanto blades are not the most favoured blades for survival knives, it would not be my primary choice. Though I am far for being the most knowledgable, I think tantos shine rather in piercing hard materials due to strong point.
My two cents (as many would say).
Best,

HM

 
A friend of mine uses one in the woods and he likes it over the M-9 he was issued. He likes the feel of it and the size. I will ask him for more info when he gets back. Take care.

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Yol bolsun,
Jamie
 
I have never carried A tanto, I also carry A khukuri ( 15" Ang Khola ) and A SAK. It is all i've ever needed. This doesn't help but I wanted to tell you anyway. Brian

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I'm living on the edge!
 
What do you wish to do with your third knife? With a Kukhri and a SAK, the missing element is a skinning/medium work blade, in my experience. You should pick a blade based on whether you will likely do more skinning, or medium camp work, or have some other idea in mind. The Cold Steel Tanto is a very heavy, sturdy blade for its size, and is very good for things needing a sharpened crowarb that looks really good.

Were I to augment your current carry, I would probably add my Native, for warm weather work, or a small fixed blade or larger folder for cold weather so I can use it with gloves on. I would choose a spear point or some blade with more curve for better skinning.

The Tanto would not be a useless Wild Saliva knife, but it would do well most of the things the Kukhri does better, and do similarly or worse the things the kukhri does poorly.


Stryver
 
Thanks guys... What I am looking for is a medium duty blade that could be used for skinning, cooking, etc. I have no intention of giving up my 18" chiruwa AK Khukuri. I just need something with a little more finesse. My SOG multitool could be used to fill the slot, but I would prefer the security of a fixed blade.

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When the chips are down, the buffalo is empty.

 
Originally posted by David vS:
What I am looking for is a medium duty blade that could be used for skinning, cooking, etc.
My SOG multitool could be used to fill the slot, but I would prefer the security of a fixed blade.
Click to expand...
Makes sense.
I think something along the lines of Cold Steel Master Hunter and Fällkniven F1 would be most suitable, since you won't be needing it for chopping. So going up in size or blade thickness is not going to help, and as I recall the CS Tanto is rather thick.



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Urban Fredriksson
www.canit.se/%7Egriffon/
Latest updates Moki Hana, Fällkniven WM1 neck sheath, Moki Blossom and Fällkniven S1

"Smooth and serrated blades cut in two entirely different fashions."
- The Teeth of the Tyrannosaurs, Scientific American, Sep 1999
 
I have to echo the sentiments given by others before me. The americanized tanto blade shape is not a good utility/skinning design. It was made as a weapon mostly. The chisle point being used for strong usage in thrusts and slashes. It actually is not a true oriental tanto design, the true tanto being a better utility tool.

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Lee

LIfe is too important to be taken seriously. Oscar Wilde
 
I have the San Mai tanto and it is a great knife but I must agree with MichLee and Griffon, other shapes are better for skinning. It is solid (thick and fairly heavy) which I do like for contact sports but the lightness of fine motor control is missing for me. A deeper belly would be more "camp useful" too, I think.

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The Fighting Old Man
 
Some years ago I had one of the first Master Tanto's and I used it in Africa. Great knife. But later when soldiering I took it off my waist order and replaced it with a Chris Reeve Project. The Tanto is one of the best urban knives I know of but leave it out of the woods
cool.gif
 
I can't disagree much with what's been said, but I would add that the tanto, at least mine, has a tendency to chip when used for chopping.
 
Thanks for all your input, guys. It seems that the tanto is not quite what I was looking for. What would you suggest that I look into? How would you compare SOG to Cold Steel... Or other brands of knives? I believe you get what you pay for. Again, I am not looking for a weapon... just a fixed blade good for skinning, cooking, lighter camp chores, etc. I carry an 18" khukuri for heavier chopping work.

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When the chips are down, the buffalo is empty.

 
Having had both Cold Steel and Sog products I can say they are both good quality production knives. Have you looked at Newt Livesays Wicked Knife Company? Check out his website too, handmade good quality blades at close to factory prices. Also look at Marbles knives, good quality outdoor blades from a very old company making a comeback.

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Lee

LIfe is too important to be taken seriously. Oscar Wilde
 
Hey Guys....

Don't give up so easily on the Tanto Tip for a survival knive....

The Tanto tip has many uses in the field, where a regular bellied blade won't work as well.

The most useful would be drilling.

I refer to the Simonich NorDooh, the Anaconda 7-9, and a bunch of the other TOPS blades.

I also didn't like Tantos much until I started listening to Ron....

As far as skinning goes,, I don't understand why some people have problems with a Tanto type tip for skinning.

I've been skinning with a Tanto type tip for years without a problem. Granted it is not a typical Tanto tip, but I only use the first 1/2" of the knife anyway.

When I skin I tend to scrape more then anything.

As far as survival situations go,, if you were to catch animals,, they'll more then likely be small ground critters,, where the skin would be peeled rather than skinned,, In some cases anyway.....

At this point I use a large 14" machette as my chopper,but I'm leading up to an Anaconda 9 by this summer...

The knives I usually carry into the bush are my RUK SAK,Leatherman, Gerber Proguide, or my Fallkniven AI or SI depending on my mood and what I'm planning to do...

I guess it's all personal taste,, and who can say this or that is better..If you are comfortable with a certain knife then great..Use it....

It's like a confidence lure when fishing... A certain lure that you know does the job pretty much all of the time.

ttyle Eric...

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Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel
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David,

Since you already carry a chopper and a pocketknife, I suggest a lightweight utility knife. Some you might consider are:

Spyderco Moran. This little blade is very lightweight. It comes with a kydex sheath that gives several carry options, including pocket or pack carry. It has an upswept tip that gives the blade plenty of belly for skinning. Handles food preparation well. (Except for the splitting the sternum of the elk part.)Holds a great edge.

A.G. Russell Deerhunter. Another knife with many of the same qualities as the Moran. This one has less belly to the blade. It is also lightweight and comes with some kind of durable hard plastic sheath.

Schrade Sharpfinger. A low cost option. I got one a while back from Smokey Mountain Knife Works for $13. An entirely adequate light utility knife. Upswept tip provides some belly for skinning.


[This message has been edited by Howard Wallace (edited 03-15-2000).]
 
Take a good look at the SOG Northwest Ranger! It's 5", flat ground, mild Bowie style, soldered stainless hilt, kraton handle, with an inch of serrationg at the hilt. The CS Master Hunter is also a good choice. I the the SOG handle better and it's 440A resists corrosion well. It's a great all around knife! I got mine at the WOW closeout for $38.50!
 
I have one of the original 400 Mystery Steel CS tantos with the brass hilt. I've used it for butchering game and it works fine; there is actually a good useful curve to the blade. It takes and holds an excellent edge and would hold up well in a survival situation, I'm sure. there are better blades for skinning and opening a game, but in a pinch a tanto could be relied upon. The piercing tip might be a bit awkward for opening game, but it would do.
 
My goodness just looked at the age of these postings ya probably all in wheel chairs now lol. I to am stuck choosing a survival knife. I am definatly gonna get a gurkha I think the new cold steel gurkha san mei sounds promising but I am stuck between a cold steel recon scout or cold steel tai pan to carry with me most of the time. I was looking at the cs trail master for quite a while but it is to friggin big at 9.5'' blade it is more for croc dundee !!! any advise anyone ? also what do people make of the san mei steel ?
 
I know its not personally something I like in a knife anymore, But I have heard of people using them for outdoor knives.
Again, its gonna come up to what you like and what you want to use.
 
I'd have to agree that the khurki would definitely out perform a master tanto..I have a master tanto it is a great knife... but it sounds like what you need to augment your current set up is a medium fixed blade....A decent, and inexpensive reccomendation would be a stainless mora clipper, they are sturdy funtional (glitter free) blades they can be purchased for 13 bucks at ragweed forge.they'll do everything you'd want in a mid size blade. I love mine.
 
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