Cold Steel Tanto's

Greetings SamColt

CS is about as good as my collection gets. I have Benchmades, Spydercos, SOGs, Gerbers, CRKTs, but my favourites are CS. I only collect factory knives, cannot afford customs. I currently have 13 CS models.

Except in the very early days, most of the CS Tanto models have been in AUS-8. In the last couple of years this has also been available in San Mai III and all the longer bladed Master Tantos have come in San Mai III only.

Budget versions of the Tantos are also available. Firstly, there is the Recon Tanto in Carbon V, which has remained standard in the line for many years. In the last couple of years they had the Kobun (5" blade) and Oyabun (9"). These are thin and light. The Kobun was available in AUS-8, but now is only available in 420 Sub zero quenched. The Oyabun was available up til last year in 420 S-Z-Q, but is now only available in Carbon V.

For more info on the current Cold Steel line, visit the website at www.coldsteel.com . I think if you live in the USA you can get the More Proof dvd and Special Projects catalogue for free.
 
I have a Magnum Tanto IX that doesn't have the SAN MAI III marking on it. You say all magnums were SAN MAI III! What's up with that do you think. Now I have that plus a standard Tanto that isn't marked Made In Japan either. Oh well I'm still learning. Keep that info coming, I'm learning more every day.
 
sam45colt said:
I have a Magnum Tanto IX that doesn't have the SAN MAI III marking on it. You say all magnums were SAN MAI III! What's up with that do you think. Now I have that plus a standard Tanto that isn't marked Made In Japan either. Oh well I'm still learning. Keep that info coming, I'm learning more every day.
Click to expand...
Look at the CS Magnum Tanto that you got from me...See the line that's about 1/8th of an inch from the edge of the blade?...That's the "San-Mai sandwich line"...ALL San-Mai blades have that line, even if they aren't marked with "San-Mai" on the blade.
 
Ya but my other 9" Magnum doesn't have the sandwich line Dann. So I guess at one time you could get the magnums in AUS8 maybe. I wish there was some History of these Tantos. I wouldn't even mind making a web page but I'm having a hard time finding anything out. I found a leaflet in with one of the old school Tanto's I bought from the Special Projests that has a Imperial Tanto With the traditional wraped handle, but the kicker is it has a Damascus blade. It doesn't say a thing about the Tanto in the leaflet either. The thing is dated Spring 1993. Has anyone ever seen one of those Tanto's?????????? That's what I mean about History. It's to bad Cold Steel don't want to provide any history about their Tanto's. Oh well I'm dependent upon all of you folks, so keep the info coming. Thanks :rolleyes:
 
I think there was a 9" ( 8 3/4" actually) in the first series made from
400 series stainless. You should be able to find it in the scans I've send you.
 
I checked the scans Vanman. They show the Magnum but don't say what the blade material is, only the hilt and pommel. I figured it had to be one of the early ones. Thanks for the info Vanman.
 
Anymore History on CS Tantos? How about the EMPEROR COLLECTION TANTO'S, does anyone know anything about them?? How about a Master Tanto with the old style hardware but in stainless with a serial number?? I'm finding all kinds of interesting Tanto's. Keep the info coming.
 
There's got to be more history on Cold Steel Tanto's out there. You might as well just give it up so it can all be collected and a web page can be made. Thanks

Gino
 
Another variation to look for if you don't have one yet is the original Recon Tanto. This was sold for only a few years IIRC and was an original CS Tanto but with a bead blasted blade and sold for around $50.00.

IIRC the original Mini Tanto had the same type of guard as the original Tanto but they later gave it the oval guard that the Magnum Tantos have.

There were also two very expensive hand made traditional tantos a few years ago, one with regular sword fittings and the other with shirasaya fittings.

In a magazine article from the late 1980s IIRC there was a picture of a medium and short CS prototype "ninja swords" if you want something really hard thing to find. ;)
 
I have a rare little Cold Steel key chain folding tanto. In the late 1980's and early 90's Cold Steel had a line of tanto folders called the Shinobu. I have one of the super small key chain carry versions. The cool thing about the little key chain version is that it was made from San Mai steel. The blade is clearly marked Made in Japan on one side and Cold Steel San Mai on the other. The cutting edge is approx. 1.5" and the overall length when open is just under 4". I've showed this little blade to many Cold Steel dealers at gun/knife shows and many of them wished that it was still in production. It was the smallest San Mai tanto blade made.
This little knife has been laying around in a drawer and only carried a few times or toted to the knife shows. It's in excellent condition. Email me at bimmer1@wfeca.net if you have any interest in it.
 
You've got to get a damascus Imperial Tanto. I purchased one a few years ago and reluctantly sold it. Now I wish that I had it back. It is the coolest Cold Steel Tanto you can find. Be prepared to spend some cash for one. The usual price when you find one is about $700-$1,200. If you want one bad enough go to eBay and do a search every few days for Imperial Tanto. One will show up at least once or twice a year. I sold mine for over $700.
 
I have one of the original RECON TANTO's with the bead blasted blade, I've also got both versions of the MINI. I've even got a real Cool EMPEROR COLLECTION MAGNUM I got from glockman on a trade that has Brass hardware.
 
Come on now there's got to be more CS Tanto's out there that no one is using. I'm sure everyone could use a little extra Money, so why not get rid of that old Tanto you never use and have some extra spending money.
 
How about some more Cold Steel Tanto History out there. How about ex-Cold Steel employes out there that can tell me something?
 
The first CS Tantos were manufactured for CS by Buck Knives. Yes, it is true. Got one years ago from Chuck Buck - he had a few gathering dust quietly in the back room.

CS was unhappy with the quality although it was very good - and CS / Buck disagreed on many things - so although CS was not keen about having its models manufactured in Japan it did so anyhow - but ensured it has very close involvement in the process as well as oversight -

The quality of the CS Tanto from Seki City, at the time, as compared to the Buck verson, is visibly far better - and the rest is CS history.

The Emper. Collection is a nice blend of both the original CS Tanto concept, with the San Mai steel quality of blade, with the original brass fittings, AND the peaked spine that was seen on both Chinese and Japanese swords - CS had long sought to make/offer a high end sword but - in its early days - the technology / cost of doing so was way out of synch for what was then the emerging US specialty cutlerly market.

Since then, of course, CS has entered the sword market successfully.

The CS Tanto is a classic - regardless of model or version - and a proven performer -

Ya gotta love ém.
 
Kasik, What are the visible differences in the Buck Tanto and the Seki Tanto? I have a Tanto I believe is one of the Buck ones but don't know how to tell them apart. There are several differences in the Tanto I'm talking about and all the rest of my Tanto's. So I would like to know what is different between them. I have another 9" Tanto with the standard blade, not SAN MAI III that doesn't say Magnum Tanto on it that has a peaked spine the same as the EMPEROR COLLECTION 9" Tanto I have. What is with that Tanto? Did the early ones not say Magnum Tanto on them and have peaked spines too? Then I have a Master Tanto with the early style guard and pommel but in Stainless, with a serial number on it. Do you know anything about that one? How many of the Buck Tanto's were made, do you have any idea? Thanks for the information you've given me, it helps but I need to know more if I'm going to make up a web site. Anything else you could tell me would be appreciated.
 
Fit and finish, particularly in the synthetic grip - this was new process / concept / mold and CS was unhappy with the results and effort Buck put into it - compared to the Seki City effort the fit, finish, and grip the Buck is clearly weak sister. But in defense of Buck, CS learned the weaknesses and shortcomings and was able to confer same to Seki City...so learning curve shortened.

As for all the variations noted - that is what they are. Interesting so many small runs of this and that - numbered but not named - named but not numbered - adds to the flavor. I have seen knock off Magnums here in Iraq / not badly done and certainly sturdy - no idea who as no markings whatsoever.

No idea how many Buck made - it was not a lot, though.

Kasik
 
jim_l_clifton said:
First CS Tanto was one you already have,would rust in a heartbeat,made in Calif. I believe.
Be Safe,
Jim
Click to expand...
Is it the one that doesn't have Made In Japan on it? I have one like that, it also has a little different blade profile and the grip feels like Tupperware instead of Rubber. Is that the Buck made Tanto???
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top