Cold Steel Tanto's

Dean, thanks for posting that tragic news. If you know Phil, let him know that he is in my thoughts and prayers. I've often wondered what happened to Phil. His magazines were unique and informative, and when I met him he seemed to be a fine fellow.

I don't suppose you have an e-mail address for him?
 
First I'd like to give my condolences regarding Mr. Engeldrum's son. I will say a prayer.

As for Tanto knives, I had always wanted the original Tanto, however, at the time I got the Trailmaster instead. It is my understanding that the Tanto was always AUS8, until the newly designed Recon Tanto came out. That is, until reading this thread :) - I thought they also had 5 3/4" blades as oppossed to the full 6" of the newer versions. Mine is the 6" stainless guard model. A buddy of mine used to have the 7 1/2" magnum Tanto (I think it was SMIII - not certain; it was in the early 90's) and it too had Stainless steel guard & pommel.

HM Hoek said "I've always been tempted to get a tanto, but my SRK has served well in its absence". I hear you, however, my wife, God love her, got me both a Tanto & an SRK several years ago for christmas the same year ;) I love my Tanto but it is more of a drawer queen - the SRK gets all the 'action' - including being the fixed blade I take with when I travel (in my checked luggage).

I had no idea about Buck having originally made any CS knives or there being any handle material other than Kraton or stag or cord wrap... Anyway, Very Informative thread - Thanks!!!
 
I have an older CS Recon Tanto. I purchased it at a large gun show in about 1983. The stainless blade has a sandbasted finish and the brass guard and pommel have a matte finish. The handle material is the typical Kraton stuff. The pommel is not scalloped out on both sides like the newer Tantos and the fit of pommel to grip is less than perfect. The knife came with the usual leather sheath and the seller sold me a Kydex sheath as well. There were not many Kydex sheaths around at that time if I recall correctly.

I'll have to get out the knife and look at the markings to see what they say. This was probably my first knife buy and as a result has some sentimental value to me. My wife got me a new Recon Tanto for Father's Day this year. The Tanto's are pretty neat knives and I could see wanting to collect the more unusual models. Hope this thread keeps running...interesting.

Jeff

edit to add that I looked at the knife tonight and the blade reads Cold Steel, Ventura CA on one side and Recon Tanto, Made in USA on the other side. Any possibility that this is an early Buck made example?
 
Cold Steel Imperial Damascus Tanto available on ebay right now. Only $1,000. Which seems to be the going price these days.
 
I have a Imperial Tanto. It's a limited edition, originally slated for 2000 units. Production ceased at 1000 because the expense of production exceeded the retail price, per unit. The knife features a 6 inch composite blade in the san-mai style. The outer laminations are stainless damascus and the center core is stainless high carbon. I have #653.
 
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