Cold Steel Tantos

[John79]

I don't really like Cold Steel, however I have been looking at their tantos, specificaly their magnum tanto with the 12" blade. I won't pay full retail (somewhere around $450 I think.), but I don't think $265 is too unreasonable, and I can find them at a number of sites for that price. My question is, are these high quality knives that tough and dependable or are these just more Cold Steel hype?

 

[Lycosa]

You could buy a Leu Custom for a lot less money and really have a Tanto style blade that is closer to the original or traditional tanto blades. Something to think about.
Lycosa

 

[swingshot]

. My question is, are these high quality knives that tough and dependable or are these just more Cold Steel hype?

It depends somewhat on how tough a knife you need.

Far as i can remember, it was confirmed at one point their San Mai is a mixture of two fairly run of the mill steels. Additionally, whilst it will probably work for light to medium duty tasks, it's hollow grind and thick spine may make heavier tasks more tricky.

If you want a heavy duty field knife, it probably isn't the way to go.

 

[fdd19]

I link this video up soo much, here is how thier cheapest tanto holds up to noss4's brutal destruction tests

http://knifetests.com/page28.html

 

[Bkultra]

I link this video up soo much, here is how thier cheapest tanto holds up to noss4's brutal destruction tests

http://knifetests.com/page28.html

I am having trouble figuring out which you promote more, CS or the so-called tests that are done on that site.

Any way if you buy the cheaper CS knives its safe to say you get what you pay for. Once you get to the $100+ range, one would not have to look far to get better quality for the money.

Cold Steel at work..

 

[fdd19]

Noss4 as you know makes the tests, only place i know that does it, btw i left you a post in the last topic, enjoy. I dont promote cold steel, ive never said go out and get a cold steel, I have however pointed out the clear bias against them just because of the way the guy advertises, I say dont bash a knife unless it sucks or is of ridiculuous price vs quality(lest it be low cost high quality)

 

[Leu Custom]

Is that a photo of the handle broken off the blade? Looks like it's missing a handle!

 

[Bkultra]

Is that a photo of the handle broken off the blade? Looks like it's missing a handle!

Keep in mind if you use your Cold steel knives in the same manner of his marketing that is abuse and voids any and all warranty.

 

[Confederate]

Anyway, if you buy the cheaper CS knives it's safe to say
you get what you pay for. Once you get to the $100+ range, one would not have to
look far to get better quality for the money.

I concur wholeheartedly. Their San Mai is a huge gimmack. It's actually inferior to most
of the other steels Cold Steel uses, yet it costs substantially more. It's hype. Yet I really
like many of their other knives. It CS went out of business, it would be a tragedy for
the knife world.

 

[Khalnath]

I like the point style Cold Steel uses on their tantos, even if it isn't authentic historic Japanese. Does anyone else make knives with this kind of point?

 

[SAR]

I like the point style Cold Steel uses on their tantos, even if it isn't authentic historic Japanese. Does anyone else make knives with this kind of point?

You mean this style of point....lots of folks do, it nothing new under the sun

Spencer

 

[udtjim]

I have the G.I. Tanto, the Recon Tanto, the Kobun tanto and the Magnum Tanto. All CS and all MORE than live up to their advertisments. I have the Recon and Magnum for many years. I know they work and proved it to myself many times over. I doubt that any knife offers a better dollar value or holds up better in the field. You can't show me a knife that some idiot can't break.

 

[Khalnath]

You mean this style of point....lots of folks do, it nothing new under the sun

No, I don't. I mean with a flat spine that isn't clipped or tapered. I don't mean "a tanto point", I mean a tanto point specifically like the one Cold Steel uses.

Like this:

Even better is if the spine is actually ruler straight.

 

[orca8589]

Keep in mind if you use your Cold steel knives in the same manner of his marketing that is abuse and voids any and all warranty.

This, and some of the issues I've heard about there customer service, are two of the reasons I typically don't buy CS. There are many good alternatives out there that match CS's price ranges. Just my opinion . . .

thx - cpr

 

[Dr. Mudd]

I have the G.I. Tanto, the Recon Tanto, the Kobun tanto and the Magnum Tanto. All CS and all MORE than live up to their advertisments. I have the Recon and Magnum for many years. I know they work and proved it to myself many times over. I doubt that any knife offers a better dollar value or holds up better in the field. You can't show me a knife that some idiot can't break.

BRAVO!

WELL SAID!

Of Cold Steel's tantos, I only have the Recon Tanto, but I like it fine, just as I do my other Cold Steel knives. Most of mine are the now discontinued Carbon V blades, made by the fine American (but now defunct) company, Camillus, as I understand it. I have not yet bought any of their Chinese knives, though.

 

[GoodGuy]

I've owned a "San Mai" Master Tanto for several years, and I've found it to be a solid performer. I remember when the knife arrived thinking the edge was too thin to hold up, but I've found it to be quite durable. It's a great slicer.

 

[SAR]

No, I don't. I mean with a flat spine that isn't clipped or tapered. I don't mean "a tanto point", I mean a tanto point specifically like the one Cold Steel uses.

Like this:

Even better is if the spine is actually ruler straight.

Sorry did not get your point

Spencer

 

[sharp-k]

I am having trouble figuring out which you promote more, CS or the so-called tests that are done on that site.

Any way if you buy the cheaper CS knives its safe to say you get what you pay for. Once you get to the $100+ range, one would not have to look far to get better quality for the money.

Cold Steel at work..

Don't you know the difference between a field knife and an axe ????

 

[Uncle_Jarvis]

Uck, I own 1 cold steel tanto. It cost around $200 new.
not too good, at most sub par quality on all ends, not to menton the owner of the company is a jerk. I have my reasons for backing that statement up. For the $250-$300 range I strongly suggest looking at another company. There are plenty out there you just have to take out the time to look.. U know what though, I you want a blade for under $100 go with Cold Steel. You will get pleanty of mild usage out of it until it inevitably fails.

 

[hatchetjack]

I keep a Carbon V Recon in the car for a beater blade. Comes in handy and I won't be to upset if it gets ripped off or misplaced. It gets used quite often on trips in the field and to open boxes, cutting cord on trips to the dump and in case I need to stab my way thru the hood of my truck or pry the roof off....

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