Folding Tanto Ideas?

[Trailer_Ape]

Got it stuck in my head that I need a folder with a (preferably American style) tanto blade at least 3.5" but 4" would be ideal.

I had the Cold Steel Recon 1 folder but gifted it, after having some bad experiences with it (8 stitches).

Would love something very similar to it BUT with a crossbar lock. I am not completely opposed to a liner lock just no lock backs like the Triad OR button locks. Also something with more hand protection than the Recon 1 whether that is in the form of more jimping OR a more pronounced guard.

The Oyabun is one I've considered. If anyone here has had experience, with it, I'd love to hear it.

So... ideas? Country of origin or price are not really that huge of a factor, at this point, just trying to get an idea what all meets the criteria. Thanks.

 

[GreX]

If you're into a frame lock - Sebenza, Umnumzaan, or Inkosi are all offered in a Tanto - and all three have a blade length of around 3.6".

 

[tony281sc2]

As far as liner locks go, the Socom Elite is worth checking out.

 

[GreX]

I just went to one of the large knife sites, and used their filters - crossbar, tanto, 3-4" blade, and it returned 96 results - many different brands in there.

 

[ShaiHulud]

Crkt m16 02x crossbar, d2, tanto

 

[Tsujigiri]

This was my first thought, the large version is 4" and there are still some floating around following the discontinuation. Microtech Socom Bravo tanto, the handle swells at the front and it has some aggressive jimping on the back:



You could also look at flippers, since the flipper tab often works as a guard in the open position. There are a lot of balisongs and OTFs with larger tanto blades, but the handles tend to be pretty straight.

 

[tony281sc2]

This was my first thought, the large version is 4" and there are still some floating around following the discontinuation. Microtech Socom Bravo tanto, the handle swells at the front and it has some aggressive jimping on the back:

View attachment 2976049View attachment 2976050

You could also look at flippers, since the flipper tab often works as a guard in the open position. There are a lot of balisongs and OTFs with larger tanto blades, but the handles tend to be pretty straight.

Such a nice knife. I regret selling mine. I just couldn’t get down with that shallow pocket clip enough to actually carry it.

 

[SharpBits]

Look for a Lum Tanto from Spyderco. I recently picked up a used one the Exchange and it quickly became one of my favorites.

 

[DocJD]

Oyabun

My least favorite type of Cold Steel are these liner lock with slider safety locks . The latter , I've had problems getting to work smoothly .

Highly recommend you try the AD-10 Tanto S35VN / G10 , on sale for ~$70 now . Great knife at a "steal me" price !

Tri-ad is really smooth and easy on the AD-10, and the excellent handle ergonomics should prevent sliding onto the blade .

 

[Steely_Gunz]

Maybe the Off Grid Viper? I've never handled one, but they look like they would check off your boxes, I think.

 

[katguy]

The guard on the Cold Steel Recon 1 is really pronounced. Did you somehow slide up past the guard onto the blade? That could happen, but it seems something extreme would have to occur. Can you share more details of the accident that caused the cut/stitches?

 

[DMG]

If you are willing to take somethinga bit shorter, the benchmade Bailout in M4 is great.

 

[DocJD]

The guard on the Cold Steel Recon 1 is really pronounced. Did you somehow slide up past the guard onto the blade? That could happen, but it seems something extreme would have to occur. Can you share more details of the accident that caused the cut/stitches?

Cold Steel knives , in general , are very well designed for extreme hard use/ SD . Probably not the knife's fault .

 

[el gigantor]

Like the others, I'm curious how you hurt yourself. When I first saw your thread, Recon 1 was my immediate recommendation. Did you attempt one-handed closing?

 

[unwisefool]

Hogue K320

 

[Trailer_Ape]

WOW! What a deep rabbit hole I have joyfully fallen into AND have such wonderful enablers to guide me down it

THANK YOU ALL!!!! I have already started looking at knives I never would have thought of. I am super busy but will take time, tomorrow, to respond in depth (to many of you individually about your specific recommendations) AND to explain the relationship I had with the Recon 1 folder. Til then, I will just say - I knew the knife was either cursed OR just did not like ME in particular. I gave it to a very close friend (with a warning) and they (him and the knife) get along wonderfully. It was never really "my knife" and it knew it (I guess). Again, THANK YOU and keep the ideas coming if you think of anything else before I get to give a detailed response (tomorrow)

 

[kylemiller]

This is my time to shine. I just went down this road. My favorite tanto is the American Cold Steel style, like on a Voyager. One of the big online knife retailers, that rhymes with a delicious BLT sandwich, has an exclusive AD20.5 variant with a tanto grind that is very similar to that old Voyager, Recon 1 tanto. Just with some extra stuff on the flats. 3V and milled G10, less than 200 bones. One of my most recommended EDCs. That blade shape and steel make it a nice little folding multitool scraper, pry, probe tool. Replaceable price too!

However, when you've got the tanto fever like I had, I eventually needed a Recon 1 to cure it. The newest run has much more relaxed G10 texture and very smooth action. Fall shut and buttery. And the grind is as phenomenal as ever. That company who grinds all those tantos for Cold Steel doesn't get enough credit for the quality they're putting into an $80 folder. Those things are crispy. I also picked up a AD-10 tanto, SR-1, CQC7B and a Guardian Tactical 35 tanto along the way.

 

[AntDog]

My favorite folding tanto by far:

 

[norcalAF]

My favorite folding tanto by far:

Yep, hard to beat an 0620, just about as hard to find as well!

 

[LEGION 12]