Folding Tanto Ideas?

[madcap_magician]

Also check out the Barker Hokkaido. The custom is out of reach in terms of price and availability, but Mechforce has a made-in-the-USA midtech.

 

[Giygas]

Seconding the Lum Tanto.

Mine hasn't left my pocket since I decided to finally start carrying it, a few months ago.

 

[Trailer_Ape]

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

I can live with a liner lock and that Socom is drop dead gorgeous! It is definitely on the consider list. Looks like it has some "heft" to it which is something I do want in the knife I'm looking for

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.

I will do this! I should have already, thanks for reminding me. I don't want to overlook something just because it doesn't get mentioned here.

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".

I actually thought about CR Sebs. I think this knife is going to work with me and will probably live a rough life. Not sure I'd be as comfortable beating on a Sebenza

Crkt m16 02x crossbar, d2, tanto

THIS sent me in a different direction. While this model has less guard than I like, i accidentally found the 14 SF version, while looking for this one. It is a liner lock, i definitely prefer crossbar (or cross ball), but the guard makes up for it. So far I think it is the most likely candidate.

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

This made A LOT of sense because I have several Spydies AND my Manix 2 XL has not left my pocket in a LONG time. BUT the blade seems more like an actual (Japanese) tanto and doesn't seem to have the pronounced "second point" that "American Tantos" have. I am definitely looking for a dual ground (hollow and flat) American style.

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 .

Thanks for the hedzup. I will keep that in mind (about their liners). I just liked the look of the Oyabun because I open carry a Master Tanto. I am not really a fan of the Triad lock. At least not on EDC knives. I like it on my Rajah II (different beast all together) BUT I have an AD 10 that I am not crazy about. The Triad lock is part of the reason. It puts enough pressure on the blade, in the closed position, to make opening more difficult especially with the less pronounced thumb stud (not an issue with Rajah, as it is waved open). Under stress I have found it easy to to botch an opening. I also do not like the method of UNLOCKING a lock back (trigger finger laying across the chopping block). I close with one hand, a lot, and the Triad slows that down and makes it less safe (imho). Plus.... I really don't need to hang 200# off my open knife lol

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?

The simplest and most honest answer - COMPLACENCY. I was getting ready to do a video review of the knife. I was thinking of things to cover. One was that the shape of the knife really "locks you in" which makes up for the poor jimping (compared to the Manic 2 XL). To demonstrate this I pinched the blade between my left index finger and thumb, while gripping the handle with my right hand. I held the blade still, with my left and pushed forward with my right hand (to simulate hitting a hard target). My hand slipped right over the guard and only about an inch down the blade. Oddly, another thing I planned to cover, in the video, was that the knife had LITERALLY the SHARPEST factory edge I have EVER seen (kinda wish it didn't lol). Then there were all sorts of little nicks, here and there. One being from not having my middle finger out of the blade's path when the Triad sucked the blade back into the handle. It was BARELY in the way, it just shaved the very tip of my finger off. While these are all "user error", I must say - I have trained FMA for years AND have played with balisongs since I was a child but NEVER had one particular knife that just CONSTANTLY took little bites of me. I get little "Blade Kisses" from all my knives but never like this. That knife just REALLY didn't like me.

My favorite folding tanto by far:

Oooooh wow There is a small amount of drool coming out of the corner of my mouth and my hand is involuntarily reaching for a credit card. Seriously, I want to stay "budget" so I wouldn't feel guilty about hard use but this one is "speaking to me". I am about to watch some reviews on it

I thank you guys (and girls, if there are any). You have given me much to consider. I'm still open to more suggestions, if any more come to mind

 

[GreX]

Chris Reeve knives are built for "beating" on, I have not been kind to my Umnumzaan or my Sebenza, and they're still running great. You just have to be comfortable with using a knife that costs this much, you mentioned that price wasn't a concern, so these seem like great tools for the job - no bearings, no liners, no fluff, just a couple slabs of titanium, a couple washers, and a blade in the middle.

 

[Blues]

I highly recommend this despite the apparent aversion to a Tri-Ad lock...for $70 online...it's a beast with great grinds and sharp edges as delivered.
It opens and closes very smoothly.

 

[DocJD]

waved

You can add a Snaggletooth wave opener to an AD-10 . Works great .


The blade is heavy enough to allow easy opening by gravity / inertial , shake down also .

 

[Trailer_Ape]

I highly recommend this despite the apparent aversion to a Tri-Ad lock...for $70 online...it's a beast with great grinds and sharp edges as delivered.
It opens and closes very smoothly.


View attachment 2976717

Wow! I actually HAVE an AD10. I bought it when GSM first purchased CS and everyone was kinda freakin out, thinking that was "The End". It is a tank of a knife but, until seeing this photo, I never really understood just how appropriate a tanto would look on it. That knife is perfectly suited for that robust blade style

You can add a Snaggletooth wave opener to an AD-10 . Works great .


The blade is heavy enough to allow easy opening by gravity / inertial , shake down also .

I had one on my Recon, when I gave it away. I never thought about putting one on the AD10. Makes sense. My Bro didn't know what it was, until he drew the knife and accidentally utilized it. He was like, "WHOA, now I see why that thing is there!"

OK FOLKS, get ready to hate me....

You gave me all these great ideas, using the parameters I asked for and NOW I'm going totally off Rez and going for something that doesn't even fit my OWN criteria - an OTF tanto The one I am looking at is a gamble. It is suspiciously cheap and offered by a company that is known for jewelry not knives. At first glance, I was like "Gas station, flea market RUN!" but... It has a D2 blade and, while some materials are foreign sourced, the knife itself is made in the U.S. AND the man offers a lifetime warranty. I might end up taking a hit. It could be CCC but it might be a hidden gem. The thing is - NO ONE seems to have one. I can't find one YouTube review and only see one old review on reddit. It's weird. I'm guessing at least one of y'all has to know exactly what I'm talking about about

 

[SharpBits]

Kershaw Livewire comes in a Tanto. It's worth it to spend a bit more.

 

[Tsujigiri]

OK FOLKS, get ready to hate me....

You gave me all these great ideas, using the parameters I asked for and NOW I'm going totally off Rez and going for something that doesn't even fit my OWN criteria - an OTF tanto The one I am looking at is a gamble. It is suspiciously cheap and offered by a company that is known for jewelry not knives. At first glance, I was like "Gas station, flea market RUN!" but... It has a D2 blade and, while some materials are foreign sourced, the knife itself is made in the U.S. AND the man offers a lifetime warranty. I might end up taking a hit. It could be CCC but it might be a hidden gem. The thing is - NO ONE seems to have one. I can't find one YouTube review and only see one old review on reddit. It's weird. I'm guessing at least one of y'all has to know exactly what I'm talking about about

Careful with those, there are a bunch of companies bringing in cheap Chinese OTF's, "assembling" in the USA, and marking them up beyond where they should be. Three especially prominent companies doing this are Tekto, Ravencrest, and Cobratec, and there are a bunch of other brands just selling knives from one of these 3 and rebranding them, which is likely what's happening with the knife you're looking at. They come up with new rebrands faster than anyone can keep track of, which is why it would be hard to find reviews.

If you want a good Chinese budget OTF, look at the tanto Maxace Archer. It has a large 4" blade, skateboard grip sections, 7075 aluminum chassis, double springs AND double latches, titanium clip, and tight lockup.

 

[donnord]

If you like front flippers, this one is a little different in that the front edge is zero edge similar to a Rockstead. Someone put a small micro bevel on one side but I am slowly getting rid of it.

 

[tiguy7]

Look for a Camillus CUDA.

 

[luethge]

 

[Trailer_Ape]

Careful with those, there are a bunch of companies bringing in cheap Chinese OTF's, "assembling" in the USA, and marking them up beyond where they should be. Three especially prominent companies doing this are Tekto, Ravencrest, and Cobratec, and there are a bunch of other brands just selling knives from one of these 3 and rebranding them, which is likely what's happening with the knife you're looking at. They come up with new rebrands faster than anyone can keep track of, which is why it would be hard to find reviews.

If you want a good Chinese budget OTF, look at the tanto Maxace Archer. It has a large 4" blade, skateboard grip sections, 7075 aluminum chassis, double springs AND double latches, titanium clip, and tight lockup.

Ahhh, that would make sense! I appreciate the hedzup