Help with buying first tanto

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kypada

Joined
Oct 2, 2012
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Hello everyone, I am looking into buying my first tanto blade and was wondering what everyone likes and why. Price isn't too big of a concern as long as it isn't outrageous. Thanks :)
 
Folder or fixed? Traditional grinds or americanized?
 
For a modern folder I would suggest either the mini or standard Benchmade Griptilian, with the tanto blade of course.

Made in USA, awesome warranty, and don't forget the axis lock! (possibly the best all around locking mechanism imo)
 
Benchmade Axis Stryker was just released.

OOOOooooohhhh yEEEEEaaaaah!

macho-man-randy-savage-national-holiday.jpg
 
Cheaper:
Ontario Utilitac
Cold Steel Code 4
Kershaw Zing
Kershaw Blur

More expensive:
Zero Tolerance 0700
Southern Grind Bad Monkey
Benchmade Lum LFTi
Benchmade Griptilian

Overall, I would recommend the Zing, Utilitac, and 0700. The Zing is a little smaller but is a fantastic knife across the board, the Utilitac is the cheapest without sacrificing any quality or sturdiness, and the 0700 is reasonably priced given that it has such exacting tolerances and great steel. The LFTi is arguably better overall, but is basically a collector's item these days. If you find a LFTi for under $200, get it. Titanium Framelock with coated M4 steel. Good stuff.
 
I'm a CRK fanboy... without apology. "Price isn't too big of a concern as long as it isn't outrageous."
I don't know your wallet, but you only have to buy this one ONCE. Ballpark of $500.
Here is my Chris Reeve Sebenza 21 micarta tanto. Not cheap, but it will last forever, with free cleaning, lube, sharpening, maintenance for life.
Here is mine...

 
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looking for a folder, that stryker looks pretty sweet. I have a mini griptilian with the drop point and i think the handle is too small for my hands lol.
 
I had a couple of the original NICA CRK Tantos and have one thing to add if you have/get one, learn how to convex grind or don't ever send it back to CRK after you flatten the tanto tip or they will re-convex it..


Sonnydaze said:
I'm a CRK fanboy... without apology. "Price isn't too big of a concern as long as it isn't outrageous."
I don't know your wallet, but you only have to buy this one ONCE. Ballpark of $500.
Here is my Chris Reeve Sebenza 21 micarta tanto. Not cheap, but it will last forever, with free cleaning, lube, sharpening, maintenance for life.
Here is mine...

Click to expand...
 
Im thinking im gonna end up going with a cheaper model to begin with to see if i like the blade style
 
kypada said:
Im thinking im gonna end up going with a cheaper model to begin with to see if i like the blade style
Click to expand...

I was in that boat once. I had an m16 but I found that I didn't like sharpening a tanto and cutting with one either. Additionally, the thumb stud fell out somewhere up in Devils lake, Wi. I Was free climbing the bluffs and needed my m16 to cut my shirt free of some thorns. I flipped it open and the thumb stud fell about 75ft into a crevice! Good thing my buddy had his griptillian!

Beware if you depend on your knife for sticky situations!
 
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Coldsteel recon 1 is a great tanto knife, on the cheaper side. I hear the utilitac II is good also. In the future, if you do like tanto i reccomend benchmade 523 if you can find it, or the benchmade 940 (reverse tanto)
 
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