How Would You Improve the Tai Pan?

[Kwon Kwang]

I have San MAIII Tai Pan. The blade is beautiful but I have some concerns about the handle. It notably narrows to the pommel so the knife seems to prone to pop out forward from your hand. I have a friend who has a TAI PAN and he also shares this my concern. If your hands are dry the Kraton handle have good traction but if hands are sweaty it is become like a soap bar. The TAI PAN handle has very unusual handle shape for the daggers. Almost all especially historical daggers have a widened pommel or at least swollen handle in the middle. But TAI PAN has a tapered handle.

I've never had an issue with kraton handles becoming slippery when wet; that is pretty concerning. Maybe there's something wrong with yours? I have an Outdoorsman (very similar handle) and it doesn't want me to let go of it.

 

[Drdan]

I've decided to have a talented Italian knifemaker, Alessandro Cosmai, make me a Tai Pan homage. I'm going to have the first one made with S30V. Once it's finished and if I like the homage, I plan to have another one made in Hugin pattern 0.187" Damasteel, but without the silly "faux hamon" as seen on the Imperial Tai Pan. I might use presentation grade AAA burl Arizona Desert Ironwood scales for that one. Here's the S30V:

1. All dimensions besides the guard are exactly as found on the original Tai Pan.
2. Weight and balance also as found on the original knife.
3. 0.187” thick S30V HRC 60 Blade with professional heat and cryo treatment.
4. Blade and tang precision sanded to 400 grit and then satin finished.
5. Guard soldered to tang. Bolster not needed. Aesthetic improvement?

6. Guard (now 4.0 mm. thick) and butt cap mirror polished 300 series stainless.
7. Black pyramidal textured G-10 scales covering original sized tang.
8. Hidden pins and specially made 9.0 mm. mosaic pin secures G-10 scales.
9. Butt cap screwed on to tang and further secured with hidden pin.
10. Blade precision hollow ground and polished cutting edges straight razor sharp.
11. IWB Quickdraw style Kydex sheath with Sam Browne post and several carry options

 

[Pizis]

I've never had an issue with kraton handles becoming slippery when wet; that is pretty concerning. Maybe there's something wrong with yours? I have an Outdoorsman (very similar handle) and it doesn't want me to let go of it.

Outdoorsman has different handle shape. Much more comfortable. Please look at Drdan`s pictures of Tai Pan handle. It has tapered handle shape from front look at it and from side look at it. Outdoorsman handle has a notable swelling at the middle from side look at it.
A have 3 Cold Steel knives with Kraton handles. Kraton becomes a little slippery in sweaty palm. That is no issue with standart handle shape as at Recon Tanto. But with tapered from both directions handle of Tai Pan I have a really feeling that it can fly out from my palm. Cold Steel Peace Keeper has good handle, Counter Tac also. But Tai Pan... Also I would be over cautious to make a good strike with that pommel/skull crasher so the Tai Pan won't jump out at my face..

 

[kerberosWXIV]

I think the bolster on the Tai Pan might actually contribute to the near neutral balance of the blade near the guard. The only "problem" I see with the Tai Pan is the durability issue of the krayton handle and the problem to replace it when worn out. A scale grip (micarta or G-10) like the Boker Applegate 5.5 might be better, imho...

 

[stabman]

If you were able to order options directly from the factory, what would you choose for upgrades?

Handle: Checkered black G-10. Kraton is "cheesy" even if it's functional.

I'd like G-10 with a nice grippy pattern.
After the Kraton on my Master Tanto, Mini Tanto, and my father's Shinobu all truned to goo, I have hated Kraton with a passion.
Sure it's good for the first bunch of years, but I want the knife to be just as good 20 years later.

A Tai Pan with G-10 handle and leather sheath would really call to me.

 

[KenHash]

I have owned Cold Steel knives since 1988. I still have my 1989 SRK and 1994 MH as well as a Shinobu folder. There has never been any sign
of turning to goo. I would like to see a photograph of these many kraton CS knives that turn to goo which are frequently mentioned.

 

[stabman]

I have owned Cold Steel knives since 1988. I still have my 1989 SRK and 1994 MH as well as a Shinobu folder. There has never been any sign
of turning to goo. I would like to see a photograph of these many kraton CS knives that turn to goo which are frequently mentioned.

I can get a pic of my dad's Shinobu next time I'm at his house.
The goo-grip has been long replaced on both my Tantos.

The weirdest thing though? His Master Tanto never turned to goo-grip...but then again, it rarely got carried or used.

The Shinobu should show the goo really nicely; it has gotten on the blade and all around the pivot, so it should be nicely visible.:thumbup:

 

[Mike Sastre]

I know mosquito repellant (DEET) can cause softening of neoprene and kraton handles. Had it happen on a Bud Nealey Kinzhal I carried in Central America on one trip. Possible source of the softening accounts.

 

[KenHash]

I can get a pic of my dad's Shinobu next time I'm at his house.
The goo-grip has been long replaced on both my Tantos.

The weirdest thing though? His Master Tanto never turned to goo-grip...but then again, it rarely got carried or used.

The Shinobu should show the goo really nicely; it has gotten on the blade and all around the pivot, so it should be nicely visible.:thumbup:

Thanks I'm looking forward to seeing this. None of my Kraton handles have done this and the biggest problem I've ever confronted is that some
surface parts of the kraton grip will wear down from use. My SRK and MH have gotten some heavy use, plenty of sun and exposure to the outdoor elements.
As Mike mentioned, chemical exposure is often mentioned as one possible cause.

 

[Kwon Kwang]

Outdoorsman has different handle shape. Much more comfortable. Please look at Drdan`s pictures of Tai Pan handle. It has tapered handle shape from front look at it and from side look at it. Outdoorsman handle has a notable swelling at the middle from side look at it.
A have 3 Cold Steel knives with Kraton handles. Kraton becomes a little slippery in sweaty palm. That is no issue with standart handle shape as at Recon Tanto. But with tapered from both directions handle of Tai Pan I have a really feeling that it can fly out from my palm. Cold Steel Peace Keeper has good handle, Counter Tac also. But Tai Pan... Also I would be over cautious to make a good strike with that pommel/skull crasher so the Tai Pan won't jump out at my face..

I see. I have a Tanto Lite that I've used hard and abused; never had a problem with the taper of the handle. Then again, the kraton has a different pattern on that knife, and while it hasn't been enough to affect performance, there's some wear on the kraton for sure. For me, kraton has always made the knife just as if not more grippy when wet.

On the subject of kraton itself, I've been EDCing a Super Edge for years, and it's my most used knife overall. The blade, handle and sheath show few signs of wear, though the acid etched logos have all but worn off. I've used the knife with mosquito repellent on my hands; nothing has turned to goo yet. Maybe I just haven't done that enough? Kraton has made itself my favorite handle material for fixed blades.

Excellent knife that's proven and stood the test of time if you ask me.

 

[G. Scott H.]

I've decided to have a talented Italian knifemaker, Alessandro Cosmai, make me a Tai Pan homage. I'm going to have the first one made with S30V.

1. All dimensions besides the guard are exactly as found on the original Tai Pan.
2. Weight and balance also as found on the original knife.
3. 0.187” thick S30V HRC 60 Blade with professional heat and cryo treatment.
4. Blade and tang precision sanded to 400 grit and then satin finished.
5. Guard soldered to tang. Bolster not needed. Aesthetic improvement?
6. Guard (now 4.0 mm. thick) and butt cap mirror polished 300 series stainless.
7. Black pyramidal textured G-10 scales covering original sized tang.
8. Hidden pins and specially made 9.0 mm. mosaic pin secures G-10 scales.
9. Butt cap screwed on to tang and further secured with hidden pin.
10. Blade precision hollow ground and polished cutting edges straight razor sharp.
11. IWB Quickdraw style Kydex sheath with Sam Browne post and several carry options

:thumbup:

 

[stabman]

I know mosquito repellant (DEET) can cause softening of neoprene and kraton handles. Had it happen on a Bud Nealey Kinzhal I carried in Central America on one trip. Possible source of the softening accounts.

Thanks I'm looking forward to seeing this. None of my Kraton handles have done this and the biggest problem I've ever confronted is that some
surface parts of the kraton grip will wear down from use. My SRK and MH have gotten some heavy use, plenty of sun and exposure to the outdoor elements.
As Mike mentioned, chemical exposure is often mentioned as one possible cause.

DEET could very well be it.
I still vote for G-10...I don't want to choose between getting bit by hordes of insects or having the handle turn to goo.

 

[Drdan]

I think the bolster on the Tai Pan might actually contribute to the near neutral balance of the blade near the guard. The only "problem" I see with the Tai Pan is the durability issue of the krayton handle and the problem to replace it when worn out. A scale grip (micarta or G-10) like the Boker Applegate 5.5 might be better, imho...

It probably does to some extent. My guard will be about 4.0 mm. thick, and the G-10 handle material will be a bit heavier, so it should compensate.

 

[Drdan]

All Tai Pan's are masterpieces, and I've lots of nice knives over the years. I'd love to see any rehandle projects of Tai Pans. Even the resin pratice Tai Pans have the Kraton handle, so I don't think it would be a big deal getting a worn or chemically compromised handle replaced. I would imagine you'd place it in boiling water, and then slip it over the tang. Any one know for sure?