I want to buy a Spyderco Tatanka. Talk me out of it.

S

spykez

Joined
Feb 13, 2017
Messages
430
Gents, as per the subject.

Background. I have a lot of fixed blades, biggest folder I have is the Kershaw Emerson 4KXL ~4" or just under. Love it.

Reasons for:
1. I like big knives. Most folders are small.

Reasons against:
1. It's completely unnecessary, I have no use niche for it that a folder or a fixed blade would be a better choice.
2. My wife will get annoyed.

Alternatives:
1. CS Recon 1 XL looks about the same size.
2. Yeah, I could get something like an espada, but that's just even too crazy for me.

Help me, gents! Especially those of you who actually have this thing. Any regrets, any issues?

Cheers!
 
I think you better get that Tatanka. After all you have zero knives with the Powerlock system, and you just need one. I mean you are basically obligated.
 
Hmm.. that leaves only this one:

spykez said:
...
Reasons against:
...
2. My wife will get annoyed.
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Click to expand...

It's expensive down under.

I can get a CS Counterpoint XL for much less... 6" 8oz... decisions..... arrggh...
 
The CS Frenzy may be something of interest to you because it's absurdly large for a folder, IMO, and is simply different. I think CS is one of primary companies doing massive folders where most would've into fixed blade at that size by then. The frenzy is a bit of a crazy ass looking thing, I think Blade HQ had a mildly entertaining video on it. It looks like a colorful tire club with a blade hidden in it, IMO. It does have cts-xhp steel though and is really light, somehow, according to their website. Mostly caught my attention because of my affinity for wharnies.

Pluses for the tatanka, VG-10 (probably tougher since it's not as hard), finger choil to choke up and make the knife operate like a smaller one if needed, spyderco tends to dominate the market in regards to ergo handles (generally speaking, plenty of other knives feel good in hand just haven't had a spyderco that felt bad in hand and many feel great). The tatanka has a 4mm blade so it should slice reasonably well for a big folder while being stout. 3mm tend to be a common thickness for smaller folders and 5mm is the bushcraft type models like a RAT 5.

With the power lock, you could think of it like a fixed blade with a sheath attached to the handle. It won't be as strong as fixed but they sure feel like it with the lockup. I haven't tried a triad-lock in the field as a comparison as most CS knives are a bit to murdery looking for my tastes but I do keep wanting a spartan as it's basically a folding kukri and would be fun for cleaning brush around the house. I just don't have enough brush where I now live. Seems it's either a half of a tree that's fallen down or a bryer patch that I clean up anymore.

As big as the blades are on these, with the corresponding handle length, I wonder how they would feel in hand with a two-hand grip for really powering into something with your body weight.
 
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Good god, I should look at the CS catalogues more often, that Frenzy is badass.. not quite Japanese style but more reminiscent to that than the slew of Americanised tantos around. I like it.

Thank you very much, gents!

Now from one, it's three.

1. Tatanka
2. Counterpoint
3. Now this, the Frenzy.

Great work, lads!

You're supposed to be talking me out of buying this shizzle!
 
spykez said:
You're supposed to be talking me out of buying this shizzle!
Click to expand...

That's what the wife is for. You're more likely to hear "you're going to end up trying them all eventually anyway, just get them all now and sell the ones you don't like" than "you shouldn't buy that knife and I have no alternatives to recommend either ;)".

P.S. if you end up with a frenzy, feel free to PM me with your impressions. I have no reason to even consider buying the knife since I don't even have fixed blades that long... but that does mean I have a gap in my selection. I tend to be a 3-3.5" folder or 4.5-5" fixed kind of guy. Axes and hatchets for anything bigger in task usually, kitchen knives being an exception.
 
Demonstrate a policy of fiscal restraint & fiduciary responsibility by not buying the Tatanka aka the "Li'l Tank."

What legitimate use could anybody have for a folder like that, whose designer gave as a reason for making the knife "to show it could be done?" (or words to that effect)

In the name of all that is holy, how can can you possibly think that owning such a sublime expression of the knifemaker's art will bring about anything good?

The knife is a threat to modern life. I hear it includes a written warning about the sudden and unexpected removal of body parts just because you are trying to close the beast and harness its immense power.

I believe that this is the knife which the member of the Wu Tang Clan was trying to close when it turned on him. Look how terrible that turned out.

Don't do it, man. Don't buy that knife. Buy something safe, like the majority with the Paramilitary.

Remember: safety first.

Hope that helps.
 
Posts on BLADEforums hoping to be dissuaded from buying a knife, bwaahahahaha...:D

Buy the Tatanka (its far nicer than the Frenzy IMO) AND then get the K2 to keep it company.
 
Let me start with BUY IT, because I'm an enabler.

There is this, though. Not so much the weight hang failure, because it did pretty well (>300 lbs is plenty strong for any folding knife) but because it suffered catastrophic failure on the whack test.

BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT

Of course, I'm only posting that because you asked us to talk you out of it. So that's what I'm doing, trying to talk you out of it. Not enabling your knife purchasing addiction by telling you to BUY IT because that would be wrong.

BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT
 
I like mine.

It's an awesome knife, and surprisingly has a really low footprint in a pocket due to being flat and nicely curved.
It's well built, open one handed like a charm. Lock system is really nice.

Get it, for the s*** and giggles! You only live once.

ecHCi93h.jpg
 
DON'T DO IT. YOU'LL REGRET IT FOR THE REST OF YOU LIFE. Did i talk you out of it? No? Buy the damn thing or buy the military. Don't buy anything
 
I also was on the Fence about the Tatanka being a big Spyderco fan and an XL Folder fan, but I finally got the Recon1 XL and Espada L for less than the price of a Tatanka and couldn't be happier.

CAM05803_zpsdu1m2bki.jpg


Steel is on par (AUS8) or better (CTS-XHP), blade is larger

CAM05633_zpsxtcky2za.jpg


lock is arguably stronger, lighter weight overall

CAM05016_zps26kfdli5.jpg


and CS has nothing to be ashamed of in ergonomics, and they are worthy rivals of Spydie ergos IMHO. Won't beat the Espada's grip possibilities...

CAM05005_zps4fsdjgx1.jpg


CAM05225_zpsdycgl01t.jpg


While Spyderco is king on the EDC section, I can't really think of a better option than CS for XL Folders
 
FullMetalJackass said:
I like mine.

It's an awesome knife, and surprisingly has a really low footprint in a pocket due to being flat and nicely curved.
It's well built, open one handed like a charm. Lock system is really nice.

Get it, for the s*** and giggles! You only live once.

ecHCi93h.jpg
Click to expand...

I think I will just have to, to be able to produce a photo just like yours, lol 😂

This thread is fantastic, now I want some other bigger folders as well :p

Oh well, now to try and justify it. I dunno, man, a Ka-bar costs less than half the asking price here in Oz.
 
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