Is this Tanto any good?

[Slingadeski]

http://www.amazon.com/Forged-Practical-Japanese-Musashi-Sword/dp/B001GGOWCE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1284068973&sr=8-1


Im looking for a ~$100 Tanto I can use for self-defense. It looks to have a nice build quality and the hamon looks like the traditional style. Is that just a wallhanger, or would it be practical for use? Or should I just spend a bit more and get a Hanwei Tanto?

http://www.amazon.com/Hanwei-Practical-Plus-Tanto-Sword/dp/B0013BEB00/ref=pd_sbs_sg_6

 

[Bimmer1]

I would probably skip that $65 tanto. The Hanwei would be a better bet or the new Cheness tanto--- http://www.chenessinc.com/specialty.htm

 

[J.Davey]

I'd go with the CAS Tactical Tanto. Differentially hardened and definitely something you can use, not to mention a steal for the (roughly) $100 you'll pay for it.
part number:
KH2092

 

[galen59]

I really like my Hanwei tanto, stroped up great slices and dices...

 

[hkpokes_you]

It's getting hard to find the hanwei tactical tantos nowadays -- but I have owned two of them and think it's an awesome blade. The thing is one of the best balanced fighting blades I have seen on the market. It's even capable of delivering nasty -- lightning-fast --back-cuts. Paul Chen was serious about this one being a martial arts knife. The one thing I have to say about it is that the factory sharpening job is somewhat inconsistent on them. If it's going to be a blade that you intend to use in a self defense role I'd say it would be worth your while to get someone who really knows what he is doing to sharpen it in the way it was intended to be sharpened; Murray Carter will do it for 20 dollars plus shipping -- look him up -- he's the dude who shaves his beard off on YouTube with a pair of scissors that he sharpened.

Also, you probably already know this -- but you are going to have to practice with the button-lock on the sheath (or disable it) if you want to have it as an emergency fixed blade. Not a huge deal -- and it's a good part of the system to have the option of using -- but it's worth mentioning.

 

[horseclover]

While I don't own one, my feeling is that the CRKT Hissatsu might be worth consideration.
http://www.agrussell.com/crkt-hissatsu/p/CL-2907D/

My own preferences run to a double edge of good length but the Hissatsu makes more sense to me than either traditional or tactical from Hanwei. I honestly don't see either of those as more apt for the possible delusion of self defense than say, a forty dollar KA-BAR. The exception there is that the tactical and Hissatsu will carry flatter than a traditional tanto and saya (or KA-BAR) as provided.

I am quite fond of my CS Taipan as best of the rest, along with a Randall #2. The Taipan literally has the edge over a Randall #2 in both weight and cross section and I really do feel the Taipan the best package overall for a modern full size dagger meant to maim with. The Randall #2 a bit more do-all utilitarian in its grind and a heftier hand axe to boot.

Cheers

GC

 

[Diamond Dog Dave]

Take a look at the Benchmade Nimravus Tanto. I have a combo edge Nimravus and it is one of the best knives I have ever owned. Fantastic grip and feel in the hand. I guess it depends on whether you are looking for a traditional or modern style knife. Also you're gonna drop about a buck fifty, but you will not regret it.

 

[peter r]

my usual method of discerning a crappy knife from a decent one is simple. if they dont mention the steel type visibly as a selling point, its trash.