Japanese sword/knife

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Rickydowning

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Aug 29, 2016
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I'm looking to buy a Small Japanese tanto (something 12-17") is there anything like that around? I'd like a good one- not a crappy clone with rubbish steel.
Regards
 
I recommend you look at Hanwei Paul Chen. Just search Hanwei Paul Chen in google and you will find what you are looking for. They have something for everyone's price range.
 
Rickydowning said:
I'm looking to buy a Small Japanese tanto (something 12-17") is there anything like that around? I'd like a good one- not a crappy clone with rubbish steel.
Regards
Click to expand...

12" nagasa or overall length?

True nihonto? Or longquan or other clone?

Wall hanger, training blade (live? Dull?) or practical knife?

I'll never be able to afford true nihonto, but the longquan ones are ok. If you don't have to get pattern welded steel, your choices are greater. A spring steel tanto or O tanto may be what you want. I think they're very few factories that make the actual blades and they get finished with the furnishings by different vendors, including, I believe, cold steel (correct me if wrong) for their more traditional looking blades. You can get those longquan shops to get you a dull training tanto too, just tell them. Or use a bokuto.

For a practical blade; they are not at all practical, in their traditional furnishings.

I know cold steel gets a bad rap, deservedly so, but their "modern" recon tanto with a ~7" nagasa US tanto sized blade in AUS-8 or "SAN MAI" is a good blade with a nice sheath.

Just my thoughts.
 
i have a crkt shinbu. and i can tell you its really a good piece. in fact im going to buy the sakimori for a carry blade.
 
You might look into Hanwei's Great Wave and Tori tantos, if you're looking for something relatively traditional. I'm not sure what kind of prices they command in the UK, but they'd at least be worth checking out.
 
Another cheap modern rendition. Honshu from united cutlery, I think. These modern stainless tantos, while not fantastic, are REALLY NOT bad for the money.

Yes, he broke his blade, but you're really NOT going to be doing that with a tanto of this length, honestly. The review tells me I would buy this blade, but I'm good for tantos already, don't need another.

The sheaths are terrible though.

[video=youtube;_4zdtzKNQ8A]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4zdtzKNQ8A[/video]
 
What about something like the Swamp Rat Rodent Rucki? Not exactly traditional, but definitely high quality and sturdy.
 
Not to get too off track here but the tanto bladed Umnumzaan looks a lot like a very small katana blade to me (minus the curve). I like it.
 
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