Looking for a AO tanto

S

semper_fi

Joined
Jun 22, 2010
Messages
4
Hello, im looking for a 3-3 1/4" tanto tip blade. I would like it to be a assisted opener. I have a Buck tempest and it fits my hand nicely so i would like something with similar blade width and handle shape. Here is the downside I'm on a budget so $50 or under. Any suggestions are welcome but please keep the "save your money" comments to yourself.
 
SOG Trident, it is a nice knife. I have the clip point in digi camo and it is excellent.
 
my complaint about the blur is the handle is murder on the hands and pants....I'd go with the trident honestly.....
 
I would look at Kershaw Zing Tanto, it is a flipper, but the action is so smooth that it requires little effort, same as a AO. Same thumb stud as the blur too.
 
thanks for the fast replies. It doesnt have to an AO as long as it is easy to open in a hurry. With some of the people i meet at my job its a wonder i havnt had to use my tempest yet.
 
well anything with an axis lock is as good as AO...Hold down the axis lock and its free to flick open FAST. You could maybe toss an extra $20 and get a D2 tool steel griptillian, it's a good bang for the buck.
 
I have the Kershaw Tone tanto AO. It was 29.99 at Academy. They are made in China, but great quality. Check it out!
 
Sog Aegis Tanto, although it's a little bigger than what you're looking for at 3 1/2".

Benchmade 587-1 Warn, blade is just a hair under 3". I love the way the assisted Axis locks snap open.
 
Another Kershaw possibility is the Random Leek. It has a 3" tanto blade, an aluminum handle like the Buck Tempest, and, along with the rest of the Leek family, perhaps the fastest AO in Kershaw's SpeedSafe lineup.

The only version currently available has an S30V combo edge blade and is a bit outside your price range ($75-85), but there's a version coming out in Sandvik 13C26 that'll be right around $50 (see link).

http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=KS1660T
 
Another vote for the Kershaw Tanto Blur. I'm not the biggest fan of tantos, but if you are, it's a good user knife.
 
Benchmade makes a bunch of nice Tantos - a couple of them assisted -- The Nitrous Stryker has tanto models in both straight edge and combo blades. I've got 2 and I think they're great knives.

Another member mentioned a Warn - BM made a few models of knives partnering with Warn (not sure what thay partnership really entailed beyond using their logo on the knives) -- i've got a couple models of those as well and they're nice looking knives, but a little bulky. Plus the tips are ultra sharp and pointy. I haven't broken one yet but I could see it happening.

Good luck and let us know what you choose!
 
Benchmade Nitrous Stryker. I have the mini version and it's pretty sweet. I'm sure the full sized one would be great too. Also, because of the titanium liners and G10 scales they're really light.
 
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