Looking for a LARGE quality folder (5" or so)

I am sooooo diggin the Tatanka!!! I never heard of it before until now. I see them at my regular shops for $190, and some of the trusted eBay shops for $160. I think I will give it a try. That thing is MASSIVE and it's somewhat close to the ergonomics of the Military/PM2....just on steroids. Not crazy about the steel but....hey, for a SD knife....it will do. Thanks fellas!!! (wish it was S30V)
 
DrtyHarry said:
I am sooooo diggin the Tatanka!!! I never heard of it before until now. I see them at my regular shops for $190, and some of the trusted eBay shops for $160. I think I will give it a try. That thing is MASSIVE and it's somewhat close to the ergonomics of the Military/PM2....just on steroids. Not crazy about the steel but....hey, for a SD knife....it will do. Thanks fellas!!! (wish it was S30V)
Click to expand...

There was one on sale cheap at the Exchange. But looks it was taken just a moment ago.
 
Cold Steel Recon 1 XL in CTS XHP. clip point for SD, tanto for hard use. The handle is fantastic. They can be found for about $110.00 delivered
 
Found a few places with the big Cold Steel versions locally, did not like the grip. So…picked up a Tatanka that came the other day. WOW!!! Yes…it's a bit on the heavy side, but I wear a gun belt and a full size 1911 so it's not going to make all the difference in the world. Going to wave it tomorrow or the next….maybe put a mirror finish on it, and see how she does!!! I am really glad I went with the Tatanka…it does remind me a bit of the Military….and no matter what, I will ALWAYS carry a Military knife on me. That's like my standard (and my Sabenza). lol
 
DrtyHarry said:
Well...I carried a Microtech SOCOM in different variants for almost a dozen years. Shortly there after, I switched and decided to carry a Spyderco Military. I really like both knives, but I liked the fact that I had so many different types of steel to pick from on the "Sprint Runs" that Spyderco would sometimes do. Besides, I used to collect a lot of Microtech knives, and when I started to see them double in value...I simply kept them on display and didn't carry them. Yeah...I would take one out and play with it while watching a movie or something. Call me silly, but when I watch a movie I like to fiddle around with a knife or field strip one of my handguns. I'm strange like that. LOL

Anyway, back to my question. I have been taking some classes on how to properly use a Karambit for a while now...and I am very impressed with how effective this kind of knife can be when properly used. I mean...these things are no joke knives. No knife is a joke, but I think someone who knows how to properly use a Karambit is one dangerous SOB. And yes, I do carry a side arm and I normally wear about 3 blades on me. Both for weak and strong side hands...I've had someone try and take my side arm from me before. Only time I ever had to use a blade on another human. So...since that moment, I always had access to a blade with either hand.

The SOCOM I used to carry was about 4" as is the Spyderco Millie. They are both great knives...I really like the thin profile on the Millie....I do NOT like the newer SOCOM blades that MT has made. Well, there are times that I can not carry my side arm, and I can only carry a blade. I am happy with 4"...but I was wondering, is there a knife out there with similar traits to the SOCOM or Millie that is a bit larger? Perhaps in 5"-6"?? I don't pocket them...I wear my primary knife at 5'oclock. Any suggestions? Thanks!!


Harry
Click to expand...



Buy a spyderco szabo and wave it yourself with a dremel. This is a serious piece of weaponry too accompany a concealed handgun.

Or a waved karambit for its fool proof draw even under stress.
 
Might want to check out the " Tatanka vs Voyager : Lock Strength Test" on youtube . I love both CS and Spyderco but I believe that CS owns the 5.5 inch blade folder market with their Tri-ad lock . Their quality control, however , leaves much to be desired . I own most of the largest CS folders and have had to do some tweaking to get them to work smoothly . But I did manage to buy them all at bargain prices , because they were all the old AUS-8 steel . Just got my XL Talwar for under $50 !
 
DShiflet said:
You can get the Ti Lite 6", Recon 1 XL, G10 Espada, and Hold Out 1 in CTS-XHP, which is at least as good as the S30V on the Military and better than the VG-10 of the Tatanka...
Click to expand...
Although I have neither , if I were looking for a 5 inch folder for self defense, I would look at the Recon 1 xl or the Holdout 1. My smaller Cold Steel models make me think these might be fine knives at a relative bargain price.
 
Got the Tatanka...and to be honest, it really is a bit big to carry. It's like 4 Millies. The thing really is a big and heavy bulky monster. I wish Spyderco made the Millie with a 5" blade with scales that are just slightly larger. I was going to put a wave on the Tatanka....but I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it. Not sure....I may get rid of it and pick up a Yojimbo 2. I am not sure of anything bigger that 4"-4.25" is much good in a folder....but what do I know. I'll carry it some more and see what's up....
 
Much better to actually have a 4" in your pocket when needed for SD . The too big to carry knife you leave at home is useless .
 
I ve often thought that one of the best things about the Military is how small it carries for its size. Also the 710. And the Endura. Anything over 4 inches is too big a folder for me.
 
Those big Cold Steels are tough and look good. But i don't like that Triad lock. It's TOO good. Takes a long, long time to make them close without two hands and a lot of oomph.

I like the big Spydercos much better.
 
agree. tri ad lock is among the strongest, but definitely not the easiest to operate.
 
slightly smaller than the Tatanka and a much better knife IMHO... I just picked up a Spyderco Szabo for 129.00.... its worth looking at.
 
I vote for the Cold Steel Talwar in 4 in or the XL in 5.5. with CTS XHP steel. I have the 4 inch and think it's one of the best folding fighting knives around. Easy to carry. Easy to wave open out of your pocket and get into a fighting grip. Once gripped, it ain't moving in your hand. Nice swedge on top that stops short of the tip for increased tip strength while not giving up puncture efficiency. Strongest lock in the game. Pictures don't due it justice. This thing is just straight up nasty.
60671d9756aec5ff32b2a2b6ff439d6f.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top