Lum Tanto

makariotes said:
Well, you're welcome, and I'm envious! :). If you ever think of disposing of any of them let me know!! I know, I can dream right?
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Haha, I'll keep it in mind. There's a lot of people lined up to buy certain ones. I can't even keep em straight.
 
razrman8 said:
Haha, I'll keep it in mind. There's a lot of people lined up to buy certain ones. I can't even keep em straight.
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I bet!! Well you have a very nice collection man, congratulations! If I were you I wouldn't let them go.....but I'm not you, so I can keep dreaming:)
 
SpeedHoles said:
Beautiful knives!
They look just as good closed, but don't see as many photos that way...

I'd like to have a Sprint one day
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They're kinda closed? I know I've got more pics somewhere.

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My "user" C-46 Lum Tanto folder is a combo-edge which I normally am not too fond of>> however on that Lum Tanto folder I find it to be an excellent addition to the overall Lum Tanto blade design. My "user" Lum Tanto folder is also one of the older ATS-55 units and I wish it were one of the VG-10 models instead >> but I will live with it contently because ATS-55 isn't really bad blade steel at all. I always found it interesting that Spyderco was the only commercial knife maker that I know of that ever sold knives here in the USA made with that particular blade steel.

I remember almost 14 years ago when the old, now defunct "Tactical Knives" magazine did an article on ATS-55 in their "STEEL BIN" section that they featured in each of their bi-monthly publications>> they really spoke favorably of that steel. As far as I know ATS-55 was truly a Spyderco exclusive here in the USA and I believe if it hadn't been for the discovery of the great VG-10 blade steel that ATS-55 would have been Spyderco's main blade steel for their Japan made units for a long time. Because just look how long VG-10 has been with us ( and will probably continue for a while too).

The point of everything I'm saying is that there were some absolutely awesome models that came from Spyderco's ATS-55 Era IMO>> and the Lum Tanto Folder was just one of many that came from that Era.
 
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JD Spydo said:
My "user" C-46 Lum Tanto folder is a combo-edge which I normally am not too fond of>> however on that Lum Tanto folder I find it to be an excellent addition to the overall Lum Tanto blade design. My "user" Lum Tanto folder is also one of the older ATS-55 units and I wish it were one of the VG-10 models instead >> but I will live with it contently because ATS-55 isn't really bad blade steel at all. I always found it interesting that Spyderco was the only commercial knife maker that I know of that ever sold knives here in the USA made with that particular blade steel.

I remember almost 14 years ago when the old, now defunct "Tactical Knives" magazine did an article on ATS-55 in their "STEEL BIN" section that they featured in each of their bi-monthly publications>> they really spoke favorably of that steel. As far as I know ATS-55 was truly a Spyderco exclusive here in the USA and I believe if it hadn't been for the discovery of the great VG-10 blade steel that ATS-55 would have been Spyderco's main blade steel for their Japan made units for a long time. Because just look how long VG-10 has been with us ( and will probably continue for a while too).

The point of everything I'm saying is that there were some absolutely awesome models that came from Spyderco's ATS-55 Era IMO>> and the Lum Tanto Folder was just one of many that came from that Era.
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That is very interesting to me, thank you. I know that ATS-34 is equivalent to 154CM, what would the American counter would be for ATS-55? D you know? Yeah I know Google is my friend but I hate it. Thanks for the info.
 
makariotes said:
That is very interesting to me, thank you. I know that ATS-34 is equivalent to 154CM, what would the American counter would be for ATS-55? D you know? Yeah I know Google is my friend but I hate it. Thanks for the info.
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I'm not a metallurgist but I have been told by a couple of guys who I have faith in that ATS-55 is/was a slightly beefed up version of ATS-34. Now do keep in mind that when ATS-34 was in it's primetime era that it was considered in the same league as M390, S110V, or S90V are at this present time. Back in the early 90s I distinctly remember it being highly touted. If you look at all of the ATS-34 and ATS-55 models from the mid 90s to the early 2000s you will see that they were mainly premier models with few exceptions. I did a thread over at Spyderco.com forum about a year or so ago on the ATS-55 era you might want to check it out.

Personally I don't think VG-10 is a great deal better than ATS-55>> but according to Sal Glesser himself he said on one thread quite a while back that VG-10 did beat it out on some tests they do with cutlery steels. I actually like ATS-55 myself and in Spyderedge it's an excellent blade steel in my humble opinion.

But you can be assured as highly regarded as the C-46 Lum Tanto folder was at the time of it's release Spyderco definitely used one of it's better blade steels for sure.
 
Tats a very interesting; I'm not a metallurgist either but what I have experienced wth VG10 is that is a very tough steel and holds a edge pretty well, I like it a lot; I think it was created by Mitsubishi for horticultural purposes; I remember reading about them not allowing anyone else to machine it except Japanese companies, don't know if that is true.
I only have one knife with ATS 34, a Buck mini stryder, and it is very tough, very similar to my Emersons with 154Cm. This is all fascinating to me; thanks for the info.
 
makariotes said:
Tats a very interesting; I'm not a metallurgist either but what I have experienced wth VG10 is that is a very tough steel and holds a edge pretty well, I like it a lot; I think it was created by Mitsubishi for horticultural purposes; I remember reading about them not allowing anyone else to machine it except Japanese companies, don't know if that is true.
I only have one knife with ATS 34, a Buck mini stryder, and it is very tough, very similar to my Emersons with 154Cm. This is all fascinating to me; thanks for the info.
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Check out some of Spyderco's other older models from that era ( mid 90s-early 2000s)>> You will see that all of the Spyders that they used either ATS-34 or ATS-55 blade steels were all premium models for the most part. If they would have had a better blade steel available at that time to use on the Bob Lum models I can assure that they would have used it without hesitation.

It's really incredible when you see all the progress that has been made with cutlery steels in the past few years. It's really almost mind boggling with the progress they've made in that sector in recent years. It truly reflects what Spyderco themselves thought of the collaboration models they did with Bob Lum as well as some of the other collaborations that they did during that era.

When you think about it there are not very many models in Spyderco's history that have had the demand for Sprint Runs as the Lum models have had. The Lum C-46 is certainly one of their top 10 models of all time when you consider how it's popularity has not faded at all.
 
JD Spydo said:
Check out some of Spyderco's other older models from that era ( mid 90s-early 2000s)>> You will see that all of the Spyders that they used either ATS-34 or ATS-55 blade steels were all premium models for the most part. If they would have had a better blade steel available at that time to use on the Bob Lum models I can assure that they would have used it without hesitation.

It's really incredible when you see all the progress that has been made with cutlery steels in the past few years. It's really almost mind boggling with the progress they've made in that sector in recent years. It truly reflects what Spyderco themselves thought of the collaboration models they did with Bob Lum as well as some of the other collaborations that they did during that era.

When you think about it there are not very many models in Spyderco's history that have had the demand for Sprint Runs as the Lum models have had. The Lum C-46 is certainly one of their top 10 models of all time when you consider how it's popularity has not faded at all.
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You are so right JD, and I agree. I wish they would bring it back with some of the new steels you mention; I really like the Southard steel, CTS204P it is an amazing performer in my limited use; even CPM 154CM would be awesome; I will continue to dream of the day. It would be a hit in 110v as well.
 
makariotes said:
You are so right JD, and I agree. I wish they would bring it back with some of the new steels you mention; I really like the Southard steel, CTS204P it is an amazing performer in my limited use; even CPM 154CM would be awesome; I will continue to dream of the day. It would be a hit in 110v as well.
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High Five!! Slam Dunk!! I couldn't agree with you more. That CTS204P is great as well as it's other brother the CTS-XHP that I have in one of my Spyderco C-36 Military models is also a great steel. If they did another C-46 Lum Tanto folder in M390 or any of the other you mentioned I would truly take out a title loan on my truck to get one if I had to.

It's not often that you see what we all judge as a "beautiful design" as well as a "functional dream" to work with combined. But you truly have both of those features in the LUM C-46 Tanto folder. Also I don't know about yourself but the handle on the LUM Tanto folder is my second favorite Spyderco handle I've ever owned or used>> only the handle on the original FB-05 TEMPERANCE 1 model is the only one of Spyderco's that I rank better.

Many of the newer Spyderco fans that have come on board literally have no idea of how great many of those Pre 9-11 models are and how some of Spyderco's early collaborations are still some of their very best IMO. The great ones never fade away and this model will be back again at some point with new materials and much better blade steel>> I'm sure of it because the C-46 will never lose it appeal ;)
 
JD Spydo said:
High Five!! Slam Dunk!! I couldn't agree with you more. That CTS204P is great as well as it's other brother the CTS-XHP that I have in one of my Spyderco C-36 Military models is also a great steel. If they did another C-46 Lum Tanto folder in M390 or any of the other you mentioned I would truly take out a title loan on my truck to get one if I had to.

It's not often that you see what we all judge as a "beautiful design" as well as a "functional dream" to work with combined. But you truly have both of those features in the LUM C-46 Tanto folder. Also I don't know about yourself but the handle on the LUM Tanto folder is my second favorite Spyderco handle I've ever owned or used>> only the handle on the original FB-05 TEMPERANCE 1 model is the only one of Spyderco's that I rank better.

Many of the newer Spyderco fans that have come on board literally have no idea of how great many of those Pre 9-11 models are and how some of Spyderco's early collaborations are still some of their very best IMO. The great ones never fade away and this model will be back again at some point with new materials and much better blade steel>> I'm sure of it because the C-46 will never lose it appeal ;)
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High five to you too! I hope that if we keep on talking about it maybe someone at Spyderco will get tired of it and just make one for us fanatics of the Lum Tanto; as you said, we would have to be prepared to spend some good money on it, but I wouldn't mind at all; just the thought of having it come back to life brings me chills; now that I know all the different variations that were made in the past I am lusting for more than having only one. If they did some gimping on the top and bottom, like a PM2, on it; man I would sell my car to get one, ok let me rephrase that, I would sell my Sebenza 21 to get one, that is more realistic. I really wonder if Spyderco would bring it back someday, maybe we should start a poll and see how much the demand for it would be, I guess I'm still dreaming.
 
Danke42 said:
You guys saw the black fixed in the exchange today?
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I meant to answer to you and never did, yes I saw it, thanks for mentioning it; I do like the fixed version, but the folder is where my affections really are; I do carry folders more than fixed blades. Thank you for your post though, I didn't mean to ignore you bro.
 
razrman8 said:
Last one for now. Don't wanna give up all the goodies up front. Gotta leave some suspicion for later!

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Everytime I come back to the thread, I scroll up to see this picture, it is awesome. It looks like NAS Miramar. Such a cool blade!
 
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