Magnum Tanto - not San Mai?

philthygeezer

philthygeezer

Joined
Aug 6, 2002
Messages
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Greetings,

I just bought a Cold Steel Magnum Tanto in mint condition for $80.00. Did I get a good deal? I think the steel on it might be AUS-8A but don't know. It is not San Mai III for sure though.

How do these blades compare with the newer san mai models? What about the Carbon V of the Recon Scout? Are they just as good?:confused:

Thanks.
 
Gnerally, CS's AUS8A and Carbon V blades are pretty good. Steer way clear of their new 420 sub-zero treated knifes. Their 420 had been said in there too many times that they're way too soft and won't hold an edge long.
I'd suspect your non-San-Mai Magnum Tanto is a AUS8A piece. I won't know for sure though.
 
IIRC the Magnum Tantos are supposed to be San Mai III. I have the 7" blade Magnum Tanto and it is definately San Mai III.

BTW, I'd say you made out pretty good if you paid $80.00 for a Magnum Tanto. Good buy!
 
OOPS,

Just bought a Kobun in 420 "sub-zero quenched" because it was CDN$50.00 cheaper than the Carbon V model and I thought an IWB carry mandated a stainless blade.

Are they really that bad?

Phil
 
Um..... there's no IWB carry of fixed blades in Canada. There should be no knifes carried concealed.
Good luck.
 
Sorry I meant IWB with handle visibly poking out. I never wear a belt, so this is the easiest way to carry a fixed blade for me. Nothing sinister intended.:p
 
Oops I didn't mean to put that tongue-sticking out icon there. Put :) in there instead, thx.

So anyway is the 420 really that bad? how does it compare to AUS-6 steels?
 
Well I've done some searching before on some knifes from cold steel that are currently 420, and it seems that their 420 is underpar and their sub-zero treatment wouldn't help it much better.
There are others who complained it wouldn't keep the edge long.
I suppose they are using some kind of 420 that's actually worse than AUS6
There are different 420s. Kershaw uses 420HC and it actually holds up quite well and comparable to AUS6, 420J is soft as hell and usually not used as knives, and there are other variation that I don't remember.
 
Just my humble opinion, I think 420J2 has no business being used in a knife blade.
Folder spacers, liners and liner locks? Absolutely.
Blades? unh-unh, no way, shouldn't be done.

420HC is another matter. Manufacturers have put just enough Carbon in that steel to make it useful as blade material. It's no super steel by any stretch but it's workable. As an example Buck uses 420HC as it's base steel and they are able to get 58Rc out of it. My Buck's in this steel are decent performers in the edge retention dept.

All the best,
Mike U.
 
I suspect from the testimony made by others about CS knives in 420 that they may be 420J or some very badly heat treated 420HCs. I don't know for sure, so take it with a grain of salt.
 
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