Master Tanto finger guard

[dlrflyer]

Does anybody else have a concern the finger guard on the Master Tanto is inadequate? It just seems less effective than the double guard on the bigger tantos, or the krayex ones on the Recon Tanto. I’m tempted to buy a Magnum II, but prefer the length of the Master.

 

[Benjamin Liu]

I've had no problems with it.

Unlike many knives it actually has a metal guard.

Before I bought my CS Recon Tanto I used my Taylor-Seto MCR-11 as my main fixed blade for multiple tasks, and this was a CS Tanto copy with a cast aluminum handle.

I've used my Recon Tanto far more extensively and never had a problem even though the guard is rubber.

The CS checkered kraton handles give a secure grip, so even a rubber guard would be safe.

I'm just discussing the guard to protect fingers from slipping onto the blade, not as a means to catch an opponent's blade. It is far too small for that.

 

[hermit dave]

The Master Tanto is far more comfortable in the hand. The MT II feels awkward when you choke up for fine detail work. IMO the big oval guards are more suited for a fighting knife

 

[dlrflyer]

The Master Tanto is far more comfortable in the hand. The MT II feels awkward when you choke up for fine detail work. IMO the big oval guards are more suited for a fighting knife

Fine detail work? The Tantos are fighting knives. I’m not sure what work you are using them for.

 

[hermit dave]

Fine detail work? The Tantos are fighting knives. I’m not sure what work you are using them for.

Yeah, I'm sure a lot of people use them for knife fighting

 

[Benjamin Liu]

Fine detail work? The Tantos are fighting knives. I’m not sure what work you are using them for.

That is a common misconception, possibly due to marketing and possibly due to the name which confuses people into thinking it is the same thing as a Japanese short sword.

I've used my Recon Tanto since 1997 for many things but I've never used it on a person.

I've also carried my Emerson CQC-7BW EDC since 2002 and also use it as a tool.

The secondary edge and secondary point are useful tools.

I'd agree that the Magnum Tantos are more fighters than utility knives, especially the MT12.

It is a similar thing with Bowies, some are mainly fighting knives and some are mainly outdoors knives and some are a bit of both. I'd say the Trailmaster is a good balance of the various uses of a Bowie while the Laredo and Natchez are more in the fighting category.

Some of this "action" related marketing applies to other knives as well.

I've seen numerous knives that look like typical utility knives, often without any guard, marketed as "fighters."

 

[strideruser]

Use whatever blade profile for whatever you want, I find a tanto recon 1 XL brilliant for making my sandwich in my van.... Slices bread, cheese ect just fine. Would a kitchen knife be better yep, but what fun would that be!

 

[Benjamin Liu]

Today I was in the garden section of Walmart and saw a Fiskars Garden Knife which has an American Tanto point.