seeking age and value on this Cold Steel tanto

[COSMO]

Good day fellow knife nuts:

I am hoping that the Cold steel experts can help me with the age and value of this folder I recently acquired. The gentleman I bought it from said that he was a cold steel dealer in the 1980's or 90's, and that he has had the knife since then. I have researched it online but I may not be using the proper search terms. I found some that look like it, and a similar keychain size one. I did not see any with the nail nick of the shape on this one. I am interested in knowing when it was made (80's 90"s?) and its current value.
Tang says: "Cold Steel Inc., Ventura Calif" and "made in Japan"

Thanks In advance for any information you can offer

Giddyup

Cosmo​

 

[jlauffer]

Pretty sure it’s a Shinobu, but I believe there were different sizes, and not sure which one it is. Will see what I can find.

 

[COSMO]

jlauffer
Thanks, if it helps, the knife is just over 6 inches and the blade about 2.5 inches.

Cosmo

 

[The Whip]

Cosmo, your knife is the Medium Shinobu Tanto, released in 1988. Here is the 1988 catalog description.

The sheath is original and was supplied with the Medium and Large models. I believe the nail nicks were lengthened slightly on later versions, which may explain why you couldn't find an exact photographic match with yours.

Values vary widely based on condition, interest, etc. Now that you know the model name, I think a search of sales histories will help you. In my opinion, you can highlight the nail nick distinction, but I wouldn't expect anyone to care much or to pay more for it.

Hope this helps.

-Steve

 

[nephron]

From what I have seen there is not much interest in these, the San Mai alliterations seem to have some collectability but still only go for $50-$75 NIB usually.

 

[COSMO]

T The Whip nephron - Thanks for the information. The ad is really cool, and provides me a ton of information on the knife. I can definitely see the thin line near the edge which is described in the ad as a result of the forging process. It is a cool knife, I guess the guy I bought it from was not kidding when he said he'd had it since the 1980's. Going to research value now online, and on the the big auction site so I know what to ask for it.

Thanks again, the BF community is the best!!


Giddyup
Cosmo