Should I buy a Tai Pan?

[Benjamin Liu]

If they bring back the Imperial Taipan or Imperial Tanto, make them with leather sheaths rather than Secure-ex.

 

[Juan Lopez]

If they bring back the Imperial Taipan or Imperial Tanto, make them with leather sheaths rather than Secure-ex.

No guarantees they would !!

 

[Hill44]

I hesitated on getting one because the country of origin had switched from Japan to Taiwan, and that maybe it's quality would be much lower.
Well, the fit and finish easily compares well to my Japan made San Mai Trail Master. Also, the VG-1 San Mai was the material used for the Tai Pan made in Japan specimens, while the Tai Pan made in Taiwan is made out of the VG-10, which I believe is made as a superior steel over the VG-1.

As for the newer models having the polymer sheaths, that too would still have been the case if Cold Steel would have kept the Tai Pan being made in Japan. The leather sheaths going DoDo Bird was very likely a way to keep the costs down across the board on their knives, and so they went with less expensive sheaths on all of their knives.

Again, the Tai Pans made in Taiwan have a great f&f, they have the upgraded San Mai steel, and are less pricey than getting a Japan made version. Too bad the leather sheath is not at least offered by CS as an option.

I see this is an older post. I have both the Japanese made Tai Pan and Master Tanto, both mint unused blades. I am looking to post an ad shortly but decided first to look through postings to get a better idea of fair pricing. If you're in the market pls let me know. thanks..