Sorry, Fighting Knife Wannabes...

Drdan

Drdan

Joined
Dec 24, 2003
Messages
1,390
Nobody is going to improve upon the Tai Pan... NOBODY...

The knife's dimensions were meticulously well thought of, and the overall product is pure genius. Find one to handle to experience what perfection is in a fighter... The fit and finish for a production blade are exceptional as are the ergonomics and balance. The only play for improvements would be in the materials used - steel and handle. All else forget about it... :)

I am so impressed with this classic Cold Steel masterpiece. Perfection that will surely be envied and copied in the future. This is one of Cold Steel's classics that has been around for decades. All the other wannabes pale in comparison. The Tai Pan covers all bases, and has no weakneses, besides the sheath IMHO. Get a River City and you're ready to go...


Cold_Steel_Tai_Pan_large_image.jpg
 
Since I've recently brought up the topic of Tai Pans, I've coincidentally seen that their sales are exploding, especially for San Mai III versions. Get one of these masterpieces in any reincarnation now, I'm serious!; they're CS perfection at its best with zero hype... They WILL perform as they do in the videos too... :cool:
 
Of all the production daggers I've owned or handled, Tai Pan is my all time favorite, the balance and subtle heft are just magical. It is not often to find a dagger that cut well like the Tai Pan, more often than not, a lot of expensive "daggers" cut about as well as a butter knife (or worse). Although often overshadowed by the Tai Pan, the Peacekeeper I is also a superb lightweight dagger. Just hope the Nightfall Tai Pan will retain the features and build quality of its san mai sibling.
 
I really, really want a Tai Pan.

I think it's a lot to ask for the Nightfall version to compare; the San Mai versions, if I recall, are largely made by hand in very small batches, which significantly contributes to their price tag. From what I understand, the Nightfall series will be produced in larger numbers, though I don't know where they'll be made.

I'd really like to know how the Shanghai Shadow compares in performance. Would be cool to see a comparison.
 
I have two Peacekeeper Is. One in Carbon V and the other in 4116 Krupp. No Tai Pan tho. :apologetic:
 
My wife bought the original Tai Pan for me in San Mai a number of years back at SMKW. IMHO, the perfect double edged combat knife, with the possible exception of the Black Bear sub hilt fighter. If I ever get into one of those God forsaken knife exchanges involving blood that the ninja minded types aspire to, I would hope to have a knife that equals its performance. Maybe I should've gotten the solid AUS8A version as a matched pair. I wouldn't feel so bad about "using" it, LOL.
 
I don't currently have a niche for a fighting knife but the Tai Pan is one of the meanest looking knives I've ever laid eyes on :eek: that wasn't some fantasy knife.

I know that doesn't mean squat in literal terms or real usage but I think it looks "mean" because it is SO CLEARLY pure offense and all edge.

A local knife dealer used to have one (for years) in his glass display case at the start of his Cold Steel line and every time I passed it you almost felt it would cut you just by looking at it! And it laid beside some of the biggest and baddest blades CS ever made. God how I wished I'd have grabbed this then! I don't recall the price but this guy was 30% cheaper than most dealers on most knives.

I don't normally "gush" like this over a blade but only those who have seen a Tai Pan in person can relate. ;)
 
Biggest peeve is the guard on it is a bit bulky.

Sharpness is not quite a match to a Randall Clinton Special (probably not even close), if the Seki-made Peacekeeper I is any guide, but quite good for a dagger.

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I happen to like the sheath, good old leather, which protects the Kraton handle as well, instead of Kydex or plastic liners that will scratch the blade all to hell...

I do like Kraton handles for fighters, and fighters only, so I definitely like the Taipan...:) Another that feels nice in the same vein is the Katz Alleycat: Pretty dull unfortunately, but I managed to bevel it quite a bit sharper. There are not that many knives in this category that are worth caring about, and the Taipan is definitely a classic.

Gaston
 
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The M3 was a great knife for 1940's technology. Today there are lots of fighting knife choices which would offer similar stabbing capabilities but increased slashing characteristics and even ergonomics.
 
Drdan said:
The M3 was a great knife for 1940's technology. Today there are lots of fighting knife choices which would offer similar stabbing capabilities but increased slashing characteristics and even ergonomics.
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1940s technology? In fixed blade knife designs there really isn't anything new under the sun.
 
Kwon Kwang said:
I must disagree. We have new materials and manufacturing techniques, at the very least.
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This is what I was inferring in regards to technology.

There's also the science of ergonomics.... Go to any hardware store and you'll see countless tools which benefit from timeless designs, yet are made more "user friendly" and comfortable to use.
 
Gaston444 said:
Biggest peeve is the guard on it is a bit bulky.

Sharpness is not quite a match to a Randall Clinton Special (probably not even close), if the Seki-made Peacekeeper I is any guide, but quite good for a dagger. Gaston[/QUOTE


Randall does make an excellent fighter, and yes that guard is bilky. I do like its inward curvature. I'd prefer the longer blade version of the knife.

My Tai Pan was scary sharp right out of the box, and as far as I'm aware, that has been the general consensus of Tai Pan owners. The Peacekeeper I is not a reference for the Tai Pan's sharpness. The TP's guard is just right, and I like the small ricasso.
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The Peacekeepers were made by the Kinryu factory. They still make the SRKs/MHs.
The Taipans were made by Hattori and all of the VG1 SM knives he makes are ridiculously sharp.
Although they are both in Seki I do not think they should be compared as if the same.
My Taipan out of the box-
DSC_0787_zpsjfzz2oyi.jpg
 
That is impressive KenHash: Thanks to you and Drdan, as I now know it is worth it to look for the San Mai III Taipan, since the additional cost could be a deterrent: I can see from the pictures that the bevels are much better than the Peacekeeper I had...

I had a San Mai III Trailmaster, and although the initial sharpness was very high, the swelled convexing was so "fat" that the knife was inhibited in performance in wood (but not on paper). Fortunately that is not going to be a problem with a hollow grind as on the Taipan.

Gaston
 
Gaston444 said:
That is impressive KenHash: Thanks to you and Drdan, as I now know it is worth it to look for the San Mai III Taipan, since the additional cost could be a deterrent: I can see from the pictures that the bevels are much better than the Peacekeeper I had... Gaston
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I'm not impressed very easily, but the Tai Pan is ridiculously well thought out, regardless of your choice in steel. I went for the Tai Pan in San Mai III.

The completely symmetrical handle is superb, although I prefer texturized G-10 or a texturized "super wood" like Arizona Desert Ironwood. The balance is sublime. The edges are super sharp, and I'm sure a few minutes on a leather strop will get them as sharp as is humanly possible. The length of the blade is just right, as are the dimensions of the guard.

If you have the opportunity, get to handle one. Then, grab one...! You can still find them in San Mai III for about $359.00 on e-Bay if they're still left. Something's going on at Cold Steel right now, and the Tai Pan in San Mai III is unavailable or sold out in most shops and online stores that carried them. Sell a few of your knives not on your "top ten list", and get a Tai Pan in San Mai III when you can.

I had the opportunity to buy Imperial Tai Pans in the late 80's, and I could kick myself for not having had done so. If I only would have known, and if I had handled the knife, I would not be looking around for one now. Indeed, I probably would have purchased as many as I could!
 
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KenHash said:
The Peacekeepers were made by the Kinryu factory. They still make the SRKs/MHs.
The Taipans were made by Hattori and all of the VG1 SM knives he makes are ridiculously sharp.
Although they are both in Seki I do not think they should be compared as if the same.
My Taipan out of the box-
DSC_0787_zpsjfzz2oyi.jpg
Click to expand...

Nice photo Ken! Can it really cut paper right out of the box? :D:D:D
 
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