Timberline SpecWar vs. Cold Steel Master Tanto?

Bimmer1

Bimmer1

Joined
Sep 30, 2000
Messages
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For those who have experience which do you prefer- Timberline Spec War or Cold Steel Master Tanto? Why?
 
I owned an 'old style' CS Tanto (with the brass bolsters) for about six years. The krayton handle was ergonomic, and the steel cut pretty good, but it was no light-saber. Josh at PVK&T had a deal on Spec-Wars and he sent me one on a memo-bill. I kept it for a weekend, and shipped it back. The blade was a traditional chisel grind, sharp, but not extrordinary. There was no polish, but then, on a knife aimed at the 'OPS' market, that is understandible. The sheath, however, rattled and clanked, and the blade was almost impossible to draw. If I needed a knife as big as either one of these, I'd carry a shotgun. I think the Timberline 'Aviator' is actually a better knife in this genera.--OKG
 
Buck knives makes many different varieties of sheaths for folders and fixed. Get a buck sheath for the timberline specwar.
 
Why whould anyone want a timberline specwar? Ok, I'll admit I thought it was a pretty cool knife two years ago, but it is so much of a prybar, it would make more sense to just carry a real prybar. Especially when it will cost you over 200. It also appears to be ground on the wrong side for right handed use. Chisel grinds are quite nice for lining up the edge against something you want to push down on, but with the bevel on the left like that you get no advantage that I can think of. Inccidently I asked Newt Livsay once why his woo's were ground on the left side instead of like a stiff kiss on the right. He said that that was just the way he made the first woo. I'm guessing it is easier to grind the knife that way for right handed makers, but I also read somewhere that some Emerson knives are done that way for looks. Since the knife is photographed with the left side of the edge up for the blade stamp and logo, the chisel grind was applied to the side that you would see. I don't know how I got so far away from your CS/timberline post. I've seen CS master tanto's for 92 dollars before, so I would have to go with CS.
 
Specwar is a weapon, first and foremost. It is designed for combat not cutting delicate things or boxes. The chisle blade is designed to create maximum damage to your advisary. It will punch through flesh and bone.
 
The Specwar is a hulking joke. The best way to use it as a weapon is to blungeon someone with it. Anyway, I suspect you probably want a knife that can actually be used as a knife (to cut?), go with the Cold Steel. The Americanized tanto shape is not my favorite knife shape, but it is a knife (as oppose to an awkward chisel), Carbon V is a good steel, and yes it can even be used as a weapon - if that means anything.
 
I have a CS Mater Tanto and I love it. It's sturdy and capable of handling any defense need you might have for it as well as many other uses. I've felt the Spec War and it just did'nt fit good, I'm sure it's just as good. But I think the Master Tanto fits better. Try them both, see what you like the most.
The CS comes with a nicely made leather sheath but CS is now offering a kydex sheath made by Blade Tech for about $30.00. Having
seen Blade Techs work before I'm sure it will be a nice sheath. If generallobster can tell you where to get it for 92 bucks you'd be getting a steal. I got mine at cost for $138.00
 
Originally posted by sigsauer:
I have a CS Mater Tanto and I love it. It's sturdy and capable of handling any defense need you might have for it as well as many other uses. I've felt the Spec War and it just did'nt fit good, I'm sure it's just as good. But I think the Master Tanto fits better. Try them both, see what you like the most.
The CS comes with a nicely made leather sheath but CS is now offering a kydex sheath made by Blade Tech for about $30.00. Having
seen Blade Techs work before I'm sure it will be a nice sheath. If generallobster can tell you where to get it for 92 bucks you'd be getting a steal. I got mine at cost for $138.00
Click to expand...

"Yes, I wish I could locate one for $92. I want the 13BN model. Even $138.00 sounds like a good buy!"

 
the master tanto was on sale at www.botachtactical.com one month ago. But they suddenly raised all their knife prices after that
frown.gif
. They were selling CS recon scouts for 100, the triple action folder for 70 and Bushrangers for 50. Everything else was cheap too. Not anymore though, I have no idea why they suddenly jacked up their prices. It was like they almost didn't even realize their prices were so low, and then corrected themselves.
 
Ok I'm a moron. It is the CS Tanto that I was thinking about. Just checked their site, and the tanto is now 86 dollars.
 
An excellent deal if you don't need the San Mai steel.
Got mine from a friend who had I gave a good deal on another item. Sorry, other wise the lowest price I've seen is from Special Projects catalog that CS will send at your request. It's $213.00, but they give a 10% discount to U.S. military, police, security, fire and emergency personnel. They will require ID, as I just got the catalog I have'nt bought anything yet. Some pretty good deals on CS stuff though, plus allot of things stuff that I never seen them sell before.

[This message has been edited by sigsauer (edited 10-21-2000).]
 
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