What a Cold Steel Customer Service guy told me today...

[Carter Leffen]

Back after a long hiatus...

I have three San Mai III Magnum Tanto XII's... With, unfortunately, the original leather sheaths. Bought these shortly after Lynn Thompson put them on the market.
They are magnificent knives. Also have a 6" Magnum Tanto, also in San Mai III. Easier to carry over these many years, but was able to get a kydex/Bladetech combination
sheath... Well adaptable to either belt, suspenders, or MOLLE...

I'm a geezer, with many "challenges." I used to have some very nice swords, what was then Lynn's best, a double edged Katana, as well as a longer Katana... Alas, I gave
them away to those in Kommiephornia, thinking/knowing, that they may someday need them... Now, with my "challenges," I doubt I could wield a Katana efficiently...

I've wondered if anyone made a quality Wakizashi, perhaps in San Mai III, or something better... I learned a nearly a half century ago, that cover is better than concealment,
and distance is your friend... Sometimes, a blade works better than a suppressor. There are times, when a long blade would be better than a Sykes-Fairbairn/Applegate-Fairbairn knife...

Today I was informed that Cold Steel does not have, nor will have, kydex/SecureX replacement sheaths available for sale, for their Magnum Tanto XII, which are no longer available in San
Mai III, as San Mai III will no longer be made for Cold Steel... Repeat, San Mai III will no longer be made for Cold Steel... The tech could not give me an answer why...

Now, I'm looking for a "quality" Wakizashi that I could still use in limited circumstances... There is a website that had a review of metals used in creating blades:

http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum/defensive-knives-other-weapons/107189-various-grades-steel.html

I need input- read as knowledge, wisdom, and experience, please- to find a "quality" Wakizashi for personal, self defensive purposes...

So far, my limited, beginning, research has pointed to a Cold Steel Dragon Fly Wakizashi:

http://www.ltspecpro.com/Product/88DW/WAKIZASHI,_DRAGON_FLY_SERIES.aspx

Found here:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/84...eel-blade-ray-skin-and-silk-cord-handle-green

Have also seen Cold Steel's "Damascus" bladed Steven Seagal's Katana and weird looking Wakizashi... Is it just "the name" of Seagal, or is there a difference between the actual metals, 1055 vs. CS's "Damascus". I'm not interested in looks or livery... I want something I can trust my life to... I've lost my memories of swords, since a stroke in February 2014, so forgive me if I'm not up to speed... Cold Steel, like many companies, has it's best, and usually that best, is it's highest price... In other words, you get what you pay for...

So, any knowledge, wisdom, and experience shared, will be gratefully accepted...

Thanks,

Carter

 

[jlauffer]

Not really a surprise about SMIII...coming out with the 3V Nightfall Tanto series was a pretty big hint that SMIII was going away, or at least would be very limited. I believe there are very few people left in Japan that can do this. Regarding replacement sheaths, I would think the sheaths for the 3V Nightfall versions would also work for the SMIII version.

 

[exRonin1949]

It’s been five years since I last posted, and gave away my 3 San Mai III Magnum Tanto XII’s. Now have recently received two of the newer Magnum Tanto XII’s in CPM-3. Big difference, and outside of the sheaths, positive over all…

HOWEVER, the sheaths for the Magnum Tanto XII CPM-3v are horrible. They Do Not Fit!!! You cannot get them into the sheaths, fully. However far they do go in, is not enough to securely carry them. Plus, whatever depth they do go, they dull the blade’s edge. Not Satisfactory!!!

Does anyone know of a good sheath maker that can make an ambidextrous MOLLE capable sheath for the Cold Steel Magnum Tanto XII CPM-3v? I need two for me, and three for my children.

Thanks!

All the Best to You and Yours,

CFLeffen

 

[Vlade]

It’s been five years since I last posted, and gave away my 3 San Mai III Magnum Tanto XII’s. Now have recently received two of the newer Magnum Tanto XII’s in CPM-3. Big difference, and outside of the sheaths, positive over all…

HOWEVER, the sheaths for the Magnum Tanto XII CPM-3v are horrible. They Do Not Fit!!! You cannot get them into the sheaths, fully. However far they do go in, is not enough to securely carry them. Plus, whatever depth they do go, they dull the blade’s edge. Not Satisfactory!!!

Does anyone know of a good sheath maker that can make an ambidextrous MOLLE capable sheath for the Cold Steel Magnum Tanto XII CPM-3v? I need two for me, and three for my children.

Thanks!

All the Best to You and Yours,

CFLeffen

I had the same problem. So I made one out of kydex. I thought it would be hard. But it took 15 minutes and it was good. I used knife kits for the material I needed.

 

[Carter Leffen]

Many thanks, Vlade. Will research into knife sheath kits!

CFLeffen