What do you think of the Cold Steel gi tanto

[bakkas]

hi

i'm thinking of buying the cold steel gi tanto its cheep £30.00
and i think its worth the money. What do you think of it

 

[bdmicarta]

It is definitely worth the money. They are very tough as has been proven in internet videos.

 

[AntDog]

At the price they sell for on Amazon they are a steal. If you are getting one for 30 pounds instead of American dollars, not so much of a steal.

 

[C_Becker]

You'll have to keep in mind that everything is more expensive in Europe. So 30 pounds is still a good price.

As for the knife (I don't own one):1055 won't keep an edge like 1095 or even better steels, but it is a very tough steel. So if you need a knife for batoning, prying, digging, and other abuses it will hold up well. The coating will probably not stay on for long, and the sheath is basic, but functional.
Should make a good, inexpensive emergency knife for a BoB,car kit w/e. Or you can get some spray paint and some paracord and make it look like a Strider

I don't really like american tanto blades for utility purposes, I prefer a knife with a belly, but thats just a preference. YMMV

But for 30 bucks, you probably can't go wrong. I've been thinking to buy one myself for quite sometime, just for fun
Look up Black Forest Ghosts video review on youtube if you have some time, he always does some good testing

 

[Blackie Scantling]

If I didn't already have more knives than things to cut I'd be on one like stink on a monkey. It's a great blank for mods. I'd strip the black off, soften the tanto angle, take off the top hilt and give it an acid bath and do the file grooves on the handle. Then I'd use it like I stole it, everything from camping to feral hog dressing to digging arrowheads with it. I hate cheap crap but love cheap and quality.

 

[katanas]

I have had one since they first came out. In dollars they are an absolute bargain (in other currencies and countries I have no idea). Some of the best money (value for $ spent) I have spent on a knife.

 

[Charlie_K]

I've got one and I like it. For the price range it's very had to outdo it in terms of quality, if not impossible.

Granted it's not perfect. The handle is somewhat uncomfortable in my hand, but since the retention strap on the sheath isn't needed, you can modify it with paracord, ranger bands, or just about anything else.

The only complaint I have is that the sheath really grips the blade, and makes it hard to get out one handed.

 

[o4tg]

Great for a bargain blade.

 

[Inazone]

Even though I am a tanto fan generally speaking, I find the GI tanto ugly as sin, but I like the idea of a big beast of a knife with no other reason for its existence than abusing in all the ways you shouldn't abuse a knife. I bought mine expecting it to be uncomfortable, poorly balanced and not shaped appropriately for "proper" cutting, and it definitely fits the bill. However, it's the perfect mate for the Cold Steel Katana Machete, which I also have. Very similar aside from the obvious size difference, and with great home defense potential in my opinion.

 

[ebidis]

I like mine a lot. Just buy one, you really can't go wrong at that price point.

 

[Charlie_K]

I'm tempted to drill a hole through the bottom quillon and do some paracord looping and wrapping to make a hand retention strap similar to a D guard.

 

[bdmicarta]

I'd strip the black off, soften the tanto angle ...

Oh really? I bought mine used and it came this way:

 

[jstn]

I was not a fan because of the slippery handle, but then I stippled it and I absolutely love the knife. If you plan to use it, consider stippling the handle, makes it very grippy.

 

[JeremiahWeaver09]

isnt there a video of this knife outperforming the $300+ strider it was copied after ?

 

[DShiflet]

isnt there a video of this knife outperforming the $300+ strider it was copied after ?

Yeah, there is, heh.

For the price, you really can't go wrong with the GI Tanto. It's not the best knife for every task, but it's rugged as hell and not a bad knife at all. Good knife to keep in the car, too.

 

[El Bandit0]

It's a great beater blade when you don't want to ruin your really nice knives doing dirty work. Also if you are big on DIY mods, this is a very customizable knife at a great price.

 

[Smokinape]

What are you gonna use it for?

 

[Smokinape]

Here is a video I made while modding the knife...

[video=youtube_share;RWJQqBwxGrk]http://youtu.be/RWJQqBwxGrk[/video]

 

[Blackie Scantling]

Oh really? I bought mine used and it came this way:

You don't think maybe the previous owner could have possibly stripped it since those knives don't come new that way?

 

[bdmicarta]

You don't think maybe the previous owner could have possibly stripped it since those knives don't come new that way?

Oh yes, the previous owner described his work on the knife. I was just kidding the other poster, since my knife already had done to it what he said he wanted to do.