What Is A Master Tanto?

[azdover]

My sister-in-law has a Tanto from her recently passed husband's collection and I'm trying to determine which model it is so we can make an informed decision on price since she doesn't want it in the house anymore and wants to sell it. I've already gone through jlauffer's History of Cold Steel Tantos which was a big help in getting started. Based on his post and a forum search, I still have a question. This particular knife appears to be a Ventura Calif #13A with etched markings. In the Blade Steel section, he talks about the steel used and then mentions that regular Tantos came with San Mai III blades. Then later they were called Master Tantos. And what is the lamination line?

So, is this a #13A Master or some other version. The box was thrown away so I'm not sure if any info on it would have helped. The knife and sheath both look unused and are in excellent condition.

Although I have a few knives of my own, I'm still new to the knife world and this forum. All I know about knives is that they are sharp and pointy, and normally require the self application of a band aid anytime I use one.

Any help would be appreciated.
Pete

 

[jlauffer]

My sister-in-law has a Tanto from her recently passed husband's collection and I'm trying to determine which model it is so we can make an informed decision on price since she doesn't want it in the house anymore and wants to sell it. I've already gone through jlauffer's History of Cold Steel Tantos which was a big help in getting started. Based on his post and a forum search, I still have a question. This particular knife appears to be a Ventura Calif #13A with etched markings. In the Blade Steel section, he talks about the steel used and then mentions that regular Tantos came with San Mai III blades. Then later they were called Master Tantos. And what is the lamination line?

So, is this a #13A Master or some other version. The box was thrown away so I'm not sure if any info on it would have helped. The knife and sheath both look unused and are in excellent condition.

Although I have a few knives of my own, I'm still new to the knife world and this forum. All I know about knives is that they are sharp and pointy, and normally require the self application of a band aid anytime I use one.

Any help would be appreciated.
Pete

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Hi Pete,

That is definitely a regular Tanto, and is not San Mai. If it were San Mai (3 layers), you would be able to see a line that runs just above the edge on both sides which is the lamination or transition line between the outer layers and inner core. Can see them in the pic below. Yours does not have that.

 

[S35VN_DLC]

It looks like it's a very early model (early to mid 1980s) made in Seki City from "400 series stainless steel" aka AUS-8. I am far from a Cold Steel expert, but I would guess the value to be somewhere around $200 - $250. The condition does look to be pristine, so you may well be able to get a little bit more than that from the right buyer. Someone please correct me if I'm off base here