What Steel is this?

Monofletch

Monofletch

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CBD7C788-217D-4E31-B4D0-659C9CCFBB6B.jpeg BAB1DBF9-1FEC-4D5B-BAFC-C7207829F34A.jpeg hello you Cold Steel folks!
I have a Magnum Tanto IX San Mai. I was wondering if someone could tell me which version of San Mai I have! VG1? AUS8? It all seems confusing to me! Also, how do you spot a fake Magnum Tanto IX?
Thanks...
 
Monofletch said:
View attachment 1167151 View attachment 1167152 hello you Cold Steel folks!
I have a Magnum Tanto IX San Mai. I was wondering if someone could tell me which version of San Mai I have! VG1? AUS8? It all seems confusing to me! Also, how do you spot a fake Magnum Tanto IX?
Thanks...
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That is the older SMIII with AUS8A core. The later VG-1 version will say "VG-1 San Mai III", and the newest Taiwan version will just say "San Mai". Interesting that yours has a serial number...not sure I've seen that before on that model. Could be that when they first switched from the original Magnum Tanto to the Magnum Tanto IX, they did a special batch with serial numbers.
 
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jlauffer jlauffer -thank you for the info. I wish I knew more about the serial numbers. The guy I got it from said he bought it over 20 years ago from Cold Steel.
 
JLauffer is correct in model and steel. This model also has the brass guards. Early 1980's.

Serial Numbers: They were serialized because they are part of a collection called either Imperial or Emperor series (we can't remember the name). They came as a set of three knives with a stand, all serialized with the same numbers. The set included the Mini Tanto, Master Tanto and Magnum Tanto all with matching numbers and materials. You have one out of a whole set without a stand and all the associated documents, etc.
 
Monofletch said:
jlauffer jlauffer -thank you for the info. I wish I knew more about the serial numbers. The guy I got it from said he bought it over 20 years ago from Cold Steel.
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No problem. Just realized I forgot to answer your other question about fakes. They are usually pretty easy to spot due to the horrendous fit and finish...rounded corners and visible gaps where the blade meets the guard. And if marked as San Mai III, they will not have the lamination line. The markings are also off...they will just say "JAPAN" instead of "MADE IN JAPAN" for example. They will also typically have plastic sheaths, which CS didn't provide until the latest Taiwan version. Or if they have leather, they will have Velcro instead of a snap. The original Magnum Tanto (no Roman numerals) had velcro, and some of the very first Magnum Tanto IX's had Velcro (think they used leftover MT sheaths), but then it changed to a snap.
 
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Corrections. It was called the Emperor Collection. It also came with other goodies; certificate of authenticity, bamboo mat, fan, tea cups, etc. This is the only Magnum Tanto I know of that had brass fittings.

Arguably the only thing I know of that would probably fetch more $ than an Arc Angel if it was a complete original set.
 
Cold Steel Knives said:
JLauffer is correct in model and steel. This model also has the brass guards. Early 1980's.

Serial Numbers: They were serialized because they are part of a collection called either Imperial or Emperor series (we can't remember the name). They came as a set of three knives with a stand, all serialized with the same numbers. The set included the Mini Tanto, Master Tanto and Magnum Tanto all with matching numbers and materials. You have one out of a whole set without a stand and all the associated documents, etc.
Click to expand...

Cold Steel Knives said:
Corrections. It was called the Emperor Collection. It also came with other goodies; certificate of authenticity, bamboo mat, fan, tea cups, etc. This is the only Magnum Tanto I know of that had brass fittings.

Arguably the only thing I know of that would probably fetch more $ than an Arc Angel if it was a complete original set.
Click to expand...

Hate to disagree CSK, but there are a few problems with your assertion:
1. If it were from the Emperor Collection, it would say so on the ricasso like in the below pic. Also note the different location of the serial number.
2. The Magnum Tanto from the Emperor Collection was the initial Magnum Tanto (no Roman numerals), not the later Magnum Tanto IX.
3. The guard appears to be stainless in Monofletch's pics, not brass.

Pretty sure his is a "regular" Magnum Tanto IX, but was from a batch that was serial numbered for some reason.


cold-steel-emperor-collection-0158_1_d833300aaef1a3d883174c13ce74d2a5.jpg
 
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This is why I am confused. I also thought the Emperor Knives had a raised spine.
 
Also, I do have a Velcro strap on the leather sheath. I hope that is normal.....
 
Monofletch said:
More pics of my knife

View attachment 1167222 View attachment 1167223View attachment 1167223 View attachment 1167224
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OK, so notice how the sheath has 4 rivets? That is just like the sheath from the original Magnum Tanto. When they started producing the MT IX, I think they probably used leftover MT sheaths at first, and then changed to the sheath with the snap (and only one rivet). Given that sheath and the serial number, I'm guessing yours is one of the first batch of MT IX from around 1998. It is definitely authentic...no doubt about it.
 
Good observations. That information I previously posted came directly from Robert, so if he doesn't know why its numbered, we likely won't get to the bottom of it. If you know who Robert is and his role here, you'll understand what I mean. Guess it'll be an unsolved mystery until I can see if Lynn knows the story behind them.
 
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