What's a good tanto folder?

B

Baphomet

Joined
Jul 31, 2006
Messages
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I've recently been looking to buy a new production folding knife with a tanto blade for $200 or less. I want to get something that is sturdy and won't break apart on me when I use it. Any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
Emerson CQC-7 (also comes in Mini and Super versions)
Benchmade Stryker

I have an Emerson Super CQC-7 and it is very sharp and seems very study, though I have not run over it with my car or anything. G-10 scales, titanium liners, and 154CM blade... these are not shoddy materials.
 
Alright, cool, thanks. I've actually been thinking about getting the Emerson CQC7 with the wave on it, so thanks for the info.
 
I really like my BM720, axis lock with tanto. It's a good one hand open/close knife. It's slim and rides low in the pocket. I have the older CQC-7 and the CQC-9, neither have the wave. I really prefer the axis lock but that is just a personal pref.
 
That's an interesting question ... how about "what's the best bang for the buck tanto"? I think it's a bit of a love-or-hate blade shape, isn't it?
 
Regular production made, in no particular order.
Bench-made Axis Folder HK tanto
SOG Vision
Cold Steel Recon 1
 
Depends on what you are going to use the knife for. There are also different tanto style grinds. One sided chisel grinds are good for occasional prying duty and maximal tip strength. Double sided grinds are a lot nicer looking and better cutters, but give up a little in penetration strength. Both of the traditional Tanto grinds lose come cutting ability compared to regular grinds. The "reverse tanto" as found on some Benchmade Osbournes is a good compromise, it has better tip strength than regular grinds, but you have a full cutting edge.

If you are going to be subjecting the knife to hard use you might just want to save a bit for a semi-custom framelock Strider's Tanto blade folders are very, very strong, albeit a tad higher than your price range now.

If you are looking for just a high quality folder with a Tanto style blade that will serve you well, the Lone Wolf T-2 Harsey Tanto folder is a very good deal at a very good price.
 
Buck/Strider 880T or CS Recon 1 "Japan". Both will leave you with a little change left over to buy another cool blade.

Matador-
 
My own preference is for something with a blade four inches or longer. And though Baphomet didn't say what his preferences were for, or his needs, he's well advised to buy the Emerson. To those who leave messages asking for advice, it's generally a good idea to state what you'll be using the knife for.

Whenever I'd ask my uncle an indistinct question, he'd look at me and say, "How long is a piece of string?"

There are many uses where the Emerson would be a perfect knife, but there are other situations that might call for a larger or even smaller knife.
 
I think probably one of the best bang for the buck tanto could be the Griptilian or Minigripitilian with tanto blade in 154cm.
 
SOG Vision
Benchmade 910D2 Stryker

Either one of these would be a great choice. Happy hunting. :D
 
I really like my Kershaw Tanto Blur...for the price, imo, its an excellent value.
 
Confederate: I had to laugh when I saw the comment about how long a piece of string is. My granddad would have said "twice as long as half of it". My vote goes to the Buck/Strider.
 
Actually I have the same question. My purpose being to have a good slicing and skinning knife with a light-to-moderate duty wood chisel on the end. A "too abrupt" transition from the regular blade to the tanto point would negate some of the usefulness for slicing and skinning. A more moderate transition could easily be rounded a bit by an amateur like me.

I looked up all the ones suggested and the only one with a blade that didn't appear to have an abrupt transition was the Kershaw, but it is only available in 440A, which I would rather not have.

So far the only production folding knife I have seen that has a shape I like and a steel type I like is the now-discontinued Spyderco folding tanto.

However, maybe some of the problem is the photography. Maybe the transition just looks different based on the angle and light of the photographs.

Don Clark
 
I have a Camillus Dominator with a Tanto blade.

It's my favorite knife, if you can still find them....
 
Buck/Strider 880T great knife, less than 100$ if you can still find an original one, try ebay, great blade though the angles may be a little off perfect, but still great for less than 100$
 
Yeah emersons all the way. You might be able to get a hd 7 for taht kind of money. It would be well worth it.


good luck.
 
Ripantuck said:
Actually I have the same question. My purpose being to have a good slicing and skinning knife with a light-to-moderate duty wood chisel on the end. A "too abrupt" transition from the regular blade to the tanto point would negate some of the usefulness for slicing and skinning. A more moderate transition could easily be rounded a bit by an amateur like me.
Don Clark
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Have you looked at Benchmade's 940 or 942? This is the Warren Osbourne designed reverse tanto blade shape. It should be a good fit for what you intend to use a knife for.
 
Live2cut said:
I really like my BM720, axis lock with tanto. It's a good one hand open/close knife.
Click to expand...

Thats actually the 722 (Tanto version of the 720) and that is an excellent recommendation. I carry mine all the time. They are discontinued, but can still be found if you look around.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=722

Dont count out the 523 Presidio either...

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=523

The aluminum handles make both these knives very heavy duty and the axis lock is a huge plus IMO.
 
Maybe try to track down a sog night vision, same as the vision only wiht g10 scales insted of Ti.

They are discontinued however so you may have to serch a bit, there is one for sale in an ebay store.
 
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