Which Tanto Fixed Blade?

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CDR_Glock

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I really want (not need) a Tanto for EDC. What is a reasonable length to carry? 6"? 7"? 9"?

Which steel is ideal for durability, maintaining an edge and resistant to rust?

What is a reasonable brand and model? There are so many Cold Steel Models it's mind boggling.
 
First, tell us if your local and state weapons laws limit legal blade length for carry.

Second, EDC implies utility instead of self-defese which means a "tanto" isn't your best choice.

Third, what do you mean by "tanto". CS sells knives that have an acute angle between the cutting edge and the tip. This is not an authentic Japanese tanto profile, but has become commonly known as a tanto because of successful marketing. Traditional tantos were 6-12 inches in length.
 
first off.....a 6" blade is REALLY large for EDC.......and youll find it either attracts too much attention or is just plain cumbersome and uncomfortable to carry.

i would really suggest anything 3" and under, especially for a fixed blade

second.....the American tanto blade really isnt the greatest blade profile, a lot of abuse is taken by the angled transition between the belly and the tip and it will wear much faster there and not wear evenly......they are really designed more for stabbing rather than cutting.

...i would strongly recommend a clip point or drop point blade, they are proven designs that work well for edc use...

and finally, i would not worry about which steel to use, most modern steels are going to be suitable, and any knife from a reputable company will more than likely use a quality steel in their blades.....

however a good steel for edc knifes i have found is either 440c or AUS-8......either one should work well and should be corrosion resistant.
 
Been there, done that with a Benchmade "tanto" folder.

I will never ever buy another "Tanto" style blade.

If you actually use them to cut things every day, the acute angle transation between the blade edge and the point edge is always dull because that little point on the cutting edge catches most of the work when slicing & dicing things.
And they are hard to re-sharpen right.

Plus, the thickness & upward sweep to the point prevents using it for any delicate cutting task like skinning or field dressing game.

rc
 
Yup. Tantos pretty much suck for EDC. Been there, done that, never again.
 
SH1203.jpg
 
I haven't had the issue with the tanto (or tanto-like) blade shape that others have had. They aren't good for skinning, but then again I have a dedicated skinning knife.

One of my favorites
4869472203_0bd4af2e58.png
 
AUSCHIP - damn you! i am struggling enough with my cutlery addiction, is was cruel to post such a beaut. what is it? i must know and (oddly enough) i hate tanto folders. something about that one, especially with the wave feature and the unorthodox swedge is feeling like she belongs in my pocket :D

CDR GLOCK - please tell me exactly what you are looking for, in an EDC fixed blade, and i will give you the most sound advice (based on experience as well as theory) that i can. answer just a few quick questions, to help me: (1) are you going to conceal or open carry? (2) do you want a knife that can be called upon to nuetralize human threats, should the need arise, or is that a far off concept that takes a HUGE backseat to normal mundane tasks? (3) how hard will this knife work? prying bullets out of trees? forcing open a door? puncturing thick somewhat hard material? batoning, chopping, or other wood processing chores? (4) honesty is important, here, why does the tanto appeal to you? is ther something you feel it is more capable of or is it just really cool looking? don't be embarassed, good looking knives are.... well... good looking.

answer these questions and i'll see if i can help you find an idea that would suit your needs. and as for OC'n big knives, if it's legal, it's legal, people need to stop being intimidated. i was OC'n an 11oal FB, in WM, last night and got several stares.... EFF 'EM!
 
I was in a knife defense instructor class for my former agency in the 90's. I was very fortunate that an officer from another agency was neighbors with a cold steel rep. He offered any cold steel knife for $35. Needless to say I wrote him a large check. Anyway my point is I have most of the cold steel line but my favorite one to carry is the SRK.
 
Heh, the knife in my picture is an Emerson CQC-7VSF. Alphabet soup for the double ground stoned washed Tanto blade with wave.
 
@zignal zero:


(1) are you going to conceal or open carry?

Concealed. I have a CWP in Florida. No limit to size.

(2) do you want a knife that can be called upon to nuetralize human threats, should the need arise, or is that a far off concept that takes a HUGE backseat to normal mundane tasks?

Neutralize human threats.
Serve as a backup to my Pistol/Folding knife

(3) how hard will this knife work? prying bullets out of trees? forcing open a door? puncturing thick somewhat hard material? batoning, chopping, or other wood processing chores?

Puncturing thick material at times.
Cutting will be with my SOG Trident Tanto.
No wood chopping, hunting, skinning, etc.


(4) honesty is important, here, why does the tanto appeal to you? is ther something you feel it is more capable of or is it just really cool looking? don't be embarassed, good looking knives are.... well... good looking.

Because it is good looking. My Trident Sog Tanto impresses me regarding its ability to stab through anything, already. I have always wanted a Tanto ever since I was a student in karate years ago.

I actually found a CS Tanto Magnum IX. Too big for EDC but I had to have it (9" blade). More realistically is a 6-7" blade, like a Kabar Bowie...and more practical.
 
CDR Glock -

awesome, thanx, that makes it's alot easier. so many people (basically) ask "how big is a fish?" when they're looking for a recommendation.

ok - as for the concealing, i have a FL permit as well as a LE badge, you do know that (unless you have some local BS ordinance), concealment is an OPTION, right? you can walk around wally world with a kuhkri in plain sight LEGALLY. but i realize, concealment is your chosen methode here, regardless, right?

with your list of criteria - i would STRONGLY recommend MY KNIFE. i have a Cold Steel Recon Tanto. however, mine was made in the U.S. out of Carbon V and the new ones are not. i still doubt they went from blazing hot badazz, to canine dookage, though.

the knife conceals easily in either a 2 Munkeez sheath or by simply taking off the hokey attachment CS gives and you sliding the sheath in between your belt and jeans. the mouth of the sheath will keep it from sliding all the way down your leg and they have VERY LITTLE retention. so, when you draw it, you will not pull it out, sheath and all. however, this is OWB and will require a little longer T-shirt.

if the black blade doesn't bother you, skip the San Mai III. also, unless you really need that check me out shiny pommel, just stick with the standard run of the mill Recon Tanto.

mine was a gift from my mom (my family is odd, there's normally guns and ammo under the tree), it cost her maybe 70bux and i have used this thing almost hoping it would break. it doesn't. my son has a trainer (identical to the CS RT) and i have 2 (one's for guests who thought they were coming over to drink beer).

i can NOT say enough good things about this knife, the black coating has lasted forever (tiny wear here and there) as compared to my Benchmades (which i love for different reason), with those, if you stare at the coating too hard, it'll come off.

there has NEVER been any play in between the kraton handle (which is comfy) and the tang. 100% solid gidderdun chunk of letseffsumpinup steel.

i am seriously hoping that my (soon to arrive) Ontario Gen II SP42 replaces the Cold Steel Recon Tanto as my most trusted knife but realize that'll be a difficult task to pull off.

if i was you, i'd look around and try to find an original U.S. made Carbon V version, for a few days. if i couldn't, i'd pull the trigger on a new one without hesitation.

it gets better - should you decide to go with the Recon Tanto and do feel a 2 Munkeez sheath is your preferred method of totin', we wouldn't need yer knife, dude, i got one :D

edit to add - X Hunter's suggestion about the SRK is a good one, too. it's basically the non tanto Recon Tanto. btw - as for puncturing, i've stuck mine right through level IIIA soft body armor. NO, nobody was wearing it or i wouldn't be talking abou it LOL
 
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You can actually conceal a remarkably large knife IWB. Just be sure to get a proper IWB sheath that will protect your spare tire on the draw.;)

Mike Sastre is a skinny little guy that spends all his time in river shorts. I have personally watched him pull a 9 or 12 inch bowie from an IWB sheath I could not see (but knowing Mike, knew that was there).
 
You can actually conceal a remarkably large knife IWB. Just be sure to get a proper IWB sheath that will protect your spare tire on the draw
Yup. And unless you have 2% bodyfat make sure your knife doesn't have a "skullcrusher" type pommel. It only took me about a minute of experimental carry for me to figure this one out.

Also, I have a Benchmade tanto folder and while the knife is built like a tank I do not find it very useful beyond cutting rope and such. Any slicing is accomplished solely with that little transitional tip on the edge. I think a blade with some belly is a lot more practical for everyday use than a tanto.
 
Since I train with this type of blade, I think the standard CS tanto is a fine fighting weapon. The thickness and weight feel better to me than the more traditional "hissatsu" style, and I don't care about issues involving sharpening the transitional edge because this knife isn't used for whittling. It only needs to work once.
 
Since I train with this type of blade, I think the standard CS tanto is a fine fighting weapon. The thickness and weight feel better to me than the more traditional "hissatsu" style, and I don't care about issues involving sharpening the transitional edge because this knife isn't used for whittling. It only needs to work once.

well thats just the thing... in the original post he claimed he wanted it for EDC(opening letters, packages, ect) use.....and for edc use, a tanto blade is a less than ideal, choice....

but for personal protection it makes a more sensible choice.......and blade wear isnt a problem isnt a big deal because hopefully you arent getting into knife fights every day.
 
well thats just the thing... in the original post he claimed he wanted it for EDC(opening letters, packages, ect) use.....and for edc use, a tanto blade is a less than ideal, choice....

but for personal protection it makes a more sensible choice.......and blade wear isnt a problem isnt a big deal because hopefully you arent getting into knife fights every day.

I apologize for my ambiguity. When I referred to EDC, I referred to Every Day Carry for Defense. I carry 3 knives on me now: a Benchmade Bali 32 and 51, and a SOG Trident Tanto for cutting. I wanted a fixed knife solely for defense/backup to my pistol. I will look for a SOB holster for the knife. May have to get a custom holster.
 
Do you know if any of his sheaths work like speed dialers? I think the speed dialer people closed shop.
 
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