cold steel master tanto questions

[K.L.O.sako]

I just got a master tanto san mai III for christmas and i think i'm in love it's graceful and strong and balances perfectly on the hilt. i do however have some gripes, the strap is a velcro closure instead of a snap. velcro is noisey and it wears out, and theres no lanyard ring hole. I can fix these problems but i shouldn't have to at 200$ i will use it year round for hunting and camping. if anyone has had problems with this knife let me know. THANKS.

 

[JTW Jr.]

I dont see those as problems , and as far as not having to at $200 , always do your homework first , that would have told you what the fastening method was and if it had a lanyard hole or not.

 

[hso]

You may find that the western "tanto" knives don't make very good camp knives or hunting knives. Let us know how it works out.

As to the closure, the velcro has been in use for several years. If it's stitched you won't have too much trouble. If it's not, be careful of leaving it in the car since the heat may soften the glue.

 

[Matt_W]

Are they not fighting knives rather than hunting knives?

 

[K.L.O.sako]

Well i would think that it's fine for camp chores i've never been hadicaped with any knife i brought to the wilds. but on the hunting scene, i've not used this style blade to gut ,skin, or cape i thought the slight curve would work fine and the 45 degree tip would help in hard to reach places. but all that remians to be seen. if not theres plenty more blades out there to try (good excuse to buy more ) thanks for the input

 

[Boats]

I do truly hope you are happy with your purchase, but there is no way I'd pay $200 for the sandwhich of steels currently tagged as CS's San Mai III. It used to be AUS-8 stainless sandwiched by 420J and now I hear it is VG-1 sandwiched by 420J. Either way, that's a lot of dough for a stainless steel knife that isn't more exotic than other stainless steels and is never going to be tougher than a decent carbon steel blade of equal length and cross-section.

 

[Slamfire]

K.L.O: Don't let the negative opinions effect your feelings for the Master Tanto. I have a couple and it is a very stout, well built knife. The tanto series of knives are not cheap, but they will take a licking and keep on cutting. Or poking.

As you have found it is very wedgy, and the point will absolutely draw blood if you are not careful. Its features are mainly martial, I discussed this with the Cold Steel reps at the old Pomona Gun show, I would have preferred a flat butt to tap things with than the "skull" chrusher. So don't fall on the sheath, the point may go through or the pommel will nail you.

Choice of a knife is very personal, I like a khukuri to chop, and a thinner knife to slice. The tantos are sort of midway. Fine knife though.

 

[K.L.O.sako]

thanks slamfire.

 

[Don Gwinn]

Sometimes people forget that not every thread is a critical review.