Finished (haha) my firearm collection, looking for a new toy

[Bullnettles]

Hi all,

I've owned a few knives throughout my day, but never bought anything over the $60-70 range. Well, as the title says, I have every firearm I could want, but for some strange reason, want a Tanto, about 12". I inherited my grandfather's Cold Steel Carbon V and found it was made of a very good steel and I love the knife (yes, it gets used, I'm not a fan of tools hanging on the wall, neither was he). I was wandering if the Sai Mai steel is comparable to the Carbon V type? I know they aren't the same, but if it's close, I'm probably sold. I know basic knife fighting techniques, but will do some classes in the future, so keep that in mind. Thanks for reading.

 

[hso]

Carbon V is a made up marketing term and trademark for the carbon steel used in their carbon V blades. It's been different steels over the years. Some think that it's O-1 and others think it 5160 while others think it could be 1095. Odds are that it's been any of these at any time based on availability and economics.

San Mai isn't a steel. A San Mai blade is a harder steel sandwiched between more ductile steel.

 

[Bullnettles]

Ahhh, so there is no Carbon V type. Well, upon further review, I've been very happy with my KA-BAR fighting knife, and was looking at their Tanto style and it's of 1095. I'm thinking I should save some money if it's a decent grade versus dropping $200+ on something I will use sparingly. Thank you for the info and I may try a Sai Mai someday when a house isn't in the future

 

[hso]

There's a limited range of steels used in Carbon V, but no single steel.

 

[zignal_zero]

i don't know what Carbon V really is, but i DO know it is some seriously impressive steel. i have a Recon Tanto, the old U.S. made Carbon V model and i can tell you - out of every knife i own, it is the one i trust the most. i'm not a big fan of prying with knives, i think that is misuse, but i would not hesitate with this one, it is a TANK.

 

[Bullnettles]

Just ordered the Ka-bar Tanto and a tomahawk by Cold Steel. I don't know how to review a knife, but I hope to be throwing the 'hawk on a daily basis so I can tell you of it's balance? Anyone else have tomahawks?

 

[BHP FAN]

I've been into black powder guns and tomahawks around forty years.While the Cold Steel 'hawks throw well,they tend to be heavy.That's actually OK if you have a lot of upper body strength.My favorite is the Rifleman's hawk, but they make a couple of variations. Which one is yours?

 

[Bullnettles]

I went with the "Vietnam" version because it was a bit lighter. I was going to get the standard type, but remembered when I threw one when I was in my teens and thought the lighter would let me get more practice in. Black powder, now there's a topic. I have a CVA pistol I haven't fired since I inherited it, half out of fear, half because I have no idea what I'm doing and haven't got in the learning mood about it. Back on topic, what tomahawks do you throw BHP?

 

[Bullnettles]

Got the 'hawk and a Ka-bar tanto in today. VERY impressed with the Tanto, even if the handle isn't leather, but the 'hawk came in a sheath w/ "American Tomahawk Company" on it and only the sticker said Cold Steel. The head has Taiwan etched in it. YMMV, but I'm not a fan of stuff made in the orient. I will treat this thing poorly and report back. If it didn't have that sticker, MidwayUSA was going to get a call...

 

[hso]

Cold Steel has almost everything made "in the orient". Always have.

 

[Bullnettles]

Well, it's busted. I was throwing at a piece of pine oak firewood and was about 15 throws in (no backstop, just grassy field) it sticks and I notice the angle is off. The head was about 1/4 off the shaft. I'm usually rough on my stuff, but I didn't do jack to warrant this. Test run breakage? REALLY?