I bought this exact same knife in late 90’s, as tactical carry knife. At that time it was sold with a leather sheath. The knife is extremely sharp, and very tough. Quite versatile. On tactical deployments it was always a comforting tool to have on the vest, and although I never used on a person, it made quick work of any ropes, cordage, sheet metal, anything that could conceivably be cut. This was used in high risk and emergency situations and often has to be discarded immediately after use, but it always was recovered and put back to duty. I wish I had the kydex sheath back in the day, but I had no problems with the leather sheath, apart from obvious wear, dings and marks from use. A very robust leather sheath, and with a knife this sharp you need it, as things get very rough and tumble in that work…you don’t want it piercing the sheath. Overall a very serious knife for serious duty. Good choice, I wish you good fortune with yours. Mine was a staggering price at the time, around $300 Australian, but I felt it was worth it. My previous fixed carry was a Kershaw, good blade, but a little thin for heavy work, and the Master Tanto was best thing around. Most guys were carrying folding knives then, and I knew they were useless for instant use. That Kershaw sliced through the side of the corduroy/plastic sheath once, stabbed an inch into my butt cheek. (Goofball colleague took it from my belt to try prying a door, then stupidly resheathed it and stabbed me.). He was dumb twice in ten seconds flat. Four stitches and I retired the Kershaw. Finished the job with a boot full of blood. That prick never did apologise. And honestly, I never forgave him. A fool, ignorant and dangerous to anyone around him. About a year after that the unit issued fixed blades….Glock knives…too thin and cheap for any confidence, in my opinion. But better than folders for that work I guess.
My master tanto rarely leaves my side especially when I have to go into the city. Its the knife I keep next to my recliner where I usually end up falling asleep. I'm in love with this blade. I wish they made a 7.5 or 8 inch blade in the single aluminum quillon instead of the full guard they have on the magnums.
Never bought a crap cold steel. All being lovely knives yet not overpriced. It's my first choice in knives. It's robust, simple n they go out of their way to create niche market for knife lovers
Chlape je to super vec,take do nej pujdu!Mam Tanto magnum Gold steel-San mai XII.Velice krasna vec!Ted dokonce s Taiwanem cenove dostupnejsi a pritom na kvalite neztraci!Tanto XII je to maly mec😂!No mam jeste Tanto Oyabùn Japonske z 90 let.A Tai-pan-CPM V3.coz je take velmi hezky kousek!Vzdycky me tohle fascinovalo!
I have the Master Tanto in 3V. Its a beautiful knife and sharp as hell with the hollow grind. Quite east to touch up as well. I especially like the solid heft of the knife. It is a great slicer and cutter, not sure if I would subject it to any harsh outdoor tasks.
No, they haven't fixed the Secure-Ex sheaths dulling blades. I doubt if they ever will. I like the knives, so I make my own leather sheaths. Problem solved.
Nice review. Great photography showing off this work of art.
I bought this exact same knife in late 90’s, as tactical carry knife. At that time it was sold with a leather sheath. The knife is extremely sharp, and very tough. Quite versatile. On tactical deployments it was always a comforting tool to have on the vest, and although I never used on a person, it made quick work of any ropes, cordage, sheet metal, anything that could conceivably be cut. This was used in high risk and emergency situations and often has to be discarded immediately after use, but it always was recovered and put back to duty. I wish I had the kydex sheath back in the day, but I had no problems with the leather sheath, apart from obvious wear, dings and marks from use. A very robust leather sheath, and with a knife this sharp you need it, as things get very rough and tumble in that work…you don’t want it piercing the sheath. Overall a very serious knife for serious duty. Good choice, I wish you good fortune with yours. Mine was a staggering price at the time, around $300 Australian, but I felt it was worth it. My previous fixed carry was a Kershaw, good blade, but a little thin for heavy work, and the Master Tanto was best thing around. Most guys were carrying folding knives then, and I knew they were useless for instant use. That Kershaw sliced through the side of the corduroy/plastic sheath once, stabbed an inch into my butt cheek. (Goofball colleague took it from my belt to try prying a door, then stupidly resheathed it and stabbed me.). He was dumb twice in ten seconds flat. Four stitches and I retired the Kershaw. Finished the job with a boot full of blood. That prick never did apologise. And honestly, I never forgave him. A fool, ignorant and dangerous to anyone around him. About a year after that the unit issued fixed blades….Glock knives…too thin and cheap for any confidence, in my opinion. But better than folders for that work I guess.
My master tanto rarely leaves my side especially when I have to go into the city. Its the knife I keep next to my recliner where I usually end up falling asleep. I'm in love with this blade. I wish they made a 7.5 or 8 inch blade in the single aluminum quillon instead of the full guard they have on the magnums.
Never bought a crap cold steel. All being lovely knives yet not overpriced. It's my first choice in knives. It's robust, simple n they go out of their way to create niche market for knife lovers
Yes, It's a very nice Tool..
Where do You get the belt attachment??
Thanks Friend
I like the belt attachment you added. I want to do the same thing with mine. Could you provide me with info about where you got yours?
Great piece and review Sir. But is this useful for other tasks than self defense?
Oof that thing is beasty
Chlape je to super vec,take do nej pujdu!Mam Tanto magnum Gold steel-San mai XII.Velice krasna vec!Ted dokonce s Taiwanem cenove dostupnejsi a pritom na kvalite neztraci!Tanto XII je to maly mec😂!No mam jeste Tanto Oyabùn Japonske z 90 let.A Tai-pan-CPM V3.coz je take velmi hezky kousek!Vzdycky me tohle fascinovalo!
👍👍👍💪💪💪
what is sharpening trail?
I have the Master Tanto in 3V. Its a beautiful knife and sharp as hell with the hollow grind. Quite east to touch up as well. I especially like the solid heft of the knife. It is a great slicer and cutter, not sure if I would subject it to any harsh outdoor tasks.
Do Secure Ex sheath dull your blade? I saw that some people said that it does and I wonder if Cold Steel fixed it already?
No, they haven't fixed the Secure-Ex sheaths dulling blades. I doubt if they ever will. I like the knives, so I make my own leather sheaths. Problem solved.