Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?

[Tony_Wood]

I know that this is a folding knife forum, but who has tantos?
Post up some pics.
I have been working on building a couple, and would like to see what you have. Inspiration comes in all forms, especially pictures.

[Tony_Wood]

And one more...

[Wonderboy]

Those look interesting, and anyone who can forge a piece of steel into a blank and then polish it like you do certainly has my admiration. Are you starting with leaf springs as it appears from some of your photos? As I recall, Rudy Ruana in Bonner, MT started with leaf springs and he made some great knives. Your old anvil in the photo looks like it has seen a lot of hard use.

[Doc B]

Well, if you're looking for inspiration...this "reverse tanto" is on one of my favorite knives...the Benchmade 940.
But...you knocked it out of the park, with the sleek design and finish, on the top one! I like it, just like that!!!

[Tony_Wood]

Those look interesting, and anyone who can forge a piece of steel into a blank and then polish it like you do certainly has my admiration. Are you starting with leaf springs as it appears from some of your photos? As I recall, Rudy Ruana in Bonner, MT started with leaf springs and he made some great knives. Your old anvil in the photo looks like it has seen a lot of hard use.

Yes sir. I have tried to make a study of these knives, but don’t anyone who owns one. All I can find are pictures online.
The steel I am using is from the 1940’s. The pieces are tines from an International Harvester.

The old anvil has been used and abused. It came to me a few years ago, almost as it is.
Thanks for the reply.

Well, if you're looking for inspiration...this "reverse tanto" is on one of my favorite knives...the Benchmade 940.
But...you knocked it out of the park, with the sleek design and finish, on the top one! I like it, just like that!!!

reverse.jpg

Thank you sir. I like the looks of that blade.
The finished blade, above, is about to head out the door.
Will post pics soon of the finished product.

[Tony_Wood]

Nobody else?

[Quick Steel]

Tony, Your tanto is in the traditional/authentic Japanese style. Following is the Emperor Tanto set by Cold Steel made in the mid 80s. The spine of the blade is not flat. Rather, it comes to about a 45 degree apex. I couldn't find a way to photograph this. I don't believe they made more than about 120 to 125 of these sets.

[Tony_Wood]

Tony, Your tanto is in the traditional/authentic Japanese style. Following is the Emperor Tanto set by Cold Steel made in the mid 80s. The spine of the blade is not flat. Rather, it comes to about a 45 degree apex. I couldn't find a way to photograph this. I don't believe they made more than about 120 to 125 of these sets.

Yes sir! Great looking set.
Are the bevels hollow ground, or chisel ground?

[Quick Steel]

They are hollow ground and made of San Mai steel. To the best of my knowledge, the chisel grind was first used by the late, great, Phil Hartsfield. Seals loved his fixed blades and asked him to make them a similar folding knife. Phil demurred and referred them to the up and coming Ernie Emerson who went to Phil and asked his permission to use his chisel grind which of course Phil was happy to support. The result was the famous CQC- 6.

Here are two more CS iterations. For some time during the Iraq war period, the Tanto on the left was the number one selling knife in the PX stores.

[WillyCamaro]

Awesome Tantos Gary, Doc, Mr. Tony... I bet the customer is going to be one happy dude, lovely work Tony .

Here's my first (and definitely not last) Tanto... A vintage Taylor/Seto Japan model, in thick stag. Traded off a feller here on AAPK, still in the mail system... Chomping on the bit it arrives this week.

I just love Japanese style knives/swords... Keep em' coming fellers .

[Quick Steel]

This Tanto is the Spyderco collaboration with the late Bob Lum. Willy, that is a fine looking Tanto you have en route.

[Tony_Wood]

They are hollow ground and made of San Mai steel. To the best of my knowledge, the chisel grind was first used by the late, great, Phil Hartsfield. Seals loved his fixed blades and asked him to make them a similar folding knife. Phil demurred and referred them to the up and coming Ernie Emerson who went to Phil and asked his permission to use his chisel grind which of course Phil was happy to support. The result was the famous CQC- 6.

Here are two more CS iterations. For some time during the Iraq war period, the Tanto on the left was the number one selling knife in the PX stores.


P1030755 (2).JPG

Thanks for the info QS.
That Cold Steel set is a great looking set of knives. I especially like the top one.

Awesome Tantos Gary, Doc, Mr. Tony... I bet the customer is going to be one happy dude, lovely work Tony .

Here's my first (and definitely not last) Tanto... A vintage Taylor/Seto Japan model, in thick stag. Traded off a feller here on AAPK, still in the mail system... Chomping on the bit it arrives this week.

I just love Japanese style knives/swords... Keep em' coming fellers .

Wow Willy! I saw that blade last week in the store after doing a search for “tanto.”
Good catch. Post up some more pics when you have it in hand.

[Tony_Wood]

I will post pics of this in a separate thread, but I am nearing the end of this build.

[Quick Steel]

Tony, that is a beauty.

[WillyCamaro]

Tony, that is a beauty.

You said it Gary, lovely work Mr. Tony .

And thank you for the compliments Tony, i will definitely post pics when she arrives.

[Quick Steel]

Concerning the CS Emperor Collection. The length of the blades was unique. The Magnum blade is 10". The middle Tanto blade is 5 1/2". The smallest blade is 4 1/4.

[Tony_Wood]

Here’s some updates pics of the last blade I forged.
I changed the tip to be more traditional and worked a habaki from copper.

[WillyCamaro]

Wonderful work Mr. Tony, i can already see a wonderful knife coming together . Are you planning to go full traditional handle wrap, or something a bit more modern?

As promised, here's the Taylor Seki tanto, in all it's glory. Sure makes for one mean letter opener .

Definitely not going to be my last asian style knife, I just love the overall profile/balance. Would make for a awesome skinner/veggi chopper, if i had any interest in using/carrying it.

Cheers!

[Tony_Wood]

Wonderful work Mr. Tony, i can already see a wonderful knife coming together . Are you planning to go full traditional handle wrap, or something a bit more modern?

As promised, here's the Taylor Seki tanto, in all it's glory. Sure makes for one mean letter opener .

Definitely not going to be my last asian style knife, I just love the overall profile/balance. Would make for a awesome skinner/veggi chopper, if i had any interest in using/carrying it.

Cheers!

Nice Willie. Is that hollow ground with a swedge on the spine? Love that bone handle.
Yes. This current build will be traditionally fitted. I am working toward the goal of an entirely traditional Tanto. That is why I started this thread in the first place. I can’t even find anyone with a traditional Tanto to acquire a trace pattern. Guess I will keep building from photos.

[WillyCamaro]

Sounds good Tony .

Yes, it's a deep swedge following the curve of the blade, tapering to a fine point.

No disagreement here, I like the bone too .

Good stuff.

[Madmarco]

Hi guys! I'm new to this thread but just wanted to compliment you on your tanto Willy, it's absolutely gorgeous! Your builds are also really good looking Tony, it'll be a pleasure to see the finished products! I only have 2 fixed blade tantos, 1 that's not bad, and 1 that's a real cheapo, but thought I'd post them for you to see. This 1st one I got on ebay from a U.K. seller, and it's unmarked, 10" in length/SS full-tang blade with what appears to be a swedge on the top edge, NS bolsters with accents, brass pins, and dark walnut scales with finger indents. It arrived razor-sharp, and feels very good in-hand. Weighs-in at about 8 oz.'s. The 2nd one I got here in Canada from Herooutdoors.ca, and is likely best classified as a letter opener. It might be a Cold Steel product, due to the design, but I can't remember for sure. It's 9"/SS blade, some sort of inexpensive metal bolsters, black grivory textured scales, and lanyard hole in the bottom bolster. Has an etch of a dragon on the blade, and "CHINA STAINLESS" etched on the rear tang. I know it's a cheap POS, but I just thought it was cool, and when ordering such items you never really know just how cheap they are until you see and hold them! It does open letters and boxes very well though! Thanks, Mark!

[Tony_Wood]

Hi guys! I'm new to this thread but just wanted to compliment you on your tanto Willy, it's absolutely gorgeous! Your builds are also really good looking Tony, it'll be a pleasure to see the finished products! I only have 2 fixed blade tantos, 1 that's not bad, and 1 that's a real cheapo, but thought I'd post them for you to see. This 1st one I got on ebay from a U.K. seller, and it's unmarked, 10" in length/SS full-tang blade with what appears to be a swedge on the top edge, NS bolsters with accents, brass pins, and dark walnut scales with finger indents. It arrived razor-sharp, and feels very good in-hand. Weighs-in at about 8 oz.'s. The 2nd one I got here in Canada from Herooutdoors.ca, and is likely best classified as a letter opener. It might be a Cold Steel product, due to the design, but I can't remember for sure. It's 9"/SS blade, some sort of inexpensive metal bolsters, black grivory textured scales, and lanyard hole in the bottom bolster. Has an etch of a dragon on the blade, and "CHINA STAINLESS" etched on the rear tang. I know it's a cheap POS, but I just thought it was cool, and when ordering such items you never really know just how cheap they are until you see and hold them! It does open letters and boxes very well though! Thanks, Mark! WIN_20200628_14_57_40_Pro.jpgWIN_20200628_14_58_10_Pro.jpg

Thanks for sharing.

I really like the Cold Steel tantos. All of their products are high quality.

[Tony_Wood]

Current pics of a current build.
Have added a mild steel Tsuba, hammered, blued, and heat colored.

Awaiting and order of ray skin and ito wrap.

[edge213]

Current pics of a current build.
Have added a mild steel Tsuba, hammered, blued, and heat colored.

332D0FE4-C0C7-4F51-A92D-88CF2BBCDDC2.jpeg

2BE5A5B0-B6C0-443A-A32D-267DCA781DA2.jpeg

Awaiting and order of ray skin and ito wrap.

0AF59AF5-A1F1-4E3E-9381-46E515352B28.jpeg

C7F3EC7D-4E25-448C-9931-5F2CA8E775C6.jpeg

Tony, that's beautiful!

[Quick Steel]

Wonderful work Tony. Congratulations. Can't wait to see it wrapped.