Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
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.
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.
Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
And one more...
Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
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.
Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
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!!!
But...you knocked it out of the park, with the sleek design and finish, on the top one! I like it, just like that!!!
Heretical Refurb / Mods of cheap old folders, since late 2018
Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
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.Wonderboy wrote: ↑Fri Jun 05, 2020 7:31 pm 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.
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.
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.
Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
Nobody else?
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Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
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.
Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
Yes sir! Great looking set.Quick Steel wrote: ↑Sat Jun 06, 2020 2:49 pm 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.
Are the bevels hollow ground, or chisel ground?
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Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
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.
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.
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Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
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 .
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 .
"Never, never, never give up."
Winston Churchill
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Matthew 6:34
Winston Churchill
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Matthew 6:34
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Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
This Tanto is the Spyderco collaboration with the late Bob Lum. Willy, that is a fine looking Tanto you have en route.
Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
Thanks for the info QS.Quick Steel wrote: ↑Sat Jun 06, 2020 3:06 pm 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
That Cold Steel set is a great looking set of knives. I especially like the top one.
Wow Willy! I saw that blade last week in the store after doing a search for “tanto.”WillyCamaro wrote: ↑Mon Jun 08, 2020 4:12 am 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 .
Good catch. Post up some more pics when you have it in hand.
Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
I will post pics of this in a separate thread, but I am nearing the end of this build.
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Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
Tony, that is a beauty.
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Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
You said it Gary, lovely work Mr. Tony .
And thank you for the compliments Tony, i will definitely post pics when she arrives.
"Never, never, never give up."
Winston Churchill
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Matthew 6:34
Winston Churchill
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Matthew 6:34
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Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
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.
Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
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.
I changed the tip to be more traditional and worked a habaki from copper.
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Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
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!
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!
"Never, never, never give up."
Winston Churchill
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Matthew 6:34
Winston Churchill
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Matthew 6:34
Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
Nice Willie. Is that hollow ground with a swedge on the spine? Love that bone handle.WillyCamaro wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2020 1:48 am 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!
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.
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Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
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.
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.
"Never, never, never give up."
Winston Churchill
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Matthew 6:34
Winston Churchill
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Matthew 6:34
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Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
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!
Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
Thanks for sharing.Madmarco wrote: ↑Sun Jun 28, 2020 8:05 pm 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
I really like the Cold Steel tantos. All of their products are high quality.
Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
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.
Have added a mild steel Tsuba, hammered, blued, and heat colored.
Awaiting and order of ray skin and ito wrap.
Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
Tony_Wood wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 12:50 pm 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!
David
"Glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife" Meat Loaf
"Glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife" Meat Loaf
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Re: Fixed blade Tantos Anyone?
Wonderful work Tony. Congratulations. Can't wait to see it wrapped.