Cold Steel Imperial Tai Pan

[Sharpnshinyknives]

This is a knife up for sale on eBay, not my knife. Just a wonderful construction by Master Hattori. Imperial Tai Pan. I could only get two pictures to download here. Here is the eBay auction address: https://www.ebay.com/itm/296079859505?h ... R9SWraqJYw .
You can find out more about this knife on the Hattori Forums here: https://hattoricollector.com/2015/10/23 ... r-classic/
The auction still has about 4 days to go, out of 10 and the price is already at over 1400 dollars. I was hoping to pick this one up for 1000 or less, guess I will still be waiting for the next one to come around.
Master Hattori’s Damascus blades are some of the finest you can get. I have a few of them in my collection and this would have been a great addition. Maybe someone from here will pick this up, be sure to post pictures if you do.

[1967redrider]

Someone is getting a nice Christmas present.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Rick that would be a great gift idea, if you can afford it. I’m anxious to see how high this goes. I check every day for one to come up for sale and they rarely do so this one will probably go for a hefty sum. I’ll update this thread once the auction is over.

[Madmarco]

Best of luck finding one in your price range, Mark, and in case anyone wishes to make the comparison!

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Thanks Mark, I figured you probably had one of those. Tempting, but I my draw is not just that Master Hattori designed it but that he made the blade steel on the Imperial Tai Pan. That is a great knife whatever the blade steel, how does it feel in hand? Is it balanced?

[Madmarco]

Well, seeing as you're asking, Mark, there's a bit of a story attached to these.

When I couldn't find any satin blade models not sold out for the longest time, I settled on this Grivory model.
Grivory is some sort of nearly indestructible plastic and it's inexpensive, around $10. for this one.
There's a Cold Steel abuse video worth watching about the knife, that shows it clamped in a bench vise and bent almost 90 degrees without breaking or any damage at all, and then easily slicing through thick rope and a side of beef.
This model feels light in-hand, and is top-heavy using the 1 finger method with the finger positioned in-front of the hilt.

While I was still waiting for the satin blade model to become available this all-black model came out and I bought one, around $40.
This model feels much heavier in-hand and is still top-heavy.

Finally the satin model became available again, around $50.
This one feels slightly lighter to my hand, but is still top-heavy.

All 3 knives are from Cold Steel ebay or let's just say it, China, and ran me about $100. total, but none are anywhere near the quality of the knife you posted.
They're etched "Tai*Pan" which I'm assuming is a grade of metal, and I'm certain that's what it is, an etch nothing more, but as you know I go for looks as opposed to quality, mostly due to my pocketbook.
I hope this addresses your questions, buddy!

[Sharpnshinyknives]

Thanks Mark, Not surprised that if feels top heavy, it would have to be to have that much blade in front of the handle.
I’ve seen those videos. Many years ago SMKW sent those out with just about every purchase you made through the catalog. I must have had 8 of those before it was over. Always impressive watching those. I know Cold Steel is famous for their cryogenic blade treatment. I wonder if they did that with these Sam Mai Damascus blades that Master Hattori made? I don’t know. Thanks for the information.

[Sharpnshinyknives]

This auction ended on this knife last night and the selling price was 1900 dollars, wow! Looks like I might never acquire one of these at those prices.

[Madmarco]

Yep, that's a lot of scratch for a knife that will do nothing more than sit and look pretty, Mark, but my oh my, that's some kindda pretty it would be!
I'll be posting a rare Cold Steel folder soon, that prior to my purchasing it I still had both arms and legs, but it's degree of "special" is undeniable and ultimately worth buying to me, be sure to keep an eye out for it!