Cold Steel Master Tanto

[zenlifter]

I know they are expensive, but I have to say, for me, this was the knife that all others were judged by.
It was the Standard back in the 80's before this segment of the market exploded.
It's short, it's stout, it's thick, it's scary sharp and the steel has a lot going on with it.
Dare I say that the Cold Steel Master Tanto could outlast and overall outperform the Busse?
Dare I stir that pot?
Sooner or later, you are going to have to test this knife.
If Cold Steel was going donate one knife to best withstand a test would it not be this one? Am I wrong here?

[Tac45]

Interesting test that would make. CS's tanto line have undergone some changes though. The original was made from AUS8. Then the laminated versions came about made from AUS8 sandwiched in 420J2. Now they are different again with VG1 being sandwiched in the 420J2.

It would be interesting to see an old laminate tested against one of the new ones. I think both would perform admirably.

CS get a bad rap from many. The CS knives Noss has tested have all performed well. It has been mentioned earlier to test a Recon Scout or Trailmaster. Seeing the old model Carbon V SRK perform in the test the thicker bigger ones I think would really take a hiding.

[zenlifter]

Bump

I know they are expensive, but I have to say, for me, this was the knife that all others were judged by.
It was the Standard back in the 80's before this segment of the market exploded.
It's short, it's stout, it's thick, it's scary sharp and the steel has a lot going on with it.
Dare I say that the Cold Steel Master Tanto could outlast and overall outperform the Busse?
Dare I stir that pot?
Sooner or later, you are going to have to test this knife.
If Cold Steel was going donate one knife to best withstand a test would it not be this one? Am I wrong here?

[shmoopiebear]

Is there an echo in here? Anyways, I would say that the Cold Steel Master Tanto line would probably perform like a Fallkniven because of the laminate. I am sure it will do just as well. I doubt it will withstand and survive the same punishment dished out on the Busse's and any of their offshoots in destructive testing.

I don't think Cold Steel is in the same class of Busse considering the price difference. It is a pretty big difference for cost versus performance between the two brands. Cold Steel comes very close to maximizing the performance for the price. For the Busses and all it's offshoots you are paying for the lifetime unlimited warranty for any use and abuse.

It is not the same with Cold Steel. Failure of the product has to be evaluated on a case by case basis whereby Busse like knives are replaced no questions asked. Cold Steel does not guarantee knife replacement fro what constitutes gross negligence and abuse. Busse would rather you not abuse the knife but it is still guaranteed to be replaced no matter what. From a cost benefit analysis Cold Steel is without reproach when tested for it's own merits. If one is on a tight budget and for most average users they are more than adequate. If one is taking it to the next level and it is in an extreme environment then it's time to invest in a Busse as life insurance.

Even though I like Cold Steel knives you just can't get a better deal with a Busse. Busse is not only guaranteed for any owner but for the life of the knife under any and all circumstances. The Busse performance speaks for tthemselves.

[shmoopiebear]

On another note, the Cold Steel Master Tanto does not need to be out of the reach of the average buyer. Cold Steel has on sale the Konjo for $200 for the pair. They are, also, made of San Mai III although I have seen them in real life and the blade appears a little thinner. They do not have a hilt or guard like the Master Tantos. They are a Bud Nealy style of Japanese knife design. For the price they can't be beat. it would be interesting to see how they stand up to destructive testing. I am sure they would do fine as Lynn Thompson probably has Proof videos of them somewhere.

[zenlifter]

Ya know I kind of thought that the MT would have a chance at surpassing the Busse but you sound like you know what your talking about. The Busses must be seriously thick huh? I have never seen one in person. And the INFI metal must be phenominally tough.

Oh well, thanks for bumming me out Schmoop. I suppose I will let it go.

:(