Confession time. The recent TV series “Sho̅gun,” with its prominent display of Japanese steel, served as stimulus for this tanto blades submission. Popular culture involving movies and TV shows can have that effect. Ask S&W about the popularity and subsequent backlog in Model 29 44 Magnum production thanks to Clint Eastwood’s “Dirty Harry” movies that began in 1971. The “Rambo” movies certainly gave large Bowie-style survival knives a boost that remains in place still today. This does not mean such products are superficial or without merit. After earlier articles focusing on Bowie, kukri, daggers, machetes, tomahawks, and karambits, it’s only natural for tantos to come into focus. Kind of surprising this had not happened sooner, considering my own experience with tantos dating back to the late 1980s.

Cold Steel Tantos

Cold Steel was the natural place to turn to for tantos. After all, Cold Steel’s founder, Lynn Thompson, is given much of the credit for the “Americanized” tanto that appeared in the U.S. in the early 80’s and maintained popularity since. In full disclosure, like most developments there are points of contention who really “discovered” something. What cannot be debated is the central role that Cold Steel/Lynn Thompson had in the tanto blades here in the U.S.

Forget The Base…It Is All About Tip

Cold Steel tanto characteristics have been adopted by many other blade manufacturers. There is no denying that the tanto blade’s shape makes it ideal for piercing and stabbing. Cold Steel tantos are instantly recognizable thanks to their reinforced tip design via combining points and edges. A detailed look at a Cold Steel tanto will reveal two points—no pun intended. A primary point at front of the blade and secondary point below and behind this primary tip.

Two edges are also present with a small, secondary edge at the front of knife and larger, primary edge along the belly of the knife. The front, secondary edge is usually a chisel grind that runs downward at an angle to meet the longer, primary bottom edge coming from the handle of the knife. This primary edge is typically either a hollow or flat grind edge. Where these two edges meet then transition near the tip is a called the “yokote” in Japanese sword nomenclature.

With the Cold Steel tantos this bottom, secondary point is not just for show. Not only does it reinforce the tip, but also facilitates a snap cut technique. By flicking your wrist, the secondary point will split the target (flesh) into a big “V.” As Lynn Thompson puts it, “A Cold Steel tanto’s secondary point does a lot more damage (than normal blade tip) and actually will penetrate a quarter inch of leather where other blade styles won’t with a snap cut. What people don’t realize is the snap cut is the fastest cut that you can make. You can get in and get out with the least amount of time doing a lot of damage in a microsecond.” There are numerous videos with Lynn demonstrating the snap cup technique.

Aside from aesthetics, the “yokote,” or tip transition line, also has an important functional role to play when it comes to reinforcing the tip, enabling superior piercing. Cold Steel emphasized this even more by utilizing a chisel grind on the front edge. A stout, nearly unbreakable tip and skull-crushing pommel, made for stabbing, and rugged construction—what isn’t there to like? While Cold Steel tantos were created for tactical/personal defense reasons, the two edges offer a certain utility for everyday uses. This is another reason why tantos have had such marketplace staying power.

Variety Is The Spice Of Life

Cold Steel’s tanto prominence is also aided by offering numerous models, including folders and fixed blade. Adding to this variety is the incorporation of different steels with commensurate pricing, giving customers options. This articles looks at a Warcraft Tanto XL (12-inch blade) and Warcraft Tanto Large (7.5-inch blade). The two Warcraft Tantos were created from San Mai III steel. A more traditional-style Magnum Tanto II (7.5-inch blade) and Master Tanto (6-inch blade) were also handled. The Magnum Tanto II utilizes VG-10 San Mai, while the Master Tanto comes from CPM 3V steel.

The San Mai designation indicates layered construction involving different types of steels. This mixing of steels increases durability and can lower costs. With Cold Steel’s VG-10 San Mai, the VG-10 is the hard, high-carbon stainless, whose primary benefit is edge retention thanks to 61RC hardness. The outside laminate layers of Cold Steel’s San Mai blend are proprietary. It is speculated that 420J2 stainless steel is combined with the VG-10. If so, the 420J2 steel offers both impact resistance due to being “soft” and not so brittle, as well as high corrosion protection. San Mai III uses VG-1stainless steel versus the VG10. The CPM 3V in the Master Tanto is premium grade steel. CPM 3V is a wear-resistant 58-60 HRC steel built to offer maximum resistance from breakage. It is corrosion resistant as well due to 7% chromium content.

Form Follows Function

Evaluation of the different Colt Steel tantos took place at Echo Valley Training Center (EVTC), putting the blade through their paces. Testing consisted of piercing tires, cutting/slashing thick ropes utilized on the EVTC obstacle course, as well as making slicing and puncturing passes at plastic buckets, firewood, animal skulls, cardboard layers, and any other targets of opportunity.

You can definitely feel the difference in heft and balance with the Warcrafts when slicing/chopping. Even though the Warcraft Large and Magnum Tanto II are similar in dimension, the Warcraft Large had stouter, more compact feel to it. The Warcraft’s blade is slightly thicker than the Magnum Tanto’s 3/16-inch, while being a bit shorter. The G-10 handle scales on the Warcraft versus oval polymer-like Kray-Ex surrounding the Magnum Tanto II handle also contributes to this different feel when handling as well.

The Warcraft Tanto XL is more like a short sword in operation than a knife with its 17-inch overall length. The more compact Master Tanto, at least compared to other Cold Steel knives handled, serves as reminder why Cold Steel tantos quickly captured consumer attention when introduced with its Japanese-like lines and aesthetics with prominent compound edge tip and protruding tapered steel pommel at end of grip leaving no doubt of intent.

Research had me concerned about tanto slicing prowess. Further proof just because it is on internet does not mean it is true. Cold Steel’s design tweaks with the tanto contributed to better than expected slashing ability. Each of the Cold Steel tantos were razor sharp out of the box. Furthermore, I have observed some tanto blades being straight. The Cold Steel tanto blades used herein have a slight upward curve/belly to them. Think Japanese katana. Plus, Cold Steel decided to go with hollow grind on the primary edge. One advantage of the hollow grind is that the blade does not increase in thickness as dramatically as other grind styles do. A hollow grind blade with even a slight curved belly is set up for success when it comes to slicing. All the while, the tanto tip design ensures superior penetration.

Subject Matter Expert

I knew I wanted to include my friend Fred Mastison’s input on the tanto. Fred has almost 40 years or experience in martial arts, holding a 5th-degree black belt in Aikido, 7th-degree black belt in Aiki Jitsu and 5th-degree black belt in Kyusho Jitsu. In 2002, Fred was inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame for his achievement in the Martial Arts—specifically Aikido. Both Aikido and Aiki Jitsu involve blade work both in defense and offense, especially at the level of Fred’s black belts. The tanto blade is used specifically in both Aikido and Aiki Jitsu, which certainly seems relevant for this article.

Why the tanto blade style for you? What makes it stand out compared to other blade designs choices? Would you consider the tanto a slasher or a stabber?

Fred: Tantos are excellent for stabbing, which is what I teach with knife work. The hearty point is strong and not prone to breaking. If you train correctly, the tanto can be an exceptional cutting knife as well. Using the same principles we use with a katana, the tanto will cut things (appendages) off of a person.

Cold Steel’s Lynn Thompson, in a video I watched, advocated the versatility of the tanto blade, including a snap cut technique with the tanto’s distinctive tip. Your thoughts on this?

Fred: The snap cut can be very effective and falls in line with my philosophy on defensive knife use. Like a firearm, we want to get into the body cavity as quickly and deeply as possible. This is the most effective way of stopping an attacker.

I have read/heard criticisms that the tanto-style blades are not the best for personal defense. I know when you and I spoke briefly about this in Texas, you did not agree and spoke favorably of the design. Why does that difference of opinions exist?

Fred: As with most things in the personal protection world, opinions can vary widely. The biggest criticism of tanto-style blades is that they don’t slice as well as other styles. I have no issue with this, however, because I do not teach slashing as a defensive technique. It is just simply not as effective as stabbing. I will also say that if you learn how to really cut, the tanto can easily relieve people of fingers or hands. I will be so bold as to say that most of the criticism is based around lack of training. I’m sure that will stir the pot.

If you had a choice between a tanto, Bowie, or kukri, which would you choose?

Fred: I would carry a full-size tanto without question.

Wrap Up

All of the Cold Steel tanto blades handled for this article excel at thrusting while maintaining ability to also slash. The knife thrust, as perfected by Western culture, traces its roots to Greek/Roman traditions. These early cultures realized that the most expedient means to stop someone who is trying to kill you is to access one or two vital organs and damage them. The Cold Steel tanto knives used for this review have the design and size, allowing for direct use on torso, limbs, head, or spinal column. One’s imagination and common sense will suffice as to the lethality of the Cold Steel tantos by a person full of adrenaline in a “me or them” situation.