Cold Steel Inc. of Ventura California was largely responsible for having introduced the “Tanto” on a large scale to the U.S. Although they may not have been the first to do so, and the Cold Steel design differed slightly from the traditional Japanese Tanto, to the extent that it has come to be known as the “American Tanto” design over the years, it was Cold steel’s marketing of their product that has made the term “Tanto” an integral part of the knife world since the 1980s. The result being that there is hardly a knife maker today that does not include a Tanto design, or several, in their product line.
The Cold Steel Tanto was introduced in 1981. With a blade length of 5 3/4″ it was marked “400 Series Stainless”, believed to be Aus8. A Sanmai version with an Aus8 core laminate existed as well and was likely the predecessor of the Master Tanto.
Early models-Left Side: Tanto, by Cold Steel, Ventura Calif. Right Side: Made in Japan. Later models-Left Side: Tanto. Right Side: Cold Steel, Ventura Calif, Made in Japan. There were some models which did not have “Made in Japan” on them and there is speculation that some of these early Tantos were possibly made in the U.S.
13A early
13A Later
There were special editions as well.
The Cutlery Shoppe Special Ops edition of the late 1980s had stainless fittings rather than brass, was serial numbered and came with a leather or kydex sheath. The left side ricasso had “Tanto” and a serial number.
A “10th Anniversary Tanto” was offered in 1991. The left side of the blade was marked “10th Anniversary Tanto 1981-1991 Cold Steel”, and the right side had Lynn Thompson’s signature and a serial number. They also came with a certificate of Authenticity. 1000 were produced.
There was also the Hoffritz version which, like all knives the company sold, simply had Hoffritz printed on the left side blade.
The Master Tanto Model M13B is believed to have been introduced in the mid 1980s at least the name. It retained the 5 3/4″ blade, brass fittings but used the Aus8 core Sanmai steel, and three variations are known.
Ver 1
Ver 2
The third version was introduced in 1993 and the fittings were changed from brass to stainless. The blade length was also increased from 5 3/4″ to 6″.
At the same time the standard Tanto also switched from brass to stainless fittings ad became the model 13AN.
In 2001 a special edition of only 40 pieces using Aus10 was offered.
The Magnum Tanto model 13M had an 8 3/4″ blade in “400 series stainless”, fittings in 300 series stainless and ws the first Tanto to have the full guard shaped like the “Tsuba” (guard) on a Japanese sword. The Magnum Tanto is unique in that unlike other and later Tantos, it has chamfering- a raised spine ridge, rather than a flat spine top.
1980s Aus8 Magnum Tanto
1989-90 Aus8 Magnum Tanto
This model gave way to the Magnum Tanto II (Mod 13MBII) with a 7 1/2″ blade introduced in 1990-91. It was produced in Aus8 until 1994, while a Aus8 core Sanmai model was produced until 2005.
After 2006 only a VG1 core Sanmai version was offered.
Magnum Tanto II in Aus8
Magnum Tanto II in Sanmai Aus8 core.
Magnum Tanto IX(Model 13MBIX) with a 9″ blade and Magnum Tanto XII (13MBXII) with a 12″ blade were introduced in 1998.
The current Master Tanto, Mangum Tanto II, IX and XII are all Sanmai with a VG1 core since 2006. The words VG1 appear on the ricasso. These have been and continue to be made by Hattori.
The Cold Steel Tanto in it’s various forms has been a prominent recognizable knife and has appeared in movies several times over the decades.
“Wanted Dead or Alive” 1987
“Black Rain” 1989
“The Wolverine” 2013
Making the Cold Steel Magnum Tanto at Hattori Hamono K.K. (Hattori Cutlery Co., Ltd.) Seki, Japan.
Installing the guard and bolster
Applying Epoxy
Ready for Handle and Pommel
Final finishing after polishing
From Seki Japan to Ventura California.
UPDATE: In 2018 Cold Steel ended knife production in Seki Japan after many decades. Manufacturing was shifted to Taiwan, with the San Mai core changed from VG1 to VG10 steel. The VG1 core San Mai Trail Master made by Hattori remained the only Cold Steel knife still made in Japan.
UPDATE: In December 2020, it was announced that Cold Steel Inc. was sold to GSM Outdoors (Good Sportman Marketing, LLC) of Irving Texas.
Special thanks to John Lauffer for his research and the Cold Steel Forums, Photos courtesy of Hattori Hamono K.K. Seki, Kasumi Knives, Moscow.
http://www.coldsteel.com/
Thank you so much for the info ! is there any place to look up more info, details, pictures, video? especially about the building process in Japan. Thank you again Fred
Fred Lucas from Honolulu?
Try this site.
https://www.hocho-knife.com/sushi-and-sashimi-knives/
I have a tanto that does not say cold steel on it but is stamped Japan. I got this when I was around when i was 12 years old. It has silk wrap around hard wood handle that is wrapped. Is there anyone who can tell me more. Willing to send pics.
Join Bladeforums. And post with photo in this subforum:
https://www.bladeforums.com/forums/bernard-levines-knife-collecting-identification.691/
-You need to upload your photo to a picture hosting site first
-You can ask for information but not value unless a paid member
What’s the weight of the original Tanto 13A?
9 oz.
Hello, please, do you know whether Cold Steel The Imperial Tanto (Damascus San Mai Blade, limited 1000 pcs. edition) is also Hattori made. Thank you.
I would like to ask you, please, do you know whether The Imperial Tanto – san mai damascus blade made by Cold Steel in late 80th and early 90th years of 20th century are of Hattori production and the same blade material and structure as Imperial Tai Pan?
Thank you for your feedback.
Zdenek
As far as I am aware, yes. The core steel is Aus8 forged with nicker silver in multiple layers.
Thank you, Ken. I have got this knife and the blade looks completely as the same structure as Imperial Tai Pan.
I have an early 13A Hoffritz marked. 🙂
Hey Ken,
Looking at the current tanto’s for sale, models 35xx, they have TAIWAN on the ricasso. Do you know if any of the tanto’s are still made by Hattori? The CS website does note the trail masters are “hand made in limited edition in Japan” while there is no information on where the tanto’s are made. Thanks in advance for any insight.
No Cold Steel Tantos were made by Hattori after 2015. Production was moved to Taiwan. All Taiwan made Cold Steel knives are so marked on the ricasso/blade.
Dear Ken,
Browsing through tanto’s online, I see these 3 piece sets called the Emperor Collection. They have matching serial numbers but seem to seldom be sold together lately. Sellers claim they are from the 90’s so it fits the Hattori made timeline but I’d like to know for certain where they were made. The printing does match other knives from that era and they look to have brass hardware. Stay well and thanks in advance!
-Tyler
Tyler
I can not tell you where exactly they were made. The “Imperial” models with damascus were made by Hattori.
But the plain finish EC could have been made by G.Sakai or Kinyru, in addition to Hattori, as they made knives
for Cold Steel in Seki as well.
Ken
Dear Ken
Would you know if the mini tanto and mini outdoorsman were also made by Ichiro Hattori. The blades are marked like the bigger versions and have leather sheaths.
Yours John
I have a mint condition Japanese Cold Steel VG1 tanto and a mint condition Cold Steel Japanese Tai Pan both purchased I think around 15-20 years ago. I would like to sell them, anyone know what they would be worth? Thank you!
I currently own a Cold Steel Recon Tanto in Carbon V stamped “Made in USA”. I’m not sure what year I purchased it but it was some time ago and came with a nylon sheath with both a guard and handle button strap.
Your Carbon V Recon Tanto was made by Camillus before they went under in 2007.
Good morning
I would like to buy a mini tanto 13AS or 13ASG with case and box.
can you tell me where I can find some?
Thanks
Keep an eye on ebay listings. But you need to be careful as there are quite a number of fakes.
Copy the photos and go to Bladeforums.com and the Cold Steel subforum. The members can
help identify if it’s authentic.
It is againt site rules to post a direct lik to an ebay listing, so post photos of the mini tanto
in question.
Thanks Ken. I will watch the announcements
I have an early 13A that is stamped only on one side and the sheath that came with it almost reminds you of a buck sheath due to how much wider at the top it is than the other sheaths i’ve seen. Can anybody shine any light on this
Perhaps if yopu posted some photos it would help.
Upload your photos to any free photo uploading site and
use the dirct link to your picture at the top of hte posting box.