Carbon Steel Tanto Blade Blanks?

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Notchy Bob

Joined
Mar 1, 2013
Messages
4
I enjoy assembling knives on blade blanks. I just don't have the time or wherewithal to make the blades from scratch yet.

Anyway, I was never much interested in tanto-type blades until very recently. I think it might be fun to build one. However, I am a carbon steel devotee, and have been unable to locate much in the way of blade blanks.

Jantz Supply has a tanto blank, but I could not find any indication of the type of steel, even whether it is carbon steel or stainless, and at fifty bucks for a blank, I thought it rather expensive. Ancient Arms has several in damascus steel, but I don't know anything about this outfit or their products, and they are located in India. No offense to anyone with ties to that great country, but I'm not sure I want to place an order to a business that far away.

Do any of you folks know of some other options, for carbon steel tanto blanks?

Thanks in advance,

Notchy Bob
 
I 99.9% sure the one from Jantz is going to be stainless. Don't know anything about the Ancient Arms one, except that the price and the look of the pattern suggest Indian manufacture (just a guess). There are always lots of auctions at fleabay for damascus blade blanks from Pakistan or India. You could probably find numerous tanto blanks by going that route. As for pure carbon steel tanto blanks, I don't know of any. You used to be able to find Cold Steel Carbon V blanks (including their tantos) at the auction place, as well, but I think they've dried up.
 
If you're flexible enough to go with a kwaiken (I prefer them personally) Gene Martin makes some killer blanks. He's a member here and imo makes blanks for the discerning cutler.

His kwaiken comes in d2, carbon, or clay coated carbon with hamon.

http://customknife.com/index.php?cPath=6&&page=3

I'd pick up some of his wife's mosaic pins while you're at it. I'd also call to see what is available, and what your best bet is for handle material.
 
Everything Strig just said and check out his Japanese style blanks as well. I really like the aikuchi and the aforementioned kwaiken but the chisel point tanto sounds similar to what you are looking for.
 
Perrin said:
Everything Strig just said and check out his Japanese style blanks as well. I really like the aikuchi and the aforementioned kwaiken but the chisel point tanto sounds similar to what you are looking for.
Click to expand...

Does he make a tanto? Didn't know that, but I was in too much of a hurry to go through the whole catalog.

Sounds like they might be just the ticket. :)
 
Second Gene's blades. Ive gotten a couple of his blanks when I first started. Very nice blades.
 
I knew I could count on your guys. Thanks for the links, especially for the Gene Martin / Provision Forge connection. While his chisel pointed tanto is in keeping with the knife I originally had in mind, he has a lot of other nice blades from which to choose.

Much obliged,

Notchy Bob
 
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