Signature Kobun

jlauffer said:
Is it me, or does it seem strange that they would go away from the Americanized tanto tip for this when that's what Lynn is known for?

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It was designed in collaboration with LT. While I think an Americanized tanto would be more fitting, definitely, I very much like this blade shape for the kobun platform. I have/have had a number of kobuns and occasionally the tanto comes not pointy enough for my liking. I’ll edit this post if I can find a good picture of the amount of variance they can have.

This design has more penetrating capabilities. Maybe LT wanted that? Who knows.

Side note: that belt/boot clip has got to go. I just toss/replace them. Zero retention.

Edit: low quality picture of the variance in tip angle. 3rd down is my least favorite. 2nd down is pointiest, unfortunately it’s 4116 compared to the superior AUS8 of the other 3:
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jlauffer said:
Is it me, or does it seem strange that they would go away from the Americanized tanto tip for this when that's what Lynn is known for?

View attachment 2374731
Click to expand...
It seems a bit odd to me, too--kind of a Kobun Outdoorsman. I like the design and will probably buy one if they release a standard version or if these become more affordable. But a DLC blade with a steel guard and G-10 handle would have made for a much nicer Signature Edition.

jux t said:
It was designed in collaboration with LT. While I think an Americanized tanto would be more fitting, definitely, I very much like this blade shape for the kobun platform. I have/have had a number of kobuns and occasionally the tanto comes not pointy enough for my liking. I’ll edit this post if I can find a good picture of the amount of variance they can have.

This design has more penetrating capabilities. Maybe LT wanted that? Who knows.

Side note: that belt/boot clip has got to go. I just toss/replace them. Zero retention.

Edit: low quality picture of the variance in tip angle. 3rd down is my least favorite. 2nd down is pointiest, unfortunately it’s 4116 compared to the superior AUS8 of the other 3:
View attachment 2374779
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Interesting. I didn't remember a bead-blast 4116 version. Thanks for the photo of the point variations. Blade length hasn't always been exactly uniform, either--the reuslts of hand grinding, no doubt. I have a Carbon V Kobun that won't fit any other Kobun sheaths because it's about 1/8th-inch longer in the blade. Its original Kydex sheath held it too loosely for my liking, so I ended up having a custom sheath made for it.

The Kobun is still an excellent knife, no matter what directions Cold Steel has taken it over the years.


-Steve
 
Is that a "bone breaker" spine or just a trick of the light?
 
David Mary said:
Is that a "bone breaker" spine or just a trick of the light?
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It's the bonebreaker, I'm not sure if it's ground as fine as the Outdoorsman, but it's a similar grind.

I like this version. I really like the Outdoorsman, it seems to be a semi-forgotten model in the CS line up, but it's a great profile. I also like the flatness of the Kobun.

What I don't like is the price, if we see a plainer version of this model or a decent price break in a few months, I'll pick one up.
 
American tanto or not, I suspect that thing will pierce bad guy hides just as easily. Glad to see a plain edge, very nice.
 
I thought that when they had it at SHOT Show it was the Americanized style with an OD green handle. Maybe I'm remembering wrong? I like this version, but I'd prefer the OD handle with the American tanto style.
 
I just got the Signature Kobun and returned it. I never held a regular model but the blade profile and steel of the signature model attracted me. Sharp out of the box, clean cuts at 45 degree or so cuts but a little rough on fillet cuts and this was all on paper. I can make the guard flex forward but it returns back and the sheath retention was good. I may go back to it later but this particular piece wasn't for me.

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I was kind of hoping they would do an American style tanto on that too. My memory must be off, but I thought that's what they showed off at Shot Show. But I mean, this knife is still really nice.
 
I'm in doubt that some of these design decisions are really all from LCT anymore .

If that whip cane thingy was his baby ...:rolleyes: ? Not his best ever .
 
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