SK5 vs 1055 Tanto (and a short sword)

T

Tomahawk&Kukri

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Feb 25, 2012
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Bells start to ring, alarms go off everywhere... You hear people screaming, and you walk towards the window. All black outside, electricity down, and fires broke loose everywhere. Then you regret for the first time in your life. "I should have bought that knife".
Hello my knifeaholic friends. I would like to know which of the two would you prefer if shit go loose. Cold Steel GI tanto or KA BAR ZK Famine tanto.? I'm into tantos because for me it is the second most ridiculously easy to sharpen blade type after wharncliffes or modern reversed tantos. The design also seems to me fairly sturdy. I would also like a K-bar war sword but i saw it flex in a batoning situation, so it kind of turns me down. So what do you think will do most of the tasks given( not necessary perfect, whats the pros and cons of each of the two tantos.? Price is somewhat of a big factor here in Greece ( especially now with the "crisis").
What's the one and only.?
Thanks in advance guys...
 
I have the 1055 magnum kukri and that thing takes a beating but does not hold to much of an edge. (then again its a machete.... not a razor) Im pretty sure SK5 will do better so i would go with that.

However the kabar will have longer reach but less conceal-ability. In a crisis your best bet is to lay low and get out.

Just my 2 cents
 
Depends what's the cause of the fires.

Are they natural causes or arsen?
 
LOL. :D Ok won't be just the tanto

I'll definitly choose any fixed blade single grind tanto in case I have to pry.
Make sure it's around 6" or so I can keep it concelled easier

Also I prefer Japanese style tantos for SD (hate the american style versions. Nothing wrong, just my pref) so probably a Cold steel Master tanto.
Also make sure I have my Asp

lastly make sure I have a serrated knife incase I have to cut through things like a seat belt
 
Tomahawk&Kukri said:
So what do you think will do most of the tasks given( not necessary perfect, whats the pros and cons of each of the two tantos.?
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What tasks are you talking about? Are you in a city? In the woods? Are in in the city trying to get to the woods? Hunkered down in your home?
 
Gentlemen, imagine that this would be your last blade on earth, so in an average way it must do anything. baton, self defense, and any other survival stuff. after reeding and watching reviews i probably would go to 1055 GI tanto. it seems bulletproof. But does Famine tanto in sk5 has an ace in its sleeve to explain 20+dollars more.?
 
Gentlemen, imagine that this would be your last blade on earth, so in an average way it must do anything. baton, self defense, and any other survival stuff. after reeding and watching reviews i probably would go to 1055 GI tanto. it seems bulletproof. But does Famine tanto in sk5 has an ace in its sleeve to explain 20+dollars more.?
p.s. sorry for the bad language, i didn't know that the word s..t is forbidden.
 
The GI Tanto would do the job, not with much style or panache, but it will get you there... it has a sharp point and the swedge on the back comes to a thin edge and is capable of slicing cardboard. That swedge is just begging to be sharpened.

The only thing about it is that it does not feel totally secure in my hand. The handle is somewhat smooth and it doesn't have a bulge or anything at the back to stop your hand slipping off it. It's not too smooth, but if you get one I would suggest taking some rough sandpaper or skateboard tape or a saw and getting some more texturing on that!

No it doesn't hold an edge too well, but for your intended use I don't think it really needs to. It's a tough knife for sure. It wouldn't be my first choice but it would be a decent one.



I don't have a Famine tanto, but from the pics it looks like it has a better handle as far as retention goes. On the other hand it looks like it has less to keep your hand sliding up the blade, and if you stab something really hard, yes, a guard does help. That's why they have had guards on daggers for centuries.


If you have to choose between these two, I would say the Famine (not a fan of the zombie stuff though). It has a much thicker blade at .205" and would be a much better chopper with that curved handle and hook at the end to stop your hand falling off.

But! consider the sheaths as well, as that is a very important part if you plan to carry it. The Secure-ex sheath on the GI tanto is quite tight in my opinion and it is hard to get the knife out sometimes, but it seems like it would be better than that Kabar sheath as far as durability and not needing to undo straps.

All in all, Kabar would be better in my opinion, but the GI tanto could do the job perfectly fine as well and for half the price. I think the 1055 is tougher than the SK5, but the SK5 blade is thicker and will hold an edge better. As long as you don't do something stupid like try to baton it through a knot in wood (why baton anyways? :confused: ) or pry things with it (which could break any and any knife) either would be a decent choice (but not the best).


If it was me I would get a BK9 :D
 
Tomahawk&Kukri said:
which would you prefer if shit go loose?
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Toilet paper :cool:

LOL you have quite an imagination buddy. Since you are in Greece why don't you get a Cold Steel Spartan. That way you can tap into the spiritual influence of your Spartan heritage :D
 
I would also like a K-bar war sword but i saw it flex in a batoning situation
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I just want to say that in a situation like the one you described, you could just burn furniture from random buildings or whatever scraps of wood you pick up. Most batoning I see seems completely unnecessary, a lot of people baton on dry wood or small logs, and many times ends up in with a broken knife. I would never baton with my only knife.

:D I just couldn't help myself! All the Kabar Zombie line seem designed to kill zombies. An actualy sword should have some flex to it anyhow.
 
retzius said:
Toilet paper :cool:

LOL you have quite an imagination buddy. Since you are in Greece why don't you get a Cold Steel Spartan. That way you can tap into the spiritual influence of your Spartan heritage :D
Click to expand...

Retzius, i dont want a folder, but a chubby slab of steel.... in this situation my folder choice would go to my Chinese Tank aka Enlan EL-01. Thank for the imagination, trying to do my best :)
 
Goosey said:
The GI Tanto would do the job, not with much style or panache, but it will get you there... it has a sharp point and the swedge on the back comes to a thin edge and is capable of slicing cardboard. That swedge is just begging to be sharpened.

The only thing about it is that it does not feel totally secure in my hand. The handle is somewhat smooth and it doesn't have a bulge or anything at the back to stop your hand slipping off it. It's not too smooth, but if you get one I would suggest taking some rough sandpaper or skateboard tape or a saw and getting some more texturing on that!

No it doesn't hold an edge too well, but for your intended use I don't think it really needs to. It's a tough knife for sure. It wouldn't be my first choice but it would be a decent one.



I don't have a Famine tanto, but from the pics it looks like it has a better handle as far as retention goes. On the other hand it looks like it has less to keep your hand sliding up the blade, and if you stab something really hard, yes, a guard does help. That's why they have had guards on daggers for centuries.


If you have to choose between these two, I would say the Famine (not a fan of the zombie stuff though). It has a much thicker blade at .205" and would be a much better chopper with that curved handle and hook at the end to stop your hand falling off.

But! consider the sheaths as well, as that is a very important part if you plan to carry it. The Secure-ex sheath on the GI tanto is quite tight in my opinion and it is hard to get the knife out sometimes, but it seems like it would be better than that Kabar sheath as far as durability and not needing to undo straps.

All in all, Kabar would be better in my opinion, but the GI tanto could do the job perfectly fine as well and for half the price. I think the 1055 is tougher than the SK5, but the SK5 blade is thicker and will hold an edge better. As long as you don't do something stupid like try to baton it through a knot in wood (why baton anyways? :confused: ) or pry things with it (which could break any and any knife) either would be a decent choice (but not the best).


If it was me I would get a BK9 :D
Click to expand...

I also asked from santa a BK9 but here it costs as (GI Tanto+Famine tanto)*2 :)
 
I'd say for one of the items, pick up the CS Gladius machete or any of their other machetes that strikes your fancy. Also, I have beat the crap out of my Bushman and it has held up fine. If you can shell out ~60 bucks you can pick up the Recon Tanto or SRK.

Are things really that close to the edge in Greece? What are Greece's gun laws like?
 
Tomahawk&Kukri said:
Retzius, i dont want a folder, but a chubby slab of steel....
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If you don't mind me asking, what are you planning on doing during this apocalypse with a "chubby slab of steel"? If you want to smash, break, and pry, maybe a prybar or demolition tool like a Stanley FUBAR might be the thing you are looking for.

If this is some "you can only have one blade" scenario....I'd want my blade to cut things really well. Chubby slabs of steel don't do that. I'd leave the bashing and smashing for found objects like rocks.
 
Tomahawk&Kukri said:
I also asked from santa a BK9 but here it costs as (GI Tanto+Famine tanto)*2 :)
Click to expand...

Ouch.

Well I would go with the Kabar for a "fighting" knife, and the GI Tanto for general use... if money is an issue just get the GI and texture the handle a bit.

PRBKG.jpg
 
res1cue said:
I'd say for one of the items, pick up the CS Gladius machete or any of their other machetes that strikes your fancy. Also, I have beat the crap out of my Bushman and it has held up fine. If you can shell out ~60 bucks you can pick up the Recon Tanto or SRK.

Are things really that close to the edge in Greece? What are Greece's gun laws like?
Click to expand...

res1cue, already have a kabar kukri but thanks for the advise (awesome, awesome chopper, took down tree, not kidding).
The knife laws in Greece say that all knifes are prohibited weapons, except those that you can explain their usage, hunting, kitchen, for your profession and that stuff. But Greece my friend is a very, and i mean very knife-phobic country, and with every knife you get strange looks, like you are criminal. Except from that, most of the officers don't know the laws, and the take you in if the knife is "larger than a palm". Yeah right, mine or yours. Let's stay on topic, things are pretty fluid here, so i always carry i nice faux leather pouch with a spoon and a fork to add to my justification in "What do you need the knife kid.?" "Officer, first i am a sir, and second i need it to eat"( :) this is true, i eat in my college restaurant, how do you call it there.?) some times i even bring an orange or an apple to peel...
 
marcinek said:
If you don't mind me asking, what are you planning on doing during this apocalypse with a "chubby slab of steel"? If you want to smash, break, and pry, maybe a prybar or demolition tool like a Stanley FUBAR might be the thing you are looking for.

If this is some "you can only have one blade" scenario....I'd want my blade to cut things really well. Chubby slabs of steel don't do that. I'd leave the bashing and smashing for found objects like rocks.
Click to expand...

My friend i think you miss understood me. By chubby slab of steel( in this case) i meant enduring and tough, strong knife, not to brake easily, or bend permanently. And i like my knives razor sharp too ( my axes also).
 
The GI Tanto is a crazy tough knife for the price.

I have used mine mainly for throwing for several years. If you want to try and break a knife, throwing would be the way.

No issues with the GI tanto.

I have used knives costing tons more. I own a double handful of Busse knives. For Tough and Cheap, I still recommend the GI tanto.

It won't be the most convenient buscraft, or outdoors knife. But in that size range, and looking for "less expensive" it is tough to beat. If they made it in a normal spear point, or clip point, I would buy another, even though I can't break the one I have.
 
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