Have a look at Emerson's knives

a CQC-7 or a Super-7,or any other model, but one with the wave feature (knife opens as it exits your pocket)

I edc an Emerson (cqc-7). I love it, best folder i've ever had. You can't go wrong when buying an Emerson.

Another vote for Benchmade. They make quite a selection of tanto blades. I'm not a fan of the style myself (I, too, prefer dropped point or mild clip point for general use), but I am a big fan of their Griptillians and Mini Griptillians. 154CM is a pretty good steel, and the Axis lock is extremely good. Hard to go wrong with a Benchmade.

Kevin B.

KA-Bar Mule Tanto

I edc the regular mule. You might consider this one. I am not a fan of Tanto style, but I admit they are popular.

I carried, for nearly ten years, a BM-Emerson 975. That's a folding tanto designed by Emerson with about a 4.25" blade. The steel was ATS-34 which Benchmade has replaced with 154CM.

I'm with what the others said: no more tantos for me. THe blade design is all but wasted for most chores. Each to his own....if you really like them, I'll give another vote for Benchmade or Emerson knives. BM has the Axis lock and Emerson has The Wave.

Like someone else said, don;t worry too much about the steels. I wouldn;t go so far as to say the new steels are a fad, but there really is very little practicle difference for us normal users. Still though, I really like 154CM and S30V semi-stainless.... they're easy to sharpen and tough.

A tanto blade is NOT easy to sharpen (or at least not easier than a standard drop or clip point)...unless you know some trick I'm unaware of. There are two different "knives" to sharpen in a tanto, and the edge angles are rarely the same.

Good luck

Okay, so I'm liking the Benchmade Stryker and the ColdSteel Voyager. If you chose one or the other (just personal preference), which would you choose?

P.S. - Thanks for all the input, I really appreciate it.

I've never owned a Cold Steel, but I own several Benchmades. So I'd pick the Benchmade. Not a knock on Cold Steel. I've just been very satisfied with my Benchmades.

Kevin B.

+1 for Benchmade.

The CQC-7 was the first decent folding knife I owned. And now I don't like it

I have the tanto version, and for the life of me, I can't sharpen it. I'm aware that my sharpening skills are quite limited, but I've had a much easier time sharpening other knives. I have a Commander too...you guessed it...can't sharpen that one either. Guess they just aren't my thing.

Two Emersons for sale...any takers? lol

Cold Steel makes a version of this knife...around $5-$7 iirc. Not the beauty of the wood handle, but even more affordable. Haven't gotten around to ordering one yet, but I'm reminded to do so now.