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Throwing, bushcraft, fishing – this knife’s 1055 carbon steel blade can withstand all of that!
This is the Ultimate Bug-Out Bill Review of the Cold Steel 9733 80PGTK GI Tanto 7… Our Top Pick always goes to products that excel in a particular area, even if they don’t perform well in others. In this case, Cold Steel 9733 80PGTK GI Tanto 7 fits that bill, providing one of the best blade steel of any of the knives in its class. Let’s take a look at:-
- The details about this Cold Steel tactical knife that makes it our Top Pick;
- Its best and most unique features and where it needs improvement;
- Its scores for each metric and how we judged it;
- What other uses this product has besides knife throwing; and
- Lots more…
Cold Steel 9733 80PGTK GI Tanto 7 – Review
Table Of Contents
Table of Contents
Recent posts
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Top Pick Award
Cold Steel 9733 80PGTK GI Tanto 7
- Manufacturer: Cold Steel
- Type: Full-tang; Handle-heavy
- Dimensions: 12 x 2 x 2 inches
- Weight: 16 oz
- Blade Material: Polypropylene
- Weight/Length Ratio: 1.3 oz/inch
Bottom Line: The right-sized and weighted knife to use for a war club.
Pros
- With anti-rust coating
- Durable
- With durable Kydex sheath
Cons
- Expensive
- Not beginner-friendly
Our Verdict: Cold Steel 9733 80PGTK GI Tanto 7
The Cold Steel 9733 80PGTK GI Tanto 7 fixed-blade knife is a no-nonsense tactical knife of 1055 carbon steel.
Its overall length is 12 inches, and its weight is 16 oz. This one is a bit heavy compared to other throwing knives on this list. That’s why we think it’s a great knife to use as a war club or spear!
That means…
It’s not just for competitive knife throwing. It will also be useful in a self-defense situation and other practical uses.
You’ll be surprised how its heavy and balanced feel makes it perfect for experienced knife throwers. Beginners usually prefer lighter knives, but once you get the hang of the sport, you’ll find that a heavy knife like this is thrown easily.
But what makes it our Top Pick?
This tactical knife’s blade material is 1055 carbon steel. It’s ground razor sharp and has a black rust-resistant finish.
It was a bit expensive. But this Cold Steel tactical knife has a strong and sharp blade.
That’s where its great value comes from.
Aside from that…
It comes with a sturdy Secure-Ex sheath that houses the blade securely when not in use. So it’s worth the price!
More details about this tactical knife are coming up as we go through each metric…
Our Analysis. Comparisons & Test Results
Value of Money
To be honest…
Other knives on the market cost a lot less than Cold Steel products like this. Often, they come in sets of three, six, eight, or ten.
But this no-nonsense tactical knife comes alone except for the sturdy Secure-Ex sheath.
Still…
We consider this a great-value purchase! There are several reasons for that.
There’s the great blade, razor-sharp edge, black rust-resistant finish, heavy and balanced feel, and versatile overall design.
All of those…
Make this knife one of the best quality products we’ve ever seen, bought, and tried.
It will withstand all the abuse of throwing and day-to-day use. Surely, this knife will last long, so every penny spent on it will be worth it!
Value for Money Rating
Smith & Wesson Bullseye Throwing Knives
Perfect Point RC-1793B Set
Perfect Point PAK-712-12 Set
Cold Steel 9733 80PGTK GI Tanto 7
SOG Throwing Knives
Cold Steel Perfect Balance Thrower
SZCO Supplies 10” Heavy Balanced
Expendables Kunai 3 Piece Thrower Set
Magnum Bailey Mini Bo-Kri Knife
Cold Steel Pro Balance Thrower
Balance
This knife’s overall length is 12 inches, while the blade length is 7 inches. It’s handle-heavy, which means that the weight leans more to the handle than the blade.
But despite that…
Even though it’s war club-heavy (16 ounces), it’s still wonderfully balanced.
If you’re experienced in this sport, you’ll find that this knife’s weight to length ratio allows it to be thrown easily.
Once you get used to it…
You’ll find that heavy knives like these give room for more throwing adjustments.
You can try holding the knife at the blade as you throw it – most throwers prefer doing that when the knife is handle-heavy. And whether you’re a no-spin, full-spin, or half-spin person, you’ll easily get the hang of this knife.
Aside from an easy throw, it’s also easy to hit the target with this one.
Balance Rating
Perfect Point RC-1793B
Smith & Wesson Bullseye Throwing Knives
Cold Steel 9733 80PGTK GI Tanto 7
Perfect Point PAK-712-12
Expendables Kunai 3 Piece Thrower Set
SOG Throwing Knives
SZCO Supplies 10” Heavy Balanced
Cold Steel Perfect Balance Thrower
Magnum Bailey Mini Bo-Kri Knife
Cold Steel Pro Balance Thrower
Steel Quality
This Cold Steel tactical knife features a 1055 carbon steel blade material. It’s a full-tang knife, so it’s heavy but very sturdy.
At first glance…
You can see that it’s well-ground and expensively made.
The blade proved to be tough when we tried hitting different targets. There was poplar, palm, pine, etc., and none of those were able to break the knife’s tip.
The scratches only came from when we couldn’t hit the targets, and instead, the knife bounced to cement walls.
And…
The real test came when we tried the knife on some camping chores, and it kept up so well. Splitting and shaving wood, batoning, starting a fire, etc. – this knife did all those and didn’t get any damage.
But carbon steel is not known for its rust resistance.
Surprisingly…
You can expose it to Mother Nature all you want – its black rust-resistant finish is enough to prevent any damage to its strong and sharp blade.
We tried it out with food preparation at camp. We took it fishing and used it to clean our catch. And the knife remained intact and rust-free.
That’s even more than the quality we expected from the price!
Steel Quality Rating
Smith & Wesson Bullseye Throwing Knives
Cold Steel 9733 80PGTK GI Tanto 7
Expendables Kunai 3 Piece Thrower Set
Perfect Point RC-1793B
Magnum Bailey Mini Bo-Kri Knife
Cold Steel Pro Balance Thrower
Perfect Point PAK-712-12
SOG Throwing Knives
Cold Steel Perfect Balance Thrower
SZCO Supplies 10” Heavy Balanced
Blade Sharpness
The knife blade already had a razor-sharp edge when we took it out from the box. There was no need to hone it before trying it out on our targets.
And once the tip hits the softwood, it sticks and stays there. The blade dives in deep with the right throw and won’t fall off.
Aside from that…
When it comes to camping and bushcraft tasks, this knife is reliable too.
After passing the paper test with flying colors, we tested it with rope and other materials. It easily cut any textile and glided through wood like skates on ice.
Also…
We tried skinning meat and fish with this knife – just to know if it works. And it does! So we went on chopping, slicing, and cutting our game and catch.
And on top of that…
This knife has excellent edge retention. It took us several practice throwing sessions and camping chores before we could hone it.
And most of the time, we just sharpened it for good measure.
Blade Sharpness Rating
Smith & Wesson Bullseye Throwing Knives
Perfect Point RC-1793B
Cold Steel 9733 80PGTK GI Tanto 7
Perfect Point PAK-712-12
Expendables Kunai 3 Piece Thrower Set
SOG Throwing Knives
Cold Steel Perfect Balance Thrower
Cold Steel Pro Balance Thrower
SZCO Supplies 10” Heavy Balanced
Magnum Bailey Mini Bo-Kri Knife
Versatility
Because of this knife’s durability, toughness, and good quality overall build – there are multiple uses for it!
It’s great as a throwing knife.
But it’s also perfect for practical uses like batoning, splitting and shaving wood, etc.
You can even use it in a self-defense situation as a weapon. It’s war club-heavy, so you can use it as is. But if you’re up to it, you can fancy it into a spear to protect yourself.
When it comes to the sport…
You can throw it using either the blade or the handle, and with any spin technique you’re used to.
And because of its balance, feel free to explore with throwing adjustments. Surely, you’ll find what works best for you.
Overall…
There’s no need to worry about either the blade or the handle material – even the Secure-Ex sheath.
They’re all strong enough to withstand all the abuse you hurl at them!
Versatility Rating
Smith & Wesson Bullseye Throwing Knives
Perfect Point RC-1793B Set
Cold Steel 9733 80PGTK GI Tanto 7
Perfect Point PAK-712-12
Expendables Kunai 3 Piece Thrower Set
SOG Throwing Knives
Cold Steel Perfect Balance Thrower
SZCO Supplies 10” Heavy Balanced Throwing Knife Set
Magnum Bailey Mini Bo-Kri Knife
Cold Steel Pro Balance Thrower
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is this a full-tang blade?
A - Yes, it’s a full-tang knife.
Question 2: Does this have a 90-degree spine, or is it rounded?
A - This knife has a 90-degree spine.
Question 3: Will it rust easily?
A - This knife’s 1055 carbon steel blade has a black rust-resistant finish which delays corrosion even after exposure to moisture and sunlight. But for good measure, you can wipe a thin layer of oil over the blade to prep it.
Question 4: Is the weight Blade Heavy, Handle Heavy, or Balanced?
A - The knife is handle-heavy yet still wonderfully balanced.
Our Final Verdict: Cold Steel 9733 80PGTK GI Tanto 7
When it comes to steel quality, nothing beats our Top Pick Cold Steel 9733 80PGTK GI Tanto 7 tactical knife!
If that’s what you’re looking for…
Look no further. Cold Steel gives you this durable 1055 carbon steel blade, ground razor-sharp, well-balanced, and a Secure-Ex sheath to store the blade securely.
If you’ve just started getting into knife throwing, you might want a lighter one than this.
But it’s more than just a throwing knife.
It can be a war club, a spear, a bushcraft knife, or a camping knife. Whatever you want to do with it, this Cold Steel tactical knife can handle it!
Our Final Verdict: Cold Steel 9733 80PGTK GI Tanto 7
Smith & Wesson Bullseye Throwing Knives
Perfect Point RC-1793B Throwing Knife Set
Cold Steel 9733 80PGTK GI Tanto 7
Perfect Point PAK-712-12 Throwing Knife Set
Expendables Kunai 3 Piece Thrower Set
SOG Throwing Knives
Cold Steel Perfect Balance Thrower
SZCO Supplies 10” Heavy Balanced Throwing Knife Set
Magnum Bailey Mini Bo-Kri Knife
Cold Steel Pro Balance Thrower
Conclusion: Cold Steel 9733 80PGTK GI Tanto 7
Who wouldn’t like a no-nonsense tactical knife?
You’ll have exactly that with Cold Steel 9733 80PGTK GI Tanto 7! It’s our Top Pick for the best reasons.
Especially…
Its 1055 carbon steel blade is like no other. It may cost more than what you’ll expect from a fixed-blade knife, but you’ll find it’s worth every penny.
There’s durability, balance, and versatility in one package.
What else can you ask for?
Other Versions:
Unlike other Cold Steel products, the Cold Steel 9733 800PGTK GI Tanto 7 has a polypropylene handle.
You may like…
The Mini Blades – there’s a round-shaped one and a spike.
They also offer light, medium, and heavy Sure Strike throwing stars. Some minimalistic designs include the Mini Flight Sport, Sure Flight Sport, and Jack Dagger Thrower.
And if you’re into uniquely shaped blades, the La Fontaine Thrower might entice you. It has this sophisticated look that would level up your game.
You do you!
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About Author
Bug Out Bill is an adventurer and survivor through and through. From the time he was just a little boy (Bug Out Willie) running and jumping through the backwoods of the rocky mountains in Colorado, to the man he is today. Backpacking through South America, scaling two 26,000+ ft peaks, sailing across the Mediterranean, surviving a near death 50 foot fall with very little food while waiting 6 days to be rescued in the wilderness, and everything in between. No wonder he wants to Bug Out, hahaha. BO Bill is truly a passionate outdoorsman when it comes to living life to the fullest with no boundaries. The way we were meant to live and survive. He shares that passion here with you in his writing and sharing. We hope you enjoy your stay at the Bug Out Bill website. . . Now Bug Out!
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