Cold Steel Black Talon ll 4" S35VN Razor-Sharp Blade 5.5" G-10 Handle Tactical Folding Knife w/Tri-Ad Lock, Ambidextrous Pocket/Belt Clip

I deliberately purchased the serrated version and the knife is solely EDC for personal protection. When I say this thing is dangerous, what I mean is that it cuts so aggressively you MUST be careful with it or else you're going to be bleeding all over everything. I'd never recommend a serrated edge for a utility knife as they're impossible for most people to resharpen without ruining the points of the serrations. It can be done but it's a huge pain in the neck. As it stands, if some fool tries to rob me every time I hit him with this blade, a piece of him is coming off. This is the most aggressively-cutting blade I've ever owned in five decades of using and training with knives.That's exactly why I bought it. That and just the sight of the blade would make anyone but a total fool reluctant to proceed with his attack.As far as the quality of the knife, well it's the same high quality I've come to expect since I bought my first Cold Steel knife in 1983. I've owned dozens of them. And this one is (again) viciously sharp and extremely strong when locked open like every other CS folder I have now or have ever owned. It locks like a bank vault. What you can't really get from looking at the pictures is how thin, light, and handy this knife is. Despite its considerable size it sits flat in the pocket with an almost imperceptible weight. This could easily have been a knife that was constantly trying to pull your pants down, as are some other robust folders I own. But it's not a chore to carry at all. I even carry it in the pocket of my exercise pants when I'm working out or walking or jogging and never even notice it.The only feature I don't especially care for is the feature that essentially duplicates the function of the Emerson Wave, a patented feature that allows you to draw and open a folder with one hand, all in the same motion. Essentially, a hook on the top of the blade that you can snag on the opening of your pocket and rapidly snap the knife open. CS has made an apparent end-run around Emerson's patents by having the thumb opening plate a little longer than otherwise necessary, creating an overhang that functionally duplicates the Emerson wave hook on top of the blade. It works extremely well. So well that more than once I've accidentally snapped the knife open without intending to, just by drawing it from my pocket. One of those times I ended up bleeding all over the place.I didn't mind so much as it pleases me that this thing cuts so aggressively. If you so much as touch the serrated edge with even the slightest pressure, you're going to be bleeding. It's a hazard but then, like I said the reason I carry it is because you could carve steaks off of an attacker with little effort. It is worth the risk. All I did is slightly alter the way I draw the knife from my pocket, then practice a little, and i have not inadvertently opened the knife since.If you want something that cuts meat like a piranha then this CS blade is for you. If you ever have to use it to defend yourself at the end it's going to look like a scene from a horror movie, but most or all of the blood will be from the attacker, not you. Just make damn sure you know what you're getting into if you buy it and carry it.I have over fifty folders, including expensive Spydercos and Benchmades and others, plus at least twenty from Cold Steel. Of all of them this is the one I carry for personal defense. And I know without doubt that if I ever have to use it, it's going to eat meat ferociously. Why on earth would I want to carry something _less_ dangerous if it's my safety and life I'm trying to protect?

I always wanted this knife and now I have it. Great for the collection. Feels amazing in the hand.

I have officially become a cold steel fan !!! This is one wicked self defense knife , it came very sharp , it seems very well made . I would not hesitate to recommend this knife to a friend . IT IS BIG IN SIZE AND MAKES A LARGE BULDE IN THE POCKET !!!!!!!!!

Be very careful this blade will cut.

Very well made! Sharp as a razor. Conceals well.

It’s a tactical defensive knife; it’s a specialized design to have a dedicated defensive use. It is still a knife and cuts but it won’t be good for many tasks but it will exceed in splitting an assailant in half. The pros: really slim profile for its size, the weight is moderate for being a large blade. Liner-less strong g10 scales. Good steel s35vn. Great triad lock proven solid and almost indestructible. Moderate grippy g10 not smooth but not rough. Strong pocket clip. Great ergonomics. The cons: you have to watch your fingers with this one; that tip will get you if you are not careful. This knife is very very very sharp it’s a chisel grind bevel. Sharpening it is not a simple task you will need a small round ceramic rod or diamond rod and patience it has a learning curve no pun intended. It would get 5 stars but the risky opening and closing of the knife takes away from it.

This is a very nice knife. It’s light and nimble but extremely sturdy. The blade came scary sharp. I definitely wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of this thing. As a lefty, I love that’s it’s actually ambidextrous. My favorite knife is my Cold Steel Tai Pan, but this knife is now my close second.

When I (and others) say: this knife is insanely /psychotically / massively sharp blade, believe it.The tip is Needle sharp. The edge carves through light material so effortlessly, you'll do a double take to see whether you're cutting anything or just waving the blade through the air.The thin g10 handles are the most comfortable, satisfying to-the-touch G10 I've felt since Spyderco’s Golden Colorado G10 (on the likes of the military and para-military). Its light weight, but firm handles.Despite the blade length, i’ll probably only use it for light EDC. I'm not concerned with self defense, and the tip is probably too delicate for cutting into anything too robust (more than a couple of times anyway).Another person commented on the tip sticking out the end and cutting themselves. I've included a picture of the tip extended out when I push open the blade. There seems to be decent blade retention, and I can't easily replicate this push out while the knife is in my pocket.