Max Knives MKO42T — Tanto automatic knife, 93 mm stainless blade

Overview

Three automatic knives share the same body in this series; the MKO42T is the one whose blade ends in a tanto point. Cut from 3 mm stainless steel, it measures 93 mm. The aluminium handle is 135 mm long and 15.20 mm thick, the knife 228 mm open, the whole thing 149 g. The pocket clip mounts on either side. Set against its two sisters, this version is the one that puts the tip first: the tip is what works here, more than the belly of the blade.

The tanto point: material where it counts

A tanto blade has no continuous curve running to the tip. Its edge runs straight, then stops at a crisp corner from which a second bevel angles up to the end: the blade finishes in two segments and a marked angle instead of a rounded sweep. The intent is structural. Because the point stays wide almost to the very end and keeps a good share of the spine thickness, there is more material behind it than behind a slender tip. This is the geometry you choose for piercing, scraping or attacking a hard material, when a sturdy beak matters more than a fine point. The straight segment of the edge, meanwhile, cuts flat, on the push.

Technical specifications

A 93 mm tanto blade in stainless steel, 3 mm thick. An aluminium handle, 135 mm long with the knife closed, 15.20 mm thick. Overall length with the blade out: 228 mm. Weight: 149 g. Opening is automatic. The pocket clip is reversible and fixes to either the right or the left of the handle.

Care

The tanto point creates two distinct areas to clean: the straight edge and the bevel rising to the tip, separated by a corner where residue catches. Run the cloth along each segment rather than across the angle. The rest takes very little: dry the stainless steel after any exposure to moisture, a soft cloth on the aluminium, and a blade channel kept clear of dust so the mechanism holds its travel. A fine oil, very lightly applied, finishes the job once or twice a season.

Legal notice. Age-restricted item (18+). In France this knife is a Category D item: legal to sell but reserved for adults, with age verification at checkout. Automatic and OTF knives are restricted or prohibited in many countries — the United Kingdom, Germany and several US states among them. It is the buyer's responsibility to check the law that applies where the order is delivered before purchasing.