Cold Steel Shanghai Shadow Knife with Secure-Ex Sheath

Knife seems ok. It's huge. Steel is easy to sharpen and that inexpensive but good steel is why this was just $27.95. It isn't too comfortable in the hand. Grip has some hot spots but you can sand those down if you like. The grip will accommodate a big hand. I have big hands and there's room to spare so if you like wearing gloves this grip would work well. BTW, the grip panels are easily removed so you can easily modify them. The sheath is the familiar Cold Steel friction fit Secure Ex type - functional but not concealable unless you have a long long shirt or coat. Really, this knife type goes hand in hand with concealment but sometimes that isn't legal, but there it is - a fact. The grinds look good and even. The ring is nice since it serves to keep it the knife in your hand or on your trigger finger while you work without putting the knife down. So this is a fighting (defense) knife design and a unique one too since the blade is unspeakably wide. Not a "bushcraft" knife. I do like the double edge because you have twice the edge life in two edges. You can work one hard and retain the other as a nice sharp option. It isn't a good hunting knife either but again, it's a defense knife, and a formidable one. Really would be nice in a upside down rig or crossdraw sheath. Would make a nice spearhead too in a pinch. The ring would make this a great boat knife if it were stainless. Amazing deal on good plain steel. The design is awesome - way outside the box thinking in that respect. Probably a Lynn Thompson design cause he's a genius weapon designer in my opinion. Really admire that guy. Maybe the worst thing about this knife is that it somehow doesn't make you want to fondle it. It just doesn't call out to the hand in that respect. I think a great tool is one you just love to touch. You touch it a lot and you get adept with it. Maybe I can sand the grip or alter it to become that but really some wraps of hockey stick tape might be best. Worthy knife. Big time. Buy it before it's dropped from the line. One other thing is that this knife is very distinctive. Few if any knives have its outline and that can attract attention for good or bad.

First, a word to the wise.Do not throw this at metal.I had set my throwing knife target against a metal rod for support and on my first throw I missed the target and stuck it right into the rod. I was and am very impressed with the fact that it was sharp enough to stick in a steel rod like that but I'm just a tad disappointed that my brand new knife now has a slightly dented tip. When I pulled it out of the rod the tip had bent at an angle but I straightened it out with a vice grip. You can still plainly see the damage but the functionality of the knife is still fine. That said, I am certain that I am the one of the most hard to please knife owners out there. I have wasted my money on countless knives for years. I am in constant search for the perfect knife.It has to be throwable, big, durable, tactical, and preferably legal.I've tried different types of steel and different brands and none have lived up to my expectations.Then I opened the box that this one came in. I am convinced that this is the perfect knife. It's huge, easily thrown, very durable, tactical, and in the state of kansas, legal. For the price I am stunned. The sheath is exactly what I expect from a tactical and durable sheath, the knife is a beauty!The only two negatives I can think of are that the steel will rust unless maintained and the ring is just a little big for my fingers. Other than that, as soon as I need it, I'm going to buy another and you'd do very well to get one for anyone that likes throwing, tactical, or even hunting knives. A very good deal!!

To be honest, I know nothing of martial arts, combat, or blade sparring. I am an intermediate level knife thrower, who some dub "Circus throwers" since there is much less of an element of danger and it is more for amusement. That being said, I can see how this knife can be useful for self defense, but that is not why I purchased it (or the second one).This knife has serious potential for those who want to throw. I can't say I've thrown Kunai, so i can't compare to grip too well. I believe the ring is quite a great deal larger than the standard kunai ring, and the first few throws you'll think it's the most annoying addition ever. I found that gripping the knife primarily by the rounded end, with only my thumb and index finger on the handle gave me the most power, distance and accuracy. This blade really is very durable and can stand up to some serious punishment. The handle will chip in small places, but even when mine was hit against metal it didn't shatter or disfigure.So, you'll have to adjust your throwing style slightly to get used to this knife...The blade (atleast for me) is best thrown using primarily the arm, and staying in an upright position. Experts feel free to correct me, but I sink 9/10 throws using this method. Yes it's a change, but it's worth it. The satisfying "THUNK!" the reverberating thin blade still quivering from the blow as you walk towards the target to receive it... It really is a lot of fun! If you do somehow manage to damage it (I flattened a point on a pine knot) You can easily sharpen this back to it's original state in no time at all and enjoy throwing without a lot of work. I use a mill file, diamond sharpening rod, pull-through sharpeners and ceramic rods on hand to take care of my throwers.Although I know nothing of martial arts, I can understand the other reviews - I just wanted to point out that this is a very fun and effective throwing knife if you give it a little time! A 2.5 Alan wrench is used to tighten the bolts if they ever come lose from a nasty blow, by the way.