TST-1

Our Tactical Service Tanto series puts several new twists on a thousand year old design from Japan. The TST-1 redefines the small Tanto design, so specialized for piercing, by complimenting the tip with a recurve blade. The recurve aids in slashing and chopping and forward rake opens new doors of use when reverse gripped. The TST-1 is a hybrid specialized knife design that translates intuitively in the hands of Westerners due to its coaxial grip and tip — the tip is in line with the grip of the hand, as with most knives in the West.

The Medford TST-1 was introduced by Medford Knife & Tool as a tactical fixed blade, though its exact launch year is not precisely documented across all sources. It was available through various retailers, including Blade HQ, Wild About Sporting Goods, and Atlantic Knife. The model featured different configurations, notably varying blade lengths (4.25" and 5.25") and finishes (satin and NP3/PVD black). Pricing at launch is not consistently available, but some listings indicate a price point around $400. The TST-1 has since been discontinued, with multiple retailers listing it as "Archived" or "Out of Stock." Its production likely spanned a few years, with evidence suggesting availability around 2014 to 2017, before being phased out.