The Kwaiken is a Tanto with a short handle and a relatively long blade. It has its origins in ancient feudal Japan where it was often carried by men and ladies of the nobility and the Samurai class. A Samurai found it useful as an easily concealed, last ditch "hideout" knife for fighting at close range, indoors, where a Katana could be unwieldy.

Its somewhat long blade made it a decent slasher and an excellent stabbing weapon as well. The Kwaiken was particularly popular with Japanese noble women, who wore it in their Obi (a heavy sash worn at the waist over a Kimono) as a means of protecting themselves. It was, more or less, the "pocket" revolver of its day.

The Cold Steel reproduction, which is based on an authentic antique Kwaiken from Cold Steel president, Lynn C. Thompson’s private collection, has a thick, narrow blade, hand forged from the finest Damascus steel. It measures almost 7" long (including the Habaki) and exhibits a slightly curved edge terminating in a lethal point.

The handle, identical to Lynn’s antique example, is fairly short and affords an astonishingly secure grip. It’s made of wood with a black lacquered finish to match the scabbard. It has a buffalo horn bolster or Fuchi and the blade is retained in the handle by the use of a traditional bamboo peg or pin.