A newbie's question about tanto blade

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yzhai

Joined
Nov 7, 2001
Messages
7
Just ordered my first tanto, which is spyderco's Bob Lum tanto folder. But curiously, I found that its blade, especially the part near the tip, is not very sharp. Since all other spydercos I have are razor sharp, I am wondering if that is normal for this tanto folder. If yes, who can tell me why?
Thanks a lot.
 
There's never any reason why a knife blade shouldn't be as sharp as possible, IMO. Probably you got one that just didn't get sharp enough out of the factory. If it's sharp, just not razor sharp, a little honing should fix it right up. If it's really dull, look at it umder a mag, and if the edge hasn't been fully profiled, I'd send it back and ask for a replacement.

That's just what I would do. Wait for a few more posts as I've only had one tanto and most of my Spydercos are fully serrated.

-Al-
 
All of the Spydies I've ever gotten have been shaving sharp out of the box. With that said, I think someone mentioned this about the Lum Tanto before. The reply was that the 'appleseed' grind at the front section of the tanto is different than what most are used to. While it doesn't feel as sharp it performs just as well as a sharp feeling knife of another grind. Now I don't have the Lum Tanto so I'm just telling you what I've read from spending so much damn time in the Spyderco forum here (which you might want to post this to or ask to have it moved)

Hope this helps
 
Hey yzhai-

Mine's the same way. I mean it's not completely dull or anything, but compared to the rest of the blade, it's not as sharp. I think I know what you mean.

My fellow Spyderco aficianado, TOTC, is right on the money. The grind on the Lum's tip is an appleseed grind, or as it's traditionally referred to, a "hamaguri". It's a very wide grind that slopes gradually to the edge. Because of this, the edge can only get so sharp, relatively speaking. A different grind, such as a chisel or even flat grind would tend to form a more shallow angle, and allow for even greater "sharpness". The trade off is tip strength, and tantos are known for being particularily good at penetrating and light duty prying. There are other tantos that use chisel grinds, like an Emerson, and those can get really sharp at the tip. The Lum is just different that way. It's not as good for fine tip work, but it'd be great for pounding through a car door... :D

Plus, it's the way Bob makes his custom pieces, so it follows his design. I honestly do not think it's a QC issue, but I would encourage you as TOTC suggested, to post this question in the Spyderco forum.

Firebat
 
Originally posted by Firebat
Plus, it's the way Bob makes his custom pieces, so it follows his design.
Click to expand...
In all honesty, Bob's custom pieces don't come that way. Bob had issues with the way Spyderco came up with the finished tip, but due to labor constraints, Spyderco could not get the tip into the true appleseed grind that Bob does with his customs. But as a production piece with a complex grind, they really do a bad job. For you collector's out there, there are a few Ti-Handled Spyderco's floating around with a point re-done by Bob Lum himself.
 
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