drjones, what we in America call the "tanto" point is not used in Japan, as I understand it, not on knives, at least. It is used on certain varieties of swords (yes, Robert Marotz, I do remember that you have said that a tanto IS a sword by Japanese definition). It is that usage where the point has an advantage, as it can pierce armor. That is its intended purpose and that is what you should be considering it for. I remember when Cold Steel first brought out their tanto knife and they had all of these ads about how you could pierce car doors with them. I kept wondering who would want to do that as a matter of practice. There is no real purpose to a knife designed to pierce armor in this day and age, therefore there is no purpose to the American tanto point on a knife other that looking "cool" so that it appeals to young people.
My favorite points are the spear point for general utility and the clip point next, but it would be first were I to be using it for self-defense. The clip point allows for the back cut as an effective strike in a knife fight, and I have watched the Keating tapes enough to appreciate its effectiveness. The advantages of the spear point for general utility are obvious; it is strong, it is sharp for fine work, and it may be easily sharpened.