This will be my first tanto blade folder, though I've wanted one for a long time. I resharpened and carried a friends for a couple of days, but had to give back. It was the large CRKT M-16 version, and I've wanted one ever since. I'm thinking a 15 degree principle edge and a 25 degree tip edge, in keeping with the rough use intention of the Americanized tanto tip. I know Benchmade's 154CM is a nice steel, having carried a sheepsfoot Griptillian for years now.
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Another Tanto Thread - Tanto Griptillian On The Way
- Thread starter me2
- Start date
- Joined
- May 23, 2004
- Messages
- 1,496
I like the American Tanto blade design, don't see many Tanto Grips. Have never really thought of doing different edge angles on one but I do that for my Vaquero Voyager.
Just for clarity, this is a blade replacement after some damage to my 550HG Griptillian blade. Excellent customer service from BM.
Ok, tanto Griptillian arrived today. Initial inspection is very positive. The blade is centered, smooth, a little tight but not too bad. It can still be flipped closed and open by pulling the axis bar back. BM put the clip on the right side, which I will have to fix (lefty). Looked like they let everyone at the plant inspect it before shipping. There were fingerprints and dark smears all over the blade. Nothing a good washing didn't fix.
On to the infamous Benchmade edge. I really don't see what the problem is. The edge bevels are even, straight and come in between 16 and 18 degrees per side roughly. Thickness at the top of the bevel is nice and thin. I'll get some measurements later. The sharpness is more than acceptable. It shaves, catches hair on the back of my head, push cuts paper, and whittles beard hair. Either I'm really lucky, or Benchmade's sharpening is all over the place. The only problem I've had was the 550HG blade I got was a little too steep, 22-25 degrees per side or so. However, it was sharp and even. The red class knife I got new (Pika II) had some sharpening issues, but they are discontinued. In any case, it was just a spot about 1/8 to 1/4 inch long that was uneven and dull. EDC starts tomorrow, so we'll see how it goes. I'm hoping this thing is as easy to sharpen as it looks. What could be easier than a straight, even edge, already set for the Sharpmaker.
Ok, tanto Griptillian arrived today. Initial inspection is very positive. The blade is centered, smooth, a little tight but not too bad. It can still be flipped closed and open by pulling the axis bar back. BM put the clip on the right side, which I will have to fix (lefty). Looked like they let everyone at the plant inspect it before shipping. There were fingerprints and dark smears all over the blade. Nothing a good washing didn't fix.
On to the infamous Benchmade edge. I really don't see what the problem is. The edge bevels are even, straight and come in between 16 and 18 degrees per side roughly. Thickness at the top of the bevel is nice and thin. I'll get some measurements later. The sharpness is more than acceptable. It shaves, catches hair on the back of my head, push cuts paper, and whittles beard hair. Either I'm really lucky, or Benchmade's sharpening is all over the place. The only problem I've had was the 550HG blade I got was a little too steep, 22-25 degrees per side or so. However, it was sharp and even. The red class knife I got new (Pika II) had some sharpening issues, but they are discontinued. In any case, it was just a spot about 1/8 to 1/4 inch long that was uneven and dull. EDC starts tomorrow, so we'll see how it goes. I'm hoping this thing is as easy to sharpen as it looks. What could be easier than a straight, even edge, already set for the Sharpmaker.
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Just found a great use for the tanto tip. It works great for picking splinters and slag out of my paws. The tip is nice and sharp, and, given the straight lines, I don't think it will get rounded like some other tip profiles can. It did just as good a job as my old dedicated trapper clip blade. The real test will be summer when the kids are barefoot and on the back deck.
Just saw my rebladed Griptillian has an S30V blade instead of 154CM. Never used this steel before, so this should be fun. I also gave the Grip some yard work chores, just to test the usefulness of the tanto profile. Weed cutting, limb sprout trimming, and rope cutting were all accomplished without issue. So far, I have not found a downside to the tanto profile in EDC tasks for me.