Okay, grab some popcorn, this might be long
Starting off with what I don't like:
Dagger: The dagger's strengths are penetration ability and point control. Other than the niche use of stabbing, there's not much to recommend it. The lack of a belly makes it not as useful for utility work, and the mid-grind keeps the edge thicker and lower-performance.
Tanto: The tanto's strength is its strong point. Other than that, I see only weaknesses. The high point is difficult to control. The reinforced point is not good for penetration. [Note: That is a very important point, people see the tanto going through a car door and think it is good at penetration. A thick reinforced point is actually the absolute worst at penetration. The tanto point is strong, but is not a great penetrater -- look at a dagger's point or even a clip point if you want to see what a good-penetrating point looks like.] The lack of a belly makes the tanto questionable for slashing, field dressing, and much utility work. And since great point strength can be achieved through proper steel selection or with a drop point blade, I don't see the tanto as anything but a niche format at best.
In summary: bad penetration, bad point control, no belly, but strong point.
Now what I like is:
Drop point & clip point: These two formats share some strengths. The lowered point is easy to control. Plenty of belly makes it an excellent choice for everything from field dressing to general utility work to slashing. For maximum point strength we can go with a drop point. For maximum penetration we can go with a deep concave clip point. To split the middle we can go with a straight clip.
My fave overall format is a long straight clip, which leaves the point very sharp. I like there to be plenty of belly, but not so much that the point's sharpness is too badly compromised. Other blade format features I like are a positive included angle, but no recurve. Full flat grind.
Joe
jat@cup.hp.com
[This message has been edited by Joe Talmadge (edited 31 January 1999).]