Clip point tanto?

D

DangerZone98

Joined
Dec 7, 2019
Messages
3,534
Hi folks. This is just an idea that occurred to me. Feel free to critique but let’s keep it friendly. :)

Has a clip point tanto style blade shape been done before? I imagine that it doesn’t really have any practical advantages over a tanto or clip point, but it looks like a pretty neat design for a fighting knife. I could see this working in a 4” or larger folder.

TKY0gf0.jpg
 
unwisefool said:
It would kind of defeat the purpose of a tanto's reinforced point...

Why do you think a clip point is good for fighting?
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It's honestly kind of funny that tantos are still viewed as pure weapons because of ninjas and katanas or whatever. The reality is that the tanto carries a ton of toughness and utility in most modern knives. If I ever wanted to hurt somebody with a knife (which I do not and hope I never do), I would opt for a dagger.
 
Technically not the "American Tanto" that you drew, however, the Mora Kansbol or Mora 2000 Utility is more in line with how the tip grind is above the straight grind (that and the tip grind is more exaggerated on those two Moras).

J85909266 said:
It's honestly kind of funny that tantos are still viewed as pure weapons because of ninjas and katanas or whatever. The reality is that the tanto carries a ton of toughness and utility in most modern knives.
Click to expand...

The thing is, you are absolutely correct on how useful a "tanto" shape can be or are for modern knives. So much so that Hinderer had to market his "tanto" differently by calling it a "spanto." The spanto is really just the common katana shape (or, I guess, more specifically the shinogi-zukiri style blade with that curved belly and forward yokote [the yokote is the line that delineates the tip grind from the straight grind]) placed on a drop point blade shape.

The "American Tanto" is technically the kiriha-zukiri shape that has no curvature and was not a commonly utilized shape.

Another funny thing, "tanto" is just the word for "short sword" in Japanese. Fun fact, most tantos didn't actually have the yokote that we now associate the "tanto" blade shape with.

Anyone who is much more versed than me in Japanese sword history, please correct me if I get anything wrong.
 
Spears said:
Technically not the "American Tanto" that you drew, however, the Mora Kansbol or Mora 2000 Utility is more in line with how the tip grind is above the straight grind (that and the tip grind is more exaggerated on those two Moras).



The thing is, you are absolutely correct on how useful a "tanto" shape can be or are for modern knives. So much so that Hinderer had to market his "tanto" differently by calling it a "spanto." The spanto is really just the common katana shape (or, I guess, more specifically the shinogi-zukiri style blade with that curved belly and forward yokote [the yokote is the line that delineates the tip grind from the straight grind]) placed on a drop point blade shape.

The "American Tanto" is technically the kiriha-zukiri shape that has no curvature and was not a commonly utilized shape.

Another funny thing, "tanto" is just the word for "short sword" in Japanese. Fun fact, most tantos didn't actually have the yokote that we now associate the "tanto" blade shape with.

Anyone who is much more versed than me in Japanese sword history, please correct me if I get anything wrong.
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I have a Mora Kanbol! Love that knife man.

interesting post. Yeah, the traditional Japanese tanto had a gradual curve towards the tip. The modern “reverse box cutter style” is a Western invention as far as I know. Personally, I like them both.
 
DangerZone98 said:
I have a Mora Kanbol! Love that knife man.

interesting post. Yeah, the traditional Japanese tanto had a gradual curve towards the tip. The modern “reverse box cutter style” is a Western invention as far as I know. Personally, I like them both.
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Nice! I've been meaning to get one of the nicer Moras just for the heck of it.

Regarding the "reverse box cutter style," well, that's why I mentioned the kiriha-zukiri shape; it really isn't a Western invention. I think certainly the increase in popularity of that specific style can be attributed to companies like Cold Steel. However, that kiriha-zukiri shape has been around for a while, since the 7th Century, and was apparently a shape that the Japanese learned from the Chinese.
 
Spears said:
The thing is, you are absolutely correct on how useful a "tanto" shape can be or are for modern knives. So much so that Hinderer had to market his "tanto" differently by calling it a "spanto." The spanto is really just the common katana shape (or, I guess, more specifically the shinogi-zukiri style blade with that curved belly and forward yokote [the yokote is the line that delineates the tip grind from the straight grind]) placed on a drop point blade shape.

The "American Tanto" is technically the kiriha-zukiri shape that has no curvature and was not a commonly utilized shape.

Another funny thing, "tanto" is just the word for "short sword" in Japanese. Fun fact, most tantos didn't actually have the yokote that we now associate the "tanto" blade shape with.

Anyone who is much more versed than me in Japanese sword history, please correct me if I get anything wrong.
Click to expand...

Wow, 14 years here and 149 posts? I thought my ratio was low. I'm honored.
 
Spears said:
Nice! I've been meaning to get one of the nicer Moras just for the heck of it.

Regarding the "reverse box cutter style," well, that's why I mentioned the kiriha-zukiri shape; it really isn't a Western invention. I think certainly the increase in popularity of that specific style can be attributed to companies like Cold Steel. However, that kiriha-zukiri shape has been around for a while, since the 7th Century, and was apparently a shape that the Japanese learned from the Chinese.
Click to expand...
I got the Kanbol since my local seller had a Mora sale at the time. I love the handle and blade shape.

Objectively speaking though, I don’t know if the higher price on the Kansbol is justified when you could get a Companion for cheaper. But don’t let that stop you though. I’m quite happy with the Kansbol.
 
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