CRK Insingo vs. Tanto

[Joe58]

I'm gotten a little curious as of late about the Tanto blade shape, not ever really trying one for any extended length of time.

For those of you that have both, are there advantages the Tanto blade has over the Insingo?

The Insingo is a hard blade for me to pigeonhole into a particular design category as it seems to posses aspects of a wharnie, drop point, and maybe the Tanto with the way the front end is. I dunno. But it has that interesting swedge to it unlike a Tanto which is a little beefy all the way out.

Just from looking at it, it appears to me the Insingo would offer the straight edge cutting ability of a Tanto, but still giving the aspects of a spear or drop point blade a consideration. But maybe not the tip strength of the Tanto?

So after all that rambling along it seems all I'm really asking is what does a Tanto offer that other blades, like an Insingo, don't?

I have a NIB BM (I know, I'm a heathen) Mini-Barrage in Tanto that was a SFO for WARN with G10 scales. I actually bought it just for the scales but maybe I'll try it for awhile to see. I've gone back and forth moving it but tantos always sell kinda crappy so I may as well use it.

Sorry for the sidetrack in my own thread.

 

[flipe8]

After owning both(in large and small sizes), I'd say the tanto version is better for more challenging tasks. The tip on the tanto is a fair bit more stout. I think the Insingo is a better all-rounder, but the tanto is a rugged little beast. I like the secondary tip on the tantos for hard cuts on rough surfaces(think concrete floor for example), as you can apply a lot of pressure on one point but still not damage the rest of the edge or tip.

 

[VolGrad]

Good assessment by both posts so far. I had a tanto for a short time and decided for my needs it didn't offer anything extra for me I couldn't do with my Insingo or Drop Points.

I guess if you had a specific need maybe?

 

[tchapman414]

I've had both and enjoy the Tanto for sake of having two tips. The secondary tip works well for draw cuts, much as the tip of the Insingo does, but because doing such doesn't dull the primary tip, the piercing ability stays fully intact. Also, while many may use the Tanto for harder applications, the front edge works well to leave as a light duty, clean edge. As this, the longer edge is great for general use and easy sharpening, and the front edge is always a crisp razor. The angle also works well as a letter opener.

The design won't do anything extra that the other two won't; it will just do them differently. I appreciate that we have such a great selection of well-done blade styles.

 

[Joe58]

Interesting discussion from the different user view points. I'll have to ponder perhaps moving out one of my regular smalls to put towards a tanto just to check it out.

 

[kidcongo]

Of the three the Tanto has the stoutest tip by far, followed by the spear point. but no other real advantage other than it looks really cool. It is true you can find all sorts of uses for the front edge of the Tanto, but it also presents some disadvantages so I am not sure you end up much further ahead. I own all three blade shapes in the small size. When I'm not carrying the tanto I don't really miss it, however when I am used to carrying the Insingo I find myself looking for the front dropped edge of the wharncliffe shape when I switch back to the Spear Point or Tanto. That part of the blade is so functional on the Insingo. Arguably the Insingo shape is the most practical for EDC (hence its popularity) while the Spear Point is also a reasonable shape. The Tanto is more for a "knife guy" who likes to think a bit more about how he's going to cut something, can appreciate the grind, and maybe dreams of the day he's going to plunge his Sebenza through a car door (which I don't doubt it would do without issue). Yah you can scrape paint off windows with a Tanto, but is that the main thing you do with you pocket knife?.

I challenge you to walk into any jobsite, restaurant kitchen, carpet wharehouse, sailmakers, butcher shop, etc and show me a Tanto blade in use doing anything. It can be used for sure, but it's not ideal, which is why it not used in any sort of trade other than Samurai. This is also why it is the least-popular blade shape for a Sebenza.

Having said all that, the CRK Tantos are gorgeous, and I will someday buy a large to compliment my small. For the collector that Tanto is a "must have", but as your only CRK, I'd go Insingo.