I've been reading a lot about how Tanto blades are only for fighting and stabbing, oppose to a drop point which is made for utilitarian uses. I wonder... Is there really that much of a difference between the two styles when it comes to using a blade out in the woods? And i'm sure that it ever becomes a need to use a blade in a SD situation either one will suffice.....unless a bear attacks you, then you're SOL! Tell me what your opinion is.
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Do Tanto style blades really affect performance?
- Thread starter Bomba07
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Tanto blades give more tip strength for stabbing things....like cold steel uses for car hoods. haha
not quite as utilitarian in my opinion.
not quite as utilitarian in my opinion.
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Probably, but there are so many variations in "tanto" blades out there, so it will depend on what particular knife you are using. For example, the CRKT triumph, SOG vulcan, and Recon 1 (2010 version) are vastly different
I concur
The shape, or profile, of a blade matters (as does the blade's geometry).
That's why there are blades with different shapes. Well-designed knives are designed the way they are for a reason. Knife design involves thought and skill. They don't throw stuff together willy-nilly just because it looks cool.
Well....sometimes they do, but that's another thread entirely.
The original tanto was a sword. They didn't design it to be an outdoors utility blade. They designed it to hurt people with
Loveless didn't design the drop point to to hurt people with. He designed it as an outdoors utility blade.
That's why there are blades with different shapes. Well-designed knives are designed the way they are for a reason. Knife design involves thought and skill. They don't throw stuff together willy-nilly just because it looks cool.
Well....sometimes they do, but that's another thread entirely.
The original tanto was a sword. They didn't design it to be an outdoors utility blade. They designed it to hurt people with
Loveless didn't design the drop point to to hurt people with. He designed it as an outdoors utility blade.
So if a bear attacks you the shape of the blade would not matter. But if a car - tanto will have certain advantages. Not that it would affect your survival chances...
And as far as I know it is a different blade shape - not the American Tanto we are probably talking about.
So could it be the one designed to look cool?
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Make sure you check out the "reverse Tanto" like the Benchmade 950 Rift. With the Tanto reversed. or on the top, it still maintains the usefulness of the drop point style cutting edge while also getting the thicker and stronger point of the Tanto. By the way, the 950 Rift is possibly the best folding knife ever made, it puts all my other knives in the drawer and stays in my pocket 24/7.
And as far as I know it is a different blade shape - not the American Tanto we are probably talking about.
So could it be the one designed to look cool?
Excellent point. That's why I wrote "original tanto." The Cold Steel/Americanized tanto? What was that designed for? I ain't opening that can o' worms.
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Tantos suck for skinning. You really need a curved blade for that.
IMO the only thing about Tantos is that to some folks, they look cool and aggressive. They look neither to me.
I have a Cold Steel Gunsite II that I keep by my front door as a self defense tool. Never had to use it as such, but did find that the tanto tip was great for scraping gunk off of surfaces, push cutting and some light prying. Instead of thinking of it as a "Tanto " point, think of it as an "Angled Chisel" point - and that will open up possibilities on the usefulness of such a shape.
Esav Benyamin
MidniteSuperMod
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Keep in mind, tanto only refers to the profile. Some tantos are chisel ground, many are not. That makes as much difference in use as the angled tip.
True. Compare it to a Graham Razel, sort of a tanto with a vertical point.
True. Compare it to a Graham Razel, sort of a tanto with a vertical point.
Funny you should say that - my EDC is a Graham Stubby Razel! Very useful shape
Original tanto was not a sword, it is a knife size.
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I've used this one since 1995 with not a single issue or failure. The strengths in design are great penetration, great draw cutting and the sharpened chisel tip comes in handy for scrapping.
The Americanized Tanto is a great design on par with the clip point for the amount of jobs it can do well.
The bottom line is that yes, Tantos were designed for stabbing, and yes, you CAN use them in the woods. I think that sometimes we get too hung up on blade shape, profiles, grinds and geometry. If it's sharp and can cut, then use it wherever you like!
I've used a tanto blade to whittle linked chains out of wood, a sheepsfoot to carve a spoon, and my go-to knife is basically a sharpened chisel. For the most part, you can do just about anything with any knife. Just try them all out and see what works best for you!
I've used a tanto blade to whittle linked chains out of wood, a sheepsfoot to carve a spoon, and my go-to knife is basically a sharpened chisel. For the most part, you can do just about anything with any knife. Just try them all out and see what works best for you!
Fine. You win. The original tanto was "knife size" (and the sword sized one with the same profile was called something else).
But that's not the point. Was the original tanto an outdoors utility knife or was it for hurting people with?
I think that we get hung up on blade shape, profiles, grinds and geometry because we are experienced and sophisticated knife users who want to use the best performing knife possible for the task we are doing.
If we just thought "If it's sharp and can cut, then use it wherever you like" we wouldn't be here talking about knives, would we? We'd be buying knives from the gas station and from late night TV.
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eh, they aren't the best tool to cut with IMO. Where I like to draw cut is right where the secondary "point" is, it doesn't put a whole lot of edge into the material. They certainly are easy to sharpen though and I carry one when I'm walking my dogs or riding my bike. For me its (5" Gunsite) primary role would be last ditch offensive weapon.
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Agreed. As people who are into knives, we should really focus on "reading" the intent of the knife designer.. and that goes beyond blade geometry, to include steels, grinds, edge geometry, grip, and every single detail that goes on the knife.
To me, a mark of a good knife is one in which all of the tiny features all point to the same functional purpose, then it is a well-designed and well thought out knife. It is fascinating to see many renowned companies churn out knives that have features that contradict each other
Hahaha! Agreed
I just wanted the OP to know that he can take a tanto into the woods if he wants, and the knife will still function. May not be the perfect shape for bushcraft, but it'll still get the job done.