Does a tanto have a place in the wilderness?

myright

myright

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Unlike many others that I've seen comment about the tanto blade I actually like the design. I do not own one as I am not sure it would get much use. I've seen hundreds of posts of blades in the wilderness and can not recall a tanto being in any of them.

Does this design have a place in the wilderness? Please explain your answer whether it be for or against.

Thanks fellas
 
The thickness of the blade, the grind, the steel, the grip comfort, etc. would be more important to me than the point configuration. I've had a CS recon tanto on a camping trip and used it for a variety of tasks but the blade thickness and grind weren't particularly good for a lot of camp chores (although it split and chopped adequately, for its size). I guess I just haven't seen many tantos with the other attributes I'd like.

DancesWithKnives
 
Sure they do. They have some things that are actually VERY desirable in the woods - a strong tip and a long straight edge. Also remember that there are different types of tantos - the angular American style and the more curvy Japanese style.

Any one who doesn't think tantos will work in the woods should take it up with Ron Hood. He uses them pretty darn effectively. :)
 
I have to admit that I used to be a huge enemy of the tanto point, but then I realized it was just the americanized version. The more traditional patterns seem to be much more useful.

americanized-tips.gif


Lack of belly on the blade could cause a problem but I think that the knifecould easily be used as a camp knife with little problem. The strong tip could be used for digging and drilling and the straight grind would lend itself to shaving bark and carving.
 
I seem to recall at one time that the CS recon tanto, the Master tanto and the Outdoorsman were widely carried in the woods by all types of woods venturers.

I love my recon tanto in the woods. I can get fuzz sticks just a fine as a "bushcraft" knife, and the point is quite nice for jabbing into stumps so i can hang the pack.
 
Well I must say I was a bit ignorant to the designs of a tanto and thought the Americanized version was the only version.

Those other two designs look pretty nice and would lend themselves well in the camp kitchen and, as Orrey mentioned, for various other chores.
 
Ron Hood seems quite fond of tanto style blades, he mentions them in some of the articles on his site (survival.com)

i don't really care either way, but i am rather fond of the straight spined scandinavian style blades, which seem to have quite a bit in common with the more traditional tanto style blades.

as far as the americanized tanto-i can see them being just as useful as any other knife, if you work with it for a little bit and get used to what it can and can't do. like Dancing says, for me the point style is farther down the list than things like grind, steel, maker (related to heat treat reliability), handle ergos, etc.
 
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I find the Tanto lacking good skinning ability, other than that I could get by just fine with a Tanto. The only down side to most Tanto's is that they are too thick for real good slicing. I often carry the CS Recon Tanto in the field and woods. I have a homemade pretty thin knife that I may try the Traditional Tanto point on. Thanks for showing those designs.
 
myright said:
Well I must say I was a bit ignorant to the designs of a tanto and thought the Americanized version was the only version.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't consider an American tanto to be a version of an actual Japanese tanto, they are very different IMO. I have both and like them for their purposes.

Even with the American tanto, there are so many variations that it would be difficult to make a blanket statement about them all. There is the typical wide-point style as is found on the Cold Steel tantos, a very acute and long point found on some designed more for fighting (and IMO somewhat losing the strength benefit of the tanto point,) and for both types there is also a drop point version, and with any points the blade could be straight or curved.

The Japanese style tanto I have are by Kris Cutlery and Hanwei, and IMO neither would be a good outdoor knife. They are short swords and are good for that purpose, but not ideal outdoor tools.

For an outdoor knife with a similar profile (but still not a true Japanese tanto) there is the Cold Steel Outdoorsman.
 
You, cant blame the tanto haters here, they certainly have their place, but mine has worked fine. Built shelters, fire, everything I would normal use a BK7 for, the tip really doesnt make that much a diffrence.
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