Dr. Utility, or: How I Learned to Stop Snubbing and Love the Tanto

[islandblacksmith]

on the far right, not really a nihonto, but the continental form that led up to it...6th century tactical?

 

[Poleaxe]

Op, I have a question. How can you have had such strong beliefs about something without actually having experience using it ? Seems kind of unfair Imo.

 

[islandblacksmith]

btw, Maeko....if you are able, it would be nice to see the nakago (tang) up close as well as the surface of the blade in sharp focus to see the condition of the steel and any makers marks...

don't ever remove any of the rust from the tang, nor do any sharpening or polishing yourself, if its an antique it needs special care...and doubly so just in case you have an older than old antique...

 

[islandblacksmith]

but back to the original topic...

of course i prefer the look of a traditional tanto to a "tanto point" (which is never on tanto, but forms of it are occasionally on very old tachi),
but in certain pieces i don't mind the look straight look of the pre-nihonto chokutō style tip...
ie, when both edges are almost dead straight (as in chokut&#333, or when both are curved slightly (as in very old tachi), either with a slight belly or a recurve...but not so into the look of a curved belly and straight tip edge.

as for utility, having both edges dead straight is sure quick to sharpen to consistant angles!

some informative and concise references from kashima~san...

types of kissaki (there is a note about why even kamasu-kissaki on early tachi are very rare): http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/kissaki.html
more info on that process here, largely due to wear and repair (scroll down a bit): http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/wornshape.html
focuses on kissaki-moroha-zukuri but briefly covers the origin of the sword in Japan and shows some chokuto style blades: http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/kissakimoroha.html

 

[o4tg]

Thank you for that information! Very cool history lesson indeed.

Now when people say "American tanto" we can say "no, the original tanto".

 

[rajincagin]

Just in time for the new benchmade Stryker!

 

[evanPGH]

Thank you for that information! Very cool history lesson indeed.

Now when people say "American tanto" we can say "no, the original tanto".

hahaha technically you're right!

Yeah Dave (islandblacksmith) knows about everything you would ever need to know about Japanese edged tools.

Thanks for those links Dave! Very good stuff!

 

[B.F.U]

Speaking of tantos, I just picked up a cold steel voyager xl for $50 shipped! I sold my large tanto voyager to cover most of the purchase. I'm super excited

 

[jazub]

I started using a tanto last Spring (BM 523) and found it to be very useful [in addition to looking way cool ]. I am a fan of sheepsfoot style traditional folders and find the tanto style to be similar, with the added bonus of an extra edge point.

With regard to skinning, it may not be ideal but it works. Here is a pregnant rattlesnake I got on my job site in the hills last summer. The extra point of edge was sharp and handled the scaly belly just fine.

Agree that it is not the most ideal for food but one can certainly make do.

 

[BDbrad]

while i'm not a huge fan i do like a tanto here or there. Especially with a little belly to it.